General topics » Clutch adjustment ?

I should start by saying I'm not new to riding , I've had over 60 bikes and have 55 years riding experience , however , this is my first BMW. I have had my 1200 for 3 years and 10'000 miles . From day one I have had trouble with a rough gearchange , I put this down to rider error , as if all these years have programmed my riding and it didn't suit the BMW. I definitely have trouble with the throttle , I am used to slack in cables and with the BMW I have a tendency to hold the throttle slightly open. Today , in a moment of "let's just fiddle" , I moved the clutch lever span adjuster from 1 to 3. The gear change is transformed , much better and I've no idea why . Either it's compensated for a cack-handedness that I didn't know I had , or the the extra lever throw is releasing the clutch properly now (more likely) Maybe it was dragging slightly before. Try it if you ride with the span adjuster on 1 , it might help . Any thoughts??

Does your RS not have GSAP (gear shift assist pro)?

All the R1200's (R / RS/ ST/ S) I have always used on the 1 'small hands? setting. Least movement and lever closest to the bars.

Just re-checked my RS, it's on 1 but moving to other settings felt too much of a stretch or I am just lazy.

One thing I know improves gearchange is to ensure the gearchange lever is fully lubricated, grease the shaft through the frame and also the two rose joints.

Maybe after 10,000 miles and a few gearchanges you have gotten used to the current movement as it may be slightly tighter.

The rose joints are a 'non-tools' easy fix, just unclip the retaining spring with your thumbnail to pull the joint apart.

Just wack a load of grease (technical term!) in the rose joint and close the covers, excessive grease gets squeezed out.

I know this is the wrong diagram, from the R1200ST but you can see the clips, rose joints etc.


K25_23055e.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Hi Crossthread i have found the same settings on my 2017 rs to shift better in position 3 than lets say 1 or 2 and every once and a while to move it to 4 as if some air got into the system. I spoke to a BMW Master Tec and he said that with the clutch pipe being routed so close to the engine and the diameter of the pipe the Magura true blood may start to boil and some air can come from this. (That was he's explanation of the inconsistency of the clutch)Had some trouble the other day with shifting and decided to open the clutch reservoir and was actually shocked to find the reservoir overfull and after reducing the oil in the reservoir the clutch came back to normal. Never a dull moment with a BMW
Nice to hear other riders also experience weird things happening to there bikes not just me.
Safe travels.
Dirk.