R1200S 1st Gear Selection

[Jonathan]

I'm having problems engaging first gear quickly when setting off from junctions/lights ect. Sometimes the gear just wont engage without me moving the rear wheel. Other times it feels like its in and the neutral light goes out only to re-appear as I begin to drop the clutch. I am recently new to BMWs but I have ridden another shaft drive without this issue. It will engage if I knock it in but this can't be right either!

I feel I should be able to simply tap it in and go but unless I'm doing something wrong it won't .......................can anyone help?

[Paul]

Hi Jonathan,

Standard BMW gearbox problem, I'm afraid. A little gentle downward pressure on the gear selector while you ease out the clutch should see it snick into 1st. Don't kick it in, you'll just damage the bike or yourself.

Cheers,

Paul

[Jonathan]

Paul thanks for the reply - sounds like fun !
I'll let you know if it helps

thanks again
Jon

[andrew s]

Good tip is to move back when you come to a standstill, gets it into first gear a lot easier, always worked for me.

Andrew

[Vince]

Hi Jonathan,

Standard BMW gearbox problem, I'm afraid. A little gentle downward pressure on the gear selector while you ease out the clutch should see it snick into 1st. Don't kick it in, you'll just damage the bike or yourself.

Cheers,

Paul

I found this with the ST, 1st thing in the morning and occasionally through a ride. easing out the clutch a little usually works as advised. Other than that and me not quite getting used to dropping it into 1st while crawling (big clunk), the box is better than by VFR750, which I've always found I miss a gear fairly often and a lot of the time she's only half way in gear. Had the bike 12yrs so it's not like I'm not used to it

[mart123]

My 52 plate boxer cup is just the same although its never come outof first once in. Ive only ever had Jap bikes and Triumphs so the BMW box came as a bit of a shock to me to. Be patient with it , it just seems to be the nature of the beast

[Stevie]

My last non-BMW was an 850 TDM, whose gearbox may have been made by the apprentices at Yamaha's tractor division on a Friday afternoon. In comparison my beemer gearbox felt quite good.

[Cobbster]

What Paul says, easy pressure on the gear selector and let clutch out slowly. It will snick into gear whithin an inch of clutch lever travel.

I think this concern was one of my first postings, the above technique has been used ever since without fail.

Cheers, Cobbster.

[Lambo]

This is normal for all boxer boxes. Moving it backwards is the best bet. If the bike has done more than 12k, change the oil to semi or fully synth oil 75/90 makes a big difference.

[Jonathan]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll try the bike again at the weekend. Roll on Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks again
Jon