Difficult first gear

[BervieGS]

Hi folks

I am new to the forum and BMW ownership.
I recently bought a R1200GS Rallye that was in the dealership.
It had 150 miles on the clock and the salesman said that the gearbox had failed so they replaced the bike and put a new gearbox in and put it back in the showroom.
When the bike is cold it is difficult to get into first gear, I often have to pull away in 2nd or slip the clutch.
The bike has not had its first service yet and I will tell them when it goes in for its service.
Has anyone noticed this before?
Brian

 

[FENNER]

Have you tried letting the clutch out slowly as you engage 1st gear ? That's what I have to do occasionally, it drops in gear easily then and you just pull the clutch back in. I think I asked the same question and was given this advise, it works for me

Tony

 

[Georgeeboi]

Yes, I had it with my triple black but now with 1200 miles on the clock it's fine.

 

[Roymondo]

"They all do that, Sir."

First time I had a test ride on a GS, I am embarassed to admit that I had to ask the salesman if there was some sort of interlock mechanism that I had failed to notice...

I think they get a little bit easier as the miles clock up - Mine has done 12k miles now and it seems to be a little less obstructive. I find that the "knack" seems to be to pull in the clutch and stomp on the gear lever all in one movement, rather than pulling in the clutch and then stomping on the lever.

 

[JayC]

Hi BGS,

Front brake on -
Foot on shifter -
Partially release clutch whilst applying pressure on the gearshift and haul clutch lever back in all in one movement (ish).

 

[BervieGS]

Thanks for all the advice, I will try it out later.

 

[Pukmeister]

The bike has a dry single plate clutch, same as a car: No slippage when engaging 1st, hence requiring the rider to do it using the clutch lever to get the gears to mesh/engage. Ever had to pump the clutch in your car to get it into 1st gear?? Same with the GS.

Jap bikes etc with inline engines and stacked gearboxes have a wet multiplate clutch, allowing some slippage through oil drag in the clutch when trying to engage 1st so it goes in much easier than the BM does.

It'll soon become second nature....

 

[(RIP) Miff]

My 05 1200GS still does it occasionally with 34k on the clock. It's all part of the "character" of these bikes

 

[adventuredon]

Have you tried letting the clutch out slowly as you engage 1st gear ? That's what I have to do occasionally, it drops in gear easily then and you just pull the clutch back in. I think I asked the same question and was given this advise, it works for me

Tony

Ditto...ususalyy when cold

 

[Country Bumpkin]

Firstly & Secondly

Hi folks

I am new to the forum and BMW ownership.
I recently bought a R1200GS Rallye that was in the dealership.
It had 150 miles on the clock and the salesman said that the gearbox had failed so they replaced the bike and put a new gearbox in and put it back in the showroom.
When the bike is cold it is difficult to get into first gear, I often have to pull away in 2nd or slip the clutch.
The bike has not had its first service yet and I will tell them when it goes in for its service.
Has anyone noticed this before?
Brian

Good evening Brian

Firstly, welcome to the site and all the joys that BMW ownerships brings. Secondly my old GS used to struggle at times to slip into first. Just push the bike backwards the smallest of amounts as you pull in the clutch and it should drop into gear a treat. I think you will find it easier to find first gear when you get a few more miles on the clock.

Cheers

CB

 

[Valley Boy]

I must be the lucky one !-------- No problems at all on my TB.--

 

[littleredrooster]

The reason is here. Happens to lots of new owners.