BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

04 46000 miles well maintained

was accelerating onto the highway when the clutch broke free and started spinning (noisely)

how long do clutches last?

jb

I know I havn't been here for awhile so sorry for the problem post - been really, really busy (what recession?)

Hope everyone is well . . ..

11

Are you sure it's the clutch, and not the dreaded clutch splines on the input shaft?

11

Based on the post, I put my money on the clutch splines........

clutch splines: ouch. either way I've lost confidence in the bike, it has been thru two deer remember, it's off to beemer boneyard.

shaft are nice until they break. funny guzzi's don't suffer from this problem (I just wish there was one within a hondred miles of here).

I hear Ducati is coming out with an adventure bike . . . hmmm.

JB, please let us know the results of drivetrain failure investigation, whether you fix the bike or part it out. Those of us "stuck" with 1 or 2 R1150Rs in the garage appreciate knowing about potential problems, even the nasty ones.

Thanks.

How noisy was it spinning? And could you tell where the noise was emanating from? It'll be greatly informative to find out what exactly happened. Let us know. Depending on how much noise it was causing, it may be a broken U-joint on the drive shaft. Rare but possible.

Dang it! Sorry to hear about the problem. I think the clutch material lasts for quite a bit longer...and when it wears out, it'll be somewhat gradual and silent.

It's been a while since someone posted a problem like yours...

Best of luck.

If you get a new bike, make sure to let us know what you got, and what you think about it.

I'm hoping the prototype improved input shaft will be ready any day now. (I've been saying that for a month) with the improved clutch hub following soon thereafter.

jbuzbee wrote:.....it's off to beemer boneyard....

I would probably do the same.

The dreaded spline and slave issue is in the back of my mind sometimes. I thought maybe a R12 series was the answer until I read about all the electrical gremlins and final drive failures. Then the F800 series seems interesting, until I read that it needs/eats a belt every 24k that costs upwards of $500. Not to mention ABS that behaves dangerously and also has electrical issues. My old F650 probably would have gone 75k or more on a belt that was half that price. Other bikes are just souless and either have a chain or are otherwise unsuitable. What is one to do but keep the 'beak' going?

Thanks for the sentiments guys - they are appreciated. The frustrating thing is I love this bike. Whenever I start thinking about getting something new and improved I go for a ride and it's "why do I need another bike; this one is perfect!"

The noise is a muffled grinding - exactly the sound I would expect from stripped splines. I was accelerating hard ( I always do ) onto the hightway when about halfway through first, meaning the expected length of time before shifting into second, in an instant the sound of the engine changed and lost all power. Now that I think about it, not what I'd expect from a clutch wearing out. I wondered if there was something on the pressure plate that keeps the clutch engaged that may have broke ( damaged after hitting the two deer? ). It's all academic now however: I've lost confidence.

Beemer Boneyard has expressed interest so it will be headed that way after negotiations are worked out.

Bikes on the short list:

F800GS: pros - well it IS the F800 GS
cons - chain final

F800ST: pros - Belt final drive, wind protection, luggage
cons - Suspension sucks

Moto Guzzi Stelvio: pros - c'mon
cons - NO DEALER SUPPORT AT ALL

Buell Uly: pros - Suspension, engine, ergos, gadgets, belt final drive, etc.
cons - HEAT

Harley Davidson XR1200 (yes, I said Harley Davidson)
pros - Suspension, engine, brakes, belt final drive, cool factor
cons - unknown: ergos, gadgets, luggaage, etc.

I'll let you know how things work out . . . thanks again.

jb

11

Sorry to hear about your failure. After putting in a new clutch and confirming that my R1150R was one of those that will eat splines every 10K, I decided to trade it on a F800ST before it failed. I still miss the RR as it is a really nice bike but just did not have the resources or the time to fix it right. No car, so I use the Ducati and the BMW for commuting each day. Swap them out every other week. Do love the F800ST. It is a nice bike.

"I decided to trade it on a F800ST before it failed.

+1

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