BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

i really like this bike, not too big not too small, it fits me. i did the fuel quick dis-connects,wire ties up frt,synched the the throttle bodies,adjusted valves,gonna do brake fluid this winter. the rear end failing should have some warning so i can still make it home. now after reading the 10 pages of posts here on clutch splines got me to thinking. this failure is like rolling the dice,some last for a kazillion miles some strip without warning. thinking about installing one of these this winter;
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/bmw_clutches.html
anybody else been there ?? can't find anything here on the list or elsewhere of a review. i like the dampner springs as used in convnetional auto clutch disc to absorb the intial whack when applied. it's pricey, but so would getting towed home from some distant place along with loosing a week or two of prime summer riding time.

I'd seen it awhile ago while researching clutch discs.

The only opinions on it I could find was that you can't get one.
Read about a couple folks that had orders in for a couple months
or more and never even any communication.

I ordered a simple clutch alignment tool from them and nothing
for over a month, not even communication, so cancelled. Also
asked about the availability of the spring clutch and no response,
but a vague statement on their website says something to the effect
that this stuff takes a long time to make, so more or less "don't hold
your breath".

That's a shame because I agree it would be a good improvement.
I've searched quite a bit and have not found any other disc with a
spring hub.

it is a shame because there is a hole in the market for both an oilhead and airhead "improved" clutch disc. maybe even k-bikes...

Kartoo

The spring loaded center hub could have been the best improvement to our bikes, unfortunately, packaging and lack of forethought (IMO) prevented the addition of such. RB has been touting their spring clutch for awhile, I have yet to hear of someone that has been able to source one or for that matter having used one.

Regarding the clutch spline failure, it is a crap shoot, probably due to different suppliers. Inspection is the best solution, albeit a bit tedious, if bad, the correction can be effected, if good, great!!, either way you'll have peace of mind.

Good luck and welcome aboard

e-mailed them a few days ago with no answer...
just called em on the phone and got a "still in the testing stage" reply.
She told me once they are in production they will be "flying out the door"
got my fingers crossed, sure would make a nice winter project.

Same here. No answer to any mails. Also reminders are ignored. Finally picked up the phone and had a (kind of unfriendly) chap on the phone. No name, just "Hello" ... and "Your question please ...". When I said I was calling from Germany he became a little friendlier. Said I'd like to order a clutch. Chap said they had been in Bonneville and had no time replying to messages. Said as well that clutches are presently been produced and are expected be be shipped in a month or so. That phonecall took place 1 week ago ...

Is there nobody here in the forum who is located close by these guys and might want to pay them a visit and pester them for delivery?

Best regards
Oliver

maybe a group buy will get em going !!!

People, what you have been experiencing wth RBRACING has been going on for several years now........

About 15k ago I got stuck in the ditch at the campground. I was trying to get the rear wheel out of the ditch and began to smell the burning clutch. I did not think much about it until I was riding in Vancouver city, up and down the hills and fully loaded 2-UP. The smell came back and I pulled over, since the traffic was bad. Lately, every time I put a little more pressure on the clutch, the burning smell comes back. My first R1150 never did that. Maybe the previous owner of my 2004 model was riding the clutch too much. It looks like I will be looking for a new clutch very soon. Last year I was helping my riding buddy to replace the clutch on his 2003 R1150RT. It is a pain in the A$$$$$$ job. From what I was reading, I think I will go with an OEM clutch. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

I was told by RB Racing on the phone that my clutch disc was almost ready....in July, 2009.
Kinda makes me wonder about the rest of the amazing claims they make on their website.
Stock disc eventually went back on.

Brian

TicTac50

The R1150R clutch disc design changed much during several of the R iterations, primarily due to space limitations, at the same time the bikes have grown heavier and more powerfull reflecting on the disc's durability.

That being said and based on your post, there is already some slippage taking place under the right conditions which will only get worse in time. I'm afraid that a disc replacement is to be expected in the near future and currently there aren't many replacement choices.

Make sure that the flywheel and the pressure plate surfaces are resurfaced (by someone knowledgeale) to remove the heat checking that results from clutch slippage. The stock clutch can prove to be very durable if not abused.

Good luck and happy trails............