clutch and driveshaft spline issues

[ornk]

hello
I have a 2002 R1150R with ABS and the linked braking system. There is a shop in New Hampshire called Affordable Beemer Services that claims BMW has incorporated shoddy workmanship into the oilhead models. He says that the linked braking system is junk and that it will on the average last about 25k before complete failure. He also says that the driveshaft splines should be lubed frequently and that there is a lot of failure because of poor alignment built in by the factory. He has youtube videos of his work and shows many low mileage oilheads with these problems at low mileages. He said that he used to be a tech for a local dealership but has started his own business charging people reasonable prices to fix what the factory wont acknowledge, even under warranty. He says that the car division runs the motorcycle division and they don't care if the motorcycles last for high mileages cause they have gone after a more affluent buyer for the product that doesn't rack up a lot of miles anyway. My motorcycle was put into storage a in 2007 and I recently took it out of storage- put in fresh gas and a new battery and the machine runs just fine. It has 11k on it so I plan to have a full service performed along with replacement of the brake fluid and clutch fluid. Has anyone experienced the failures described by the gentleman at Affordable Beemer services at low mileages? If anyone wants to they can google the name and location of this shop and read what he has written and see actual photos of his repair work. Lastly he recommends installing a modified clutch plate(which he provides the name of the place that does it) to avoid premature clutch failure.
Any input on what I have written would be appreciated.

[wncbmw]

I can't and won't make any sweeping statements beyond what I have experienced and heard more or less first hand.

I have not heard of clutch or clutch spline failures at low miles. Final drive bearings, yes; clutch splines - no. That is coming from someone who had both.

My final drive bearing died at about 27K and was replaced by an apparently incompetent dealer mechanic.

I got concerned and had my trusty, non-dealer BMW mechanic take the tranny apart to check it an lube the splines. Unfortunately, the splines were on the way to wearing out, so I had them replaced. Interestingly, the clutch plate was still within spec! And the final drive bearing was shot again!

This was at 69,000 miles, so I would not consider that low mileage.

[billbeemer]

that's chris, at affordable BMW. he's absolutely trustworthy............

[rprothero]

Agree with last poster BillBeemer..Watching many of Chris's videos and examples... he does make sense on the claim the newer bikes are lacking some of the deeper engineering the older bikes had..This said not all Beemer bikes are exactly the same nor the riders or conditions in which they treat the bike, which play a big part here..Im a firm believer of proactive maintenance and care for workmanship (oh and borrowing from another forum member checking the radiator fluid before and after each ride) ..In fact Im going to get the splines on mine (an 02 with 25k now 26k by the time I do the work) lubed and checked out in the winter. Ill post findings if they are crap...However I dont rag the bike too much other than speed on freeway and try to do regular mainenance on schedules defined ; so dont think ill have too much trouble here...The rest is just pure old fashioned QA of workmanship at factory and luck in my mind...So far I have no complaints...Bottom-line suggestion is dont sweat it keep it tuned/maintained and keep riding it..these are great machines ...

[bransan]

I would like to chime in.
I purchased My 04' R1150R brand new in the fall of 03'.
The $9,995 out of the crate deal offered by the dealer,was to good to pass up.
I had all the scheduled maintenance performed by the dealer until the warranty was up.36,000mi.
Since then I have performed all the scheduled maintenance in My shop at home.
I am currently at 63,000mi.
I have serviced the clutch spline shaft twice now, no sign of major wear.
The spline shaft lube is a easy job if you 're not afraid to learn.
Final drive bearing failure was largely corrected with a redesigned bearing in the 03' models.
Maintenance is the key, I ride My bike anywhere and everywhere, and I need to be sure.
When I hear something, or feel something, I start looking for the problem.
Swingarm bearings were bad on the last teardown, no other major problems.



Get out there and ride!

[billbeemer]

one thing i'd strongle recommend. get the brake fluid and clutch fluid out of that bike and replace with new fluid. a mucked up slave cylinder will ruin clutch($1600) and ruin a good day. i happen to know.........

[peels]

I posted in your other thread... I read all the same stuff you are finding through now.. Hell, I even spoke with the guy on youtube because I was scared... Seems like a legit problem...but HOW legit? $650 dollars for that modified clutch disc....that seems like ALOT for a problem that is thrown around as being so common.... if it was THAT common, they should be on a shelf somewhere, easy to purchase... maybe...IMHO

not sure how I feel about it yet. No idea....

hmmmm Is it our "older" R's that we should be concerned about? Mine is also an 02, but with about 15k on it now....