Nube owner - many questions...

[TBob]

Hi all, just bought XRMattaz 03. Did a little searching around on this forum but didn't find any answers to some questions I have.
Around 4500rpm's there is a pretty good vibration - I'm assuming engine. It starts at about 90 mph in 5th and at 100 goes away. Is this just a bad spot in these motors? Also was riding 2 up the other day and was draging the center stand. Did I have the rear end 2 soft? is there a centerstand mod I need to do?
The radio seems to go to low at stop or to loud under way however u want to look at it - is there an adjustment?
The model I got is the low end one - doesn't have the intercom set-up, I have a new Pro-7 by Autocom am I better off selling it and looking for the factory stuff? or just using it.

Do u guys get together for rides? I live in Mesa, AZ.

Thanks,
Bob

[TMH]

Hey TBob,

Noob as well, but I can at least comment on my experiences after a whole week of ownership.

First on the radio - did you get the manual for the radio? There is a setting which can be turned on or off, and if on has several different levels, which automatically varies the volume of the radio based on speed/ambient noise levels. So what you speak of is "normal" and "adjustable".

I have not ridden 2 up yet, but I noticed that if I come into my driveway at too great a speed, my bike bottoms out. And I have my rear shock set pretty hard (all the way hard, I believe). I don't know the service life of LT shocks, but I know that on some other BMWs it is only about 15-20k before they should be replaced, usually with Ohlins or Wilburs which are sprung and damped for your bike, normal carrying weight and riding style.

Regarding the factory intercom, I wouldn't go that direction until you have set up your Autocom. Their web site has specific installation instructions on line for K1200LTs, and I think that you might actually be better off with the Autocom vs the BMW one, at least unless and until you find that it doesn't meet your needs. I wouldn't spend the extra cash now if you haven't ruled out your Autocom yet.

Regarding your vibration, I haven't noticed it, but then again I guess that I don't spend much time at the speeds you mention! Another expert can perhaps chime in on that one.

Have fun - I know that I am with my new LT!

Tom

[Bayliner2052]

Around 4500rpm's there is a pretty good vibration - I'm assuming engine. It starts at about 90 mph in 5th and at 100 goes away. Is this just a bad spot in these motors? ?

Normal


Also was riding 2 up the other day and was draging the center stand. Did I have the rear end 2 soft? is there a centerstand mod I need to do?

Keep grinding it off, it will stop. Or set the rear stiffer.


The radio seems to go to low at stop or to loud under way however u want to look at it - is there an adjustment?

Depress the MAN button and hold for about 4 seconds. Display will change to display 'SVOL'. Using the round volume/channel selector on the left hand grip, toggle through settings 1-4 and off using the '<' and '>' selections to set the desired level of volume increase. Note: SVOL = 1 calls for a steep increase in volume while SVOL = 4 is nearly flat.
Once you have selected the desired setting, depress the MAN button again to return to normal function.

[JPSpen]

Hello and welcome to the assylum.

The buzz you are feeling is normal. It's the exhaust and many have mostly cured it by removing the forward mounting bracket or something like that...Look in the FAQ-HOW for instructions about it..

Riding two up will require some additional preload.... Look for the adjuster under the drivers seat..

Speed sensitive volume change on the radio is adjustable...I think I have mine set to the lowest ammount of change and it's about right for me...

I should have an Intaride RP-1 in a few days... Your Autocomm is a fine unit and should work A-OK on your LT.

Lot's of guys in AZ.. just get in that regional forum and you'll find them.
There are lots of really smart guys here who can help you with anything you encounter.

Welcome and feel free to ask anytime. All the folks here are great..Check out the Curve Cowboy Reunion pages.. That's the annual meeting of the inmates.

Good riding,

John

[messenger13]

I better jump in here before you receive too much bad advice! :D


Around 4500rpm's there is a pretty good vibration - I'm assuming engine. It starts at about 90 mph in 5th and at 100 goes away. Is this just a bad spot in these motors?Yessir. This is "normal". And you did indeed find the correct remedy. Whenever you feel the 4800RPM buzz, simply open up the throttle all the way, then shift at redline. http://www.bigbikeworld.com/forum/smileys/smiley20.gif



Also was riding 2 up the other day and was draging the center stand. Did I have the rear end 2 soft? is there a centerstand mod I need to do?When riding 2-up (or ALL the time), make sure to have the rear preload crank all the way up. Also, grind off half the rubber stops for the centerstand to give you a wee leetle bit more ground clearance. It won't take long to grind off the additional metal that BMW accidentally put on the bottom of the centerstand. :D Aftermarket shocks (Ohlins or Wilburs) will "fix" this issue, albeit expensive...$1200-$1500. Lastly, keep your revs between 5-8K RPMs during the twisties at all times.



