BMW R100RT causing clothes to smell like exhaust

[tandemlover]

I bought my 1995 R100RT in Nov 09, and have only put a few hundred miles on it. Most rides are in the 50 mile range. This is my first BMW.

The bike starts and runs well, and my 35-40 MPG seems to be in line with what other owners noted in response to my earlier post.

My question now is: Is it normal for your riding suit to have a strong smell of engine exhaust after a ride? And I often smell the exhaust during a ride. I have tried having the fairing vents open and closed, but the result is the same.

There are no holes in the exhaust system, at least that I can see.

It seems like the fairing is causing a vacuum which is sucking the exhaust into it. I am concerned about the health effects of breathing the exhaust.

This can't be what every BMW / tourer owner experiences, so is my situation unique? Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Wirespokes]

I've never owned an RT, but do have RSs and have ridden them for about 13 years now. Mine are also the earlier dual-shock versions. I've never had that problem with exhaust smell.

But that's like comparing apples to oranges. Your bike has a shorter exhaust system that could possibly contribute. But my brother did have a similar year RT and commuted 50 miles to work on it without this complaint. I rode it and never noticed such a problem.

I do think you should be getting better mileage, though. I'd think it should be getting at least 45 mpg. Even though it may be getting comparable mileage (to other similar age RTs?) the earlier model 1,000s tended to get anywhere from low 40s to sometimes over 50mpg. That means your engine (even though running well) isn't extracting full power from the charge and will have stinky exhaust. The fresh-air system (now removed, right?) was intended to burn that extra fuel, but in turn over-heated the head and exhaust valves which tended to warp them.

The ideal handling is to increase the compression ratio to 9 or 9.5/1.

But probably the biggest quesion is why the exhaust is being drawn in behind the fairing. Do you ride without luggage? I'm thinking luggage may make it more difficult for exhaust gasses to return to the quiet area behind the fairing - though luggage shouldn't be a requirement for exhaust-free riding.

Perhaps there are some oily or greasy parts of the engine that give off that smell when hot?

[bpeckm]

Finding exhaust leaks:

The ole trick we used on cars was to hold a hand (rag!) over the exhaust, and listen for hissing.... of course you would have to close both sides, but the principle is the same.

But yes, a smell of exhaust on clothing would be a concern... and it does sound like you may have an over-rich condition. Have you pulled the plugs to take a look at the color of the electrode tips?

Nevertheless, whether it is a leak or the "station wagon effect", getting a strong smell of exhaust is not good for your clothes, let alone your lungs...!

[datchew]

this is not a problem
this is a feature.

[Wirespokes]

Originally Posted by datchew

this is not a problem
this is a feature.

...to ward of mosquitoes?

[Beater]

Cologne ... to find the proper mate.

[bpeckm]

It does take a certain je-ne-sais-quoi, doesn't it..... the "proper mate" thing...

[lkchris]

Have both RS and RT and have not had this problem. If it matters, have OE windshield rather than anything higher.

RT fairing has been around since '79 and I have too, and have monitored BMW forums since forums began, and have never heard of this problem.

This is clearly not something that's a "design flaw," as BMW doesn't do that.

As others have noted, look for exhuast leaks, although yours is as new as they get and it might be surprising if there is one. Might also investigate carburetor tuning, looking for too rich, enricheners not coming off, etc. Latter also seems less likely given your reported fuel mileage. Of course there's no design or engineering involved in anything aftermarket, so suspect anything like that, i.e. aftermarket windscreen, exhaust, etc.

Obviously exhaust from the traffic around you is something you just live with.

[walkingbear]

I will take it off your hands...
Have an 88 RS .. changed to longer pipes...
Installed a Laminar lip http://www.laminarlip.com/bmw.php .. gives it better air flow..

If you want to trade.. I would . I get 40-41mpg

[Kentucky]

Yep. If it becomes unbearable just send me a PM and I'll come up and drag the old girl back to the man cave. Problem solved!

[Hawk Medicine]

Originally Posted by lkchris

This is clearly not something that's a "design flaw," as BMW doesn't do that.

I can't believe that you said that...!

How about Airhead seat hinges?

Or maybe the cheapo charging systems, stupid hand controls, breaking bag mounts, battery that you need a mechanics degree to remove, luggage latches that fail, steering dampers that are a running joke, hokey honky R-100 center stands, collapsing side stands, The entire single disk brake system, bikes with full fairings at have the fuses in the headlamp shells and theres more.

Oh God...! I just hate Airheads!

Mymindsok

PS: Know anyone who has a R-100 basket case for sale?

PSS: If you're riding an RT and your clothes smell like gas, maybe you're not riding fast enough!

[tordog]

Is it old and stale fuel? Try some fresh unleaded.

[bmwrench]

"This is clearly not something that's a "design flaw," as BMW doesn't do that."

Right. BMW doesn't make mistakes. They make improvements.

[PFFOG]

Ride faster!!!!

[squish]

Have you checked your compression?
Do you burn oil?

If your rings are a little loose and you're burning oil
it might make the exhaust more strong.

You could try hooking the bike up to a EGA but that cost money.

Does it smell like gasoline or just like dirty exhaust?

What's your oil smell/look like?

Try changing the oil does that change anything?
Sometime fresh oil helps to sell the rings a little and it won't smoke as bad at first.

How do the plugs look?