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2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2021 11:43 pm
by arazai
I posted this on a different forum and got somewhat mixed answers. 


Hi everyone first post here. Have a 2011 RT with 48k miles that I just bought. Original owner was an old man so I’m guessing these are gentle miles. I can’t tell if I’ve got a rough idle or not, what do you all think? Also, my last bike has some spark issues and I’ve become hyper aware of any surging and can’t decide whether my RT surges or not. Here’s a video of the idle, let me know what you all think?  On Cruise control at speed, my speed stays the same but it's a bit jerky, is this normal?[/font][/size]


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYbpf8YFy8Y

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 12:09 am
by T6pilot
Do you have access to a GS911 tool? That will take a lot of the guess work out
That said, a good dose a Techron injection cleaner then I  would consider new plugs, valve check and a throttle body balance.

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 12:18 am
by arazai
Hey Jim, thanks for the reply!  The bike had a pre-sale inspection about 2k miles ago by bmw that said the bike looked clean.  I’m guessing they checked this?

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 12:21 am
by arazai
Also, plugs changed and valves adjusted 9k miles ago.  Valves checked 6k ago and throttle bodies were also synced 6k ago.

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 12:23 am
by T6pilot
arazai wrote: Hey Jim, thanks for the reply!  The bike had a pre-sale inspection about 2k miles ago by bmw that said the bike looked clean.  I’m guessing they checked this?
Knowing most dealers, they do a safety inspection only
Do you have any service records @48,000 miles it’s due for a valve check, plugs and balance

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 1:23 am
by arazai
Yes I have extensive maintenance records with basically no lapse.  Valves adjusted 9k ago and checked 6k.  Plugs changed 9k ago.  TBS 6k ago.

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 9:21 am
by David.
arazai wrote:Here’s a video of the idle, let me know what you all think?
I think the idle is normal and not rough.

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 9:22 am
by exportman
It may just require a good run out get it warmed through and then see if it is still happening

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 10:06 am
by simbo
Just like mine, normal.

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 10:17 am
by David.
arazai wrote:On Cruise control at speed, my speed stays the same but it's a bit jerky, is this normal?
The Haynes manual suggests that if the cruise control is thought to be faulty, first check the throttle cable adjustment.

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 10:21 am
by jackronner
Arazi,  Are you new to boxer Beemers?  There's always a good bit of vibration with the boxer, which may seem strange if you're used to more than two cylinders.  It didn't seem unduly rough or uneven to my ear.  The throttle blips seemed responsive, with little hesitation.  Do you know how old the fuel was and whether water might've gotten in it if not garaged?  I'd predict that, after a week, you won't notice anything unusual, and that this may just be a case of buyer's paranoia.  But you might try swapping similar model bikes with someone for a comparison and for the swapper's comments on your bike.  Enjoy it, they're great machines.

Re: 2011 R1200RT rough or normal idle?

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 10:26 am
by Our Gee
Sounds normal to me as well. Incidentally I a Hexhead RT which idled much , much worse than this, so bad in fact that I had to turn the engine off after about half a minute as I couldn't stand the mechanical distress the engine was suffering. BMW changed just about everything including Plugs, Coils, Lambada Sensors and the ECU. All to no avail. Part exchanged it to a BMW Dealer for a Twincam which idled lovely.