R1250GS Rattling noise

[Mr Bean]

I have the same 'rattle'.only comes in from a relatively light throttle, that's opened quickly. Sounds like it's pinking.

Funny thing is that I only hear it with my open face helmet on, the Schuberth hides it.

 

[squibb34]

OK, so before we get into clutches/flywheels, what about the flapper valve & servo - could this area of the rev range be where it opens up, but there is some form of fluttering indecision going on that you drive through.

If suspicious, I guess you could try a disconnect & have the flap full open

 

[scarab1987]

OK, so before we get into clutches/flywheels, what about the flapper valve & servo - could this area of the rev range be where it opens up, but there is some form of fluttering indecision going on that you drive through.

If suspicious, I guess you could try a disconnect & have the flap full open

I have already disconnected and tied down with metallic strap to keep it rock solid. No difference at all.

 

[Santa-2512]

Funny how no one has sat the bike on a rolling road , and got a mate to walk round and listen to , identify the source of the noise

The noise didnt seem to match anything within the engine mechanicals, it was more akin to a vibration induced noise

 

[scarab1987]

Funny how no one has sat the bike on a rolling road , and got a mate to walk round and listen to , identify the source of the noise

The noise didnt seem to match anything within the engine mechanicals, it was more akin to a vibration induced noise

I have done exactly what are you saying and my conclusion goes to clutch.

 

[Dougie Danger]

Hello. I face an issue with a rattling noise at my R1250GSA MY21. It is noticeable when I accelerate from 3000-4000rpm and when I am fully loaded and uphill is worst. So when load increases, noise is higher.

I have replaced exhaust cams under warranty, with dealer we suspected the decompression mechanisms but no luck. I have used the best fuels with additives but no luck. I have removed all protection bars and engine protection but no luck. I have inserted a spacer at right cam chain tensioner but no luck, left one replaced with the updated one. Any idea?

Below I attach 2 videos with 2 other guys that have exactly same issue with me.

And I thought it was just me.
This is exactly the same issue and sound that my bike makes and has done since it was new. 2019 1250GSA. 45K miles.
Very interested to find out if you get to the bottom of it.

 

[Baked Bean]

Sounds like a bit of plastic trim vibrating against the frame or something metalic.

 

[Ash700]

Mine too, and from new. LH cam chain tensioner changed but the engine is still very rattly below certain revs when under a bit of load. BMW dealers will surely tell you “It’s normal”.

I watched the Baron Von Grumble vids on his trip to Bosnia earlier this year and he complains of the exact same issue.. he mentions it a few times across a few vids and said that the noise is embarrassing, which is sort of what I think about it when I’m setting off from standstill in a quiet village. The locals probably think that it’s a tractor! These bikes are nick named as such!

I know it’s an engine that goes back a long way but it’s been developed and developed, so it definitely is a shame that it doesn’t purr more, as it does when it’s first started from cold, although the smooth, tight sounding purr lasts all of about 2 mins before the clatteryness begins.

On my 3rd GSA now (they’ve all been LC’s) but am now thinking that I might try something else next, if the 1300 isn’t as I’d like it to be.

 

[Pukmeister]

I have done exactly what are you saying and my conclusion goes to clutch.

My thoughts also.

Despite replacing the LH camchain tensioner, my bike is still noisy and it sounds like the mechanical clatter/chatter is coming up under the instrument display from the front of the engine where the clutch basket is located. I wonder if there could be an issue with endfloat on the clutch output shaft ?

It would be interesting to remove the clutch/front engine cover and put a dial gauge on the clutch basket then push/pull and see what the reading is.

 

[scarab1987]

My thoughts also.

Despite replacing the LH camchain tensioner, my bike is still noisy and it sounds like the mechanical clatter/chatter is coming up under the instrument display from the front of the engine where the clutch basket is located. I wonder if there could be an issue with endfloat on the clutch output shaft ?

It would be interesting to remove the clutch/front engine cover and put a dial gauge on the clutch basket then push/pull and see what the reading is.

Exactly what I will do next month. Most probably the springs of slipper clutch basket have free play. I have already ordered a second hand clutch basket and I will monitor the spring pockets im order to create new springs without gap at their pockets.

 

[Pukmeister]

Exactly what I will do next month. Most probably the springs of slipper clutch basket have free play. I have already ordered a second hand clutch basket and I will monitor the spring pockets im order to create new springs without gap at their pockets.

I am interested to see what measurements you get, can you post the results here ?

