BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Hello all,
I have just taken a ride on an 2002 RT 1150 with 29k on it, that I am thinking about buying. I have a question about first gear? When I rode this particular bike I noticed first gear seemed to have a different sound and feel than the other gears 2-6. Since this is my first time ever riding this bike. I wanted to know if this a charactoristic of BMW?
And what else should I be aware of with this type of bike?

Other than that it is a great ride and can't wait to have it under my but touring California.

MCHorne

Hiya,

Can't comment about the first gear, but perhaps you are talking about surging at certain RPMs? If so then that happens on some model, can be eradicated.

The R1150XX 6th gear is great for highways, a curse if you are doing about 60 mph, neither here or there.

Welcome.

mchorne wrote:Hello all,
I have just taken a ride on an 2002 RT 1150 with 29k on it, that I am thinking about buying. I have a question about first gear? When I rode this particular bike I noticed first gear seemed to have a different sound and feel than the other gears 2-6. Since this is my first time ever riding this bike. I wanted to know if this a charactoristic of BMW?
And what else should I be aware of with this type of bike?

Other than that it is a great ride and can't wait to have it under my but touring California.

MCHorne

My bike has a clunk going into first which seems to be normal, never notice it with the others. I rode an `04 RT and thought 1st seemed geared a bit high, but you do have a touring bike there. I think you'll enjoy the RT very much. You could have some FI surging at lower RPMs, maybe not, and it is generally not a big issue.

mchorne

Generally speaking the R259 model (R1150 variants) is a well behaved and good cruising machine. On th other hand, it does have some potential idiosincracies that you should be aware and understand as they can be anywhere from minor annoyances to major expense items.

Suggest that you spend some time looking at the posts and owners experiences.....there is a lot to be learned. It also helps with upkeep costs if you can do basic maintenance as the bikes don't require much.

God luck and welcome to our little world.....

A high pitched sound while in first gear is normal so long as it isn't real loud. When downshifting, I can tell I am in first before releasing the clutch because of the different sound.

Yes, 1st gear is the only one that makes a gear meshing noise, most noticeable on deceleration.
TADT!

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The sound is sometimes described as "agricultural," and sometimes it takes a little finessing with the clutch lever to engage, ie, not pulled in all the way

but that is only in first, the other gears usually mesh pretty well, but are engaged "convincingly."


John

It's pretty common for bikes to have a whine in first gear. My R1150R has it, my Bandit had it, my ex-wife's SV650 had it, ect.

1st gear also seems to be more clunky than the other gears and I've noticed this on all bikes. It because they don't use syncros like on a car's manual they use dog clutches.

Hello all,
Like to thank all for the the helpful information about these bikes. I hope in the future I can be as helpful as you all have been for me.

Thank You All

mchorne
02 RT1150
Silver

The distinctive gear whine of 1st gear is very likely caused by the small size (diameter) and therefore fewer number of teeth on the drive gear. That's why most all M/C transmissions have noisier 1st gear running noise.

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