Motorcycle.com

gpzstar · 10-03-2007, 06:19 PM

at my 2001 BMW K1200RS with a mere 23K miles on it, I smoked the clutch today and can't figure out how or why it has failed seemingly so prematurely.
I don't thrash the bike, but I took off from a corner and "accelerated agressively out of said corner trying to "paint a black mark on the road" when I dumped the clutch o spin the rear tire (which was cold) it hooked up instead and poof no forward progress, it just spins.
My local dealerships claims $755.00 in parts alone including $425.oo for the "housing" or "basket".
WTF?? Anyone out there know anything about warranty, recall or other issues regarding the clutch on this model?
Is there an aftermarket clutch available?
I'm thinking about doing the work myself but it looks like a huge undertaking I guess I can kiss this riding season goodbye.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
thansk
Bill

seruzawa · 10-03-2007, 07:41 PM

Welcome to the world of superior German engineering.

12er · 10-04-2007, 12:23 PM

when I bought mine, (I have an 02) the dealer told me to always keep it in neutral at stops as they tend to burn the throw out bering. Mileage can really very as they pointed out one CHP officer was in all the time with clutch replacements where as most of the other officers are well beyond his mileage. I have 35k miles on the clock and the fluid levels are getting low. So looks like I'll be in for the same pain here soon. To do it yourself you have to split the bike in two, as they use a dry automotive style clutch.

BrowningBAR · 10-04-2007, 12:34 PM

I have been told repeatedly that BMW's do not break down or have unresolved issues that the factory is ignoring.

...so based on that, I have to assume there is nothing wrong with your clutch and this story is completely false.

Seriously, though, good luck. I hope you have a respectable dealer/mechanic that you take it too and it is resolved quickly.

gpzstar · 10-04-2007, 06:15 PM

Thanks for the replies, yeah I had a 95 GPZ1100 for 9 years had 35 k on the clock when I traded it in for the K-Bike. I rode that old girl pretty hard and she never complained I'm more than a little disappointed in the Beemer. makes me consider trading it in for the new ZX14 Concours!!
However, my plan is to push it in my basement this weekend and make it a Winter project. we have some long-assed Winters here in Maine!
My question now is: Does anyone make an aftermarket (Read Performance) clutch disk and pressure plate for the K-bike.
I do truly love the ride and promise to never ever power shift at 6K RPM into 2nd gear again!!

gpzstar · 10-04-2007, 06:21 PM

Nice bike there 12er! I need to figger out how to get a pic of mine up. I have the mandarin/grey checkerboard paint.
Of course the most embarassing aspect of this whole ordeal was that it ocurred during lunch at wokr and today when I brought in the trailer I had to PUSH the bike past a couple of co-workers and their "choke" Hardly Ablesons.... yes they harassed me mercilessy.
By the way I live in WaterFORD Maine Not WaterGORD, my typing sux.

pplassm · 10-05-2007, 05:21 AM

Apparently, there is infor on the BMWOA.org website, but I ain't allowed, cause I don't own a stinking bmw!!!!

pplassm · 10-05-2007, 05:24 AM

I did find this though:

Internet BMW Riders - Substitutes for BMW Parts

Good Luck!

12er · 10-05-2007, 11:42 AM

Do a search for Pirates lair, all the k goodies in one spot. Email him and see if he has any suggestion.

gpzstar · 10-05-2007, 07:39 PM

Thanks guys, surgery begins on monday night after work. Gotta take docks out this weekend and batten down the hatches for uggh Wintah!

10-03-2007, 06:19 PM	#1
gpzstar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Watergord, Maine Posts: 5	2001 K1200RS clutch failure at my 2001 BMW K1200RS with a mere 23K miles on it, I smoked the clutch today and can't figure out how or why it has failed seemingly so prematurely. I don't thrash the bike, but I took off from a corner and "accelerated agressively out of said corner trying to "paint a black mark on the road" when I dumped the clutch o spin the rear tire (which was cold) it hooked up instead and poof no forward progress, it just spins. My local dealerships claims $755.00 in parts alone including $425.oo for the "housing" or "basket". WTF?? Anyone out there know anything about warranty, recall or other issues regarding the clutch on this model? Is there an aftermarket clutch available? I'm thinking about doing the work myself but it looks like a huge undertaking I guess I can kiss this riding season goodbye. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. thansk Bill

10-04-2007, 06:15 PM	#5
gpzstar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Watergord, Maine Posts: 5	Follow up Thanks for the replies, yeah I had a 95 GPZ1100 for 9 years had 35 k on the clock when I traded it in for the K-Bike. I rode that old girl pretty hard and she never complained I'm more than a little disappointed in the Beemer. makes me consider trading it in for the new ZX14 Concours!! However, my plan is to push it in my basement this weekend and make it a Winter project. we have some long-assed Winters here in Maine! My question now is: Does anyone make an aftermarket (Read Performance) clutch disk and pressure plate for the K-bike. I do truly love the ride and promise to never ever power shift at 6K RPM into 2nd gear again!!

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

10-03-2007, 07:41 PM	#2
seruzawa The Toad Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 17,395	Welcome to the world of superior German engineering.

10-04-2007, 12:23 PM	#3
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,791	when I bought mine, (I have an 02) the dealer told me to always keep it in neutral at stops as they tend to burn the throw out bering. Mileage can really very as they pointed out one CHP officer was in all the time with clutch replacements where as most of the other officers are well beyond his mileage. I have 35k miles on the clock and the fluid levels are getting low. So looks like I'll be in for the same pain here soon. To do it yourself you have to split the bike in two, as they use a dry automotive style clutch.

10-04-2007, 12:34 PM	#4
BrowningBAR Snuggles Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In a really, really, really old farmhouse Posts: 4,369	I have been told repeatedly that BMW's do not break down or have unresolved issues that the factory is ignoring. ...so based on that, I have to assume there is nothing wrong with your clutch and this story is completely false. Seriously, though, good luck. I hope you have a respectable dealer/mechanic that you take it too and it is resolved quickly.

10-04-2007, 06:21 PM	#6
gpzstar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Watergord, Maine Posts: 5	Nice bike there 12er! I need to figger out how to get a pic of mine up. I have the mandarin/grey checkerboard paint. Of course the most embarassing aspect of this whole ordeal was that it ocurred during lunch at wokr and today when I brought in the trailer I had to PUSH the bike past a couple of co-workers and their "choke" Hardly Ablesons.... yes they harassed me mercilessy. By the way I live in WaterFORD Maine Not WaterGORD, my typing sux.

10-05-2007, 05:21 AM	#7
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	Apparently, there is infor on the BMWOA.org website, but I ain't allowed, cause I don't own a stinking bmw!!!!

10-05-2007, 05:24 AM	#8
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	I did find this though: Internet BMW Riders - Substitutes for BMW Parts Good Luck!

10-05-2007, 11:42 AM	#9
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,791	Do a search for Pirates lair, all the k goodies in one spot. Email him and see if he has any suggestion.

10-05-2007, 07:39 PM	#10
gpzstar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Watergord, Maine Posts: 5	Thanks guys, surgery begins on monday night after work. Gotta take docks out this weekend and batten down the hatches for uggh Wintah!