So...................3 months in

[alp]

There's been a lot of honest reports so far on this thread without too much rose tinted glasses stuff, mostly saying it's a great bike which suits a lot of owners. Things that don't gel with some are good for others, we're all different and can use whatever settings BMW have provided to suit most people and their riding.
- The real embarrassing bummer with my bike is the dragging clutch which affects gear changes, particularly into 1st, once you've found neutral that is. I'm hoping to talk to someone in the know at the Garmisch Motorrad Days bash to find out what the situation is re. a fix. I don't care that some other makes of bikes crunch into 1st, this one is OTT.
- One owner found putting the bike on its centre stand difficult, strange that since I must be one of the oldest owners and putting the bike on its centre stand is a doddle. All you do is stand on the stand extension and up she goes. Maybe it's a confidence thing.
- I had some problems with the cruise control switches for a while until I realised that the main cruise control slider must be firmly pushed sideways as far as it will go and not just be given a casual slide sideways. I leave my slider fully ON now and just move the set paddle when I need it to operate. I've never thought about cruise control until this bike but use it a lot on main roads now.
- I love the modes etc and like some others in 'normal' riding, mostly use Road and Rain. Dynamic looks like it will be the preferred setting for the Motorrad Days rides in the passes.
- I find the sat nav wheel on the left bar a nuisance but that's my fault for using a non-BMW sat nav, not BMW's. I understand there are parts available to remove it which I'll chase up.
- When I get back from Garmisch it will have a lot more miles on it and I should have a better feel for the bike overall. So far I'm glad I've got it.

 

[Nutty]

Right, just got back from the dealer. They road tested the bike, and there's nothing wrong with the gearbox, as they are all a bit clunky. I went on a 120 mile ride mainly on B roads and smaller, doing as many gear changes as possible, and its fine 99% of the time, and occasionally clunky, however, it goes into gear every time with no problems. I'll keep an eye on this. I stopped a lot of times to put it into neutral to see how easily it goes in, and I'd say that most of the time it went straight to neutral from first, but once or twice went into second instead. Now that I've mentioned this to Vines, they have it on record, so if it gets worse or there's a recall, it will get sorted.

Re the brakes, they are down to 30% left on the rear pads in 3600 miles. As BMW HQ are closed at weekends, they offered to change the pads today and charge me, then refund me IF BMW admit they are at fault. The new ones in stock are sintered, and they look the same as the ones on the bike now, so I'd like to see if the new ones are different to the ones I have, as I don't want these new ones replaced in 5000 miles. I opted to leave them on there and wait until Monday to see what BMW says.

So, all in all, I'm more than happy with this bike. The gearbox seems to be one of those things (would be nice if it wasn't so clunky, but they all do that, sir), and the rear brake pads will be sorted next week without too much drama.

Now time for a drink or two.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Right, just got back from the dealer. They road tested the bike, and there's nothing wrong with the gearbox, as they are all a bit clunky.

They would say that, but if there is something wrong with the clutch -then the gearbox will be clunky


How can they tell?

 

[Timolgra]

They would say that, but if there is something wrong with the clutch -then the gearbox will be clunky


How can they tell?

How can the dealer of a new model, say "They all do that" how do they know?

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

How can the dealer of a new model, say "They all do that" how do they know?

And just because they all do it doesn't mean there's not a problem

 

[edwgordon]

Right on the Button!

Also found myself spending most of my time in Spain in Enduro switching between Soft/Hard and 3rd gear when up the mountains and around town.

Some have complaints around fueling, but I have found that a change in Mode setting seems to often alleviate the issue when it feels as if things are hunting a little around 4th in Road/Dyn setting, maybe not ideal but just a matter of getting used to the ride.

Forgot to mention surging. The bike(even in Enduro) wants to gallop. Its like a racehorse and a slow trot through the gears is not to its liking. Not saying its crap just not as smooth as I would like and hope my way of explaining it makes sense

 

[jonnyp]

Forgot to mention surging. The bike(even in Enduro) wants to gallop. Its like a racehorse and a slow trot through the gears is not to its liking. Not saying its crap just not as smooth as I would like and hope my way of explaining it makes sense

I've got a funny feeling (and it's just that) we'll all see a software update some time soon....and any surging will be a thing of the past..

