R1250GS weird engine vibration

[VladF]

Hey guys, my first post here. Hope I’m not duplicating a thread but I’ve looked around and haven’t seen this issue mentioned yet.

I got my GS about a year ago, brand new from the dealership. After a while I started noticing a bit of vibration coming from the engine.

I noticed that under steady throttle application, there’s is an odd back and forth RRRRrrrRRRRrrrrRRRR type of vibration below 3000 rpm in 3rd and 4th gear. So this would equate to any speed below 70ish in third and any speed below 85ish in fourth. As soon as you go past this speed the vibration is gone. But before that, it’s very noticeable.

I now try to avoid this range, as the vibration just doesn’t feel right. It’s like the engine can’t decide if it’s being lugged on not. I have noticed if I go up one more to fifth or down one more to two, it doesn’t matter what speed or rpm I’m at, the it’s a constant vibration all the way through.

The third and fourth gears are the only gears in which the bike is doing this.

I am familiar with lugging the engine etc, and I’ve ridden other GS’s before. I don’t think this is the issue.

I took it to the dealer and they basically told me that it could some sort of ‘shaft harmonics’ and that this just how the bike is. I don’t think that is the case. From looking at other forums one or two other 1250 owners have this issue with their bike and their dealers haven’t figured it out either.

I also installed a booster plug to see if that would help and it did not.

Bike has about 4000kms on it.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

 

[spoonz]

Many bikes do it, mine included. Has always done it and never changes although it is aggravated by certain tyres. . Not sure if it’s the engine or drivetrain but if you google it you will find it’s common to many shaft drive BMW’s ( hence why I have doubt it’s the engine as not all use the boxer).

Just put it down to harmonic vibration in that gear at that rpm etc.

 

[Slipperyeel]

My 1150 used to do something similar to this - and I believe many others also. It gave a kind of rhythm through the bike, gentle and not concerning.

The best description I read was it's like the planets all align and fall into a rhythmic sequence. It kind of describes what it felt like.

So I stopped worrying about it!

My 2011 is free of such foibles I'm pleased to say!

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

[Johnny M]

Vibration

I'm no expert on these things but I had a Honda Crosstourer for quite some time and went on holiday knowing I should really have changed my tyres. The bike developed an annoying vibration in 3rd and 4th at 30 to 40mph and I thought the worst. Was it gears, bearings, shaft? I changed my tyres when we got back and hey presto, it all went back to normal!
I put it down to 'harmonics'...the engine speed/vibs combining at a certain 'pitch' v the vibration from the tyres.
I don't know if this is of help but this is my experience.

 

[leadfarmer]

It’s common on the 1200 LCs too, mine does it in 4th on a steady throttle, kind of a rhythmic thrumming

A few posts about it on here

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showt...o-Good-Vibrations?highlight=Strange+vibration

 

[Weird Bob]

Yep my 1200GSA does exactly as you describe.
Though mine has eased off over time.
It’s the weirdest resonance that you feel at those steady state rpm.

I believe if it’s very bad BMW can do something - I think it’s centred around the gearbox and drive shaft joint.

 

[Old Codger]

My 17 plate Gs lc had a spot in 3rd gear when something similar happened it was easily passed through on the way up and down the box .

 

[Monkey Rum]

Had something similar on my 1250GS, turned out to be a tight knuckle on the drive shaft, replaced under warranty