Clutch issues - is it me?

[Tricuspid]

Bought a 67 plate 1200GS TE a couple of weeks ago, and absolutely love it. The only issue I’m having is the clutch, which seems a bit grabby and I’m struggling to pull away smoothly. I have tried another 1200, so I’m wondering if they are all like that and I need to get used to it, or if I’ve got a problem.


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[Dodger]

It should be a smooth as silk. May need bleeding

 

[Engineer]

My TE clutch is very light and very smooth so I’m surprised to hear you say that it’s grabby.

 

[littleade]

I too have a 67 plate TE and my clutch is very smooth, so there's something wrong with yours

 

[sven]

Is hill hold set to auto? My clutch is very smooth, but the bike does jerk forwards when the brakes release with hill hold activated. I only use it on the manual setting.

 

[littleade]

Is hill hold set to auto? My clutch is very smooth, but the bike does jerk forwards when the brakes release with hill hold activated. I only use it on the manual setting.

A good point, though on my 67 MY2018 GS HH only comes on if I activate it via the brake leaver and then I get the green "H" on the TFT display but IIRC the auto mode is only on later bikes?

The OP could check whether he gets the H when he experiences the grab I guess to rule this in or out as the source of his issue. I do use HH on occasion, but rather than let the clutch have to overcome it as I pull away I get to the biting point then release the HH with a dab on the brakes which for me is much smoother

 

[fred_jb]

If you are in the habit of squeezing the brake hard while stopped you could be inadvertently turning hill hold on, and if so, as others have said, that would explain the problem because on the pre-1250 bikes hill hold does not release at all nicely. You need more revs than normal, but even then it can sometimes feel like it is about to stall, so you automatically pull the clutch, usually just as it starts to release, and end up kangaroo hopping down the road. The only real solution, as has also been suggested, is to give the brakes another hard squeeze to release HH just before you move off. The 1250 version is miles better, both in manual and auto applied mode. They really should do a software release for the older bikes to make the same improvements, if possible.

 

[CPJS]

The clutch action should be light and smooth.
As your bilke does not have the auto hill start it must be the clutch itself or its activation system, go back to the dealer.

 

[Stevie4scoops]

Bought a 67 plate 1200GS TE a couple of weeks ago, and absolutely love it. The only issue I’m having is the clutch, which seems a bit grabby and I’m struggling to pull away smoothly. I have tried another 1200, so I’m wondering if they are all like that and I need to get used to it, or if I’ve got a problem.


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Has it got the right type/grade of oil and is it not over-filled? Wrong or two much oil can really affect a clutch action

 

[Mulcher]

@Tricuspid I think the clutch on my brand new 1250 GSA is poor too – lovely light action, no drag, but grabs right at the end of the friction zone. (By comparison my 37,000-mile Triumph on its original clutch was faultless).

I made a point of mentioning it at my 600-mile service and, predictably, the mechanic/technician reported it was OK (even though he didn’t road test it).

I guess I’ll just have to wait for it to get bad enough that it’s impossible for them to deny there’s a problem.

I don’t think they are “all like that” because forum members here seem quite happy with them. Depending on your warranty and dealer you may need to push hard for a resolution, but get in quick coz they’ll likely try and blame your riding style (clutch abuse).

 

[Carlosfandango]

Hi, I've got a 17 plate GS and sometimes in first pulling away it does catch me unawares and 'grabs' especialy with a few revs trying to get off the line quickly, i do pop the occasional small wheelie as it grabs, I think it is the bike, you do get used to it, feed it in gently. some members of the forum have moved the adjustment outwards so the clutch lever is further away when it bites, try it - may help

 

[Bem]

Bought a 67 plate 1200GS TE a couple of weeks ago, and absolutely love it. The only issue I’m having is the clutch, which seems a bit grabby and I’m struggling to pull away smoothly. I have tried another 1200, so I’m wondering if they are all like that and I need to get used to it, or if I’ve got a problem.


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My 2015 built 1200 can be grabby when compared to say my fireblade eg lots of revs and feed in the clutch then its grabby. But used in the slightly more synchronised method of low revs and get the clutch out the gas away - its not too bad.

 

[Tricuspid]

Thanks, I will see how it goes for now, I hadn’t ridden a bike for a few years so it could be me, although I didn’t find the same with the two bikes I tested before I bought mine.