Need help with clutch problem

[mbnu99]

I need some advice please

I've had my GS for 2 and a half years now, we have been to France, Germany, Italy Belgium and even commute together . . . . let me hear you say ahhhhh.
I've just parted with over £400 for a 18k service at SBW (in Hertford) had new front brake pads fitted at the same time.

horror of horrors I was told that the bike would need a new clutch either at the next service or before it as the clutch on 1200GS only last 18k - 24k if there are used in communing traffic type situations. On leaving I say a mechanic who's advice was to sell it now as the cost of a 24k service is high but the cost of a clutch at 5 hours labour is even higher his estimate was tat it could cost me upwards of £1,300 now don't get me wrong I love my bike but £1,300 for a service and a clutch is this right? Anyone know of a non-BMW garage that I could trust to do the work that will not cost the earth?

Many thanks
Martyn
p.s I live near Stansted Airport

 

[cookie]

sounds like bollocks to me.

worry about the clutch when/if it fails.

 

[Shep]

Sounds like the dealer is drumming up work

I agree with Cookie, do the clutch it when it needs doing and not before.

Shep

 

[birdseye]

sounds like bollocks to me.

worry about the clutch when/if it fails.

I agree. The life of a clutch depends on how you use the bike just like it does for the brakes.

I would take anything said by a mechanic with a pinch of salt - he is a mechanic because he isnt bright enough to be an engineer!

With BMW service bills for the bikes being higher than those for their cars, it might be worth learning to do the servicing yourself now the bike is out of guarantee.

 

[Pukmeister]

Agreed, complete bollocks.

How many of us here have done over 25k on an R1200GS with everything from off-roading to stop-start traffic and still going strong on the original clutch? I bet theres a few now, myself included.

My advice: Your clutch MAY slip due to wear because the fluid level rises in the reservoir as the clutch wears. Eventually the reservoir gets wedged full, the fluid has nowhere else to go so it causes a bit of clutch action all by itself. Simply get a syringe and draw off a few CC's worth of fluid from the reservoir and all is well again. (Obviously if you undo the reservoir cap and it isn't full, you have a genuine clutch problem either with the hydraulic operation or the plates themselves.)

Don't let an unscrupulous or unknowledgeable dealer sell you a new clutch without first checking the above.

 

[Eric_Norman]

Anyone know of a non-BMW garage that I could trust to do the work that will not cost the earth?

Many thanks
Martyn
p.s I live near Stansted Airport

Bottom of the M11 - Redbridge

Beemer Bikes Ltd
Unit 13 400 Roding Lane South, Woodford Green, IG8 8EY

02085509200 Russell

I got taken here on the back of a recover truck once with a puncture on an F650 whilst on the M11. That was a few years back.

Used them since for tyres and rear disc replacement (and when my second 1200gs clutch goes i'm sure it will go there to be worked on), helpful and will not rip you off (which is always the impression I get when Ive been to a BMW dealer!!) in my opinion.