R1150GS buyers guide - Clutch issues

[john_aero]

So hoping to have 650 sold in comming uk's to a uk buyer.

looking getting a 2001-2002 bmw r1150gs. now before i get battered by answeres saying "it can happen to any bike/make" just remember i some how always find the bad bike in a batch.

so anything to look out for on these bikes. both i am looking at are under 30k on clock, clean with BMW luggage.

my worry is problems around clutches and failueres. seems be random problem and not specific to a bike of certain year/production date or specific bad batch of parts.

also if does fail what sort costs are going to be involved.

anyway i want to use bike for 2 up touring and trail riding.

just looking for advice on any thing in particular i should keep an eye out for that may be a sign of trouble ahead.

 

[Ash]

had an RS1100,GS1100,GS1150,GSA Mileage ranging from 30k-60k and never a clutch problem.
1200 i owned had a ring gear problem and cost £500 to sort out so £400-500 should sort a clutch out unless you use main dealer.
buy one, ride it and enjoy it

 

[john_aero]

well i am also concidering saving 600 and buying same bike but with 45k on it and not 20k.

some time bike used and ridden lasts longer than one just sitting in a corner and used now and again

cheers Ash

 

[Wrigsby1]

Sometimes it's not so much the clutch as the rider!

BM single plate clutches seem to be OK for 40 to 60k miles. Some do better and some do worse but as it's a single plate affair, abuse or poor use at slow speeds will accellerate that. On two of my 11GS's i have changed the clutch at 40 odd but that was 'cos they were apart rather than 'cos it was knackered.

I have also seen 70k+ oilhead boxers on the orig clutch and seen a K12RS clutch need changing very early after quite a few major drag starts...

Like i said, usually the rider...

Don't slip too much in big pull aways and don't sit stationary in gear for long periods...

 

[john_aero]

cheers so really just hard riding causes it.

are they difficult to cheange? i like to do my own work to bikes as find bwm here charge unreal hour rates for work i can perfom at higher standard myself

 

[Ash]

well i am also concidering saving 600 and buying same bike but with 45k on it and not 20k.

some time bike used and ridden lasts longer than one just sitting in a corner and used now and again

cheers Ash

45k just about run in

 

[john_aero]

45k just about run in

two also have 21k and 25k. one with 4ok ish has had new starter and few other bits just doen in bmw dealer with receipts.

 

[uncle dick]

My 1100 had a clutch at about 75k. As others have said, it's not a design issue it's down to the rider.

Buy and enjoy

 

[john_aero]

so just ask their respective partners if they are hard riders and easy or easy on the clutch.

can see the sale now......ask his missus does he slip in in gently just let rip......what dont you understand, i am talking about clutches here.

well gota shift my own then 1150 here i come

 

[monkeyboy]

Never had a clutch problem either, the gearboxes have always given up first My R1100S I changed the clutch at 100k when the box was changed - its up at 160k now with no clutch probs. The 1150 GSA has had 3 gearboxes (90k) but no clutch problems. All the gearboxes have had bearings wear excessively (IMO) even though the oil gets changed regularly - could be the way I ride I guess but I try to be sympathetic most of the time.

At least changing the box/clutch is simple on a GS, unlike an S

Still a beautiful bike the 1150GS, a blokes bike (especially the GSA)

 

[john_aero]

i like gsa, just hold value too much for me and cant afford them

 

[EricGS]

I bought a MY00 R1150 GS just over a year ago. Has just over 13,000 on the clock. It had a clutch fitted just before I bought it and has had another one fitted by me since but this was down to a few things.

1. Old clutch just needed replacing as it started slipping.

2. The lad that fitted it didn't replace crank oil seals.

3. Oil seal went and oil covered the new friction plate and the rest of the clutch. Started slipping again.

4. New clutch fitted, as of yet no problems since.

I had an issue with the bike not running right for a few days and that turned out to be a fault injector.

I've had no issue mechanically since cann't at this point see myself ever selling it.

 

[Ash]

i like gsa, just hold value too much for me and cant afford them

my 2003,27K miles,1 owner,FSH,GSA cost just a tad over £3k
they are out there.

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://img529.imageshack.us/i/007bm.jpg/'><img src='http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1597/007bm.jpg' border='0'/></a>

 

[turbine_2]

There were some that had a problem with the clutch cylinder leaking into the clutch casing causing the plates to become contaminated and slip early, however those clutches rarely lasted past 20k miles (mine went at 14K miles and the idiots at a certain dealership in London tried to convince me this was completely normal and to be expected, replacement one has done over 60k miles so far with no signs of a problem).
The slave cylinder also can unscrew causing a leak of fluid outside the box (symptoms are a clutch lever that engages the clutch then slowly releases it while you've got it pulled back). Relativly easy to fix (just tighten the bolt) but the bolt's a pain to get to (I also suffered this one, fixed by Steptoe).
I would say at 20k you're probably fine.

 

[john_aero]

my 2003,27K miles,1 owner,FSH,GSA cost just a tad over £3k
they are out there.

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://img529.imageshack.us/i/007bm.jpg/'><img src='http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1597/007bm.jpg' border='0'/></a>

ok is this a sale offer hahahah

must keep eye out. here the cheapest GSA is least 6k euro, around 5 sterling

 

[john_aero]

There were some that had a problem with the clutch cylinder leaking into the clutch casing causing the plates to become contaminated and slip early, however those clutches rarely lasted past 20k miles (mine went at 14K miles and the idiots at a certain dealership in London tried to convince me this was completely normal and to be expected, replacement one has done over 60k miles so far with no signs of a problem).
The slave cylinder also can unscrew causing a leak of fluid outside the box (symptoms are a clutch lever that engages the clutch then slowly releases it while you've got it pulled back). Relativly easy to fix (just tighten the bolt) but the bolt's a pain to get to (I also suffered this one, fixed by Steptoe).
I would say at 20k you're probably fine.

cheers least can have an idea when looking out bikes

 

[Ash]

ok is this a sale offer hahahah

must keep eye out. here the cheapest GSA is least 6k euro, around 5 sterling

NO

 

[john_aero]

NO

from the infamous Miss Doyle in Father Ted, go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on

 

[bristoltriathlonking]

I think my clutch has done 75k, and is fine, although it can often feel a little difficult sliding nito gears.

I'm going to the Nurburgring in March and I'm going to do about 5,000 miles touring this year. My question is, should I get it changed as a pre-emptive strike, or not?

 

[john_aero]

what does manual say for this part, does it give guide line for changes?

also when does the alternator belt need doing?