BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

How do I reduce the clutch chatter/rattle on my R1200RT SE when the engine is warm? It is quite on start up. >:(

"Clutch Chatter" is a new one on me. Which model RT are we talking about ?.

Our Gee wrote: "Clutch Chatter" is a new one on me. Which model RT are we talking about ?.

His profile says 2009

Most wet clutches rattle unless the clutch is pulled in.

Pickaxe wrote: Most wet clutches rattle unless the clutch is pulled in.

There’s a thing.  It’s a dry one.  And you can’t .

I have a LC with 6000 miles on it and have noticed there are times when there is a slight mechanical "chatter" from the clutch/gearbox area at idle, especially when I start it after a long hot run. It's sounds just like a clutch bearing noise and stops when you pull the clutch in. It doesn't do it when cold. I've taken it to two dealers near me and both have said its nothing to worry about. They both said its the gearbox "chattering " at idle and is very common. One said that the LC engine is mechanically noisy at idle, and that previous air cooled models were the same if not worse. With that in mind I went to a local dealers open day where quite a few boxer BMs were present and sure enough a lot of them were making a slight noise at idle, a NineT being the most noticeable. You can "provoke" it by pulling the clutch in and out and listening carefully to the gearbox area. I mentioned it again when I took mine in for its recent 6000 mile service and no fault was found. It did seem a bit quieter after the oil was changed. I'm quite happy with it and don't notice it unless I listen for it. The clutch/gearbox works perfectly and I'm more than happy with the bike as a whole. Obviously there'll be owners who say that theirs  are perfectly quiet but as I say mine is only there when i really listen for it!


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I have a 17 plate LC that's noisy when hot, it's been back to the dealer to investigate, again they said it's normal and not to worry about.
There was a tech having a cigarette in the car park when I was leaving and I asked him to listen, he laughed and said mine was a good one "we get them worse than yours out of the crate"


I'm happy with the bike and the noise doesn't bother me anymore. 

The OPs bike is pre liquid cooled and has, as stated by RTman, a dry clutch, LCs have a wet clutch. No similarity. A little bit of clutch chatter is not uncommon on many vehicles.

blokeonthemove wrote: The OPs bike is pre liquid cooled and has, as stated by RTman, a dry clutch, LCs have a wet clutch. No similarity. A little bit of clutch chatter is not uncommon on many vehicles.

You're correct in saying the clutches are different but the point is that it's not the clutch making the noise, in either case. According to the techs in two dealers near me it's the gearbox chattering at idle.


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If it was the clutch or clutch bearing it would do it all the time, and would be extremely unlikely after only 6000 miles. As previously mentioned it's worse when first started after a long hot run (I.e. the oil is very hot) and improved after an oil change therefore reinforcing what the dealer techs said, i.e that the gearbox shafts are making a resonating "chattering" noise that is barely audible and is nothing to worry about.


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Hi folks, I'm newbie to this forum and have recently bought  2008 factory lowered 1200rt.  I also own a 2001 1150 which has covered 111,000 miles and still runs like it should.
The 1200 has done 28,000 and has the usual, pretty noticable clutch/box chatter on tickover.  It's still under warranty that covers the box but not the clutch... is it worth getting it pulled apart and inspected or just ride on and hope for the best!  The 1150 chatters but slightly less than the 1200....what you think?

If its a dry one,it could be the thrust bearing,  its a clutch strip to find out I think