clutch throwout bearing Was: New to BMW &have a few Q

[Paul VanGogh <lev@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

When sitting at a stoplight, should I be concerned about a dry throwout
bearing?  (VWs long ago had that kind of clutch; someone told me not to
hold that VW clutch down long.)

thanks in advance,   Paul/Indiana



On Mon, 18 Jun 2007, Clive Liddell wrote:

> Darryl,
>
> Just to welcome you to this List.  Its one of the quieter ones but there's a
> lot of good information to be had here.
>
> I have a 2001 RT and I also initially found it a bit noisy in 3rd and 4th.
> When it is "run in" it will quieten, mine now runs quietly in 4th but (less
> used) 3rd is still a little noisy.  I have close to 75000km on that bike
> (and over 80000 on my R850R) with not a hint of any trouble.   It is thought
> that the fairing of the RT sort of directs the gear noise round the engine
> and up to the rider.  Earplugs help a lot...
>
> A couple of things, check that your clutch free play is about 6mm where the
> cable attaches to the handle and *don't* change in a leisurely way.  You
> will have much smoother and quieter changes by quickly pulling in the clutch
> and similtaniously smartly change to the next gear.  If you are changing
> down then also similtaniously "equalise" the engine upwards to the speed for
> the new gear.
>
> Did I mention that changing also gets "better" or "smoother" as everything
> beds in, as does the engine itself by the way ;>)
>
> Regards
> Clive Liddell
> Pietermaritzburg
> South Africa
> R850R
> R1100RT
> =========
> Hi everyone,
>                    i am an exprienced motorcyclist but have never had a BMW
> before until yesterday.
>
> I have bought a very nice 1999 R1100RT with 23000 miles on the clock and
> although i have only ridden a few miles so far i have a few questions that
> someone may be able to help with.
>
> The gearbox.
>
> This is far clunkier than any Japanese bike that i have ever owned and i
> would best describe its action as rough and clumsy . There is also an
> audible but not overly loud whine from some of the gears.
> It does not jump out of any gear and appears to work okay but like i say
> it's clumsy.
>
> I have read that this may well be a "characteristic" of this bike and all is
> probably well. I have also read that some, dependent on year,  have been
> prone to premature failure . All i am after is a pointer as to whether i am
> likely to have anything to worry about or if everything sounds pretty much
> as it should to an experienced BMW owner.
>
> Lastly is there a different technique to adopt when changing gear with these
> bikes to help smooth things out. It really does not like being rushed at all
> through to the next gear even though i am only changing at the speed that i
> have always done on my previous bikes.
>
> Anything other advise  that anyone on the list can offer this newbie will be
> much appreciated.
>
> Thanks Darryl
> -