Is my bike a Diesel?

[Geekay]

They are a very noisy engine. Lots of rattling from the valve gear which of course is stuck out in the breeze for you to hear rather than tucked away under the tank.

I find in foreign trips in high ambient temps and after a days long riding when the oil must be really hot the noise is ridiculous. But they keep going. You just have to put it out of your mind. And wear earplugs.

If it really bugs you, the new 1250 is significantly quieter!


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[yofi]

I’ve found for most bikes I’ve owned over the years when trying to maintain a constant speed at the speed limit its usually best to be in 3rd in a 30, 4th in a 40 and 5th in a 50

I've always found that this pattern for the 1200 works well.

And OP, I have a 3-year-old 1200GS, 9K, FSH, and when warm it sounds absolutely knackered.

 

[Santa-2512]

Sort of have to agree

the R series boxers are not Swiss watch quiet

bag of spanners Kalashnikov quiet would be how i'd describe it

yet a Fuji flat 6 with chain driven cams is Swiss watch quiet lol


Earplugs & thicker oil worked on my hexhead, earplugs & fingers crossed on my wethead ..

I have to agree it is a big wall to climb over with regard to mechanical noise and reliability

which just makes some of the newer converts to the marque even more worried that something is drastically wrong.

If your worried, change the oil and filter, run it for 1K and change it again, check the oil & filter

if it's nice and clean with no added unwanted extra's . put you earplugs back in and get on and ride

 

[Winjar]

Time for some to get automatic bike.

 

[batman1]

From Geekays quote....’If it really bugs you, the new 1250 is significantly quieter!‘

Yes and a 1250 will pull down to 30mph in 6th on the flat in cruise without grumbling too much, extraordinary torque at low rpm.

I remember that my first GSLC a 2013 bike really needed 3rd at 30mph to keep it reasonably happy and free from snatching.

It makes you realise how these LC motors have improved, however they are still quite rattly lumps.

As previously stated, you must wear earplugs


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[JJH]

Time for some to get automatic bike.

Automatic with gears? I’ve never ridden one but am tempted. According to any reports I’ve read they seem to change up too early unless in sports mode. JJH

 

[yofi]

Sort of have to agree

bag of spanners Kalashnikov quiet would be how i'd describe it

Exactly this. Nothing sounds as if if it shouldn't be doing what it should, just a machine gun firing of spanners in a consistent order

 

[beaver]

On my 2017 plate out of the dealer, my cams were shot.. accelerate and it sounded like a machine gun!
I did have something on my twin cam that under load sounded like a knock. Mains / Big ends / Piston slap.. who knows.. It went in PX for my first LC. That one only had gear box issues

 

[Rowle]

My new 600 mile started the dreaded LH tapping noise yesterday. I come from riding harley,s and even i think it sounds odd.
I am going to run it for 6 months, dump the oil and test it. - if not satisfied it will go into the dealer.

 

[beaver]

My new 600 mile started the dreaded LH tapping noise yesterday. I come from riding harley,s and even i think it sounds odd.
I am going to run it for 6 months, dump the oil and test it. - if not satisfied it will go into the dealer.

If its the cams that go, don't run it too long.. it will get in other bearings...

 

[Rowle]

If its the cams that go, don't run it too long.. it will get in other bearings...

Hi Beaver.
From what i have read on here and the internet, no one (even bmw) seem to know for sure what it is !
Annoying though.....

 

[younger06]

Automatic with gears? I’ve never ridden one but am tempted. According to any reports I’ve read they seem to change up too early unless in sports mode. JJH

I use "D" when traffic or urban areas and use the manual override to change down as it suits me. When pushing on..... I use "S" and use manual override to change up as it suits me.

The later DCT box (2016 onwards) got 3 modes in the "S" setting.


I'm loving it!!!

from my G8 ThinQ

 

[Speedy1959]

Have you had a recent valve check at 12,000 miles?

If so did they also do a cam alignment?

The cam & sensor alignment has kept my bike sweet. I've got a 2017 R1200 GSA and service mine myself, it sounds great so far at 20,000 miles.

Its a pity I am not nearer to Walsall MR Warlord..
You would have been commissioned to do a Cam and sensor alignment check!!
Is that procedure something that can be done myself or is it a dealer only job?
Any idea of what that would cost??

A big thanks to everyone for your inputs.
I know its perverse but I am relieved that so many LC's seem to sound "naturally" knackered!!
What would be the harm in using say a 10-W50 motorcycle specific oil? I would have thought the slightly thicker viscosity would help with clatter at higher temps.
I ask because the racket starts when it is properly hot..
On start up it sound very healthy.
In all other respects she runs very well indeed.
Loads of grunt (especially from 3,000rpm) and a very regular 62mpg!

Oh by the way... My bike does NOT show when to change gear !!
S.

 

[beaver]

if its not right it has to go back... they have 3 years now so your covered... Don't mess with it... just get it back to BMW

 

[Rowle]

Same - only when really hot.

By the way Warlord, i am in Walsall also !

 

[Warlord]

Its a pity I am not nearer to Walsall MR Warlord..
You would have been commissioned to do a Cam and sensor alignment check!!
Is that procedure something that can be done myself or is it a dealer only job?
Any idea of what that would cost??.

Haha, yes you can do it yourself (if you are experienced/confident/competant) but you will need to buy BMW Specific Tools like I did.

- Cam Lock Jig
- TDC Lockout
- Cam Chain Tensioner + Sleeve
- Plus all the other tools needed to remove cylinder heads etc

BMW seem to only offer Valve Clearance checking in the service schedule.

But while the cylinder heads are off it's only a small amount of extra work to check and realign the Cams and Cam Sensor.

Mine was wrong (out of alignment) from factory, so was my mates 2014 R1200GSA

Both ran better and nicer once done. I'm definately doing mine on each valve check job.

 

[Warlord]

I think BMW actually prefer the BMW Warranty merry-go-round....

 

[Santa-2512]

On my Hexhead the recommendation is 20W -50 if i recall

I think 10W40 gets lobbed in as its more readily available off the shelf

I did toy with the idea of 10W50 but sold the bike before i had chance to try

not sure on the wethead... will have to look

 

[Rushy]

On my Hexhead the recommendation is 20W -50 if i recall

I think 10W40 gets lobbed in as its more readily available off the shelf

I did toy with the idea of 10W50 but sold the bike before i had chance to try

not sure on the wethead... will have to look

The LC should be 5/40 .......

 

[Speedy1959]

OK then
5-W50!!!
I’m losing the will to live !