Noisy motor? (You tell me)

[Purple Helmet]

G'day folks...

I have a 2016 BMW C650 Sport Maxi Scooter.. It's my 2nd one..
I don't recall the previous one having a noisy engine.. However, I have changed helmets, and the previous one was an awesome Schuberth.
Is there a way to quieten the motor? It's only done 3,000 ks, so I know the engine is good.
Does anyone else think their 650 GT or 650 Sport has a noisy engine, or is it just the way they are?

Cheers in advance..
Purple Helmet.

 

[Key_to_life]

Video would help. Also your timing chain tensioner is probably on the way out hence the noise.

 

[Purple Helmet]

Video would help. Also your timing chain tensioner is probably on the way out hence the noise.

I just had a service.. The timing chain tensioner is fine.. Even though it's 7 years old, it has only done less than 3000 ks.

 

[Key_to_life]

I wouldn’t be so sure about that. My friends bike just grenaded the engine after 4K on new hydraulic tensioner retrofit

 

[Purple Helmet]

I wouldn’t be so sure about that. My friends bike just grenaded the engine after 4K on new hydraulic tensioner retrofit

As I said, I just had it serviced by a qualified BMW workshop.
I mentioned that I thought the engine was noisy. They listened and said it wasn't.
I'm not convinced.

 

[Delray]

Voila, instant noise reduction. I never ride without them.

These cut engine noise significantly but you still hear traffic sounds and voices. Because they're not cheap, I sometimes re-use them if the ride was short. I've tried several brands but always come back to these.

 

[Ceesie76]

My 2016 650 Sport only had 1,960 miles when I bought it in 2018 and it had to have the mechanical tensioner replaced then already (under warranty).

Now at 9,000 miles it has started to become noisier again, not as bad as in 2018 but definitely noisier. I asked the local BMW dealer to have a listen and they said "everything fine" but I don't trust them to be sufficiently competent, so will be replacing the tensioner again shortly again, I already have it sitting on my desk. They don't last apparently. Best is to upgrade to hydraulic tensioner.

 

[Noillek]

My 2016 C650 GT had the old spring cam chain tensioner and with 10k km (6k miles) got bad and the noise was louder at cold and then got better as it warmed up… still made the retrofit for hydraulic, BMW also said that was all fine but it wasn’t. After taking it out the tensioner was stick hard. Now better still low noise but healthier noise and not rattling

 

[Skutorr]

It's still a grenade you are riding on. Even with the 3rd redesign hydraulic tensioner, all the timing gear eventually fails and destroys the motor. Every internal part is/was made on the cheap and wears out/fails prematurely. Remember, it's not even a BMW motor, much less one of the great older ones that still live forever. Why do you think that they cut their losses and just quit making the bike and motor?

 

[Skutorr]

A bit of History. Here it started...

https://www.autoevolution.com/pdf/news_attachements/bmw-recalls-c600-sport-and-c650gt-maxi-scooters-for-potential-stalling-issues-83162.pdf

 

[Key_to_life]

It's still a grenade you are riding on. Even with the 3rd redesign hydraulic tensioner, all the timing gear eventually fails and destroys the motor. Every internal part is/was made on the cheap and wears out/fails prematurely. Remember, it's not even a BMW motor, much less one of the great older ones that still live forever. Why do you think that they cut their losses and just quit making the bike and motor?

I’d say it’s a bit harsh to say that since any bike can have failure if driven enough. This seems to be bmw trademark for most of their products to have timing chain, oil leaks and overheating issues even if not manufactured by them. It’s no Yamaha or Honda but it’s definitely not junk either.

 

[Delray]

Even with the 3rd redesign hydraulic tensioner, all the timing gear eventually fails and destroys the motor.

Wildly dramatic statement. Evidence? Examples? Anything published? Can you cite one person or company that credibly explains or supports this? Not two, just one.

And this: "bmw trademark for MOST (emphasis mine) of their products to have timing chain, oil leaks and overheating issues."

