Smoking Clutch on 2007 GSA

[fgilz]

Has anyone else had any problems with a smoking clutch on a 5000mile bike it first started at 2000mile and I was told by Motoradd it would settle down and not to worry. It was fine but still smelt a little now and then, but after taking part in the Glasgow easter egg run yesterday I was to witness the smoke coming from my clutch after an hour of slow riding.

Surley these bikes should be able to cope with that as they are advertised with the ability to go over all terrain and you can't always do that at speed, sometime it must be done at a slow pace for long periods.

 

[Rollin Bone]

I Could Smell It

Hi There

If i'm right you where two up, and trying to say as politley as possible two big guys I was behind you on several occasions on a 1200 gs and also two up, being in the motor trade I know what a slipping / burning clutch smells like and yours was certinally slipping badly. The route was to blame yesterday with the constant feathering of the clutch. At least we didnt start cooking. Still I would get it checked or at least put it on record with BMW incase it fails early.

Regards RB

 

[wilbjr21]

I don't think that the way that a bike is advertised has anything to do with it

A slipping clutch can be experienced if the clutch lever cannot retract fully because of the hand guard being displaced. This causes a build up of pressure in the circuit.

Also this is a dry clutch so will smoke if slipped excessively - for example pullling away on a steep hill and loaded up.

Hope this helps - if not then something is making it slip i.e. stopping the plates from fully engaging.

 

[fgilz]

Slipping Clutch

Hi Rollin Bone,

Yeah I was that smoky devil ! yes I was two up me and my 14yr lad this problem also happens very occasionally riding solo after a run into the city and back. It has also happened after a 300-400mile motorway run so the clutch was not really getting used ? As I said I mentioned it to my local Motoradd and was told not to worry it was common with some bedding in but as they also went up in smoke I will contact them again tomorrow through in Edinburgh as even after the 20mile run home yesterday the clutch is still stinking. This is strange as I seen a few R1200's yesterday and mine seemed to be the only one with a smoking habit lol, maybe I should go back to the 1150 as I never had any trouble with the clutch on that.

Cheers for the replies guys Frank

 

[Psycho]

Make sure the handguard hasn't slipped and so is fouling the lever, there should be a little free play when flicking the lever forward

 

[VAL. H.]

An easy way to check your clutch is secure or slipping. Find an open (no other vehicles) stretch of road. In second or third gear with the bike well warmed up, get the revs up to around 6000 rpm (with your fingers off the leavers) and accelerate as hard as you can. If the clutch is going to let go, you'll hear and feel it. If it holds, you'll have some fun

One of the reasons a dry clutch smokes, is because the rider is slipping it too much.
If however your 1150 never had this problem when ridden in the same circumstances, then you can be quite certain it's not you but the bike at fault.

Something for you to look for is signs of weepage between the engine and gearbox housings. Look at the side of the motor from the right side immediately behind the cylinder. There is a possibility that you have a failing gearbox seal.



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