2nd time it's let me down.

cc mac · Post by **cc mac** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:59 pm

First time being the hall sensors packing in as I am about to head off on a holiday to the Ardennes. This time the clutch has had it apparently, according to an experienced diagnosis from the mechanic at Colwyn Bay Motorcycles. Ok it's done 43k, 31 of which has been by me, hard but fair miles. Well maintained, but the shame of arriving somewhere in a AA van (for the second time) got me briefly looking at Hondas. As much as I love my 1100S, I was looking at putting huge miles on it, one more AA trip and that's it.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:03 pm

Ouch CC - that's not good news.

Reckon if I had to have a bike which I really needed to rely on (ie use every day, rain or shine) I wouldn't buy an S, or a modern BMW for that matter. I'd bite the bullet and buy an 1100 Pan or suchlike.

Hope this ends up being the last breakdown though.

winger · Post by **winger** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:14 pm

Funny subject,right from when i started work and couldn't get there on the bus have always had back up,just this year about to set off to the NW200 and the BM had a blip,swapped bags and went on the Tiger,my VFR man has had more than enough blips with his i can tell you,and i say that as someone who's no BM lover!!!

PBBoxer · Post by **PBBoxer** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:19 pm

Had a Blat on keiths 955 Tiger the other weekend.

bigblackfalco · Post by **bigblackfalco** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:23 pm

Got to say that in 125'000 miles on my S, it never totally let me down.
Things went wrong, but only slowly. It started everday without fail.
I miss the big beasty!
Bailey.

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:58 pm

Well it's good to hear some good news about the s. They bl**dy well should do high mileage as they cost enough and BMW have got about 80 yrs experience in designing basically the same engine and drive shaft configuration.

I was reading a bike mag in the local shop last night about a guy who's done 185,000 miles on his 100RS with only one breakdown. Why can't BMW build the S as reliable as that ?

bigblackfalco · Post by **bigblackfalco** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 4:28 pm

scotty wrote:Well it's good to hear some good news about the s. They bl**dy well should do high mileage as they cost enough and BMW have got about 80 yrs experience in designing basically the same engine and drive shaft configuration.

I was reading a bike mag in the local shop last night about a guy who's done 185,000 miles on his 100RS with only one breakdown. Why can't BMW build the S as reliable as that ?

It's a well known fact that earlier generation BMW's including K's are more reliable. Things seemed to go down hill when the Japs started kicking German arse in the quality stakes.
You only have to look at a well cared for mid 80's 2 valve airhead to see the difference it build quality.
Bailey.

Jason M · Post by **Jason M** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 4:37 pm

bigblackfalco wrote:Got to say that in 125'000 miles on my S, it never totally let me down.
Things went wrong, but only slowly. It started everday without fail.
I miss the big beasty!
Bailey.

Ditto that matey - she's always got me home. Over 140k now and still going strong.

Clutches don't usually 'just go' unless its the famous shaft stripping manouver.

Hope it all ends well anyway

Jason

hjr1100s · Post by **hjr1100s** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 7:49 pm

Had the Hall sensor thing
Had the clutch thing, recently
Had the snapped generator belt thing
Had the no gas left thing

Had the ruptured and leaking gas tank thing

Had the 'exploded' rear break thing, recently

Had the leaking crankshaft seal thing
Had the broken off silencer thing, recently

... and some others I've forgotten, but .... it's done almost 90.000 miles .... that's reliable enough for me, even though I do use it every day, all seasons. Must admit it's handy to have a backup (still got the Multistrada though I only ride it once in a while)

HJ

cc mac · Post by **cc mac** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:15 pm

Hope it's not the shaft stripping, I've heard it can get really expensive. Fingers crossed.

Ade B · Post by **Ade B** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:50 pm

Clutch replacement is not as bad as it sounds (with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide and a large hammer) it can be tackled at home.

This weeks problem is the oil pressure light which is currently on the blink or I have an intermittent oil pressure problem which only occurs after the bike gets a serious soaking....

I am a little hacked off with the problems I've had with a premium marque, however I usually forgive it when it works and the sun is shining..

I've noticed they fall over well recently.

Ade.

cc mac · Post by **cc mac** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:42 am

Is it a pressure problem or a switch problem? The former sounds worrying, the latter cured by a new switch and I know switches are not the most reliable component. Mine used to do it if I hadn't used it for 3 weeks or so (3 weeks max) in the winter. It was usually cured by revving the engine a bit letting it warm up , switching it off and starting it up again. It only happens in the winter.

Ade B · Post by **Ade B** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:44 am

PostPosted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:42 am Post subject:
Is it a pressure problem or a switch problem? The former sounds worrying, the latter cured by a new switch and I know switches are not the most reliable component. Mine used to do it if I hadn't used it for 3 weeks or so (3 weeks max) in the winter. It was usually cured by revving the engine a bit letting it warm up , switching it off and starting it up again. It only happens in the winter.

Pretty sure its a switch problem as the light goes off if you stop the bike, put it on the side stand, glower at it for a minute or so and then start it up again. Engine sounds normal (discounting ticking throttle bodies..) and there's plenty of oil in it..

Happened once before after I gave it a serious wash, so think its water related as I got caught in the deluge that hit London on Wednesday...

Another one for the list...

Ade.

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:55 am

[quote = "bigblackfalco"]

I appreciate that the older BM's had great reputation for long-term reliability but this should easily have been carried on with the current range. BMW now have access to new materials, advancements in technology etc and should quite easily be able to match the reliability of yesteryear, especially on models that have very similar design configurations.

It's good to see a few of the guys clocking up decent mileages on the S without too many problems though. However, it seems that quite a few users of this site have what can only be described as "major issues" with their bikes at quite low mileages. Getting something like 150,000 miles out of an S with a few clutch changes etc is fine and I'd be happy with that but not so if I've had to replace clutch drive shaft's, wiring systems etc, etc.

winger · Post by **winger** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:47 pm

Re a 955 Tiger,junk the suspension front and back for Ohlins,change the brakes for Beringers,and the wheels for Dymags and front 19" wheel for a 17",and your talking serious motorcycle!!!