BMW C650GT Smell

I was wondering if and of the more seasoned riders here could tell me if they have noticed a burning issue once they have finished riding. When I pull mine in the garage I always notice a lingering odor that at first I thought was coming from the catalytic converter but now after 3300 miles doesn't make sense to me. My dealer even mentioned it too me when he delivered it after replacing the battery and I told him it has always had that smell. He actually questioned the gas I was using, which has always been highest premium grade. Anyway, he didn't want to tear into it as he said I would have to pay the hourly rate unless they found an issue. Bike rides fine, I just wonder if the belt or possibly clutch might be a problem? Anyone experience anything similar?

thanks!
 

justscootin

Member
I have had the smell a few times but I just walk away. Before my warranty is up I am going to strip all the plastic off and look things over, oil leaks, overheating evidence or any other things that warranty will fix
 

Spdrush

New member
Mine smells too when I pull it into the garage. It smells hot and I suspect it is from the cat which is very hot. It goes away quickly. I'm not worried.
 
Thanks to all who responded. I feel better as others are experiencing this as well. I guess I was more concerned when the Service Tech mentioned it but I assume they don't have much experience with these scoots quite yet so maybe it only affects them versus the typical bikes they service.

Best
 

gt.mn

New member
these bikes have a oil leak problem on the crank seal that goes out to the clutch
day one at 2500 miles mine was up for a week, seal on back order
every time I got off I had a smell finally when I looked on the motor in front of the real wheel it was all oil soaked
now starting to get some smell again no oil on engine cases yet though
they will have to strip down to check but it may be oil leaks
good luck and don't let the dealer tell you its nothing
 

nik2003black

New member
I get it too only if it's been raining though but you got to understand the CAT does get extremely hot average 650c to 900c to burn off the harmful gases


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Dale

New member
My smell comes from the CAT. Other smells after 600 oil change dealer spilled oil out of filter during change, wiped clean no further smell. Riding in the rain coming to a stop occasionally smell dirty water from tire throwing water into radiator.
 

Skipper

New member
I usually smell a burning rubber smell, I'm thinking its the drive belt.


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justscootin

Member
Since I had my cam chain tensioner replaced I have noticed a wet spot below the bike twice the second time I touched it and found it to be coolant. I was thinking could it be coolant on the exhaust? Today I went to look today with a visual look and can't see crap, used a shop light still could not see coolant stuck a strip of cardboard in and it came out wet. So I have no ideal how much I am losing.
 
Since I had my cam chain tensioner replaced I have noticed a wet spot below the bike twice the second time I touched it and found it to be coolant. I was thinking could it be coolant on the exhaust? Today I went to look today with a visual look and can't see crap, used a shop light still could not see coolant stuck a strip of cardboard in and it came out wet. So I have no ideal how much I am losing.
Justscootin - I had a coolant leak on my 650 at around 2000 miles. The seal around the water pump was leaking and they had to replace the entire pump. It fixed the problem but my bike was in the shop for 2 weeks waiting for the part. I wasn't very happy. Keep an eye on it. Mine had drops on the garage floor and I could feel it under the right side of the bike when I reached up there.
 

justscootin

Member
I want to take it in the shop but I do not want to lose it for 2 weeks yet as there are only a few weeks of riding still. I was thinking about taking it in December. Thanks that gives me an idea to look for this. I just saw it on the plastic and the bottom of the pipe. I would have looked further but all the pastic is in the way. i was thinking that it was the expansion tank or or the coolant line got damaged when the put the scooter back together when the tensioner was replaced. (sorry the second picture is upside down)
While the bike is in for warranty work they have washed the bike for me usually a pretty good job (hope they do it this time just before it's time to put it at the back of the garage)


Justscootin - I had a coolant leak on my 650 at around 2000 miles. The seal around the water pump was leaking and they had to replace the entire pump. It fixed the problem but my bike was in the shop for 2 weeks waiting for the part. I wasn't very happy. Keep an eye on it. Mine had drops on the garage floor and I could feel it under the right side of the bike when I reached up there.]
 

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Boulder Bob

New member
My GT seems to have always had "that smell". I assumed it was from the CAT but was never sure. I've learned to leave it parked outside for a couple hours before putting it to bed in the garage. I need to leave the garage window cracked to let it breathe overnight. It's never had any noticeable drips or leaks. Nothing different after the timing chain recall was performed. I also plan to pull the plastic the first week of cold weather here in Boulder, just to give it a good look over. After 30 years of Airheads I just can't seem to assume everything is fine and just leave it alone.
 

ScooterRaton

New member
Justscootin - I had a coolant leak on my 650 at around 2000 miles. The seal around the water pump was leaking and they had to replace the entire pump. It fixed the problem but my bike was in the shop for 2 weeks waiting for the part. I wasn't very happy. Keep an eye on it. Mine had drops on the garage floor and I could feel it under the right side of the bike when I reached up there.

I also had a burning smell and occasionally a little smoke from under the seat. I also had to have the water pump replaced due to seal failure.
 

exavid

Member
I usually smell a burning rubber smell, I'm thinking its the drive belt.

I've noticed the hot rubber smell on most of the bikes I've owned and am pretty sure it comes from the tires. On a warm day after a sporty ride both my GT and my K1100LT emit that odor and it's for sure there's no belt on the LT. Ditto with the Goldwings I've owned and two of them had timing chains and not belts like the older ones that have timing belts.
 
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Eccles

Member
On the C600 Sport, often had a plastic burning smell. There where no signs of leakage when parked. Mentioned it to the dealer during the side stand switch recall, they checked it out and said coolant leak, fixed. No smells at all since.
 

Lcdrakallen

New member
I was told the smell is from oil "shifting" in the pan, to hot parts of metal. This I was told results from using the "side-stand" try using the center stand immediately after parking and see if you still notice it. I have to say since doing this that smell is not nearly as noticeable. Let me know.


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Vago

New member
I have almost 27,000 on my 2013 GT. The smell I get most often is like burning rubber. This is coming from the belt drive exhaust vent. At the 25,000 mile service, the tech said the belt still looked great and didn't replace it . . . it is the original.
 
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