Fried clutch

[Rudders99]

I am a new member so Hi to all.

I bought the GS just over 2 years ago and so far have been very pleased with the whole experience.

Heading for Poland next Sunday (hopefully) and put the bike in for service to be told the clutch has gone. Apparently the plates are blue. I have extended warranty but the dealer and BMW are still trying to decide if this is a fault or usual wear and tear.

I can’t accept that 18k of relatively moderate riding can fry a clutch.

So, my question is has anyone else had a similar clutch problem.

PS - the dealer said Friday was the first day they were told to check the stanchions - not a recall and nothing to worry about apparently. We’ll see.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

What year & model ?

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[kurienp]

What year & model ?

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If the OP is mentioning stanchions, then has to be an LC

OP, seen the mention of a fried clutch just once on here, but the the poster did mention going off road, and feathering the clutch to get unstuck and frying the clutch in the process.

Do you unknowingly ride the clutch ?



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[Rudders99]

It's a 2015 LC model. Never used off road. Usually use the gearshifter and pretty sure I don't ride the clutch although I will watch out in future. Most of my miles are long distance touring and then in Picos/Pyrenees etc and I think I have only been to London (heavy traffic) once to get tyres changed at Watkins Catford who I recommend.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

It's a 2015 LC model. Never used off road. Usually use the gearshifter and pretty sure I don't ride the clutch although I will watch out in future. Most of my miles are long distance touring and then in Picos/Pyrenees etc and I think I have only been to London (heavy traffic) once to get tyres changed at Watkins Catford who I recommend.

18k on a 15 plate bike .... i wouldn't be happy with that. Surly BMW must change that as premature and not fit for purpose. I too use the GSAP which reduces even more use of the clutch.
Let us know how you get on.
My 1150 GS covered 80k on the original clutch. I got it changed due to a gearbox output bearing failure. It was only half worn !

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

18k on a 15 plate bike .... i wouldn't be happy with that. Surly BMW must change that as premature and not fit for purpose. I too use the GSAP which reduces even more use of the clutch.
Let us know how you get on.
My 1150 GS covered 80k on the original clutch. I got it changed due to a gearbox output bearing failure. It was only half worn !

Your 1150 was a completely different clutch which was a major PIA to replace!

Never seen an early worn out clutch that wasn't in some part due to the rider. You say the plates are blue meaning there was a lot of heat there so slipping and you never noticed this?

I am sure if you shout enough it will get replaced free gratis though. That's one thing about BMW, They stand by their products and generally look after their owners.

Personally I would close this thread and shut up about it until it's all settled. Complaining on the Internet about something you haven't even got an answer to yet is a pretty good way to get an answer you don't want.

 

[kurienp]

Your 1150 was a completely different clutch which was a major PIA to replace!

Never seen an early worn out clutch that wasn't in some part due to the rider. You say the plates are blue meaning there was a lot of heat there so slipping and you never noticed this?

I am sure if you shout enough it will get replaced free gratis though. That's one thing about BMW, They stand by their products and generally look after their owners.

Personally I would close this thread and shut up about it until it's all settled. Complaining on the Internet about something you haven't even got an answer to yet is a pretty good way to get an answer you don't want.

Complain? When did the OP complain? He was just asking ...

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[tanneman]

Unfortunately this is one that the dealership can say no. It is down to rider style and even if you don't ride the clutch it won't matter as the component is a wear item. You do know that BMW reads these pages? So keep it to yourself until it is settled.

 

[JJH]

It sounds odd to me. You took the bike in for a service. Was there any mention of the clutch slipping? Why did the dealer strip the clutch? Otherwise how does he know that the plates are blued? I'm sure its not a part of the service scedule to take the clutch apart. Just wondering. JJH

 

[Blackal]

Any chance you have/had aftermarket clutch lever fitted? (Clutch not fully disengaging when lever pulled fully)

Al

 

[ChazzyB]

It sounds odd to me. You took the bike in for a service. Was there any mention of the clutch slipping? Why did the dealer strip the clutch? Otherwise how does he know that the plates are blued? I'm sure its not a part of the service scedule to take the clutch apart. Just wondering. JJH

My thoughts too.

 

[leadfarmer]

My thoughts too.

My thoughts too too

 

[Luther Abbott]

JJH is right. No dealer strips a clutch at service. So I would like to know why they did?

 

[Rudders99]

Bike back today which is a huge relief as I head for Poland at the weekend.

The clutch plates have been replaced under warranty. The tech says it looks like a failure - not sure why/just one of those things. No other signs of damage so not likely to be abuse. Apparently the wet clutch is susceptible to failure if the oil level is marginally out so it could be that. It has the original clutch lever and it was correctly set up.

By way of background, the bike is an ex demo and it had about 5k on it when I bought it.

They also decided the GSAP has packed up which was the fault it was in for originally. I noticed the biting point had eased out on the clutch lever over the past few weeks but had not noticed any slipping or obvious clutch issues. During this period the GSAP became increasingly heavy to use and I pretty well stopped using it.

The GSAP is not covered by the extended warranty but we have agreed to speak when I am back from my trip. I am sure we will sort something out although I don’t see why its not automatically covered.

The GSAP was also replaced at 12k miles under warranty so this one has lasted 6k. They don't automatically extend warranty on items replaced under warranty.

So that's 1 clutch and 2 replacement GSAPs.

I can't help thinking this is not a coincidence and that these failures are somehow connected although the GSAP is actually a clutchless shift and does not directly affect the clutch so theres no obvious link, but it does feel a bit spooky.

To be clear, I am still happy with the bike and will still swap it for a 2018 model as planned. The dealer has got me back on the road quickly which was my priority. I am sure we will sort out the cost of the GSAP in due course. I don’t have any problems with how either the dealer or BMW have handled this.

However, I am obviously not happy with any fault. I was lucky this became apparent while I was at home and not on the Ukranian border! I still have an uneasy feeling that the root cause has not been identified but I am told its been thoroughly checked and no other issues identified. We’ll see.

I would be interested if anyone else has had problems with the GSAP.

 

[Uncle Rob]

the bike is an ex demo and it had about 5k on it when I bought it.


I still have an uneasy feeling that the root cause has not been identified but I am told its been thoroughly checked and no other issues identified.

i would have thought thats your answer..