Failures

[bakerlonglegs]

Can't afford one yet but....

... still interested in hearing about potential problems, even if they don't occur on all bikes. I'm sure BWM are working very hard to sort problems out and the R12 is a fantastic bike when it's working OK. I'm rather jealous of those who were in a position to buy straight away BUT, in the interests of "getting real" (to borrow kiwi's phrase), it's still a near-on 10 grand bike (with luggage and all that) and I would like to know what problems could await the unwary.....
TBM tested one recently (issue 108, August) and the servo on the brakes packed up...... and then restarted without warning. YES they still loved the bike and would change up from an 1150, but I'm still glad I know about it.
Kiwi, Obewan: if you don't want to read about potential problems then, er, you don't have to—there are plenty of other threads to browse
Have fun, Andy

 

[jonboy]

Arf, I remember some old bloke I met in a pub once telling me about a boxer he had years ago, which was apparently good for, errr, entertaining the ladies, because you could stand on the cylinders with your lady friend lying back on the seat, err I'm sure you get the idea ... anyway it all went wrong one day when his centrestand broke and they fell off into some nettles.

.

 

[kiwiAdventure]

Re: Can't afford one yet but....

Kiwi, Obewan: if you don't want to read about potential problems then, er, you don't have to—there are plenty of other threads to browse
Have fun, Andy [/B]

It breaks me up. I can just see some of you guys riding along on your bike and panicing about every slight noise you here. Down here if it breaks they fix it and if it breaks again they fix it and if it breaks again you get a new one or your money back.

 

[The Machine Cat]

Arf, I remember some old bloke I met in a pub once telling me about a boxer he had years ago, which was apparently good for, errr, entertaining the ladies, because you could stand on the cylinders with your lady friend lying back on the seat, err I'm sure you get the idea ... anyway it all went wrong one day when his centrestand broke and they fell off into some nettles.

Apparently.

No way I step on the cylinders of my r90/6. Mo moto est plus importante que ma vie sexuelle, demandez à ma copine !
:.)

 

[Capsize]

It breaks me up. I can just see some of you guys riding along on your bike and panicing about every slight noise you here. Down here if it breaks they fix it and if it breaks again they fix it and if it breaks again you get a new one or your money back.

Chance would be a fine thing.

So far they are either awaiting delivery, or, BROKEN!

 

[Nye]

Big problems cold starting (see other thread)...recovered abck to Mill @ Sunderland.
3 days @ Mill Sunderland to "reporgramme the EMS"...but it didnt cure it. Another two days @ Mill, but this time they say they couldnt find the fault. Hmmm. So the "not starting" thing is a feature of the 12GS then???

 

[Captain Scarlet]

My bike has been fault free I guess. However there have been two observations:

I was getting mild tingles through the right wrists during prolong mid-range use - so asked the dealer to balance the throttle bodies at the first service - and now it's silky smooth.

It won't find first gear from stone cold for ten or fifteen seconds, unless you let the clutch partially out first. This is not uncommon with other older boxers, but I don't know the technical reason for this occurence - perhaps someone would be kind enough to elaborate or stab a guess at least for me?

Nye:

As for starting problems, mine's fine hot or cold. The technique with most efi bikes, particularly twins always seems to be leave the throttle well alone until the engine phsyically kicks, then a quick gentle flick of the wrist on the 'S' of Start

If you prime the throttle first or have a reduced battery charge then it probably won't start for a few goes - and then you'll be knackered coz big twins require big thumps to turn over and even fancy gel batteries can be squeezed of juice fairly quickly if the engine is flooded and can't start.

I know it sound obvious, but have you checked a clean spark is getting to the spark plugs? I've also heard that the inline coils have a habit of breaking down - I thought that might even be a cause for the initial running in miles vibration thru the hand that I was feeling.

If the battery is strong, the spark good and your starting technique as described above, then ask them to check the coils and importnatly get them to show you it starting perfectly from stone cold. One way or another you'll sort it and when you do you'll be as happy as Britney's husband. Well, nearly!....

 

[Mouse]

It won't find first gear from stone cold for ten or fifteen seconds, unless you let the clutch partially out first. This is not uncommon with other older boxers, but I don't know the technical reason for this occurence - perhaps someone would be kind enough to elaborate or stab a guess at least for me?

Usually, for a bike gearbox to work properly, and change smoothly, the gears need to be rotating. Despite the fact that you have the clutch disengaged, it will drag slightly and thus rotate the driven side of the gearbox. Or if the bike is moving, the transmission will rotate the other side of the gearbox, thus allowing the gear selectors to work.

My theory on your problem is that when the bike is cold, the engine oil is viscous enough to overcome the small force trying to turn the gears via the disengaged clutch. Letting the clutch out a bit overcomes the viscosity and you can select a gear.

 

[Captain Scarlet]

Thanks Mouse - sounds logical to me; but from a design point should it rally do it, when it doesn't seem to be a problem on other manufacturers bikes?

 

[pragmatix]

Thanks Mouse - sounds logical to me; but from a design point should it rally do it, when it doesn't seem to be a problem on other manufacturers bikes?

Not tried a Yamaha then?

Pete A

 

[Mouse]

A lot of other bikes have a wet clutch. Perhaps the cold viscous oil around the clutch causes more drag thus counteracting the drag on the gearbox. I'm going into wild speculation mode here!

I own a Yamaha Fazer, it's not hard to get into first but it sure makes a lot of noise when you do!

 

[Captain Scarlet]

Tanks to the Scouse-Mouse!

 

[Mouse]

Eh eh calm down!

I'm not a scouser, I just live here!!

 

[Captain Scarlet]

Yoo star'in summat our kid? D'yawant sum like?

Don't stand still too long Mista Mouse, someone might steal ya!