 

[Nutty]

They would say that, but if there is something wrong with the clutch -then the gearbox will be clunky


How can they tell?

How can the dealer of a new model, say "They all do that" how do they know?

Exactly. Time will tell

 

[Flipfly]

Funny cause the bike I test road had a great gearbox, snickerty snick

That isn't a wind up either, it was good enough to not even notice it hence I didn't mention it.

Is the clunkiness just when compared to jap bikes. Bm gearboxes have always been a little 'agricultural'. The new one is as Suzuki smooth as you could hope for it to be imho.

 

[Davy F]

Funny cause the bike I test road had a great gearbox, snickerty snick

That isn't a wind up either, it was good enough to not even notice it hence I didn't mention it.

Is the clunkiness just when compared to jap bikes. Bm gearboxes have always been a little 'agricultural'. The new one is as Suzuki smooth as you could hope for it to be imho.

You must have struck lucky as the one I test rode was average to say the least, in fact, it was more like the BM 'boxes of old.

 

[Wrinkly]

Absolutely no complaints about build quality I think if anything it's a bit better than my TC.

I also had a problem with the side stand "nub" fouling my foot when changing gear,I just bent it out of the way a bit.

I do really really like this bike,and hope the clutch gearbox problem is sorted,it goes back on the 2nd July for a look.

Now I'm no engineer,but if it goes from 3-4-5-6 with absolute precision shouldn't it go from 1-2-3 just the same down changes are all good.

Steve

 

[cookie]

Now I'm no engineer,but if it goes from 3-4-5-6 with absolute precision shouldn't it go from 1-2-3 just the same down changes are all good.

Steve

if the clutch is dragging, you'll notice the effect on changes of the lower gears more IME.

i'm no engineer either.

 

[GS TRV]

You must have struck lucky as the one I test rode was average to say the least, in fact, it was more like the BM 'boxes of old.

It seemed fine to me but then I was probably pushing it on a bit more than u

 

[stick]

It seemed fine to me but then I was probably pushing it on a bit more than u

+ 1 for me too

 

[Little-Brit]

Picked mine up at the Easter weekend - in the bloody snow!

This is my third third GS. My first was a non ABS 2006 model bought as an ex-demonstrator and the second a 2009 bought new with all of the trimmings. My plan had been to buy a new 2012 GS in September last year for a knock down price but there were NONE on the system to be had.

Am I glad? Am I. I absolutely love it. It is better in every single way than my previous model. It is smoother, faster, more economical, more comfortable, better handling and more aerodynamically sorted than the 2009 (and the 2012 demonstrator).

Stand out improvements for me are the saddle (which I think is every bit as good if not better than the Sargent on my last GS), the cruise control, the LED headlamp and the delightfully light clutch.

Honourable mentions have to go to the screen, the switchgear (as the old type was driving me to distraction - after 20 years of using it I still could NEVER find the horn in an emergency) oh and the power!

The negatives? Not much really. There is no good hand hold to lift the bike onto the centre stand and for the first time ever I find myself leaving the bike on its side stand routinely. The switchgear (bear with me) - the dip switch is in a good position if you don't have the silly wheel thing. As it is it is too easy to activate the cruise control when going for the dip-switch. Solution; switch cruise off at night but could be better. The handlebar sat-nav control is a complete white elephant if you don't have a BMW Bluetooth device - I don't and consequently I don't use it really, I'd rather have had my hand closer to the control switches which would probably alleviate my dip/cruise problem above. I'm not overly impressed with the Tourance tyres and may try some Michelin Pilot 3s if they are available next.

ps. The exhaust is on the wrong side meaning that the most useful pannier is facing down hill so that things fall out when you want to access it and making it difficult to stow your lid in it unless the bike is on the centre-stand - see above!

The overall quality seems top notch to me, time will tell.

I don't understand the complaints about high speed comfort - if I was looking for that I'd have bought an RT. Everything in life is a compromise but the GS hits a path that suits my use pretty much perfectly. If only my legs were an inch or so longer....

