[Arwen]

Hi Folks,

I have a 2003 K1200RS that’s now fully serviced & in beautiful shape. It’s done 43K miles. I don’t live in USA full time, but plan to visit at least once every year to do a motorcycle tour. The next one starting in July 2023 is probably around 6,000 miles over 6-8 weeks.
I understand eventually the clutch will probably go out, even though I never slip clutches & will try to make it last as long as possible.
I don’t have extensive workshop facilities for such a repair easily available in USA, though that might change in the future. Meanwhile 4 questions.

1. I assume the first symptom is the clutch slips when pulling a high gear. How long do you have in terms of miles before that turns into a roadside breakdown?
2. With care & good riding style can the clutch be persuaded to last almost indefinitely?
3. Assuming I have to get the repair done by professional mechanics due to lack of time/facilities, what is the ballpark price for parts & labour on this job, including everything that should get done while the bike is torn in half?
4. Also assuming the job was done perfectly by professionals using best quality parts available, how long do the repairs usually last?
If this is a once in a lifetime event for someone doing about 6,000 miles a year, there appears little benefit in buying tools/lift etc to learn how to do it myself.

Thanks for any input on the above. I like to have some idea of what I’m facing in terms of $, time & trouble, when an apparently commonplace wear & tear mechanical failure visits me on the road.

All the best, Arwen’s Rider

 

[Arwen]

Thanks for some very encouraging input. Based on my luck running, could be 6 years hence before it needs tearing apart. Unless one of my two mechanic sons is open to persuasion at the time, I’ll probably pay a professional to do such a large job.
I’m up for routine maintenance but not major repairs. Which brings up the issue of how much do folks reckon a good mechanic would want for such a repair?
Cheers Arwen’s Rider

 

[Arwen]

This kind of input makes decisions easier. 8-10 hrs labour for a professional/experienced mechanic is not the sort of job I attempt myself. Too faint hearted!
Sadly, the hourly rate of a good mechanic could see most of $1K disappear right there, before any parts.

I’ll watch for signs of trouble & meanwhile check out folks in AZ that may be up for the job, when needed. It would be better to get the bike to someone I know, rather than rely on finding someone capable in place unknown, mid-tour. Thanks for the added detail on just how much is involved.

Arwen’s Rider

 

[Arwen]

Seeing as there seems to be a lot of experience of coping with misfortune in the above bodge fixes, I have questions probably not many can answer.
1. If I discover an oil leak from the clutch housing (I understand it drips from the seam to the transmission into the plastic pan underneath) how long do I have before clutch failure (in miles) approximately.
2. If I experience a slipping clutch due to this failure, how long to I have before I’m stuck beside the road (in miles) looking for a place to buy a drill & Coca-Cola!
Unless there’s a tame Beemer shop nearby to tear it apart for me & I’ll find a motel with swimming pool meanwhile!

I’m not wishing this sort of misfortune on myself, but if there’s knowledge from folks who’ve experienced it, I’d be interested. I’m riding 6K+ miles in 4 months time (I like the sun) to places I’ve never seen in my life. There will be adversity & it helps if you know a bit about what can happen in advance.

Best Regards Arwen’s Rider

 

[Arwen]

Sounds good. I can limp to a convenient place by the sound of things. Arwen will be spending about 6 months in Florida at the end of the year & could visit a local Beemer shop at that time, if this year’s tour trashes her clutch. Fixed & ready to ride west next year.
The dreaded clutch failure is looking less scary all the time. I have a plan if the ABS fails & following a cannisterectomy, the fuel system is safer from charcoal contamination.
Looking good. These bikes had a reputation for difficult maintenance when I was choosing a tourer, but I don’t see it. Fancy a Jap transverse 4 with carburettors from the same era? Probably not!

 

[Arwen]

Thanks Codger,
Haven’t got any leaks yet & no noticeable loss of clutch fluid from reservoir.
Didn’t realise punctures were a significant issue. I haven’t had one for ages. Guess a phone call to nearest tyre dealer would be my solution, because I’m not up to changing tyres by the roadside any longer!

The quick connects are metal. I checked that immediately on purchase, the plastic ones sound scary. I found much dodgy when doing the full 24K service after riding the bike a couple of thousand.
Especially the fuel system. The fuel filter was 16 years old! Every fuel line inside the tank was badly perished, along with all other rubber components. There was charcoal in the gas tank, courtesy of the ridiculous emissions canister, that amazingly walked unassisted into the trash bin.
I won’t list all the symptoms of neglect because it’s dull & sadly commonplace, but having done the full service by the book myself & knowing it was done correctly, I got familiar with the bike & hope she runs like a dream for the tour.
I’m not a professional mechanic so while routine servicing is within my scope, repairs might get done by a professional, unless the obligatory video before any work is attempted suggests it’s easy enough for me.
On the ride I’ll have just rudimentary tools & no facilities available, so with luck she’ll complete the tour trouble free & I can address any issues that arise next year, before the next one.
Gonna be an adventure.

Cheers Arwen’s Rider