New LT w/a Clutch Problem

4260 Views 14 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Dewman, Oct 20, 2005

hschisler

Discussion Starter · Oct 1, 2005

I posted a new thread a week or so ago with a description of what I thought was a "slipping clutch". Here's an update:

The LT is 3 weeks old. After 2 weeks it would occasionally slip out of gear; RPMs rev up; I let off the throttle and it goes back into gear. This would happen more easily (a) under heavy throttle or (b) two-up, uphill, w/moderate throttle. In other words, when it was under load and/or heavy throttle. It has done it in 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears.

Dealer said to keep riding the bike until my 600-mile service, which was done yesterday. It slipped once or twice in the ensuing week. They got into the clutch yesterday. Clutch reservoir was low on fluid and had air in the system. They bled the air and refilled the fluid, did a test ride, and the slipping still occurred. The service mgr thinks the slave cylinder might be failing.

My question: with 1160 miles on it, is this unheard of? Any cause for future concern with ownership of this particular unit (i.e., do I have a lemon...)?

I understand all complicated machines can have a component fail. Was just wondering if this is something that happens to LTs (like the final drive problem).

TIA

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

gunny

· #2 · Oct 1, 2005

Clutch

Howard:
Those things happen. A machine assembled by human hands will occasionally have a problem. Lucky for you it happened when it did and should be covered under warranty. Yes the LT's have a problem from time to time, usually BWM steps right up and takes care of it. With a little care and maintenance, your machine should run fine for a few hundred of thousands of miles.

TX03LTC

· #3 · Oct 1, 2005

Yes, they have been known to fail on even new bikes. Get it fixed and you'll be in good shape and happy again.

hschisler

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 1, 2005

Clutch Problem -- Update

Talked w/the dealership owner again this morning. No news, except to say that they really advised me NOT to pick it up for riding this weekend. I was letting my newbie enthusiasm get the better of me, and I asked them if I couldn't have the bike anyway... while they waited for parts. They advised against it.

This is a warranty repair, of course; there was no question about that. I just wanted a reason to quit doing yard work on this fantastic Fall day and go riding on my three-week-old LT.

Thanks for the replies and assurances.

BecketMa

· #5 · Oct 1, 2005

The good news is that I can't remember anyone who has had a slave cylinder replaced who has had to do it again.

Bob

RMW

· #6 · Oct 2, 2005

Howard,

Happened to me at 1700 miles and my Dad at about 1200. Both 05's and both had slave rebuilt. In my case a second repair on the clutch that was appearantly damaged by the leak. I recall a few others posting similar problems with new bikes.

Good news is I have put almost 30,000 hard miles on this year and not even the slightest hint of clutch problems.

boocoo_dinky_dow

· #7 · Oct 3, 2005

hope you have better luck than tdmathis. had a similar clutch problem that took so long to repair that his bike was finally replaced by bmw under the lemon law. it's a shame to have a brand new bike with problems.

good luck
denis

bmwusmc

· #8 · Oct 3, 2005

Had same problem with my LT..One week old on my way from Tampa to Las Vegas clutch failed with the very same symptoms you had. Hyd clutch slave cylinder leak into clutch area..My bike had about 1200 miles on it at the time..Everything is fixed and running hunky dory now. Have put about 4300 miles on it now. BTW, I bought Aug 6 and failure occurred Aug 12, 2005.
I still think it's a great bike to ride..Really built for touring on the open road..Ride safe

bone1

· #9 · Oct 4, 2005

Hello All, My 00 has 35,000 miles on it. Have not rode it in 2 months till Sunday. After about 30 minutes of riding I twist the throttle to pass a slow cage I"m in third and the clutch slips so I back off. Latter I tryed everything to make it slip but it would not slip. (What gives)? Thank's, Bone1.

dshealey

· #10 · Oct 4, 2005

I had two fail.

RaffyK

· #11 · Oct 4, 2005

hschisler said:
My question: with 1160 miles on it, is this unheard of? Any cause for future concern with ownership of this particular unit (i.e., do I have a lemon...)?

I understand all complicated machines can have a component fail. Was just wondering if this is something that happens to LTs (like the final drive problem).

TIA

It is unusual. However there have been other reports of 2005 bikes having similar problems. i.e. failing clutch slave cylinders.

This is not a lemon law case. Not yet. If they fix it and replace the clutch (might as well since it is probably contaminated by now) then you are taken care of under warranty.

I am wondering if:

1) BMW changed suppliers of the clutch slave cylinder or
2) the 2005's have differnt internals etc. that are contributing to this failure.

My bet is on a bad batch of slave cylinders or a change in supplier = bad product.

black1200lt

· #12 · Oct 4, 2005

BecketMa said:
The good news is that I can't remember anyone who has had a slave cylinder replaced who has had to do it again.

Bob

Hey Bob-
Remember me?

I had a clutch installed and within nine hours I needed another one. It was something weird with a new rear seal on a brand new engine that gave way and somehow the transmission got all chewed up and oil leaked onto the slave cylinder, thus destroying the clutch. ( Notice: if any of that sentence make sense to anyone at all, that is an indication I have been spending way to much time around gear-heads!) ~;-)

I will now go back to my floral arrangements while I wait for the second transmission to be delivered.

Dewman

· #13 · Oct 5, 2005

Clutch problems

I had my clutch slave cylinder replaced last week at 6300 miles on a 2005 LT.
They said that the clutch itself was ok just needed to replace the slave.
Dewman

cyclecamper

· #14 · Oct 20, 2005

And I had same symtoms from a leaking engine mainseal starting at 10K miles.

Dewman

· #15 · Oct 20, 2005

Slave Cylinder

My slave cylinder went out at 6300 miles on my 05. Works great now.
Dewman

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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