Clacks , Crunches, or cant get Neutral

[Nutty]

After adjusting the gear lever to a higher position, all my grievances went away and the box seemed fine - until the other day when giving it large down the A422 to the M40. Changing up there was a horrible graunch from the box just as I was passing a car. They must have wondered what the smeg was going on with such a noise. Sounded like the entire box was going to come out

Was that going from 3rd to 4th, by any chance?

i'm very glad i didn't buy one.

Jolly good

 

[krytengs]

what a load of bollocks

 

[MattW]

what a load of bollocks

Indeed.

Anyone who's seen the size of the release bearing in most BMW clutches would be making maximum use of neutral.

 

[david a hall]

I almost never use neutral.

 

[chad]

this whole fuckin thread is a load of bollox

 

[Benhur]

BMW have approved my dealer's request for the thrust pin thing as a warranty claim. Just waiting for them to supply the part.

 

[iandavid]

Sounds more like Marlborough Country than Wales

It'll become standard on bikes eventually - it's called eco mode in cars. Hired a Ford Focus recently and every time you stopped at lights the engine shuts off. Put foot on clutch and it starts. Common across most BMW cars, Volvo's etc so eventually it'll be fitted on bikes. At the moment you can turn it off but who knows in the future. Bikes have now got ABS - standard, Traction control - soon will be standard and in the future "eco mode" All these gismo's start out in cars and then eventually find there way onto bikes.

 

[dave hendy]

Maybe, but this clunk into first is not a fault, loads of wet clutch chain driven Japanese sports bike do the same - it is just a new phenomenon to the GS which is why it is a bit alien.

I am sure that the designers were well aware of it but never saw it as a problem because it isn't.

1st is annoying but its the 2-3 3-4 thats more annoying

I want mine fixed

 

[alp]

It'll become standard on bikes eventually - it's called eco mode in cars. Hired a Ford Focus recently and every time you stopped at lights the engine shuts off. Put foot on clutch and it starts. Common across most BMW cars.

But you have to put the car in neutral first ......so not much help to some of our GSers......

 

[Nutty]

It'll become standard on bikes eventually - it's called eco mode in cars. Hired a Ford Focus recently and every time you stopped at lights the engine shuts off. Put foot on clutch and it starts. Common across most BMW cars, Volvo's etc so eventually it'll be fitted on bikes. At the moment you can turn it off but who knows in the future. Bikes have now got ABS - standard, Traction control - soon will be standard and in the future "eco mode" All these gismo's start out in cars and then eventually find there way onto bikes.

The new GS has the irritating symbol on the dash to tell you when to change gear, to get the best fuel consumption. The dealer disabled that feature on mine before I even picked the bike up. They know me too well!

 

[MattW]

It'll become standard on bikes eventually - it's called eco mode in cars. Hired a Ford Focus recently and every time you stopped at lights the engine shuts off. Put foot on clutch and it starts. Common across most BMW cars, Volvo's etc so eventually it'll be fitted on bikes. At the moment you can turn it off but who knows in the future. Bikes have now got ABS - standard, Traction control - soon will be standard and in the future "eco mode" All these gismo's start out in cars and then eventually find there way onto bikes.

It's only become standard on cars in response to emissions related taxation and increasing focus on fuel efficiency as people try to reduce the costs of using their day to day transport. This isn't really (yet) a factor on bikes. Bikes are for the most part luxury items, or toys and most bikers don't really give that much thought to fuel consumption as long as it's reasonable.

The real thing to worry about (if you're that way inclined) is the EU starting to mandate emissions and fuel efficiency standards for bikes (and MOT emissions tests). That will completely change the face of biking.

 

[Engineer]

1st is annoying but its the 2-3 3-4 thats more annoying

I want mine fixed

I don't have a problem with 1>2, 2>3, 3>4, 4>5 or 5>6, as I go up the box changes become smoother, if BMW can get rid of the clutch drag that makes going into 1st quieter then I'd like that mod but otherwise the box is OK.

I suspect that if the clutch drag can be reduced (worse when cold) then all the complaints will go away.

If you have trouble changing from 2>3 and 3>4 then there is something else wrong with your bike in my opinion. If my bike is ok then surely they can all be made that way?

 

[red1]

If my bike is ok then surely they can all be made that way?

If you have the component and build quality in the factory, yes, but obviously that is not the case. Once again BMW has let its faithful finish off the R&D as it has consistently with previous models.

 

[krytengs]

The new GS has the irritating symbol on the dash to tell you when to change gear, to get the best fuel consumption. The dealer disabled that feature on mine before I even picked the bike up. They know me too well!

They must have guessed my riding style too as mine was disabled...I only found out it existed from the manual

 

[Emoto]

The new GS has the irritating symbol on the dash to tell you when to change gear, to get the best fuel consumption. The dealer disabled that feature on mine before I even picked the bike up. They know me too well!

Easy enough for an owner to go in and disable that. RTFM.

 

[jonnyp]

If you have the component and build quality in the factory, yes, but obviously that is not the case. Once again BMW has let its faithful finish off the R&D as it has consistently with previous models.

Mines the same as his!!! Clunk in to first (not a major issue) the rest fine. Both were delivered on the same day!

If, there is a gearbox problem, it's pure random.

 

[Engineer]

Mines the same as his!!! Clunk in to first (not a major issue) the rest fine. Both were delivered on the same day!

If, there is a gearbox problem, it's pure random.

Exactly, IF there is a gearbox problem? I am not convinced that there is a general problem apart from the 'clack' into 1st gear which is caused by clutch drag.

 

[alp]

Exactly, IF there is a gearbox problem? I am not convinced that there is a general problem apart from the 'clack' into 1st gear which is caused by clutch drag.

I'm with you on this. There isn't a gearbox problem. It's CLUTCH DRAG which is causing these situations.
As a test for your bike try starting it in gear with the clutch lever pulled to check this. If the bike jerks forwards momentarily, a small but detectable amount, then it's clutch drag. I've seen some bikes visibly jerk forwards an inch or two during this test. If it doesn't then you're one of the lucky ones. That's why BMW are experimenting with clutch push rods with extra slots, oil types and oil levels.
It will get worse if the clutch is used a lot in slow moving traffic, from my personal experience.

 

[Captain Black]

BMW Offroad instructors in Wales said don't bother with neutral and I agree with them.

As I have said in numerous posts, I don't use neutral. Stop in 1st, side stand down and the engine stops. Get off the bike and have a cup of tea whilst everyone else is still trying to find neutral. Get on, pull clutch in, start engine and ride away. I stop at lights with the left foot down and the right foot on the rear brake, in 1st gear with the clutch in. If there is going to be a significant wait I use the kill switch. It beats doing the Hendon shuffle.

You bought a six speed bike, you got neutral for free, so forget about it.

BMW off road instructors are daft then . Forget about neutral ? Are you serious ? I might forget about it on a 10 year old 100k miler but not on a new fecking 15 k plastic fantastic shit mobile that is the latest GS.
On that basis you may as well forget about 1st gear as you can always set off in 2nd, oh and don't worry if sixth packs in just use fifth.

 

[GS_or_bust]

BMW off road instructors are daft then . Forget about neutral ? Are you serious ? I might forget about it on a 10 year old 100k miler but not on a new fecking 15 k plastic fantastic shit mobile that is the latest GS.
On that basis you may as well forget about 1st gear as you can always set off in 2nd, oh and don't worry if sixth packs in just use fifth.

I can see why some riders with joint problems might need to select neutral to rest their hands when waiting at lights but I would be interested to know why you feel the need to select neutral before switching the engine off. What is the benefit?