Just imagine...
If the WC was built as well as a late 70's Boxer.
Maybe that's not possible... But if it was
Clacks , Crunches, or cant get Neutral
- Thread starter needlongerlegs
- Start date
Just imagine...
If the WC was built as well as a late 70's Boxer.
Maybe that's not possible... But if it was
Just imagine...
If the WC was built as well as a late 70's Boxer.
Maybe that's not possible... But if it was
Most 70's Boxers are like Twiggers broom - 5 new heads and 3 new shafts but still going strong
shortywilliam
Registered user
I said it was my solution.
And the deal was better than throwing good money after bad and just rejecting the bike, in my opinion.
Yes this is my 4th GS and my first was an 1150 when they came out so I usually only change them ever 3 or 4 years.
I do not have blind faith in BMW and yes the build and reliability is doubtful but I have test rode all of the other bikes Ducati Triumph etc and the GSLC is the better bike or I would have bought one of them.
I have no loyalty to BMW I just buy the best bike for me at the time. And to be honest I was hoping that Honda would have made a better job of there V4 1200 but its very dull with very few toys.
So here we go again first of a new model I know its not going to end well again.
And the deal was better than throwing good money after bad and just rejecting the bike, in my opinion.
Yes this is my 4th GS and my first was an 1150 when they came out so I usually only change them ever 3 or 4 years.
I do not have blind faith in BMW and yes the build and reliability is doubtful but I have test rode all of the other bikes Ducati Triumph etc and the GSLC is the better bike or I would have bought one of them.
I have no loyalty to BMW I just buy the best bike for me at the time. And to be honest I was hoping that Honda would have made a better job of there V4 1200 but its very dull with very few toys.
So here we go again first of a new model I know its not going to end well again.
My R100RT is 34 years old...
It's still going strong, has almost no corrosion, and I don't have to measure the oil out like I'm a research scientist...
The reason it's lasted is that it was built well, using good materials.
Simple really
i've had a few airheads, loved them dearly, but i've had more trouble with them than any other bikes i've owned (including several guzzis).
what's more, they don't go, don't stop, and wobble around corners, so comparing your 37 year old airhead with a modern bmw is not terribly valid IMO.
as i've pointed out before, looking at bmw's reliability record since the later airheads (particularly the GS), it's not exactly unblemished.
airhead gearboxes.
paralever drive shafts.
R100 valves falling apart.
1100 gearbox bearing failures & cracking of the casing, surging.
1150 boxes had some issues too IIRC, final drive failures. wiring breaking, surging.
1200 FPC, ring antenna and fuel strip failure. rear drives, valve failure...
most of these issues were never addressed by bmw, and those that were, were only after an unacceptable time had elapsed.
dunno why i keep buying the fucking old heaps?
shortywilliam
Registered user
Luddite
One who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are...why can't everything just be the same?)
+1
As I have said once you have had an LC there's no going back to an air cooled dinosaur. BMW just need to get there act together and sort out the gear change.
Or maybe they have mine was one of the first ones built. There are plenty on here that say it just the rider at fault or it could be they ride like miss daisy or just polish it and don't do any miles. But I like to think that their bikes are just fine and the problem has been sorted.
what's more, they don't go, don't stop, and wobble around corners...
dunno why i keep buying the fucking old heaps?
I'd have to agree with most of that
shortywilliam
Registered user
i've had a few airheads, loved them dearly, but i've had more trouble with them than any other bikes i've owned (including several guzzis).
what's more, they don't go, don't stop, and wobble around corners, so comparing your 37 year old airhead with a modern bmw is not terribly valid IMO.
as i've pointed out before, looking at bmw's reliability record since the later airheads (particularly the GS), it's not exactly unblemished.
airhead gearboxes.
paralever drive shafts.
R100 valves falling apart.
1100 gearbox bearing failures & cracking of the casing, surging.
1150 boxes had some issues too IIRC, final drive failures. wiring breaking, surging.
1200 FPC, ring antenna and fuel strip failure. rear drives, valve failure...
most of these issues were never addressed by bmw, and those that were, were only after an unacceptable time had elapsed.
dunno why i keep buying the fucking old heaps?
It sounds like a list of my bikes and the faults I have had with them.
In the past I would never buy a Ducati 851 916 because of the reliability issues and now I put up with it, I Guess the lift is not going all the way to the top anymore.
dunno why i keep buying the fucking old heaps?
This kind of leads to that age old Question...
'Which Bike'..?
There's no answer...
Bendy toy
Registered user
It seems to me that much of these gear shift and clutch issues with the LC are normal characteristics of the wet clutch and the rider not matching the revs. Shift up too slowly and the box WILL crash. The engine revs fall very quickly and the wet clutch drags more than a dry plate type so the gear speeds are not matched. Shift down without throttle blips of some sort and the box speeds are even further out of synch
My Mk2 hexhead will only shift up quietly when I preload the gear lever before dipping the clutch. Do that and I can shift without the clutch though its not always as smooth. Downshifts the same. Gently press down on the lever and pull the clutch fractionally before the throttle closes so the revs blip and the gear just slots in. When slowing down on a closed throttle this works without the clutch - preload the gear lever and the smallest throttle blip (from fully closed) will unload the transmission enough for the next lower gear to drop in.
