Seems to me that there is quite a lot of clutch drag and this can make for a big clonk on engaginging first gear but done quickly, firmly, almost stamping into first lessens the crunch. Tbh, it's just as bad on the K1300S, in fact I thought my GS was bad until I rode with a couple of guys on K1300s and now think it's almost acceptable! Strange thing is it gets worse when hot, the opposite to all other wet clutch bikes I have ridden. Finding neutral isn't always easy and it often goes straight past neutral but this seems to be getting better as the miles roll on.
GEARBOX/CLUTCH PROBLEMS ON 2014 MODELS
- Thread starter biggeorge
- Start date
theEnglishman
Registered user
I'm just wondering why you think this is an issue? My '07 GS did this at 6 miles and to 60,000 miles. I don't see why a clunk is a problem. Isn't it just a quirk?
If you try this with a cold bike, than yeah the wheel will spin evey bike will do it cold, warm the engine up so the engine oil is up to temp and try.
Hi Ding Dong / Pistole Thanks for your replies.
The air temp is in the high 20's ( 26 - 28 degs ) and engine temp 83 degs ( normal running temp ). The funny thing is when the engine is cold, ( pulling off straight away ) she selects 1st gear just like any normal Jap bike, not a sound. As soon as the engine temp gets above 30 deg the clutch drag effect comes into play.
After the 1st service a couple of weeks ago, I took the bike to BMW Motorrad Elche ( they did the 1st service for me, ) I took the bike back on the off chance I could talk to a mechanic about the problem. Within 5 Mins the top guy ( Snr. Manuel Aznar Diaz, Promotor de ventas ) walks out of the showroom, jumps on my bike after showing him the problem and takes it for a spin. On his return he said yes, it is noisey but not as bad as some that I have in the workshop ( a couple of which were RT's ). He then said he was waiting for BMW to come back to him with a solution.
Greg
The air temp is in the high 20's ( 26 - 28 degs ) and engine temp 83 degs ( normal running temp ). The funny thing is when the engine is cold, ( pulling off straight away ) she selects 1st gear just like any normal Jap bike, not a sound. As soon as the engine temp gets above 30 deg the clutch drag effect comes into play.
After the 1st service a couple of weeks ago, I took the bike to BMW Motorrad Elche ( they did the 1st service for me, ) I took the bike back on the off chance I could talk to a mechanic about the problem. Within 5 Mins the top guy ( Snr. Manuel Aznar Diaz, Promotor de ventas ) walks out of the showroom, jumps on my bike after showing him the problem and takes it for a spin. On his return he said yes, it is noisey but not as bad as some that I have in the workshop ( a couple of which were RT's ). He then said he was waiting for BMW to come back to him with a solution.
Greg
REGS12
Registered user
Gear changing
I don't know how to say this other than I'm a fossil, because I've owned over 26 bikes, 25 cars, 4 trucks and probably 10 tractors in my long life. Driven many more.
Each and every one of them was a challenge to make beautifully smooth gearshifts. There were wet clutches, dry ones, torque converters, direct shift and autos. Straight cut gears and bevel cut in the gearboxes. Some had synchromesh, some not. One range, 2 range sometimes 3.
Whenever I moved to a new vehicle it was always a challenge to learn adapt to the different
beast. It would always take a while. The latest challenge has been the toilet. I've now done over 6000 km's and reckon I've nearly got it mastered. Perfectly normal and not in the least bit worrying.
My take on all of the moaning re the gearchange-------get over it.
I don't know how to say this other than I'm a fossil, because I've owned over 26 bikes, 25 cars, 4 trucks and probably 10 tractors in my long life. Driven many more.
Each and every one of them was a challenge to make beautifully smooth gearshifts. There were wet clutches, dry ones, torque converters, direct shift and autos. Straight cut gears and bevel cut in the gearboxes. Some had synchromesh, some not. One range, 2 range sometimes 3.
Whenever I moved to a new vehicle it was always a challenge to learn adapt to the different
beast. It would always take a while. The latest challenge has been the toilet. I've now done over 6000 km's and reckon I've nearly got it mastered. Perfectly normal and not in the least bit worrying. My take on all of the moaning re the gearchange-------get over it.
I don't know how to say this other than I'm a fossil, because I've owned over 26 bikes, 25 cars, 4 trucks and probably 10 tractors in my long life. Driven many more.
Each and every one of them was a challenge to make beautifully smooth gearshifts. There were wet clutches, dry ones, torque converters, direct shift and autos. Straight cut gears and bevel cut in the gearboxes. Some had synchromesh, some not. One range, 2 range sometimes 3.
Whenever I moved to a new vehicle it was always a challenge to learn adapt to the different
My take on all of the moaning re the gearchange-------get over it.
