R1200GSA "a little cluncky"

[Gasman]

Hi All,

This is my first post ever so please be gentle.

Just bought a 2007 R1200GSA and in the main am very pleased I have changed from a 1996 XT600e so there is a little difference in the bikes but have noticed a few things that may or may not be issues i would just like oher more experienced views.

Not being used to Shaft drive i was expecting it to be smnoother at low speeds traffic etc but i have fund at low speed manovers using the clutch in ad out there is a definate "clunk" when releasing the clutch and re engaging drive is this normal?

I did not notice on the test rides but now i am more familiar there is a what can only bedescribed as a "rumble" when driving does not seem to be the engin but gearbox or at least it soundslike it may be. again is this normal

Not knowing what is normal and based on the responce / feedback i will take the appropriate action dealer et. or do nothing but enjoy the bike.

I am sure if i go back to the dealer the first responce will be this is normal

Thanks in advance

[Frank Warner]

Originally Posted by Gasman

Not being used to Shaft drive i was expecting it to be smnoother at low speeds traffic etc but i have fund at low speed manovers using the clutch in ad out there is a definate "clunk" when releasing the clutch and re engaging drive is this normal?

Yes - 'draging' the rear brake helps with slow speed stuff like turns .. you have a lot of power take it easy on the aplication of power.

Originally Posted by Gasman

I did not notice on the test rides but now i am more familiar there is a what can only bedescribed as a "rumble" when driving does not seem to be the engin but gearbox or at least it soundslike it may be. again is this normal?

Could be a drive shaft going .. needs someone to check it out.

[Gasman]

Originally Posted by Frank Warner

Yes - 'draging' the rear brake helps with slow speed stuff like turns .. you have a lot of power take it easy on the aplication of power.

Could be a drive shaft going .. needs someone to check it out.

Thanks Frank for the feed back.

Looked at what may be causing the clunk and I am suprised at the play in the back wheel i.e. place the bike on the centre stand and put buike in gear the rear wheal can move by hand freely for a quite a way i.e. few inches forward and back before stopping on the drive gear at this point the same noise (clunk) is heard when free play is taken up.

If I use more power and using the back brake and it is not as noticable but does require slipping the clutch more. may be just a learning curve and a feature of the R1200GSA. The bike has only done 7K miles so all should be OK I may be being a little critical. I am used to the XT and being able to simply use the clutch and brake control and use bike momentum at idle revs with the bike in first gear to manover (parking garaging etc) I appriciate the bike is a great deal lighter.

I will be taking the bike back to the deler just to
A check another bike,
B get the rumble looked at,

I will keep you posted.

Thanks for the help and feedbak

Thanks again

[Tim Cullis]

I suggest you register and post your enquiry on the 1200 section of UKGS'er.com and in the meantime as your dealer to look at it.

Tim (1200GSA owner)

[KennyE]

I have the '07 GSA and have done about 20 000km on it. The "clunk" in the clutch has been there since new. I believe the '08 model has a lower 1st gear which should help. As for the rumble, I haven't noticed anything but maybe your ears are better than mine.

Happy riding

Kenny

[Gasman]

Frank Kenny Tim,

Thanks for the responce, I will get the dealer to check. New to the GS forums there are a lot more than for the XT (english versions that is)

Thanks again

[Gasman]

Dealer says all is normal for this bike, going to give her long run tomorrow

Thanks again