The model I got is the low end one - doesn't have the intercom set-up, I have a new Pro-7 by Autocom am I better off selling it and looking for the factory stuff? or just using it.Keep your Pro-7...or replace it with a Beahr unit. Some like the BMW stuff...some don't. For the same or less money, the Beahr stuff is the BEST.



Do u guys get together for rides? I live in Mesa, AZ.Many of us go on group rides. Be sure to check out the regional forums for local events. Also, be sure to check out www.curvecowboyreunion.com (http://www.curvecowboyreunion.com/) for the forum's annual event. Unfortunately, most of the riders in AZ are posers! :D Make sure you stay far far away from S2DOG (aka 'Stew'). He's the King of all posers! http://users.telenet.be/eforum/emoticons4u/violent/nutkick.gif

[petepeterson]

1. Don't have a clue about the vib, mine is smooth to 8,000rpm...

Radio is auto volume...

Take a can of WD-40 and spray center stand so it retracts all the way..

The Pro-7 should work..............Regards Pete

[Macker]

WD-40!!?? :mad: Sorry Pete, but I can't allow you to make that kind of product endorsement! Now, if you want to catch Cat Fish on the Ohio river... It's excellent. Just spray a little on your sun baked Spam bait.... :D
Other than that, my advice is MESSY13's advice.

[RideIt]

Best advice that you have gotten is keep dragging the center stand until it grinds off enough to stop the dragging. The slight vibratlion is normal-just keep the hammer down and it will go away. The LT has some flaws, but the best way I have found to over come these is to drive the beast like you stole it. As far as BMW brand intercom, aftermarket systems usually work as good or better. You made a good choice- welcome aboard and good luck.
Leon
05 Blue LT

[TBob]

Hey thanks a bunch to all!! Peter u seem to be the only one who posted that doesn't have the vibration problem, is there anything special you've had done or done to your bike?

Thanks again!
TBob

[TBob]

how do I find the regional forum?

Thanks,
TBob

Hello and welcome to the assylum.

The buzz you are feeling is normal. It's the exhaust and many have mostly cured it by removing the forward mounting bracket or something like that...Look in the FAQ-HOW for instructions about it..

Riding two up will require some additional preload.... Look for the adjuster under the drivers seat..

Speed sensitive volume change on the radio is adjustable...I think I have mine set to the lowest ammount of change and it's about right for me...

I should have an Intaride RP-1 in a few days... Your Autocomm is a fine unit and should work A-OK on your LT.

Lot's of guys in AZ.. just get in that regional forum and you'll find them.
There are lots of really smart guys here who can help you with anything you encounter.

Welcome and feel free to ask anytime. All the folks here are great..Check out the Curve Cowboy Reunion pages.. That's the annual meeting of the inmates.

Good riding,

John

[messenger13]

Peter u seem to be the only one who posted that doesn't have the vibration problem, is there anything special you've had done or done to your bike?BMW fixed the vibration "problem" on the '05s.

[petepeterson]

Joe got it right.........Regards Pete

[TBob]

well that sucks! no one has figured out what they did or what the difference is - fuel mapping??

Joe got it right.........Regards Pete

[xrmattaz]

I forgot to mention the "radio volume thing" to you....I had it set so the volume would increase fairly dramatically whilst accelerating to speed....as you've read, that can be adjusted (or turned OFF!) to your preference.

I TOLD YOU the vibration thing was common and normal! hehe. Just the nature of the big German beast. The Strom has the same vibration, or more so...at 3K-3.5K RPM's.

I NEVER "dragged" the centerstand solo or two up...as I HAD the preload cranked up a bit....I recall your laughter concerning the rough ride leaving my place, eh?? Stiff'n that big girl back up man!

Nothing wrong with that big Impala Brown bike, just stuff you're not familiar with...she's PERFECT, she's the boss. Enjoy!

[TBob]

Actually u had it set at 3 - so I put it at 4 will see how that goes.

Yea the strom actually has it alot more than the lt but 4k is the sweet spot for the strom - u can actually adjust/change it some based on your throttle body sync.

Matt my fillings broke lose leaving your place good god man!!!

Naw it's a good scoot just need to figure out things like I had to do with the strom.

Matt I'm real glad we made it work - we both found what we were looking for..... or at lease a little closer to what we were looking for. :D

I forgot to mention the "radio volume thing" to you....I had it set so the volume would increase fairly dramatically whilst accelerating to speed....as you've read, that can be adjusted (or turned OFF!) to your preference.

I TOLD YOU the vibration thing was common and normal! hehe. Just the nature of the big German beast. The Strom has the same vibration, or more so...at 3K-3.5K RPM's.

