Clutch Problem with R1200GS 2005

[Wilmouth]

Was wondering if anyone is having a clutch problem with there 1200GS? It seems as if when I hit the gas at high rpm it slips! Sometimes having trouble going up my fire tower road, it also slips out!

[cjack]

Was wondering if anyone is having a clutch problem with there 1200GS? It seems as if when I hit the gas at high rpm it slips! Sometimes having trouble going up my fire tower road, it also slips out!

Any sign of a leak? Loss of fluid in the clutch reservoir? I have heard of a 12GS which had a slipping clutch, burned a little smoke, and now is rock solid. Don't know yet if the condition will return, if there was just some slight runout to burn off or what.
Stay tuned I guess.

[The_Veg]

How many miles on the bike, and at what point did the problem start?

[lkchris]

Move to Oilheads, please.

[Wilmouth]

The bike is a 2005 it started with 2,000 miles. There are no leaks, no smoke. Somedays it is fine others it slipps alot!

[j-budimlya]

Was wondering if anyone is having a clutch problem with there 1200GS? It seems as if when I hit the gas at high rpm it slips! Sometimes having trouble going up my fire tower road, it also slips out!

Ae you saying the clutch is sliping, or are you saying the transmission is popping out of gear?

[westmount]

and how about your shoes or boots... I thought I had a similar problem. I started wearing my "designed for motorcycle" boots and I became more aware of my shifts (part of awarness from yoga practice :lol ) and the problem was solved.

I ride my 1200 hard.. I don't worry about the hitting 6000 rpm and lot and I have had no more problems.

I thing I did that may or may not have helped is I swapped out the tranny oil (whatever was the original) and put it 75-140 BMW syn ( gold color, not the RED COLOR,) no prob's and i have 41,000kms. of hardish riding.

hp

[Dolph]

The clutch on my 05 GS began to slip in cold weather in Colorado. Readjusted clutch cable at the handle bar, loosened adjustment, problem solved. No more slippage in 4,000 miles. :dance

[soffiler]

The clutch on my 05 GS began to slip in cold weather in Colorado. Readjusted clutch cable at the handle bar, loosened adjustment, problem solved. No more slippage in 4,000 miles. :dance


Clutch cable? What exactly do you ride, an F650GS perhaps? This thread is about the R1200GS, which has no cable. It's hydraulic. The only adjustment at the handlebar is for lever reach, which won't change the actuation characteristics of the clutch itself.

[Dolph]

Clutch cable? What exactly do you ride, an F650GS perhaps? This thread is about the R1200GS, which has no cable. It's hydraulic. The only adjustment at the handlebar is for lever reach, which won't change the actuation characteristics of the clutch itself.

You are correct, however loosening the adjustment nut did fix the problem. Perhaps it was due to the handle reach being insufficient in the cold weather.
I'm very glad that you have no problem correcting others in such a gentlemanly fashion. :stick

[ian408]

After I've ridden mine hard, there are times, like pulling away from a stop
sign, that I smell the clutch. Doesn't happen all the time but makes me
question my clutch technique...doesn't happen with the RT though ('04).
I have less than 6K on my GS...

[PacWestGS]

Was wondering if anyone is having a clutch problem with there 1200GS? It seems as if when I hit the gas at high rpm it slips! Sometimes having trouble going up my fire tower road, it also slips out!

You either have a 'problem'? (which I don't think so) or

you are in the wrong gear (too high), the engine has more power/torque than the clutch can handle, it's a single disk dry clutch plate and once it gets a 'glaze' it will slip badly until that wears off again (many easy miles).

Try keeping it in lower gears and remember that it's 'not a dirt bike' but a big 500# sport/touring/enduro.


Don't mean to sound harsh, but some times it needs to be said that way.


Doc

:bikes

[soffiler]

You are correct, however loosening the adjustment nut did fix the problem. Perhaps it was due to the handle reach being insufficient in the cold weather.
I'm very glad that you have no problem correcting others in such a gentlemanly fashion. :stick

I have no idea where you took offense to my posting. Likewise I can't tell what I was correct about. The fact that the R12GS has no cable? Or my guess that you actually ride an F650GS? All you said was "05 GS".

Ambiguous or inaccurate postings, despite the best of intentions, can confuse and mislead the very people you were hoping to help when you posted.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

This Advrider is a great site...oh wait it is MOA ...sounded like Advrider for a minute there...lol

[soffiler]

This Advrider is a great site...oh wait it is MOA ...sounded like Advrider for a minute there...lol

:hide

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

:hide

hehehehee

[cjack]

I have no idea where you took offense to my posting. Likewise I can't tell what I was correct about. The fact that the R12GS has no cable? Or my guess that you actually ride an F650GS? All you said was "05 GS".

Ambiguous or inaccurate postings, despite the best of intentions, can confuse and mislead the very people you were hoping to help when you posted.

I have seen a pattern of the R12GS clutches slipping and not slipping. The best idea I read is that the engine has exceeded the clutch. But, I wonder though if there is some kind of runout issue. Some quality control issue on thickness variation or something. I know of a 12GS clutch that smoked badly with slippage and then when the mechanic tried to flog it to make it slip, it was bulletproof.

[PacWestGS]

yeah i think it's the system as all the previous bikes it just has 20 some more hp. they should come out with stronger springs as an option or refit for those who ride it harder.

[BobFV1]

This is a cross post from a couple of other sites.

