REVIEWS SPECS NEWS CLASSIFIEDS VIDEOS

2001 K1200RS clutch failure

9778 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by The_AirHawk, Oct 6, 2007

63034

Discussion Starter · Oct 4, 2007

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

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

seruzawa

· #2 · Oct 4, 2007

Welcome to the world of superior German engineering.

12er

· #3 · Oct 4, 2007

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

· #4 · Oct 4, 2007

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.

63034

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 5, 2007

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!!

63034

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 5, 2007

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

· #7 · Oct 5, 2007

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

pplassm

· #8 · Oct 5, 2007

I did find this though:

Internet BMW Riders - Substitutes for BMW Parts

Good Luck!

12er

· #9 · Oct 5, 2007

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

63034

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 6, 2007

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

Kenneth_Moore

· #11 · Oct 6, 2007

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

"take docks out???" You mean like docks on the water? I've heard that water becomes solid outdoors in some areas of the world, but it sounds absurd. Human life, let alone motorcycling, would be impossible in such an environment.

BrowningBAR

· #12 · Oct 6, 2007

No, no, no. Global warming has taken care of all of that. There is no such thing as Winter any more. If you are caught wearing a sweater you are a Global Warming Denier and you will be rounded up for reprogramming.

seruzawa

· #13 · Oct 6, 2007

Heh heh.

BrowningBAR said:
No, no, no. Global warming has taken care of all of that. There is no such thing as Winter any more. If you are caught wearing a sweater you are a Global Warming Denier and you will be rounded up for reprogramming.

Did you catch that idiot who thought he could sail around the base of the Arctic icepack because of all the global warming stuff he believed? He's ice blocked in now somewhere......

sarnali2

· #14 · Oct 6, 2007

seruzawa said:
Did you catch that idiot who thought he could sail around the base of the Arctic icepack because of all the global warming stuff he believed? He's ice blocked in now somewhere......

No....I reckon he's probably Polar Bear poop by now...

The_AirHawk

· #15 · Oct 6, 2007

Ah, the Northwest Passage.

My Father was stationed on an Icebreaker in '64 or '65 whose Mission was the Circumnavigation of North America. I have all kinds of photos he took, and ones that were taken of him.

One of my favs is one looking-down from the Bridge onto the railings on all the lower decks; everything is covered in ice 4-6 inches thick (he told me they had teams that used hammers and shovels to remove it to keep from capsizing the ship).

Another of my favourite pics is one of him working on a helicopter engine in his shirtsleeves, all the sailors on the deck below huddling in parkas around these "smudge pots" - the warm air from the pots was so much, he had to shed his outer-garments to work on the aircraft.

They became "icelocked" about 13-miles from the Arctic Circle, and played baseball on the ice while waiting for another 'Breaker to come free them.

See less See more

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.