Wow, I've owned seven BMW bikes and never had a hint of an issue with chains, belts, leaks or overheating. But that's just one person's experience.

 

[Key_to_life]

Pretty dramatic statement. Evidence? Examples? Anything published?

And this: "bmw trademark for MOST (emphasis mine) of their products to have timing chain, oil leaks and overheating issues."

Wow, I've owned seven BMW bikes and never had a hint of an issue with chains, belts, leaks or overheating. But then, that's just one person's opinion.

I’m speaking of their cars after owning a variety of models over the years eventually giving up on the brand 10 years ago and going with Honda. Just like you saying it’s my opinion so is yours.

 

[Delray]

I’m speaking of their cars

That wasn't clear because you referenced Yamaha, then made a sweeping summation of reliability for a global (car) manufacturer, stated as fact ("it is a bmw trademark for most of their products to have timing chain, oil leaks and overheating issues.")

If we say "most" is equal to two-thirds, as a conservative estimate, and BMW sells around 2.5 million cars a year globally, that's 1,675,000 more BMW's every year with timing chain, oil leaks and overheating issues.

If we use 80% for most, that's two million more BMW's every year that present those problems -- even if they present after a reasonable time, say five years. Stunning. You'd think that would be the story of the year in the automotive industry.

Frankly, both examples are as preposterous as stating the hydraulic tensioner on my 2019 GT "will eventually fail and destroy the motor."

 

[Delray]

"Talking through one's hat." Now that seems more accurate.

 

[Key_to_life]

That wasn't clear because you referenced Yamaha, then made a sweeping summation of reliability for a global (car) manufacturer, stated as fact ("it is a bmw trademark for most of their products to have timing chain, oil leaks and overheating issues.")

If we say "most" is equal to two-thirds, as a conservative estimate, and BMW sells around 2.5 million cars a year globally, that's 1,675,000 more BMW's every year with timing chain, oil leaks and overheating issues.

If we use 80% for most, that's two million more BMW's every year that present those problems -- even if they present after a reasonable time, say five years. Stunning. You'd think that would be the story of the year in the automotive industry.

Frankly, both examples are as preposterous as stating the hydraulic tensioner on my 2019 GT "will eventually fail and destroy the motor."

If you never owner the brand of auto you wouldn’t know what I’m talking about. There’s a reason bmw cars depreciate like a rock before they hit 7 years old and only driven by wannabes after that. Either way you seem to take this personally like I’m offending your mother or something. I have no time or energy to be arguing with stranger on the internet over things that don’t matter.

 

[Ceesie76]

I had a 2010 BMW Z4 6 cylinder for 2 years (1999 and 2000) and it was extremely reliable.

 

[Delray]

If you never owner the brand of auto you wouldn’t know what I’m talking about.

I don't need to own a BMW automobile to recognize wildly inaccurate statements and object, especially when they concern a brand I respect and motorcycles I love. That simple. Nothing personal.

 

[Key_to_life]

I had a 2010 BMW Z4 6 cylinder for 2 years (1999 and 2000) and it was extremely reliable.

Z4 was not around in 1999 or 2000 it was called a z3. Anything can be reliable if use it on the weekends I’m sure there’s a guy out here with the same story about a Yugo being reliable too. I’m not going to argue about merits of bmw being reliable because it’s not. Of all cars and motorcycles I owned over the years only bmws left me broken down on the side of the road multiple times from overheating issues to something minor like battery voltage throwing a car into limp mode. I’ve owned two bmw scooters now with each suffering mechanical issue before reaching 10k miles that were not simple things but major manufacturers defect in design. I understand the other guys need to talk up his horse since he buys them rides it until 15k and tries to sell for his cost effectively making his use free but I’ll be a fool to call these great options or recommend them to a friend out if warranty.

 

[Delray]

Of all the cars and motorcycles I owned over the years only bmws ....

Instead of defining the entirety of BMW reliability by one guy's car overheating, try Consumer Reports. They monitor and measure things like reliability. For 2022, BMW automobiles are in the top 3 in the world.