Derek

I should have said that I have now done over 2000 miles! Gearbox is about the same as the 2009 going up but much better coming down; finding neutral is a challenge... The CA-BANG when selecting first is a bit naff but I don't miss the clutch/gearbox of the 09 banging away every time it was disengaged in a queue of traffic.

Derek

 

[Wyreflyer]

Funny cause the bike I test road had a great gearbox, snickerty snick

That isn't a wind up either, it was good enough to not even notice it hence I didn't mention it.

Is the clunkiness just when compared to jap bikes. Bm gearboxes have always been a little 'agricultural'. The new one is as Suzuki smooth as you could hope for it to be imho.

I've had a 2008 GS, a 2010 GSA now an LC. The gearbox/clutch problem is not a problem compared to anything, it is just a problem if you are unlucky to have a duff one.

Mine has had the clutch changed 75 miles agao and it is still bad but in a slightly different way. Picked the bike up on friday and thought for the first few miles that it was fixed but as it warmed up, 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd intermittently kicked back.

You can feel the gears not go in, 2/3 cogs grating and then a clunk/kick back through your foot as it drops in to gear. Into 4th and on to 5th and 6th are smooth. However now I have a real crunch/grating going down through the box, which I didn't have before. Also had trouble at home getting bike into neutral, which again has never happened before.

I have tried every variation of gear changes that have been put forward on here as 'solutions', to no effect.

Not done the miles this weekend I was hoping, so if the weather plays ball I'll get out tomorrow and get a decent amount of miles testing. Not sure what to do next though.

 

[Daxaar]

Not done the miles this weekend I was hoping, so if the weather plays ball I'll get out tomorrow and get a decent amount of miles testing. Not sure what to do next though.

I'm not saying there isn't a problem with your bike at all (I know how annoying that can be when it doesn't feel right to you). However, as you described each of the issues in your post I kept thinking "yep, mine does that", I've never really seen it as a problem.

Sure it's disappointing that the box isn't a lot smoother but having come from jap fours and with this being my first boxer, I just figured that's how they all are. Maybe you just need to live with it and enjoy the other great features the bike does better?

 

[Flipfly]

I've had a 2008 GS, a 2010 GSA now an LC. The gearbox/clutch problem is not a problem compared to anything, it is just a problem if you are unlucky to have a duff one.

Mine has had the clutch changed 75 miles agao and it is still bad but in a slightly different way. Picked the bike up on friday and thought for the first few miles that it was fixed but as it warmed up, 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd intermittently kicked back.

You can feel the gears not go in, 2/3 cogs grating and then a clunk/kick back through your foot as it drops in to gear. Into 4th and on to 5th and 6th are smooth. However now I have a real crunch/grating going down through the box, which I didn't have before. Also had trouble at home getting bike into neutral, which again has never happened before.

I have tried every variation of gear changes that have been put forward on here as 'solutions', to no effect.

Not done the miles this weekend I was hoping, so if the weather plays ball I'll get out tomorrow and get a decent amount of miles testing. Not sure what to do next though.

Sounds like a bad one to me. Bm boxes are usually a. Little clunky compared to well sorted jap boxes, but crunches and difficulty changing gears isn't normal.
Dealer should change the box under warrantee imho.
The clutch on the test bike was grabby compared to the old single plate imo. The only other thing may be how quickly you change gear. New bike likes a quick snick better than a laboured change.

 

[Wrinkly]

I'm not saying there isn't a problem with your bike at all (I know how annoying that can be when it doesn't feel right to you). However, as you described each of the issues in your post I kept thinking "yep, mine does that", I've never really seen it as a problem.

Sure it's disappointing that the box isn't a lot smoother but having come from jap fours and with this being my first boxer, I just figured that's how they all are. Maybe you just need to live with it and enjoy the other great features the bike does better?

It's more than disappointing Daxaar it's not right !

As you've pointed out there are many great features to this bike,but as for folks just needing to live with it I just can't agree.it's a fault and it needs addressing.

As I've said in previous posts the WC is maybe around my 20th boxer twin around 10 of which have been bought new and I've never had cause to return any of them.

For me the performance of the Clutch/Gearbox is unacceptable and I would expect that it is rectified.

If the problem does not effect all bikes that would suggest to me that there is a cure.

Steve