The only issue - its too easy to accidentally push the lever too firmly and the gear will throw in under power - not good. I cant ride as smoothly in semi off road boots as I can with softer touring boots.
My previous bike was shaft drive with wet clutch. When the engine was cold I started it in 1st gear. This free'd the clutch and of course no clunks. The battery and starter never complained. If I stopped in traffic finding first could be noisy unless the 'box was allowed to settle before going for 1st gear. I never worried about stopping in gear at traffic lights, yet the clutch release bearing (actually very easy to replace) was fine at 70K miles when I renewed the clutch friction plates. This bike was a nightmare to downshift if I accidentally (or was forced to) stopped in a high gear. The' box seemed to hang up in 4th or 3rd. The Hexhead is much better in that respect though 4th to 3rd can be clanky.
My Mk2 hexhead will only shift up quietly when I preload the gear lever before dipping the clutch. Do that and I can shift without the clutch though its not always as smooth. Downshifts the same. Gently press down on the lever and pull the clutch fractionally before the throttle closes so the revs blip and the gear just slots in. When slowing down on a closed throttle this works without the clutch - preload the gear lever and the smallest throttle blip (from fully closed) will unload the transmission enough for the next lower gear to drop in.
The only issue - its too easy to accidentally push the lever too firmly and the gear will throw in under power - not good. I cant ride as smoothly in semi off road boots as I can with softer touring boots.
My previous bike was shaft drive with wet clutch. When the engine was cold I started it in 1st gear. This free'd the clutch and of course no clunks. The battery and starter never complained. If I stopped in traffic finding first could be noisy unless the 'box was allowed to settle before going for 1st gear. I never worried about stopping in gear at traffic lights, yet the clutch release bearing (actually very easy to replace) was fine at 70K miles when I renewed the clutch friction plates. This bike was a nightmare to downshift if I accidentally (or was forced to) stopped in a high gear. The' box seemed to hang up in 4th or 3rd. The Hexhead is much better in that respect though 4th to 3rd can be clanky.
Emoto
Registered user
Allow me to dissuade you of this notion. There is no combination of revving, matching, pre-loading the lever, etc., that will result in a good shift each time on the bikes affected with this issue. It is not normal.
patzx12
Registered user
After having the bike for a while now the gear issue has gone from a 'deal breaker' to a minor annoyance.
Everything else on the bike is good.
I have gone through the transition phase from TC to LC
I will chase up BMW fixes and continue to enjoy the bike.
Everything else on the bike is good.
I have gone through the transition phase from TC to LC
I will chase up BMW fixes and continue to enjoy the bike.
shortywilliam
Registered user
Too right
Most 70's Boxers are like Twiggers broom - 5 new heads and 3 new shafts but still going strong
And most of the owners stink of p1ss, they'd struggle to ride a stick up a dogs arse.
Cue the inevitable defence & insults from WC owners - bit rich from DingDong as he fell off his, speaks a lot for his riding 
The WC Moaners & Doubters (me & others, who look objectively) are
Too poor
Too old
Jealous
Luddite
Crap riders
Get a grip, the WC has some major issues, but you still defend it to the hilt, probably because you've spent £14k big ones & are now beginning to either regret it or wonder what to do now?
I fail to see why some of you continue to put up with the gear change & don't just leave the bike at the dealer until they sort it
The WC Moaners & Doubters (me & others, who look objectively) are
Too poor
Too old
Jealous
Luddite
Crap riders
Get a grip, the WC has some major issues, but you still defend it to the hilt, probably because you've spent £14k big ones & are now beginning to either regret it or wonder what to do now?
I fail to see why some of you continue to put up with the gear change & don't just leave the bike at the dealer until they sort it
JB and objectivity - not two words I would normally associate with each other
JB and objectivity - not two words I would normally associate with each other
Well there you go
Gossy
Registered user
Luddite
One who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are...why can't everything just be the same?)
No need to fear new technology as long as it works
I at least agree with that statement JB owners need to man up, mines going on the scrap heap.
However the rest is Bo11ox your a proper wind up merchant....
Cue the inevitable defence & insults from WC owners - bit rich from DingDong as he fell off his, speaks a lot for his riding
The WC Moaners & Doubters (me & others, who look objectively) are
Too poor
Too old
Jealous
Luddite
Crap riders
Get a grip, the WC had some major issues, but you still defend it to the hilt, probably because you've spent £14k big ones & are now beginning to either regret it or wonder what to do now?
I fail to see why some of you continue to put up with the gear change & don't just leave the bike at the dealer until they sort it
My bike doesn't have a crap gear change, it is very good compared to those ancient agricultural 1150s.
Mine didn't cost £14K either.
I think I've have said it before.... there are lies, damned lies, statistics and then Johnny Boxer's jealous comments.
