Dodgy Clutch or not?

[MrJantje]

I've been the proud owner of a 2008 GSA for one whole month now and I am very happy with it, apart from one niggling possibly perceived fault.

The clutch bites late and then with an alarmingly (to me) loud knock, this happens when I'm driving slowly in traffic, feathering the clutch on the biting point.

I took it into BMW to be serviced today and asked them to have a look at it, which they did. They said 'yes well they all do that'.

While they had the bike in I was leant a brand new 2010 GS which has a lovely smooth progressive action clutch, with no bangs at all when the clutch engages. I mentioned this and the answer I got was that this is because the engineering is different.

I might be wrong but that sounds like a b*llox palm off to me. The bike is still under warranty, and I expect Mr.BMW just doesnt want to fork out for a new clutch or whatever it is that is causing this. You may have guessed my technical engineering knowledge of bikes is limited.

So, my querstion is, is this normal, should I expect there to be so much 'play' in the clutch? And should it be normal for it to engage with a loud knock every time?

If it is indeed normal, I will live with it. But having seen how great it can be (on the 2010 bike) I am keen to get this resolved.

Your feedback much appreciated.

 

[GSmonkey]

do a search on "clunk"

 

[MrJantje]

Had a read of 'Clunk' and it sounds like it could be a number of things!!!

 

[Cartman]

I had a similar problem on my 07 GSA, clutch intermittantly causing issues, after bleeding air out of the clutch it solved it. However there is now a campaign from BMW to reroute the cable to fix the problem, had this done and have no further issues. Yes a lot do that, but it is an easy fix if you can find a dealer that can be arsed.

 

[Steptoe]

And should it be normal for it to engage with a loud knock every time?

.

It's a dry clutch, so it depends if you're lacking in finesse or just plain and simple heavy handed.

 

[MrJantje]

It's a dry clutch, so it depends if you're lacking in finesse or just plain and simple heavy handed.

I'd say I'm probably both, being new to the bike, and back into bikes after a long absence

 

[Frankh]

I'd say it's the bike and not you, you rode a 2010 and the clutch was fine, the clutch on a 2010 feels just like my 2009 and just like a 2006 I had previous.

 

[jpooch00]

I wonder if it could be an out of spec, soft spring on the compensator in the tranny?

That could make a clunking sound when the clutch is engaged/disengaged.

 

[Yonkyo]

My 04 and 06 GS's used to 'Clunk' when letting the clutch out in first gear. Usually did it when the engine was very hot and i was filtering through traffic etc..

I thought it was just a 'characteristic’ of the GS and I did over 40k miles on those bikes.

BTW, my 09 GSA doesn’t clunk.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Take it to another dealer and see what they think

 

[MrJantje]

Thanks I appreciate all the input. I'm going to different dealer to get a another opinion on Saturday. Hope they find the problem.

 

[Pukmeister]

My '04 clunks, always has.

Mates '08 doesn't.

Better gearbox internals in the later bikes.

 

[MrJantje]

Took the bike to two seperate dealers last saturday and they both agree the bike is fine. Yes the clutch is 'clunky' but I'm told its perfectly normal. Still not 100% convinced as the 2010 bike was so good, and its an inconsistent problem, some bikes seem to have it, some don't.

Ah well, onwards and upwards.

 

[Old Gregg]

I have a 2008 model GS and it is pretty smooth. I've not noticed any unusual clunks with it.

 

[Burwickbiker]

got to say I have an 06 with 23K and silky smoth. Was told they could be clunky but my cbr 1000rr is far more clunky when engaging

 

[Engineer]

Took the bike to two seperate dealers last saturday and they both agree the bike is fine. Yes the clutch is 'clunky' but I'm told its perfectly normal. Still not 100% convinced as the 2010 bike was so good, and its an inconsistent problem, some bikes seem to have it, some don't.

Ah well, onwards and upwards.

The 2009 and 2010 transmission is significantly better than the earlier models - the gear change seems much less clunky too. There is nothing wrong with the earlier models, it's just that the very latest ones are a bit better in this respect.

 

[MrJantje]

Through concentrating on the issue I am learning to be less hamfisted and a bit smoother with it, and eliminated a bit of the problem.

Whilst in with Vines talking about the clutch the technician noticed the spring on the front shock 'bowing out' so that it rubs on the piston down the middle.

They said it needed changing under warranty and as it was a Saturday they booked it in this week.

Paul the Vines vanman came and picked up the bike on Tuesday morning, and he will deliver it back to me tomorrow morning.

Must say they get 10 out of ten for doing something that I didnt ask for.

Probably because they didnt want me planting myself into a hedge somewhere

I've seen a few threads where dealers are critisised and thought it might be good to spread a little dealer joy