New R1250RS “Pinking” noise

FYI, a modern GS can recognise if it's "pinking". The crank sensor can pick up pre-detonation events from inaccuracies in the wave-form. And it would pull up an engine management light.
 
I started this thread last year and thought I would give a final update. I have had the bike out a lot in the last month and enjoying exploring its performance. The noise is still there but I am convinced it is a fluttering of the butterfly vale / valves on the intake. It happens in any gear about 2 cm of throttle on and then clears with more throttle. I had seen this referenced in other postings and even some solutions about rotating the throttle body but I don't want to start tinkering. I am just leaving it as it is and enjoying the bike.
 
I started this thread last year and thought I would give a final update. I have had the bike out a lot in the last month and enjoying exploring its performance. The noise is still there but I am convinced it is a fluttering of the butterfly vale / valves on the intake. It happens in any gear about 2 cm of throttle on and then clears with more throttle. I had seen this referenced in other postings and even some solutions about rotating the throttle body but I don't want to start tinkering. I am just leaving it as it is and enjoying the bike.
I found you could avoid the noise by riding gentler (but still achieving high speeds) but I didn’t want to be restricted by a fault. My engine replacement under warranty has been flawless and it is smooth as butter.
 
It deffo seems to be related to the quality/grade/brand of petrol.
I`ve just done a ~500 mile mini-tour of Wales on the GSA, when i set off i filled up with Shell V-power E5.
The bike was quiet and ran normally.
Out in the wilds of rural Wales i had to fill up from a local `Oil4Wales` garage with regular E10.
The bike started pinking under certain riding conditions almost straight away....

I reckon the bikes are tuned right on the borderline of pinking to make the Euro regs and emmision targets etc and any fuel you use which strays from the ideal will tip them into detonation territory.
Lets just hope there isn`t any potential for lasting damage because of this..
 
On the way back from Devon today along the A303.
Two-up with luggage so fairly well loaded, cruising at just under 70, as soon as one of those long uphill gradients came up and i had to increase the throttle a bit to keep momentum up the engine could be heard to pink like mad. I do not like the engine making that noise for any length of time...

However, snap the throttle open further to accelerate slightly so that the Shiftcam operates and the hi lift cams engage the pinking instantly stops.
 
Hi, sorry for the late post. I just had my R1250GS engine replaced due to this noise. I took it to BMW and said if you can't diagnose it then it's not safe to ride, I won't accept 'we don't know what it is'. I suggest you push on this! Also, put a camera/gopro on your bike to record the noise, it's MUCH easier to get it sorted if you can provide evidence.

Here is the sound my bike made, is this similar to yours? Low RPM acceleration in any gear and 70mph on the motorway.
Rattle sound video 1
Rattle sound video 2
Hi there!
I think I have a similar issue, could you please repost your videos? They seem to have been turned down. Thanks!
 


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