Speed

[petkostas]

Just curious, since I have not ridden any other GS and since my first bike is a CBR 1000RR would like just to ask if this sounds normal.
BMW R1150 GS 2002 Model, accelerates ok through the gears, but I feel at around 5200 RPM that the bike accelerates rather rough (vibrations) and slowly (speed increases slowly).
I get at 5th at 5000RPM around 130Km/h and I have seen on 6th near 200 at 6500 RPM.
Generally it feels that I can gain acceleration smoothly and quickly up to 5000, after 5000 I get vibrations (also it feels I need more effort to upshift after the 5000 mark) and slow acceleration.
At 6th it accelerates really slowly, but it feels rather smooth and I can see my tacho reach up to 200Km.

 

[sproggy]

Compared to a Fireblade how quick do you expect it to feel?! The GS pulls well low down but does get a bit breathless higher up the rev range. Your top speeds sound normal and don't expect much acceleration in 6th if it's an overdrive 6th.

But performance is very subjective and unless you ride someone else's bike or another GS owner rides yours it's really hard to say whether it's performing normally.

Check your air filter, though - if that's clogged up it'll hold the bike back at higher revs.

 

[petkostas]

Compared to a Fireblade how quick do you expect it to feel?! The GS pulls well low down but does get a bit breathless higher up the rev range. Your top speeds sound normal and don't expect much acceleration in 6th if it's an overdrive 6th.

But performance is very subjective and unless you ride someone else's bike or another GS owner rides yours it's really hard to say whether it's performing normally.

Check your air filter, though - if that's clogged up it'll hold the bike back at higher revs.

Thanks mate, AIR Filter is clean, I don't expect anything near the CBR, I was just curious to see if it feels normal not gaining much after 5000 mark, nothing I feel disappointed about (to clarify that part).
I just wanted to know if that is normal for a GS!

 

[Mutley]

Speed isn't normal for a GS

HTH

 

[petkostas]

Speed isn't normal for a GS

HTH

You mean as...this bike was not build for speed...or that it does not sound normal?

 

[doyle]

I have had 2 1150gs's both with Remus end cans and header pipes with the cat removed. Both bikes went very well and accelerated without hesitation right up until flat out,no roughness,[or extra roughness]. they were a 2000 and 2002 models.6th gear does drop the revs as has been said but both my bikes pulled very well in 6th.

 

[stolzy]

Sounds normal to me.
It's not at its happiest at high revs, short shift and ride the torque wave.

The bike is not intended for straight line speed, but will keep up with most things because the suspension is excellent in 'real-world' rather than track conditions, and it doesn't much mind which gear its in when you give it the beans.

 

[ahutcheon]

What's it like in lower gears? Mine will happily pull round to the rev limiter in 2nd (no, I don't make a habit of it), but the vibes do build up above 4k revs or so and (no surprise with the crap aerodynamics) the action is a bit leisurely towards the top end in the high gears.

 

[petkostas]

Lower gear feels about the same.
Did a test last late night when I was alone on a highways, pulled slowly through the gears to 5th, and started accelerating, found out that if I let it catch up slowly (slow twist to the grip) acceleration is more vibe free and the speed builds up way smoothly.
Can't actually find a good way to describe my symptoms, I believe that it feels more like when I twist the throttle -and try to accelerate on a quicker pace- the engine feels like its bogged, like it lacks power, and that I have reached the rev limiter (quite a few vibrations) or that the engine will go to pieces...
On the other hand really slow acceleration did allow the engine to build up more smooth and felt more like it.
Maybe its the way it should, but it still I find it odd applying some throttle, working normally till 5000 and then being a bit more rough.
I will probably take it a ride to a BMW mechanic and ask him to see if everything feels nice.

 

[sproggy]

It shouldn't bog down when you open the throttle wide. Symptoms like you've just described make me think of spark plugs - if you have a weak spark it could behave that way. Plugs are quite cheap - I'd suggest changing yours just to see if it makes any difference.

 

[petkostas]

It shouldn't bog down when you open the throttle wide. Symptoms like you've just described make me think of spark plugs - if you have a weak spark it could behave that way. Plugs are quite cheap - I'd suggest changing yours just to see if it makes any difference.

Got back from the mechanic!
Engine's in lovely condition (few) but I will be needing a new clutch No problems on the low end, but it starts when I start revving.
Decent guy, told me that the clutch can last a bit more if I am not into changing it now, but since I will be travelling in about 2 months I will be changing it soon.
Couldn't know, it's the first clutch problem I experience on 5 different bikes but I am at least releaved that engine is in top notch condition!
I have ordered from motorworks both the spark plug tools and additionally of 2 spark plugs, so I will be changing them when I have them at me hands!
Would like to thank all of your for the correspondence, its rare somebody actually look into your problem and tries to help!