 

[Morety]

The more these bikes evolve, the noisier they seem to get! My quietest boxer was an old airhead R65 which purred rather than rattled. Both my LCs (last generation non shift-cam) have been as noisy as hell, rattling, knocking and generally an embarrassment when riding slow through town where the engine noise seems exaggerated and like a blacksmith's forge on overtime. I was concerned that my RS had a loud ticking noise from tickover when warm and that it seemed to pink really noticeably under load from low revs. Motorrad checked it over and the "they all do that sir" was all I could get from them but I suspect the cam chain tensioner is quite rattly and that what they say isn't pinking, is doing a damned good job of impersonating pinking. These days, I just ride it ensuring oil levels are ok and keep an ear out for any new noises, but really, such an evolved motor ought, you might think, might be quieter.

 

[Ash700]

In this age, I can’t think of any other engine in a modern vehicle (bike or car) which makes as much clatter/rattle/clanking as the BMW 1250 boxer engines do. Why can’t they design it so that it’s smooth and quiet? Maybe it’s because it’s an engine that has undergone years of extensive development and the base engine, developed as it now is, will never be any better than it currently is. To make a smooth quiet boxer engine might only be achieved by a full, back to the drawing board approach?!

 

[Wierpig]

Its pinking.Ive driven myself mad trying to sort it.Dealer wont even admit to hearing it.Ive learnt to live with it now and earplugs eliminate it.My guess is that its so lean that it causes combustion chamber hot spots.I think a richer mixture would sort it, but with a downstream lambda sensor always trying to correct it...well its a remap and I dont really want to go down that route.

 

[Hann]

^^What have you tried in an effort to sort it, Wierpig?

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

its not pinking, mine been doing from new, now 11000 miles, engine damage would have occurred long ago, I just ignore it

 

[Ash700]

Its pinking.Ive driven myself mad trying to sort it.Dealer wont even admit to hearing it.Ive learnt to live with it now and earplugs eliminate it.My guess is that its so lean that it causes combustion chamber hot spots.I think a richer mixture would sort it, but with a downstream lambda sensor always trying to correct it...well its a remap and I dont really want to go down that route.

I think you’re absolutely correct about the clatter being pinking. The noise floods in as soon as you open the throttle from lower revs. There is some noise from the tappets and cam chain but that noise is pretty much a constant. Have you noticed how the engine purrs and has a soft mechanical whine when first started from cold? Unfortunately, it doesn’t last much more that a couple of minutes, as the engine heats up.

The problems are probably caused as a result of the ever stricter emission regulations, making manufacturers lean off their engines.

 

[Ash700]

its not pinking, mine been doing from new, now 11000 miles, engine damage would have occurred long ago, I just ignore it

I’m willing to consider something else but the noise my 6k mile 1250 GSA makes (only at lower revs when under load) is a brilliant impersonation of pinking. I can’t think what else would make this sort of noise when we are all told that there is absolutely nothing wrong with our bikes.

I’ve just spent 10 days trundling through France and I’ve now formed the habit of changing down, to get the the engine spinning a little quicker, before of opening the throttle to lessen the noise (which it does) but I’d rather leave it in the gear that it’s in and use the torque to accelerate.. and I’m not talking about winding open the throttle against the stop, just gentle acceleration when leaving a village - even worse when it’s slightly uphill. I love the bike, it’s my 3rd GSA, I just wish it didn’t clatter

 

[scarab1987]

I have already remapped my bike in the safe way of course. Bike runs great at complete rev range. But the rattling noise remains exactly the same. For me the one that is remaining to check is the clutch. I have already all the special tools needed and wait just to do 3000kms to do it together with oil change. I have studied too much the clutch system and I think that I am very close to the solution. I believe that is a wrong design issue, like the updated tensioner, and because it doesn't do any damage to the bike Bmw just ignores it. But my ear cannot ignore at all. I will have news in 1.5 month approximately.

Its pinking.Ive driven myself mad trying to sort it.Dealer wont even admit to hearing it.Ive learnt to live with it now and earplugs eliminate it.My guess is that its so lean that it causes combustion chamber hot spots.I think a richer mixture would sort it, but with a downstream lambda sensor always trying to correct it...well its a remap and I dont really want to go down that route.

 

[Ash700]

I have already remapped my bike in the safe way of course. Bike runs great at complete rev range. But the rattling noise remains exactly the same. For me the one that is remaining to check is the clutch. I have already all the special tools needed and wait just to do 3000kms to do it together with oil change. I have studied too much the clutch system and I think that I am very close to the solution. I believe that is a wrong design issue, like the updated tensioner, and because it doesn't do any damage to the bike Bmw just ignores it. But my ear cannot ignore at all. I will have news in 1.5 month approximately.

Keep us posted