The clutch has started slipping on my 2006 R1200 GS ADV with 5000 miles on it (I rode it cross country). I am preparing to ride it back across the country next weekend but the clutch has started slipping above about 3500 RPM in the top 3 gears. I have the following on my list to check: leaking transmission seal, clutch lever hitting hand guard. Any other ideas would be welcome as well.

Oh yeah - I've been smelling clutch too. For no apparent reason.

[soffiler]

I have seen a pattern of the R12GS clutches slipping and not slipping. The best idea I read is that the engine has exceeded the clutch. But, I wonder though if there is some kind of runout issue. Some quality control issue on thickness variation or something. I know of a 12GS clutch that smoked badly with slippage and then when the mechanic tried to flog it to make it slip, it was bulletproof.


So, Jack, you're saying the slippage is undoubtedly real, but it will come and go with no rhyme or reason? If so, that might explain Dolph's lever adjustment appearing to have had an effect.

[BobFV1]

What do you guys think - do I ride it back from DC to AZ or trailer it? It only slips when I rip the throttle. I am inclined to go for it, but clutch issues do have a way of going very bad very fast...

[soffiler]

yeah i think it's the system as all the previous bikes it just has 20 some more hp. they should come out with stronger springs as an option or refit for those who ride it harder.

Doc, the hexhead uses a 180mm clutch vs. the oilhead's 165mm.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

What do you guys think - do I ride it back from DC to AZ or trailer it? It only slips when I rip the throttle. I am inclined to go for it, but clutch issues do have a way of going very bad very fast...


You could do both, ride it until it goes and then trailer it...lol

[BobFV1]

You could do both, ride it until it goes and then trailer it...lol

Don't laugh - I actually considered having my son, home from college for the Summer, follow me in our VW Touareg. My luck, both pieces of German iron would break down!

[PacWestGS]

Doc, the hexhead uses a 180mm clutch vs. the oilhead's 165mm.

yeah but did they use stronger springs?

i know a lot MXers that add stronger springs or remove some depending on how they want the bike to work. but then again these are wet multi-plate clutches, so maybe i don't know what i'm talking about, lol

[soffiler]

yeah but did they use stronger springs?



I wish I knew. The larger diameter gives you more friction material area, which is clearly a good thing, and an obvious response when specifying a clutch for a new higher-torque engine. You're on the right track here; spring force is certainly another critical variable.

[dzimbric]

I may be having a similar experience with my "05 1200 GS. It has 17K on it an seems to slip in higher gears when I am accelerating. It almost feels like the rear wheel is spinning. I have also experienced it kicking out of 6th gear at higher rpms. This may a symptom of my boot nudging the lever but I am concious of foot placement and have had it happen three times in a row while riding.
It almost feeels like the gearbox has a memory, if you do not shift it correctly, but just bump the shift lever, it it will wait a little while then try to make the shift. My gearbox has gone into neutral mode when the gear indicator said I was in 5th on at least one occasion. Taking it to the dealer is a PITA because the closest dealer is +100 miles away.

[cjack]

I may be having a similar experience with my "05 1200 GS. It has 17K on it an seems to slip in higher gears when I am accelerating. It almost feels like the rear wheel is spinning. I have also experienced it kicking out of 6th gear at higher rpms. This may a symptom of my boot nudging the lever but I am concious of foot placement and have had it happen three times in a row while riding.
It almost feeels like the gearbox has a memory, if you do not shift it correctly, but just bump the shift lever, it it will wait a little while then try to make the shift. My gearbox has gone into neutral mode when the gear indicator said I was in 5th on at least one occasion. Taking it to the dealer is a PITA because the closest dealer is +100 miles away.

As far as the gear box goes, keep your foot on it until the clutch is all the way out. That way if you're short of a full engagement, it will complete when the clutch is let out.

[BobFV1]

I think I fixed my problem. The clutch lever was rubbing the handguard. Rotated the hand guard a bit and the problem seems to have cleared up. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

My first bike with hand guards...

[soffiler]

I think I fixed my problem. The clutch lever was rubbing the handguard. Rotated the hand guard a bit and the problem seems to have cleared up. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

My first bike with hand guards...

So does this mean you're gonna ride it back to AZ, Bob??

[BobFV1]

So does this mean you're gonna ride it back to AZ, Bob??

Steve - Sure does! I am leaving the DC area Saturday morning, stopping by the ADVRIDER rally in NC Saturday night, then turning West and hope to be back in Tempe by Tuesday night. Will be ready (overdue, actually) for the 6K service and new rubber by the time I get to AZ.

Ride safe.

[cjack]

I think I fixed my problem. The clutch lever was rubbing the handguard. Rotated the hand guard a bit and the problem seems to have cleared up. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

My first bike with hand guards...

I too have seen those twist and interfer with the brake and clutch levers. Something to watch out for...650GS too.

[dguerin]

I think I fixed my problem. The clutch lever was rubbing the handguard. Rotated the hand guard a bit and the problem seems to have cleared up. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

My first bike with hand guards...

I am really glad this was posted. A few days ago I used the rain cover on my 1200GS for the first time. After removing and going for a ride I noticed that when I rolled on the throttle fairly quickly, the tach would increase but no power to wheels. Eventually the RPMs would drop as the clutch started to grab. I called a couple of BMW dealers and they suspected a worn clutch plate. Anyways, I saw this posting and sure enough, the rain cover had moved the handguard onto the clutch lever and it was pushing the clutch lever just slightly. I fixed the handguard, went out for a ride and no clutch slip.