The manual recommends Castrol Power 1 Racing which is fully synthetic and unless there has been a recent directive from BMW then sully synthetic it is.
Gear changes
- Thread starter biggeorge
- Start date
The manual recommends Castrol Power 1 Racing which is fully synthetic and unless there has been a recent directive from BMW then sully synthetic it is.
2,300 miles on mine and apart from the clunk into first - which I hate so I am trying to find a technique that avoids it - the gearbox is sweet enough, I have my clutch lever adjuster set fully out and make sure that I pull the lever fully to the handlebar when changing gear, I don't get any notchiness, or clunks whatsoever.
You will get the hang of neutral selection in time - I use the part of my foot where your shoe laces would be rather than the toe to lift the lever from 1st to neutral - it goes from 2nd to neutral no bother.
Hammam
Registered user
Even smoother going down from 6th to 2nd: put some pressure down with your foot, close throttle, quick short blip, should go down effortlessly.
In my experience, sometimes it snicks into gear with barely a clonk. Other times I feel I must be on a tractor! So I conclude that there is a technique to be learned - but unfortunately I do not have it yet. Or, at least, I only have it about 25% of the time!!!
Hammam
Registered user
The WC's box IS temperamental. The right technique will help, but it is not that easy to acquire and apply, especially in town where you cannot rev the engine up enough for a smooth up-shifting.
shortywilliam
Registered user
I like the really like the bike but the gearbox is shite. The worst I have ever had on any bike including all my last four GS's and they were not brilliant.
As for gear changing techniques your having a laugh with me, its a gearbox its job is to change gear. There should be no need for a special R1200GS LC gear change technique.
Looks like I need to have a word with my favourite dealer.
On the same note has anyone been able to associate the fault with the first service oil change?
As for gear changing techniques your having a laugh with me, its a gearbox its job is to change gear. There should be no need for a special R1200GS LC gear change technique.
Looks like I need to have a word with my favourite dealer.
On the same note has anyone been able to associate the fault with the first service oil change?
alp
Registered user
I thought the clunky gearbox was due to the minimal drive line backlash of shaft drives compared to chain final drive. My K1200R was the same. The extra backlash with chain drives due to chain slack means that when throttling back to change gear the chain slack allows the gear loading to drop off better/longer than with shaft drive allowing easier changing whereas the shaft drive on a backed off throttle can more quickly momentarily reverse (back) load the gears getting drive from the wheel.
When I test rode other shaft drive BMWs in the past they were the same compared to chain driven bikes. My wife on pillion has complained about this in the past during test rides of BMWs. So I thought it was normal.
If others feel it's worse on the LC then maybe the drive stiffness (lack of slack) in the LC drive is higher than the previous versions? The gearbox internals are very different, so maybe.
Anyone found that the Rain engine mode gives a less or more clunky change compared to Dynamic due to the different response to shutting the throttle during a change of gear?
A chain drive bike I have definitely has a more difficult gear change if I'm on the over run with a closed throttle due to the wheel back loading the gears.
I must lie down now, my head hurts!
When I test rode other shaft drive BMWs in the past they were the same compared to chain driven bikes. My wife on pillion has complained about this in the past during test rides of BMWs. So I thought it was normal.
If others feel it's worse on the LC then maybe the drive stiffness (lack of slack) in the LC drive is higher than the previous versions? The gearbox internals are very different, so maybe.
Anyone found that the Rain engine mode gives a less or more clunky change compared to Dynamic due to the different response to shutting the throttle during a change of gear?
A chain drive bike I have definitely has a more difficult gear change if I'm on the over run with a closed throttle due to the wheel back loading the gears.
I must lie down now, my head hurts!
and that is it in a nut shell,nail hit etc,ive tried 2 now and both gearboxes are shite i could not live with it tbh.
Good point about impact on the pillion. I'm not too bothered about the clunky change when I ride alone, but it does require a lot of careful clutch work to minimise likelihood of helmet to helmet contact with pillion in the lower gears.
I don't get it. My gearbox is the same as my TC. "Clunky" but all my boxers have done that, RT included. Neutral gets easier with the miles.
Not a problem IMHO, and it does seem to be loosening up slowly.