I NEVER "dragged" the centerstand solo or two up...as I HAD the preload cranked up a bit....I recall your laughter concerning the rough ride leaving my place, eh?? Stiff'n that big girl back up man!

Nothing wrong with that big Impala Brown bike, just stuff you're not familiar with...she's PERFECT, she's the boss. Enjoy!

[messenger13]

well that sucks! no one has figured out what they did or what the difference is - fuel mapping??No, it's not "fuel mapping". I believe it is the way the exhaust system is mounted. Sympathetic harmonics, etc., blah blah blah...

But really . . . it's not that big of a deal. When I first found this forum, I asked the same question. Someone half jokingly said that it was a built-in feature of the LT letting you know that you're entering Warp Drive. Personally...that works for me. When I'm just putting around, I rarely get to the vibration point. And when in the twisties, I rarely go lower than 5K . . . so again, it's not an issue. If it bothers you so much, simply replace the exhaust with a Remus unit. Lord knows you can afford one for what you paid for that bike. Hopefully, he raised the asking price like I suggested. He was trying to GIVE that bike away. :rolleyes:

[graydude]

The buzz is common in the 4K to 4.5K RPM range. Some of us have completed the fix of removing the middle exhaust hanger. This does two things; primarily it eliminates the RPM buzz and secondly it makes it mucho easier to change the tranny fluid!

[TimVipond]

I've got a 2000 K1200LT and have not noticed the buzz or vibration you all are mentioning. I have been using synthetic motorcycle oil since 6,000 miles when I purchased it. Could that be why? I've had other riders on other makes of bikes tell me their bikes got rid of their vibration when they switched to the same synthetic I use. You might try it on your next oil change. I now have 130,000 miles on it and would think I would have noticed it by now. I'll check it out next time I ride.

[messenger13]

Synthetic oil has nothing to do with it. Perhaps your middle exhaust hanger broke long ago.

[dshealey]

I've got a 2000 K1200LT and have not noticed the buzz or vibration you all are mentioning. I have been using synthetic motorcycle oil since 6,000 miles when I purchased it. Could that be why?

No. There is a vibration in MOST LTs around 4500 RPM, some worse than others. I had it some, noticeable but not bothersome. I used synthetic oil from 18,000, made no difference. Without using balance shafts or something similar just about ANY 4 cylinder engine is going to have harmonic vibrations, and this one just happens to have it around 4500. It is almost impossible to balance an engine so that it is smooth all the way through it's useable RPM range. Engine balancing is almost always a compromise.

Try something: while riding put your foot back on the sidestand lowering peg and feel how much it vibrates. I used to do that a lot on long rides, and was surprised how much vibration is there, but not noticeable in the rest of the bike! The rubber engine/tranny mounts are doing a darn good job. You will likely feel it more at 4000-5000 RPM, and some bikes seem to amplify that more than others, probably due to exhaust mounting differences since some have removed the center exhaust hanger and reduced it.

[murray]

BMW fixed the vibration "problem" on the '05s.
Here is a new twist on the vibration issue. I found a assembly error when replacing my clutch this past November. BMW did not follow standard shop practice when installing my clutch. BMW suggests staggering the Clutch Housing, Thrust Plate and Clutch Housing Cover to offset the residual imbalance. This is found in the shop manual page 21.8 caution # 2. Additionally the notorious BMW clunk when engaging first gear has reduced 90 % and my motor is Vibration free!

[messenger13]

VERY interesting Pete. I just may have to take a peek at this sometime this year. I find it interesting that the plates would only cause a vibration at such a small RPM range, however. I would think that if the clutch plates cause the vibration...it would get worse and worse as the RPMs increased.

[ranks]

Haven't seen anyone else mention this yet but.....

As far as dragging the center stand.....

If good shocks and preload, yes that should prevent most dragging, but the Stock LT shocks go pretty quickly.

My guestimate is that for most people, by 20K-25K miles they need some work/replacement. (Search for adding fluid to preload and/or replacement of shocks)

Some people keep riding them till about 40K before replacing.

[murray]

VERY interesting Pete. I just may have to take a peek at this sometime this year. I find it interesting that the plates would only cause a vibration at such a small RPM range, however. I would think that if the clutch plates cause the vibration...it would get worse and worse as the RPMs increased.
Joe , When you think about it quite similar to a improperly balanced front wheel you know at 35-40 mph. As I dismantled my clutch there was not a stagger of the respective parts. This issue goes way back to clutch plate installation on Big Twin Harley's from the late 30's.

[messenger13]

Joe , When you think about it quite similar to a improperly balanced front wheel you know at 35-40 mph. As I dismantled my clutch there was not a stagger of the respective parts. This issue goes way back to clutch plate installation on Big Twin Harley's from the late 30's.Yea, that makes perfect sense.