2005 1200 RT Transmission questions

[05-1200-RT]

Greetings All,

I recently bought my first big bike...a 2005 1200 RT; it's a nice machine with 3,000 miles. I noticed on occasion the transmission feels a bit stiff when shifting, on occasion upon shifting to a higher gear the gear indicator doesn't indicate a gear, and on occasion (usually when cold) I have trouble shifting from nuetral to 1st gear. I have to try several times before shifting to first. So ..are these transmission items normal or do I need to have the transmission serviced? Thanks for your input.

05 1200 RT

[JCapo33]

I have had a few BMW's and it seems like you have to let the clutch lever out a little at times for it to fall into first. Not always just sometimes. The indicator does not sound right.

[Vffr1]

Mine was shifting a bit hard and I changed the oil (BMW's Oil) which I hear is really Golden Spectro (can anyone confirm this),and the bikes feels and runs better, I think from here out I will stick with the factory oil.

Michael

[hopz]

I have an '05 also. I find the Neutral to First while at a stop is sometimes difficult, but as he said... letting the clutch out about halfway does something down there and it snicks into first.

Now, having said that let me suggest that while driving about, as opposed to leaving the garage the first time of the day... when I approach a stop light or stop sign, I get it into first well before I stop. It goes in easily on a downshift and avoids the clunk.

One more thing, and I think it is important. I changed from whatever BMW uses to Amsoil and it is an amazing improvement. You may think I am kidding you, but the change is so easy but give it a try. You will not be disappointed.

By the way- I am not affiliated with any oil company, just a satisfied user.

[kappa88af]

I recently test rode a 1200RT, an 2008, and the salesperson told me to push the bike forward a little while putting it into first gear. Yeah, I thought this was a little weird but it worked for me. The salesperson said I may have to do this until a few thousand miles 8-10K. With 3K on your bike, she is still new.

[Vffr1]

I have an '05 also. I find the Neutral to First while at a stop is sometimes difficult, but as he said... letting the clutch out about halfway does something down there and it snicks into first.

Now, having said that let me suggest that while driving about, as opposed to leaving the garage the first time of the day... when I approach a stop light or stop sign, I get it into first well before I stop. It goes in easily on a downshift and avoids the clunk.

One more thing, and I think it is important. I changed from whatever BMW uses to Amsoil and it is an amazing improvement. You may think I am kidding you, but the change is so easy but give it a try. You will not be disappointed.

By the way- I am not affiliated with any oil company, just a satisfied user.

Wow, this is interesting, I have tried 4 different Snythetic oils on my Triumph 675 and I was going to post my findings, which is that Amsoil made the bike run and shift the best. Here are my findings:

1. Amsoil
2. Mobil 1
3. Repsol
4. Royal Purple
5. Super Oil (which was a blend of all oils listed above, since there was one quart left after each oil change, I combined them in to one jug, my bike hated that oil mixture the most).

Michael

[hopz]

Just to clarify... I am speaking of Amsoil Severe Gear 75-90 for the transmission:
http://www.amsoil.com/a/synthetic-gear-oil

If you are a fan of scientific testing you might enjoy this paper on gear oils:
http://www.synthetic-oil-tech.com/Gear%20Lube%20White%20Paper.pdf

I thought I had a hard time finding this stuff until I went to the local Honda dealer... it was sitting on the shelf. Good price too.

[05-1200-RT]

Thanks for sharing your 1200 RT experiences.

[05-1200-RT]

Thanks for the information.