Not a problem IMHO, and it does seem to be loosening up slowly.
i wish i did get it tbh,i want to like the bike but just cant,my gear box on my 2012 gsa is much much better.
I just don't get it - I have had the two previous 1200s and this gear box is just as good if not better (apart from the shift into first when setting off) than the old bikes. It is silent changing up and no clonkier when going down.
Most of the posts here are from newbies so I think it is about them learning how to change gear on a bike that is new to them - give it a few months and the problem will disappear.
Most of the posts here are from newbies so I think it is about them learning how to change gear on a bike that is new to them - give it a few months and the problem will disappear.
Elvisto
Graham
Well ,I have to admit to getting a few clunky changes going up the gear box, not had a problem going down , except when selecting first when starting off,
I've fitted the BMW adjustable foot pegs over the weekend, put them on the lowest setting, soooo I've had to adjust the gear lever,I set it to where i was comfortable
I've just returned from a 50 mile round trip, just to try the gear change out, and I have to say it's now just brilliant, didn't have to stop to adjust it, just perfect
I also put the clutch lever on fully out(as per Engineer's comment) I have a feeling I was occasionally using just the welt of my boots to change up, I now have enough room to get my boot under the lever every time,I have the Santiago boots,
SO ! May I suggest you alter the gear lever to a better position, Try it it might work for you , It most certainly has for ME !
Also with the lowered foot pegs the Brake Pedal is in a better position, for me , that is
Cheers Graham
ps, I did half expect the side stand lug to get in the way of my boots, but I never noticed it,
I've fitted the BMW adjustable foot pegs over the weekend, put them on the lowest setting, soooo I've had to adjust the gear lever,I set it to where i was comfortable
I've just returned from a 50 mile round trip, just to try the gear change out, and I have to say it's now just brilliant, didn't have to stop to adjust it, just perfect
I also put the clutch lever on fully out(as per Engineer's comment) I have a feeling I was occasionally using just the welt of my boots to change up, I now have enough room to get my boot under the lever every time,I have the Santiago boots,
SO ! May I suggest you alter the gear lever to a better position, Try it it might work for you , It most certainly has for ME !
Also with the lowered foot pegs the Brake Pedal is in a better position, for me , that is
Cheers Graham
ps, I did half expect the side stand lug to get in the way of my boots, but I never noticed it,
Wyreflyer
Registered user
ps, I did half expect the side stand lug to get in the way of my boots, but I never noticed it,
I picked up my bike on friday with the adjustable pegs and moved the left one down yesterday but thought the sidestand was in the way, so put it back! May need to try again and alter the gear lever as I'm having same problems of clunky gear changes. Not a newbie either as this is my third.
Neutral into 1st actually moves the bike. 2nd/3rd/sometimes 4th I have problems maybe 25%of the time. I can can get smooth changes with firm pressure from my foot on the lever and a nice quick throttle/clutch move, but no guarantee of 100%. I've tried changing up without the clutch and can get a nice snick into gear. Changing down (with the clutch before anyone says anything!)can be rougher than I expect.
My question is "Is it causing any damage each time it happens, or do I just live with it?" First service is booked for friday as off to Scotland for 6 days on tuesday. Think I'll ask to try the test bike and compare, now I have more idea.
Apart from that I absolutely love the bike, did 170 miles around the Lakes this afternoon, with the biggest grin on my mug!
Bionicmunky
Registered user
I've fitted the BMW adjustable foot pegs over the weekend, put them on the lowest setting, soooo I've had to adjust the gear lever,I set it to where i was comfortable
Did you just adjust by turning the link between lever and pedal?
Thanks,
JT
alp
Registered user
Yes, that's it.
biggeorge
Registered user
georbox
Hi , regards gearchanges and Engineers remark about all comments by "newbies" this is my third gs so i do have something to base my opinion on ,
but i did 100miles yesterday two up fully loaded and the gearbox was definitly better ???? seems it likes extra load ?? will have to see when out solo again ,
Hi , regards gearchanges and Engineers remark about all comments by "newbies" this is my third gs so i do have something to base my opinion on ,
but i did 100miles yesterday two up fully loaded and the gearbox was definitly better ???? seems it likes extra load ?? will have to see when out solo again ,
Bionicmunky
Registered user
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