Long term gearbox problems ???

[Tinpot]

Are people thinking the agricultural gearbox is going to cause issues when these bikes have done a high mileage? I had a 1100GS whose gearbox 'collapsed' at 26000 miles and that was similarly clunky.
My 2014 LC was going to be my forever bike but am now thinking again.
Perhaps the soon to be unveiled S1000F will grow old in my garage instead!

 

[notadrop]

Confess I am looking forward to seeing the S1000F

 

[DING-DONG]

My 2014 LC was going to be my forever bike but am now thinking again.

I highly rate its performance but I've kind of lost the love for the LC now and i don't think it would last forever ! I think you would have to be extremely brave to keep ownership once the warranty has run out.

 

[blues n twos]

The warranty can be extended for as long as you keep the bike. I took out a new warranty on my K1200GT and it was £33 a month on a rolling basis which included bmw uk/euro breakdown recovery.

My abs pump went on the K and that was a £1500 bill but all covered under bmw warranty.

I will be doing this when my GSA LC gets to two years old

 

[DING-DONG]

The warranty can be extended for as long as you keep the bike.

My abs pump went on the K and that was a £1500 bill but all covered under bmw warranty.

I will be doing this when my GSA LC gets to two years old

Yes you can, I recon the cost will quite expensive, BMW no there's problems and the extended warranty does not cover corrosion these bikes seem to be prone to once you let the cleaning slip, keep up with the air dryer tho, there brill, maybe BMW should include one with the bike !

 

[Engineer]

Are people thinking the agricultural gearbox is going to cause issues when these bikes have done a high mileage? I had a 1100GS whose gearbox 'collapsed' at 26000 miles and that was similarly clunky.
My 2014 LC was going to be my forever bike but am now thinking again.
Perhaps the soon to be unveiled S1000F will grow old in my garage instead!

Ask an 1150 owner, their gearboxes are as agricultural as one can get - on the other hand how long to tractor gearboxes last for? My LC is now over 19,000 miles and still going, a clonk into 1st never hurt a gear box, just look at all the Japanese bikes that do it - I think that you worry too much.

 

[blues n twos]

Yes you can, I recon the cost will quite expensive, BMW no there's problems and the extended warranty does not cover corrosion these bikes seem to be prone to once you let the cleaning slip, keep up with the air dryer tho, there brill, maybe BMW should include one with the bike !

I've never had a corrosion issue as I regularly clean my bike and take steps in winter months. I'm not a fan of ACF50 but have been known to put it on by hand to engine bolts etc. I've never done the soak the bike and forget it thing as I know come spring there will be bits missed that have been happily rotting away whilst you think everything is fine.

front extender sorts the front engine casing and rear mudsling sorts the swing arm where it crosses in front of the rear tyre.

I think for about £1 a day for total peace of mind and full breakdown recovery with a BMW warranty is good value.

Jon

 

[Tinpot]

Ask an 1150 owner, their gearboxes are as agricultural as one can get - on the other hand how long to tractor gearboxes last for? My LC is now over 19,000 miles and still going, a clonk into 1st never hurt a gear box, just look at all the Japanese bikes that do it - I think that you worry too much.

Just quickly checked 1150 forum and it does not seem overrun with people concerned with their clunky gearbox. Clunk into 1st gear is fine, normal even, but 2nd & 3rd not so normal. Even BMW Enthusiast magazine talks of gearbox as clunky and poor.
Mine has been fine in the first 5 months and 5000, miles and still looks brand new, washing and WD40, but I certainly would not be using 19000 miles for a gearbox as a good life expectancy. I was extremely disappointed with 26000 on my 1100gs.
The first mention I saw on 1150 forum was 70000 miles which would probably make me happy and stop me over worrying.

 

[volcane]

A friend of mine has a 2005 1200 GS 90000 miles. No issues with gearbox, ABS or final drive. Services bike himself and not overly picky on cleaning. Lots of green laning trips to Russia rough roads etc. Never purchased warranty.

 

[yankeedoodledandy]

The agricultural nature of the gearbox doesn't necessarily mean it's not robust long-term. I've had more problems with past bikes that shifted slickly but got false neutrals every now and then. The false neutrals would happen more often as the bikes aged, and eventually you end up replacing chunks of the shift mechanism and/or having the gear dogs machined.

So far my LC does not have any false neutrals, and never misses a shift, so I can live with the occasional clunks on shifting if it stays that reliable long-term. Reliability-wise, I'm more worried about the right side cam chain issues that some folks have experienced.

 

[Tinpot]

The agricultural nature of the gearbox doesn't necessarily mean it's not robust long-term. I've had more problems with past bikes that shifted slickly but got false neutrals every now and then. The false neutrals would happen more often as the bikes aged, and eventually you end up replacing chunks of the shift mechanism and/or having the gear dogs machined.

So far my LC does not have any false neutrals, and never misses a shift, so I can live with the occasional clunks on shifting if it stays that reliable long-term. Reliability-wise, I'm more worried about the right side cam chain issues that some folks have experienced.

Have emailed UK managing director of BMW about that very issue this afternoon. He has replied apologising that I felt the need to contact him directly about the issue and promising someone will contact me within 48hrs. Also emailed MCN and asked them to ask the question. Let's hope for an answer.

 

[DING-DONG]

Have emailed UK managing director of BMW about that very issue this afternoon. He has replied apologising that I felt the need to contact him directly about the issue and promising someone will contact me within 48hrs. Also emailed MCN and asked them to ask the question. Let's hope for an answer.

Unfortunately that's probably not a personal reply from Tim Abbott more of a standard generated one, i got the same reply from my several page letter i sent them, MCN are up BMW's chuff so don't expect that to happen either, you'll get a reply from Andy Cook @ BMW probably telling you to take it up with the dealer.

Sorry to say contacting BMW UK is a waste of time, you would have more look sticking the bike on trailer with a banner and driving round the island outside Bracknell BMW UK HQ.

Now there's a thought ! ! I wonder if I'd make the papers if i set mine on FIRE outside there front door .

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

They own an Island?

 

[madmartin]

They own an Island?

Rich bastards.......