Victor c
Registered user
It will be interesting to see if there is a follow-up to this, he usually does.
At around 14 min 30 sec mark, he hears what he suspects is detonation. My previous GSA sounded just like this.
R1250GS Rattling noise
- Thread starter scarab1987
- Start date
The rattle on the left side of a 1250 GS before December 22 is the cam chain tensioner. There is a revised tensioner available.
Victor c
Registered user
My 2021 GSA had the updated cam chain tensioner fitted at the same time as new camshafts and followers (6000 miles due to wear of the lobes) and sounded the same afterwards.
They're a noisy engine..
You should hear the new 1300. It sounds like it's got no oil in it..
Most of the time. There is nothing wrong at all.
One of the biggest struggles as a tech is explaining to people that engines make noises, not all engines sound the same. And a noise doesn't mean it's faulty.
You should hear the new 1300. It sounds like it's got no oil in it..
Most of the time. There is nothing wrong at all.
One of the biggest struggles as a tech is explaining to people that engines make noises, not all engines sound the same. And a noise doesn't mean it's faulty.
Victor c
Registered user
But they’re not all noisy engines. My 2019 GSA wasn’t and my 2024 GSA isn’t. Over the last 5 years, I’ve also had a number of 1250 loan bikes, R, RS, RT and GS variants, and not one displayed the same engine noise as my previous GSA.
Engines sound different for a million and one reasons. It doesn't mean they're broken. It would be unknown to the owner, but the engine in one bike may have different components than an identical bike sitting next to it.
Environmental conditions, types of fuel and even your suspension settings change the tone and vibration of an engine.
Environmental conditions, types of fuel and even your suspension settings change the tone and vibration of an engine.
GelandeStress
Registered user
Wow! That YouTube video displays the exact noise in my videos. I do not believe this is detonation, it happens at such a high frequency and at any RPM - it definitely sounds like a rattle or an excessive tolerance on a metal part.
My bike is going to BMW (3rd visit) to have the noise fixed and I will update you all soon.
My bike is going to BMW (3rd visit) to have the noise fixed and I will update you all soon.
scarab1987
Registered user
Guys with tensioners, please don't guide the conversation there. We describe a completely different sound here. Tensioner affects only the idling. Just read all the comments above.
sven
Registered user
Strangely enough, the pinking/rattling moved down the rev range over winter. It now occurs between 2000-2500 rpm, so is much less obtrusive in every day riding.
My GSA pinked like hell pulling from low revs. Had it checked and was told that the knock sensors fitted prevented pinking. Well, either they weren't working or they didn't, because I know what pinking sounds like and that was exactly what was happening. My RS doesn't exhibit this trait but still sounds like a blacksmith's forge at tickover when warm.
scarab1987
Registered user
Did you try replacing knock sensors?
GelandeStress
Registered user
Long 200 mile ride today and at some points I thought the engine was going to blow up. Here are two clips of the noise. I just want to confirm who else has this ‘exact’ noise, either at steady motorway RPM or hard acceleration.
My bike is being investigated next week and I hope to give you all a fix for the issue.
To the guys who said this noise was detonation/knocking, what do you think here?
r1250gs rattle video 1
r1250gs rattle video 2
My bike is being investigated next week and I hope to give you all a fix for the issue.
To the guys who said this noise was detonation/knocking, what do you think here?
r1250gs rattle video 1
r1250gs rattle video 2
scarab1987
Registered user
100% exact same noise for me.
The noise I had was pinking.It was a different noise to the ones you have recorded.That sounds like a timing chain rattle to me.
GelandeStress
Registered user
Check this out - ‘GSA with detonation izsues’ he concludes it is a problem with bad fuel… I have tried all fuels and yesterdays 200mile ride was with the super unleaded fuel!?
GelandeStress
Registered user
4th visit at BMW, 6hrs later and STILL not fixed! They are raising the issue with BMW UK and I’m prepared for legal action should they fail to repair my bike.
A familiar story for me.Have they acknowleged that an abnormal noise exists?
I couldnt even get past that stage.
GelandeStress
Registered user
Yes, after the 2nd visit they acknowledged the noise. I sent them so many videos that they couldn’t really ignore it anymore. However, they only ‘test ride’ the bike for 10 minutes, which doesn’t allow them to hear the noise properly!
My 1150RS is amazingly quiet. The 1200RS not so. I heard a 1300GS recently 
Progress I guess.
Progress I guess.
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