BMW F800GS clutch failure

**navek** · 4th May 2010, 19:20

Originally Posted by cave weta

What is the outcome with your clutch?

Complete replacement by BMW, no explanations.

I rode Raglan trails without a hitch two weekends ago. Most problems when I had to stop in mud holes for someone else then getting traction to start again esp uphill, but great time great trails, great people. Hows your 650 GS?

**cave weta** · 4th May 2010, 19:56

Originally Posted by navek

Complete replacement by BMW, no explanations.

I rode Raglan trails without a hitch two weekends ago. Most problems when I had to stop in mud holes for someone else then getting traction to start again esp uphill, but great time great trails, great people. Hows your 650 GS?

Loving it! - I guess second hand beemers get looked after! this one is 15 years old and shows no sign of ever being dropped or even scuffed under the bash plate.

Im fixing that though.... Ive done about 3000 km on it in the last two months.
I took it , two up up Thompsons track near Te aroha. Ive had it down the beach - over sand dunes, through streams and up mountains. Its only 3 grands worth so Im not scared to try stuff on it. On Sunday I head off to the south Island on it for a week.

**LBD** · 5th May 2010, 01:50

Originally Posted by cave weta

All I can think is - Low oil causing overheated plates? that is very sucky though on a new bike. and especially sucky to ruin your trip. If low oil is to blame, it is obviously a PD error and should be totally rectified with your expenses met in my humble opinion.

Wouldn't think so because low oil level ould increase friction and reduce slip...IMO

What I would be concerned about now is with a total clutch failure at 3000km....and very little left of the plates is ....where did it go? Obviously it is in the oil, sump, gearbox, engine etc...and while the filter will have stopped some, maybe plus 25 micron size, I suspect the gear box is splash lubed. To my mind, the important questian is... what colatoral damage has ithe clutch failure done to bearings, gears, cams, followers etc?

Because this is a near new bike, I can see a case for a replacement, bike or engine or failing that at least a Bavarian undertaking to double the warranty period as a measure of good faith that this failure is not the start of ongoing related problems....

**CookMySock** · 5th May 2010, 08:58

Originally Posted by LBD

maybe plus 25 micron size

No "maybe" about that, I'd say. Thats a shitload of steel and fibre to remove in 3,000kms.

Steve

**cave weta** · 5th May 2010, 09:09

Originally Posted by LBD

Wouldn't think so because low oil level ould increase friction and reduce slip...IMO

....

when the bike is cruising the clutch is closed and no damage is being done - but remember this engine is dry sumped. When you slip the clutch in off road situations with low oil... It will heat the oil- cook the fibre plates and warp the steels. and yes, it all has to go somewhere! I would be insisting on oil changes every 2000km for a while at the very least! - my 10 cents worth...

**navek** · 5th May 2010, 11:33

Originally Posted by LBD

Wouldn't think so because low oil level ould increase friction and reduce slip...IMO

What I would be concerned about now is with a total clutch failure at 3000km....and very little left of the plates is ....where did it go? Obviously it is in the oil, sump, gearbox, engine etc...and while the filter will have stopped some, maybe plus 25 micron size, I suspect the gear box is splash lubed. To my mind, the important questian is... what colatoral damage has ithe clutch failure done to bearings, gears, cams, followers etc?

Because this is a near new bike, I can see a case for a replacement, bike or engine or failing that at least a Bavarian undertaking to double the warranty period as a measure of good faith that this failure is not the start of ongoing related problems....

BMW did a complete oil change and filters and they reassured that the filter will have done the job following such a disaster as was designed to do? Obviously just need to get on and enjoy the bike and deal with any collateral damage if it occurs. Thanks guys for your input.

**Crisis management** · 5th May 2010, 11:49

Navek, it would be worth your while listening to LBD as his speciality is this type of work, my advice would be to PM him and discuss the issue, you may be surprised what you find out.

Glad the bikes going and you're enjoying it.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 5th May 2010, 12:25

Originally Posted by cave weta

All I can think is - Low oil causing overheated plates? that is very sucky though on a new bike. and especially sucky to ruin your trip. If low oil is to blame, it is obviously a PD error and should be totally rectified with your expenses met in my humble opinion.

New engines can and often do use quite a bit of oil when bedding in. It's up to the owner to check the oil level.

**OV Lander** · 5th May 2010, 19:34

Originally Posted by navek

... with bits to come from Germany 2 wks plus? ....

Why is it that what BMW NZ never stock anything in NZ? Every time I request a part (1 exception in 5 years of BMW ownership...last week) it is always ex-Germany?

Was planning to buy a new GSA, and took a machine for a ride... ...but have decided that until BMW sort their **** out in the service bay, I can not justify $30k on their product.

**navek** · 5th May 2010, 19:46

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Navek, it would be worth your while listening to LBD as his speciality is this type of work, my advice would be to PM him and discuss the issue, you may be surprised what you find out.

Glad the bikes going and you're enjoying it.

Thanks not enough hrs in the day to ride!

**navek** · 5th May 2010, 19:58

Originally Posted by OV Lander

Why is it that what BMW NZ never stock anything in NZ? Every time I request a part (1 exception in 5 years of BMW ownership...last week) it is always ex-Germany?

Was planning to buy a new GSA, and took a machine for a ride... ...but have decided that until BMW sort their **** out in the service bay, I can not justify $30k on their product.

Unfortunately its difficult to not recognise quality of design and manufacture and we all know that flaws can occur with any product, just bite the bullet and enjoy the great rides the beemer gives and forget the trivialities, lifes too short. It took me a lot of time to evaluate all the options and in the end the beemer was the right one. And still is despite this clutch problem.

**paturoa** · 5th May 2010, 20:00

Is it hydraulic or cable operated? If hydraulic then warranty job for sure.

**sinned** · 5th May 2010, 20:03

I couldn't find any clutch issues in the F800 forum. So this failure must have been caused by something other than general use. I would want to be sure the dealer fully investigates to find out why this happened and would expect BMW to want to know as well. When my SV1000 spat its clutch at 600kms Suzuki asked the dealer to pull the motor apart and give it a full inspection - as their position was that this just does not happen to these engines. I guess someone on the assembly line got the rocket.