I have quite a lot of sympathy with your point of view
Mine is the opposite. When cold it does not spin. When hot, it spins up to 3rd gear.
On 4th, 5th and 6th it does not spin. Incidentally, those gears have always been smooth as silk.
The clunkiness is just on 1st trough 3rd.
I had the same issue with my 2013 LC - took it to dealer and got new clutch and pushrod changed at 3kmls. After this change, wheel doesn't spin constatly as it used to (6mph), but it does spin 1 - 2 times and and stops regardless of engine temperature.
I was told that the problem hasn't been nailed by BMW and it's very likely that they will come up with something else...but when I asked them to give me a shout when they do...he silenced...
Clutch drag
I always leave my bikes in gear when I park so normal practice is to pull the clutch in when I want to move them around. This is nearly impossible on my GSA LC. The clutch drags so badly that at first I thought the brakes had seized on. It's having it's first service on Saturday so I'll see what they say about it then.......
I always leave my bikes in gear when I park so normal practice is to pull the clutch in when I want to move them around. This is nearly impossible on my GSA LC. The clutch drags so badly that at first I thought the brakes had seized on. It's having it's first service on Saturday so I'll see what they say about it then.......
I have resolved my issues with the gearbox. As it seems, it was a question of changing the shifting technique.
Upshifts: preload the gear lever, pull the clutch briefly and the minimum possible (don't pull to the grip) and quickly change gear with throttle closed, all in one swift motion.
Downshifts: slightly blip the throttle before downshifting
Finding N is now easier than ever, but I think this is due to mileage.
Putting into 1st ocasionally clonks, but it's not bothersome to me.
Upshifts: preload the gear lever, pull the clutch briefly and the minimum possible (don't pull to the grip) and quickly change gear with throttle closed, all in one swift motion.
Downshifts: slightly blip the throttle before downshifting
Finding N is now easier than ever, but I think this is due to mileage.
Putting into 1st ocasionally clonks, but it's not bothersome to me.
Dulk
Registered user
Exactly the same as my 2014 Adventure.
My experience
I have just returned from a week in Germany on a hired 2013 WC - it had 45000 miles on it and looked and sounded good - I was impressed
initially
I had recently ridden a demonstrator WC (2014) for several hours and found it easy to ride. No snatch no drag in fact just a clutch that worked well
The hire bike clutch seemed to have a biting point that moved -sometimes you barely had to touch the lever and sometimes you had to pull it all the way in.
I accept the sharpness and clunk of 1st gear as a character having owned a 1150GS and a 1200GSA in the past
Clutchless gear changes were generally better than using the clutch on the hire bike
The bike was ridden as it should be in Germany and I saw an indicated 136mph and it would maintain 110 -120mph comfortably - no slip there
It out accelerated a Suzuki 1250FAST easily
The engine was really good.
If you partially pulled the clutch in to the biting point you could hear and feel the clutch slip and then bite and then slip again and then bite again. It seemed to oscillate.
The hirer reckoned there is nothing wrong with the clutch or the gearbox although he had had adverse observations about it in the past from more than one rider
I will not buy a WC as a result of that hire bike clutch. I may well have bought one on the basis of the demonstrator.
I have just returned from a week in Germany on a hired 2013 WC - it had 45000 miles on it and looked and sounded good - I was impressed
initially
I had recently ridden a demonstrator WC (2014) for several hours and found it easy to ride. No snatch no drag in fact just a clutch that worked well
The hire bike clutch seemed to have a biting point that moved -sometimes you barely had to touch the lever and sometimes you had to pull it all the way in.
I accept the sharpness and clunk of 1st gear as a character having owned a 1150GS and a 1200GSA in the past
Clutchless gear changes were generally better than using the clutch on the hire bike
The bike was ridden as it should be in Germany and I saw an indicated 136mph and it would maintain 110 -120mph comfortably - no slip there
It out accelerated a Suzuki 1250FAST easily
The engine was really good.
If you partially pulled the clutch in to the biting point you could hear and feel the clutch slip and then bite and then slip again and then bite again. It seemed to oscillate.
The hirer reckoned there is nothing wrong with the clutch or the gearbox although he had had adverse observations about it in the past from more than one rider
I will not buy a WC as a result of that hire bike clutch. I may well have bought one on the basis of the demonstrator.
Titto
Registered user
Biggeorge. Have you resolved your issue yet?
biggeorge
Registered user
Yes ,got gear shift pro fitted and makes all the difference ,up through the box as quickly as possible , not saying that the GS gearbox is good, but this really changes the bike and now fully satisfied GS owner with 4500 miles on clock ,
