Transmission question

[ScaryAardvark]

I've only just purchased an 06 1200 GS and having ridden a number of chain driven bikes have a question regarding the shaft drive.

When I'm riding quite slowly, say sub 15mph, the transmission is quite snatchy. Almost like a badly adjusted chain drive. When rolling on and off it "jars" a little.

Is this normal for a shaft drive (or a BMW shaft drive).

It makes it quite difficult around town to be precise with the throttle.

M.

 

[RickG]

It's most likely that the throttle bodies need adjusting as the transmission is not inherently snatchy. However, if you've come from a multicylinder bike a big twin will take a bit of getting used to as there are two big bangs rather than several little ones and v. gentle throttle action at low revs/speeds is necessary to avoid jerky progress. Basicly you'll get used to it and adjust your riding technique automaticly.

 

[ScaryAardvark]

It's most likely that the throttle bodies need adjusting as the transmission is not inherently snatchy. However, if you've come from a multicylinder bike a big twin will take a bit of getting used to as there are two big bangs rather than several little ones and v. gentle throttle action at low revs/speeds is necessary to avoid jerky progress. Basicly you'll get used to it and adjust your riding technique automaticly.

Maybe that's it. I'm used to riding jap V and inline 4s. smoother than a baby's backside

I do think the throttle bodies might need adjusting though as it feels a little lumpy on idle. It tends to rev about a bit on tickover. I had a simliar "hunting" on my VFR and it was sorted by balancing the throttle bodies.

Thx
Mark.

 

[Our Gee]

Like Rick says, the Throttle Action on the GS is very sensitive. I remember my first ride about a year ago on a Dealer Demonstrator and thought it was horrible but after an hour or so I adjusted to it and now I just don,t notice it.
In 2003 I had a R1150RT which "hunted" terribly at town speeds. My 2007 GS is silky smooth by comparison.

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Thats my experiance of shafties, feels like a slack chain, not so slack as to warrent adjustment, but not as slick as a freshly adjusted/lubed chain.

Unless of course mines shagged and I havent noticed

 

[The Bede]

... The "unadvertised features" of the gearbox include heavy shift, clunky shift and a reluctance to engage first gear.

... Transmission to the shaft is seamless unless you've lost, or are losing, the gear-box/final-drive completely, which you would know about from the grinding noises and general sloth that this entails.

... The low speed camel imitations are down to fueling. The BMS-K engine management system is running so tight on fuel, to comply with EuroIII emissions limits, that it leads to the jerkiness of which you complain. At low revs the system puffs in the odd squirt of fuel here and there to keep the metal spinning, but refined it most certainly ain't. Unbalanced throttle bodies and the transition from 4 pots to 2 will exacerbate the situation.

... Solution - Ride quicker

 

[deaninkl]

mine an 06 also, they are snatchy at low speed, I think partly also due to tuning for emissions. not great at slow speeds offraod as you are always play with the cluch, but great on the road.

 

[ScaryAardvark]

Thanks for the reassuring words.

I'll get myself some Davida vacuum gauges and try balancing the throttle bodies.

Would a power commander help the fueling?

M.

 

[GS TRV]

Thanks for the reassuring words.

I'll get myself some Davida vacuum gauges and try balancing the throttle bodies.

Would a power commander help the fueling?

M.

Bro I wouldn't go too far down the road of trying to transform what is really a 1930s engine design - just ride and enjoy it - it'll never be an inline 4 - we 1150 owners call it character

 

[adventuredon]

I am feeling the same

just ridden a Honda CBR 1000 and my oh my is it smooth and easy around town compared to my gs1200. Same problems/feelings with jerky throttle at low low revs and bimble speed. Still an awesome bike when on a road that allows us to ride, but around town it is hard at the moment. sure I;ll adjust though!

 

[forest biker]

just ridden a Honda CBR 1000 and my oh my is it smooth and easy around town compared to my gs1200. Same problems/feelings with jerky throttle at low low revs and bimble speed. Still an awesome bike when on a road that allows us to ride, but around town it is hard at the moment. sure I;ll adjust though!

I found mine the same when i come from a sports bike, have to say though me personally i find the accelerator module what i fitted makes it smoother at low speeds/gears and easier for filtering etc

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

And dare I say they are also infinitely better without the Cat, I was on the verge of selling mine before I put the Remus system on it, haven't looked back since!

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I just ride around it ...... throttle control is everything

 

[JPB]

As others have said, they can be a bit snatchy, but I found that fitting an accelerator module (see the 'mods' & 'vendors' sections of this site) helped smooth things out.

 

[jogo]

As others have said, they can be a bit snatchy, but I found that fitting an accelerator module (see the 'mods' & 'vendors' sections of this site) helped smooth things out.

What he said.
Make sure the throttle bodies are tuned in. There are "how to" guides available or get the highly recommended Service DVD from JVB:

http://www.jimvonbaden.com/

if you want to service the bike yourself.

And fit the accelerator module!!

Both are cheap, effective and easy things to do and have been done by many. What is left then you just have to live with...which is not really a problem

Good luck and enjoy riding

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I was on the verge of selling mine before I put the Remus system on it, haven't looked back since!

Did you remove the mirrors too???

 

[snerkler]

I personally like the 'positive' gear change, I know it gone in then. I had a K6 Gixxer thou and it was so slick I wasn't sure whether it'd actually changed gear or not sometimes until I opened the throttle again.
I find the gear box on my 2010 GSA pretty good in comparison to other bikes I've had, including a Fazer 600, Tiger 1050 and Sprint St 1050. The Triumph gear boxes were probably the worst of any bike I've had tbh