drivetrain knock

[birdseye]

my bike has a noticeable knock when taking up drive in low gears - typically when riding at walking pace , clutch in and out. Probably does it when going faster too, but its less obvious because of all the other noises. Sound as if there were a cush drive in the system and the rubbers had fallen out.

No other symptoms - wheel is secure, no side play to the wheel, no excessive rotation of rear wheel when on center stand and in gear. gear box is excellent when warmed up.

is this normal?

 

[Dave Price]

Exactly the same as my bike, which has now covered 7K. I seem to remember someone else making the same remark. I'm sure they're all the same.

 

[JayGee]

Yep, mine the same. Clutch in/out at walking pace and it clonks very noticeably. The 1150 boxers did the same and I think they all do it. Very annoying but you get used to it.

 

[IanC]

I had this trouble. Dealer replaced the final drive (needed due to normal spline trouble anyway), but didn't sort it, so replaced gearbox and still no different!

They only did this after deciding that it had more slop than their demo bike, so they're not all the same. However I've now given up on trying to sort it out! Not really sure what it could be.

 

[plasmatron]

mine to... exactly the same, a knock when releasing / engaging the clutch.... noticable mostly at low speeds... I panicked when i first heard it since this is my first BMW, but a mate who's been on GS's for years says it's par for the course... also on a ride out last weekend with about 8 other 1200GS's ranging from just broken in to about 15,000km on the clock and the all did it...

 

[Mikef]

Clonk .... Me... Too part of the quirkyness makes pedestrians stare at you !!!

 

[Mr K]

They all do that sir.....

 

[wut]

I've now had my 1200GS for 3 weeks and the "clonk" is very noticeable at low speeds when engaging/disengaging the clutch.

I might be mistaken but I believe part of the reason for this noise is the shaft drive. Unfortunately I cannot make a direct comparison with my previous "big" bike, a Pan European which I sold in August. If my memory serves me right the Pan showed similar symptoms - I believe they were not quite as loud but certainly there was noticeable slack in the drivetrain - at the last MOT I even asked whether the rubber bushes in the wheel (cush drive?) were prone to wear and was told that they never wore out.

Since August I have only ridden a chain drive 650 and the noise initially alarmed me again but I now accept that they obviously all do that.



Walter

 

[suarvharv]

The demonstrator I rode definitely did not have this clunk. My bike does. I rode both bikes back to back. Gearbox, drive shaft and rear drive all replaced. No significant change. Annoying.

 

[IanC]

wut

I still have my Pan (ST1100), and hadn't ridden it for a while until earlier last week.

I immediately noticed the _total_ lack of any slop/clunk, etc.! This one is 2001 with 29,000 miles on the clock.

 

[Gipsy]

Mine does exactly the same. Notice it less as time passes and get used to it. Asked dealer to check it, and after a test ride commented ' they all do that ' Have stopped worrying. Still under warranty. Will check again as time goes on.

 

[birdseye]

Thanks for the re-assurance folks.

My previous Pan didnt do it either. But that definitely was a higher quality bike even if a lot less fun.

 

[wut]

IanC

I seem to remember (and possibly completely wrong due to age related memory loss?) that although there was certainly nowhere near the volume of noise on the Pan (mine had 24000 on it when I sold it) the general sensation of engaging first gear and shifting to second was very similar to the GS. There was nowhere near as much play in the drive train though. My theory was (am quite happy to accept that I might be wrong) is that the shaft drive lacks some of the elasticity inherent in the chain drive solution. Possibly there is also a difference in feel/noise due to the dry clutch??

It doesn't really matter anyway as from day to day I am enjoying the GS more - "clunk" or no "clunk" it's a great bike.



My employer is sending me to Chicago for 3 weeks as of Monday - will be missing riding and the associated noises!

 

[welder8uk]

All the shaft drive bikes I have ever ridden have this clunk. Although I have never ridden anything more modern than the 1150GS i have now. Shafties I have had with clunks are the CX500, CX650, Suz GS850, yam XJ900 and the 1150.

If you get the revs spot on and release the clucth really gently most of the time you can stop it. I took it as just been the slop in the drive train being taken up. Never really bothered me or caused any problems on bikes I have had.

Steve

 

[Russ]

I have fixed the clunking noise on the my 1200, I've ordered a scoprion race can for it! HTH

 

[IanC]

There is NO slop at all on my Pan (30,000 miles) - I've tried to make it do so, but it just won't!

What really doesn't feel/sound good on the GS is not so much pulling away or even slow riding, but it you take it off-road on some rougher terrain it is constantly clunking! I'm sure some internal part must be taking some punishment.