06 K1200GT trans clunks?

[Robert Briere]

Let's talk about the 2006 K1200GT, according to the test ride in the MOA mag. The author is correct when he said the clunk migrated to the K series. When my wife can hear me shift this bike from first to second half a block away, I don't think this bike will take me to 100 thousand miles. As far as revving the bike out to about 6-7 grand before the shift to 2nd, I don't think that is the way to rectify this situation. How about the slack in the drive train when you are in a 25 mile an hour speed zone running in 2nd or 3rd gear and you touch the throttle up and down a little, there is alot of backlash going on, I don't think that will make it to 100 thousand miles either. Even the throttle has to much slack verses the 03GT, but according to the dealer, that is the way it is suppose to be? As far as my 03 GT, that is just a glorifed RS but there wasn't any slack in the throttle. Everythink else the author said about the 06 GT, he is right on the money. After doing 2000 miles in 3 weeks, I can't say enough about how much I love this machine, except for some of the things that I mentioned that really bothers me.

[cjack]

Let's talk about the 2006 K1200GT, according to the test ride in the MOA mag. The author is correct when he said the clunk migrated to the K series. When my wife can hear me shift this bike from first to second half a block away, I don't think this bike will take me to 100 thousand miles. As far as revving the bike out to about 6-7 grand before the shift to 2nd, I don't think that is the way to rectify this situation. How about the slack in the drive train when you are in a 25 mile an hour speed zone running in 2nd or 3rd gear and you touch the throttle up and down a little, there is alot of backlash going on, I don't think that will make it to 100 thousand miles either. Even the throttle has to much slack verses the 03GT, but according to the dealer, that is the way it is suppose to be? As far as my 03 GT, that is just a glorifed RS but there wasn't any slack in the throttle. Everythink else the author said about the 06 GT, he is right on the money. After doing 2000 miles in 3 weeks, I can't say enough about how much I love this machine, except for some of the things that I mentioned that really bothers me.
We have K12Ses and the throttle had too much slack in it for my taste. I adjusted it out at the cable right under the grip area. I don't know about the GT with the cruise and two cables. Take a look for adjusters.

[pcsof8]

I read the same article, and if that is true, I agree this bike may not live up to the K bike high mileage machine that the previous K's have been. That really sadens my heart because I had my sights set on getting a new K12GT.

[cjack]

I read the same article, and if that is true, I agree this bike may not live up to the K bike high mileage machine that the previous K's have been. That really sadens my heart because I had my sights set on getting a new K12GT.
I don't see what any of this has to do with high mileage. The clunk doesn't spell wear, I don't think. However, you don't have to gut the whole bike to change transmissions. It can be done at the race track probably.

[Michael1515]

I have just over 1500 miles on my K1200GT and I also notice the clank in the gears. I just assumed that was normal for the bike, although it was much more noticiable than my K1200LT. Is this a problem that I should make my dealer aware of?

I just can't say enough good things about the bike!! Its really an awesome machine!

[Robert Briere]

I don't see what any of this has to do with high mileage. The clunk doesn't spell wear, I don't think. However, you don't have to gut the whole bike to change transmissions. It can be done at the race track probably.

Only time will tell

[Polarbear]

The clunk is an OLD Beemer trademark from the golden days of Beemerdom! Yes the older beemers had clunks for sure and the miles proved to be no issue for these of yesteryear. I surely hope the newer "clunk" trannies have inherited some of the old school right stuff! My KLT1200 is same as yours and yes, the rpm's can make for smoother shifting, without clunk, but we don't always ride balls out(do we?). You ever heard a HD clunking away from a light? They surely have some "Beemer" in them, too! I think Harley's picked up the clunk from WW2 days, when HD shipped some of their bikes to the war for soldiers to get around on. These had shaft drive, too. HD's with shafts,yep. The Beemer's rubbed off on them for a while, anyhow. History lesson; anybody add to this one. I'm sure there must be more to tell here that I don't remember. Randy13233

[Robert Briere]

The clunk is an OLD Beemer trademark from the golden days of Beemerdom! Yes the older beemers had clunks for sure and the miles proved to be no issue for these of yesteryear. I surely hope the newer "clunk" trannies have inherited some of the old school right stuff! My KLT1200 is same as yours and yes, the rpm's can make for smoother shifting, without clunk, but we don't always ride balls out(do we?). You ever heard a HD clunking away from a light? They surely have some "Beemer" in them, too! I think Harley's picked up the clunk from WW2 days, when HD shipped some of their bikes to the war for soldiers to get around on. These had shaft drive, too. HD's with shafts,yep. The Beemer's rubbed off on them for a while, anyhow. History lesson; anybody add to this one. I'm sure there must be more to tell here that I don't remember. Randy13233

