new to BMW LT

[harleybmwbiker]

I just bought a 2002 K1200LTC with 19k miles.
Some general questions:
1) the cruise red light comes on when I slide the switch forward but the cruise will not set when I move the toggle. Is this a common problem with an easy solution?
2) The throttle seems very stiff, compared to other bikes I've had, especially my Harley (yes, I also ride a Harley) Is this common? Is there a solution?
3) My wife says she hears a lot of rattling/vibration when I come home. Is there something that usually rattles that I should look at?
4)The clutch doesn't engage until the the clutch lever is about 3/4 of the way out. There is very little travel from when it starts to engage to all the way out. Can this be adjusted so the clutch starts to grab sooner and more gradually?

That's all I can think of now and would appreciate any help in making my first excursion into the BMW world a little more pleasant.
Thanks.

[STARFIGHTER]

#4 clutch
the cable is not connected to an arm at the clutch like most machines......
The cable is activating a servo that activates the clutch.
You can not "FEEL" the clutch.
on top of the clutch lever is a wheel with numbers on it,
turning this will determine where the clutch starts to engage relative to thje lever position.
But....yes, it's normal....and takes some getting use to.

[sheldan2]

1:It might be easier to have a dealer check out the cruise control and make adjustments as necesary, you might get a break on the price if you take off the left fairing first. There are instructions on the site to do it yourself if you have a lot of patience.
2:You probably have the old style throttle cables on your 02, might look into replacing them for the new style, something you can do yourself if you like to work on bikes, the instructions are on here as well.
3:The rattling is from your rotor, the rivets wear, not really a safety factor, but a lot of us have replaced the rotor with an ebc one, part # md615, www.cyclebrakes.com has them in stock, not hard to replace.
4:normal for the clutch, just ride it and you will get used to it

[Zeke]

I just bought a 2002 K1200LTC with 19k miles.
Some general questions:
1) the cruise red light comes on when I slide the switch forward but the cruise will not set when I move the toggle. Is this a common problem with an easy solution?
2) The throttle seems very stiff, compared to other bikes I've had, especially my Harley (yes, I also ride a Harley) Is this common? Is there a solution?
3) My wife says she hears a lot of rattling/vibration when I come home. Is there something that usually rattles that I should look at?
4)The clutch doesn't engage until the the clutch lever is about 3/4 of the way out. There is very little travel from when it starts to engage to all the way out. Can this be adjusted so the clutch starts to grab sooner and more gradually?

That's all I can think of now and would appreciate any help in making my first excursion into the BMW world a little more pleasant.
Thanks.
#1 There is a small switch you can adjust under the clutch lever but it also may be connected to the throttle cable trouble. Both common troubles. The switch is easy the new cables are little more difficult. The new cables will make a world of difference.
# 3 there is a rattle that I have never found under the fairing. What kind of rattle is it?
Metal sound? The exhaust pipe has a small spring thing that is under the center stand that might be loose. Also common. I tightened it up and that sound is gone.
You will find all the info you will ever need on this great site. Good Luck.

Zeke

[Jim_M]

There's a diagnostic procedure in the "hall of wisdom" on this site. Print it out and try it on your bike. My cruise control worked once in a while, would disengage when I hit a bump then stopped working altogether. I ran the diagnostics, found out the clutch micro switch needed to be adjusted, 15 minutes later it was fixed and has worked fine ever since.

[motorman587]

I just had my throttle cables replaced. What a difference.

[DavidTaylor]

I just bought a 2002 K1200LTC with 19k miles.
Some general questions:
1) the cruise red light comes on when I slide the switch forward but the cruise will not set when I move the toggle. Is this a common problem with an easy solution?
2) The throttle seems very stiff, compared to other bikes I've had, especially my Harley (yes, I also ride a Harley) Is this common? Is there a solution?
3) My wife says she hears a lot of rattling/vibration when I come home. Is there something that usually rattles that I should look at?
4)The clutch doesn't engage until the the clutch lever is about 3/4 of the way out. There is very little travel from when it starts to engage to all the way out. Can this be adjusted so the clutch starts to grab sooner and more gradually?

That's all I can think of now and would appreciate any help in making my first excursion into the BMW world a little more pleasant.
Thanks.

1) There is a test procedure you can run through to find out which of the cruise control sensors is faulting. I've attached the document that outlines the steps. Once you determine this the dealer should be able to address it for you. It could be as simple as a throttle cable adjustment.

2) Early LTs had stiff cables; my 99 was a bear until I replaced them with a new version BMW released. If you get new ones they should be significantly better. The new parts superseded the old ones.

3) Probably the fairing panels. At the front lower corners where the upper side panels fit behind the lower ones the little pads wear out and it makes all kinds of rattling noise. Sometimes just taking the panels off and putting them back on makes it go away.

4) The clutch on the LT is a dry single plate unit, more like a car than the multi-plate wet clutch you're used to. Think if it more as an on-off switch than something to feather and slip to get the bike underway. It takes a little adjustment to riding style to get used to but you do adjust quickly to it. It's a hydraulic clutch so there may be some adjustment to be done, but nothing like cable actuated units. Also, have you flushed the clutch fluid and refreshed it (brakes, too for that matter)? This should be done about every year, so if it's been a while doing that may help some.

Enjoy the excursion, and welcome to the LT family!

[bmwriderm]

The stiff cables are proably why cruise does not work. When new cables are installed some play has to be left in then for cruise to work properly.