R1200GS

[Philjt]

Are these bikes normally noisey/cluncky on downshifting, or am I doing something wrong? Only had the bike a couple of weeks, (2006 R1200GS. with 17k on clock).

 

[patboy]

Well it is a BMW, they have different quirks and make various noises, you just have to get ued to it. They make a nice clunk when trying to engage 1st gear normally! Just ride and enjoy! Its not a honda!

 

[Owen Snell]

Are these bikes normally noisey/cluncky on downshifting, or am I doing something wrong? Only had the bike a couple of weeks, (2006 R1200GS. with 17k on clock).

Changing the gearbox oil improves the shift, yours might not have been done for a while / at all.

 

[Schtum]

It's possible to make perfectly silent and seamless downchanges so long as you do it correctly, ie match engine, to gear to road speed by blipping the throttle on the downchange. However, if you're a member of the declutch and kick it into a lower gear school of motorcycle operation then yes it is going to be noisy and clunky.

HTH

 

[GSmonkey]

No, they're not noisey or particularly clunky on downshift.

 

[Yonkyo]

It's possible to make perfectly silent and seamless downchanges so long as you do it correctly, ie match engine, to gear to road speed by blipping the throttle on the downchange. However, if you're a member of the declutch and kick it into a lower gear school of motorcycle operation then yes it is going to be noisy and clunky.

HTH

+1 What he said

 

[Beemerman59]

+1 What he said

+1 more. I also find it slicker going down the box to only use half the clutch travel so it doesn't fully disengage. Combined with matching the revs by blipping the throttle seems to keep the clunks to a minimum.

 

[deaninkl]

clucky as feck from 1st to 2nd, and clunky everywhere else, up or down.

How would a rider wearing a helmet, and ear plugs, know he had changed gear if it wasn't????

 

[Janie]

1200's are a noisy beast at the best of times......i blip the trottle as i change down and that helps.........but you'll just have to get use to the tractor sound..........its normal....or do like me wear ear plugs.....then u can imagine that it sounds like a beautiful smooth engine.............not!!!!!!

 

[ovenpaa]

Also a bit of rear brake on down shift takes a lot if not all of the clunk out.

I have a feeling the latest 1200's with ABS have semi linked brakes so operating the front brake also brings on some rear but not the other way round.

No doubt someone will be along in a minute to tell me I am wrong

 

[Schtum]

No doubt someone will be along in a minute to tell me I am wrong

No, you're almost correct. In fact, all ABS 1200s, since the first '04 bikes have had semi-linked brakes that work in just the way that you describe.....

 

[ovenpaa]

No, you're almost correct. In fact, all ABS 1200s, since the first '04 bikes have had semi-linked brakes that work in just the way that you describe.....

Ah.. that is good, I have it on my bike but was not sure about the GS range. It really does make a difference on down shifts as well.

 

[stick]

Clunk

Are these bikes normally noisey/cluncky on downshifting, or am I doing something wrong? Only had the bike a couple of weeks, (2006 R1200GS. with 17k on clock).

It gets better - the more you ride -the better it gets - soon you wont notice .

 

[Kremmen]

Not quite as slick as my Guzzi ...... But then no where near as bad as a Ural..Don't worry about it just ride

 

[Philjt]

Thanx

It's possible to make perfectly silent and seamless downchanges so long as you do it correctly, ie match engine, to gear to road speed by blipping the throttle on the downchange. However, if you're a member of the declutch and kick it into a lower gear school of motorcycle operation then yes it is going to be noisy and clunky.

HTH

Thanks to you and many others on this site for the advice and comments. I now have a few hundred miles under my GS belt, and have mastered the slick gear shift. Now smooth as silk!! (Took me a while to forget I`m not on my previous bike,-Honda VFR) Having loads o fun now. Big grin everytime I ride. Just had a great run up to the lakes today, spectacular!!!

 

[Schtum]

(Took me a while to forget I`m not on my previous bike,-Honda VFR)

I used to change gear in exactly the same way on my VFR with the exception of less reliance on the clutch on the way up the box. Glad to hear you're getting on better with the GS.