First post and Question re: R18TC

[CaptJim]

Pulling to the left issues? Yes, it's inherent, courtesy of the physics of the boxer design. However, I've never found it to be an issue at any rolling speed. It's just fun to kind of blip the throttle while in neutral and watch the entire bike lurch - just a BMW quirk, and it's been on every BMW boxer I've ever owned.

Mike

Actually that PTTL issue was on my K1600GTL... It was a well known deficiency on that model. Some did a lot some didn't do at all and nobody solved the mystery and as you may be aware GTL did not have a boxer engine. I returned that bike day after i bought and thankfully dealership honored my request and purchased a R1250RT from them instead...

 

[Keehn]

Actually that PTTL issue was on my K1600GTL... It was a well known deficiency on that model. Some did a lot some didn't do at all and nobody solved the mystery and as you may be aware GTL did not have a boxer engine. I returned that bike day after i bought and thankfully dealership honored my request and purchased a R1250RT from them instead...

Gotcha. When I'm referring to the bike "pulling", I'm referring to the torque from the engine itself pulling the bike sideways. However, the torque should pull the bike RIGHT, courtesy of the direction of crankshaft motion.

I'm not familiar with the K1600GTL PTTL issue then. The TC rides on rails down the road, and torque from the boxer engine doesn't interfere with performance in that regard.

Mike

 

[FunSensei]

Sure but sometimes arranged marriages works better than the ones started with flirting first and I still need a girl! ( Now my wife is confused why I want a motorcycle )...

So, who knows, if I am convinced by those of you who came from a different background like myself whether GSA or Goldwing and then got used to the R18TC and now happier than ever, I may consider to give it a try.
What could be the worst case scenario? If I don't like it I sell it... In the last 20 yrs I changed 25 bikes. So this could be the #26 whether after a year or after few months... It's not like I did not do this before...

I am curious if it had any balancing issues like K1600B had or pulling to the left issues K1600GTL (in the past models) had or any other quirks...

If shakiness is the only different vibe from the previous bikes I owned I may get used to it. I am 65 so possibly I won't notice if it's me shaking or if it is the bike after a while owning the TC.

Thanks guys for this post! I just bought My R18 classic yesterday. It’s my 47th motorcycle since I’ve been 15 years old.73 Years old now.So I’ve got a lot of experience with motorcycle clutches and I was kind of concerned at the pulsating of the clutch at start up. Thank you for that explanation. I have no problem with it as long as I know it’s a character of the 1800 boxer engine.I will just recognize it as the character of the bike. So glad to know that it’s not a flaw that needs to be attended to at the dealer.Thank you again for that explanation.Have a great day!

 

[FunSensei]

Thanks guys for this post! I just bought My R18 classic yesterday. It’s my 47th motorcycle since I’ve been 15 years old.73 Years old now.So I’ve got a lot of experience with motorcycle clutches and I was kind of concerned at the pulsating of the clutch at start up. Thank you for that explanation. I have no problem with it as long as I know it’s a character of the 1800 boxer engine.I will just recognize it as the character of the bike. So glad to know that it’s not a flaw that needs to be attended to at the dealer.Thank you again for that explanation.Have a great day!

Just a quick update Folks on that pulsating clutch lever.By the time I reached 1000 miles the Pulsating in the clutch lever was almost gone.Now at about 2000 miles it is no longer present. Almost forgot how these precision machines need time for all their components to bed in. Absolutely love this machine!