Clutch issue for R18 Transcontinental

LatifC

LatifC

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Hi guys,

Firstly, I'm new here. That's why Hello All!

I owned my Transcontinental 2 weeks ago. I have a clutch issue from the beginning of riding him. When the engine is highly warmed, it starts to miss the clutch. Does anyone have this issue?

I will also upload video soon.

Best regards,
 

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When you open the throttle while in gear, the speed increases and the motorcycle does not accelerate. It feels like it's wasted. There was no problem in the clutch adjustment, but the service said it would be removed if necessary.
 
LatifC said:
When you open the throttle while in gear, the speed increases and the motorcycle does not accelerate. It feels like it's wasted. There was no problem in the clutch adjustment, but the service said it would be removed if necessary.
Click to expand...
Sounds like slipping for sure. Sorry to hear of your problem. If they tried whatever adjustment is available it is probably time to have them open it up. Consider making a lemon law claim if you have it
 
Hi,

experiencing the same issue. When the engine is warm (a few minutes of stop and go traffic), the clutch is very soft requiring the lever to be fully released to get it to start to engage. Only about 100 miles on the bike, so will definitely have them look at it during break in maintenance appt.

Cheers.
 
Try not to throttle the bike in stop & go traffic.Just use the idle torque of the engine or the clutch will over heat.It is a slipper clutch so a bit different.
Again,if it is possible,just feather the clutch and let the big flywheel do the work and throttle when you have the clutch lever full out and the clutch is engaged.
Gday!
 
Is there a cable adjust?
Im hoping its an adjustment issue rather than a clutch issue at this point.

With the bike running and in gear, how far out is the lever before the clutch starts to grab?
If its too far out it may not be fully releasing.
IDK
 
evomind said:
Is there a cable adjust?
Im hoping its an adjustment issue rather than a clutch issue at this point.

With the bike running and in gear, how far out is the lever before the clutch starts to grab?
If its too far out it may not be fully releasing.
IDK
Click to expand...
It is a hydraulic clutch.It has a reservior like the front brake that holds fluid.No cable.
 
Not really.
When I first got my R18C we got caught in a traffic jam in Sedona while the bike was still a 2 wheeler.The clutch did get mushy and I found I needed to change my riding style,just a bit.
Let the clutch do the work without giving throttle til the clutch is fully engaged,then throttle(the bike has more than enough torque to get the bike moving without the use of the throttle).Wet clutch bikes like my Indian don't have this issue.The BMW clutch is dry and there is a difference.
I posted something about this about a year ago.The engine did not get hot in the Arizona heat but being on the throttle with the clutch 1/2 way out in traffic like that will cause a issue.
I'm just sharing what happened to me.Form your own opinion as I am no expert though this is the only bike I have ever expierenced this situation and I have been riding 2 wheelers since 1962.
The fact that the bike had less than 1000 miles may have had something to do with it.Not sure,but I have not expierenced the problem since that time.I have 20,000 miles on the bike now and I am pulling a sidecar.Never happened again.
These bikes do need some break in as the engine is smoother and more powerful than when it was new.
Lots of complaints here at times.Just putting some miles on and riding the bike helps a bunch with smiles of miles.

Gday.TK
 
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I was told about a clutch issue by a BMW employee at a test ride event. The dry clutches used by BMW in the R18 has an off-gassing that occurs in the 1st 50-100 miles. Those gases caused slip at higher rpms.
In most cases is simply goes away with use but perhaps not in all cases.
 
MilwDave said:
I was told about a clutch issue by a BMW employee at a test ride event. The dry clutches used by BMW in the R18 has an off-gassing that occurs in the 1st 50-100 miles. Those gases caused slip at higher rpms.
In most cases is simply goes away with use but perhaps not in all cases.
Click to expand...
Good info as alway from you MD,thx!
 
Very early on, within the first two days of ownership of my R18 B; I remember wrestling with the clutch and adjusting the physical hand lever adjustment dial in order to get a more comfortable grip.

It felt like the lever was bottoming out on the grip and remaining fingers, where I wasn't able to disengage the clutch in order to shift to another gear. All has been working well since the adjustment, over the last year of riding or 6k miles later. I agree with the feathered clutch use.
 
Thanks for the info in this thread, I have about 700 miles on my standard naked r18 and took it out for a 120 mile ride today, I got stuck in some slow traffic for a while then I pulled off at BMW for a cup o coffee and when I took off I noticed if I tried to do a jack rabbit start in first gear the clutch would slip then I let off and it engaged, then I shifted to 2nd and the same thing happened, so I let it fully engage, gently worked it up to speed (65) 6th gear for a while, then I tested it after about 20 minutes by slowing down and having it in a gear to high for the speed, then give it throttle and there was no slip just lugging the motor, So from the info here I guess when this clutch gets hot don't gas on it or it will slip while in Rock mode. So much for doing rear wheel burnouts like H.D.'s do LoL :)
 
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