I'm sure it will be rectified, maybe it's only my machine? As far as I'm concerned, this tranny clunk and drive line slack is unacceptable. I'm sorry to say that when you mention HD, you are comparing apples and oranges

[B2BWYLD]

I'm sure it will be rectified, maybe it's only my machine? As far as I'm concerned, this tranny clunk and drive line slack is unacceptable. I'm sorry to say that when you mention HD, you are comparing apples and oranges



....I think he was comparing noise to noise...clunk to clunk...... :)

[pcsof8]

I lay down $18,000 for a K1200GT and the tranmission isn't butter smooth and it clunks, I'd be pissed. BMW should not "Clunk". BMW should address this problem and fix it. Clunk...I don't think so. Harley goes, clunk clunk clunk everytime the engine makes a rotation.

[Polarbear]

I was just funn'in, comparing clunky trannies and Beemer,HD similarities here. No apples and oranges here, as they are the same in this catagory for sure. The Germans have always done their own thing, never seeming to go outside for research, say in Japan, where the trannies are smooth! No shared knowledge here, baby! I think "maybe" the Euro floks are getting better at a slow slow pace. Maybe NOT.....To here one complaining about clunk is funny to those of us riding Beemers since the 60's. They all did it and I guess some still do, making their owners all uptight. I'm sorry, you have a right to be, as I have had my issues too. Happy Clunking Trails, Randy13233 BTW; HD's aren't bad, they just have weird riders, like us! :usa

[cjack]

I was just funn'in, comparing clunky trannies and Beemer,HD similarities here. No apples and oranges here, as they are the same in this catagory for sure. The Germans have always done their own thing, never seeming to go outside for research, say in Japan, where the trannies are smooth! No shared knowledge here, baby! I think "maybe" the Euro floks are getting better at a slow slow pace. Maybe NOT.....To here one complaining about clunk is funny to those of us riding Beemers since the 60's. They all did it and I guess some still do, making their owners all uptight. I'm sorry, you have a right to be, as I have had my issues too. Happy Clunking Trails, Randy13233 BTW; HD's aren't bad, they just have weird riders, like us! :usa

Actually the '05 clunk is a different animal from the years past. It is a major bike shuddering clunk if you shift a certain way. I got over it, kind of learned not to cause it, and as well as most every one with these bikes, the good outweighed the clunk.

[pcsof8]

I guess I know what you mean polarbear, my ol 87 K100 has "clink" when I shift. Not a bad "clink", maybe some hear "clunk", LMAO, this is gettng funny.

"Clink", "Clunk", =maybe not so bad.

"fra-phroblp", "sha-shink pow", and "oh ****", =bad always really bad sounds. LOL :D

[philspace]

As time goes on, my "clunk factor" has diminished. As I get more used to her, sometimes I clunk and sometimes it goes from 1st to 2nd as smooth as glass. She also prefers to be shifted at higher engine speeds, she doesn't like screwing around below 4K :deal

One thing is for certain, since the first 6K is on Dino, I'm changing the oil at 3K and making sure I get all the shavings off the drain plug just in case.

[cjack]

As time goes on, my "clunk factor" has diminished. As I get more used to her, sometimes I clunk and sometimes it goes from 1st to 2nd as smooth as glass. She also prefers to be shifted at higher engine speeds, she doesn't like screwing around below 4K :deal

One thing is for certain, since the first 6K is on Dino, I'm changing the oil at 3K and making sure I get all the shavings off the drain plug just in case.

I had a significant clunk at first on all three K12Ses that we have. First of all I would say the clunk has diminished to something not worth thinking about. It seemed at first difficulty to shift quietly, but after 3 or 4 K or so, they all shift pretty easily and without much clunk. Part of that is shifting quickly and part is wearing in.
Also, for all the oil changes, we have had no shavings on the magnetic drain plug from the day one. I changed oil at 600 miles with BMW dino 10W40 and again at 3K with one bike and went to synth with that one. Use BMW's new 10W40 or 15W50 synth which is rated JASO-MA for wet clutches. None of the bikes have used any noticeable amount of oil in the first 3K.