► Unexpected stalling issue

[Magwych]

Jackie has had this happen a few times on her F800GS, so we took it back for them to have a poke around. They could not find anything awry, the mechanic even took it home an back to try and make it happen, but it did not stall for him.

Coopers have a had fair crack at trying to find out about this issue, and will be opening a case on the BMW PUMA fault reporting system. Apparently this tasks some techie on Germany to investigate.

They were able to check this same system for other similar reports and there were none. This is the same place that dealers and BMW check when they say the have "not heard of this before".

So, a helpful insight to the workings of BMW, if you book machine in for a fault of this nature, and you can get the dealer to believe this is a genuine error, ask them to open a case on their PUMA system. The more cases for similar problems, the more pressure their is to get techie to focus on the problem - maybe even fix it !

 

[Fruitcake]

My F650GS twin has stalled twice.....first time pulling away uphill from the house....but I think that may have been me not using enough revs.....however, the second time was slowing down to a stop, going from 3rd to 2nd gear....
First service due in 3 weeks, will see how things go, but will defo mention it to the mechanics at Ocean.......

Hey Jaq
Had exact same issues on my way home from picking the bike up - stalled in 3rd going round a set of traffic lights but managed to restart, drop a gear and keep going, then also stalled slowing down and coming to a standstill at the petrol station. I have since had my bike serviced - didn't mention the stalling thing as put it down to pilot error, but I've dropped it twice in the last week, pulling out at junctions where its just stalled - in 1st - and come to a sharp stop. I must remember to rev it harder - you'd think after the 1,300 miles i've done on it i'd be used to it by now It also cuts out sometimes after i've stopped and the clutch is all way in - dunno what that's about.
It's funny too cos in 1st when i set off from the house it feels like the negine is running high - a bit like cars with automatic chokes used to..

I'd be interested in hearing what they say when you go for your service....

 

[paddy]

stalling

My 800GS had the stalling issue, had its frst service and all is now okay.

They did a software upgrade and has done the job.

By the way my bike has 1440 miles on her now, the more I ride it the more I like it, The seat is a bit hard though (Airhawk) now sorted, wind blast Givi screen on order.

Iam off to Garmisch Motorbike days next week so will be doing a few hours in the saddle.

Let you know what I think after another 1500miles.

Or see you in Garmisch.

 

[barryt]

Back wheel lock up

Not sure whether to be concerned or not - done about 700 miles on my 800GS and waiting for the first service.

Whilst out yesterday I came over an island in second, changed up to third and then as I clicked up to fourth the back wheel seemed to lock completely for a few seconds which set the arse end of the bike skidding and weaving all over the place. It then seemed to release and carry on.

I was definately not going down the gearbox and it didn't feel like a wrong gear selection as there was no engine braking at the same time as the skid - the bike still seemed to want to go forward.

Something I did wrong perhaps??

 

[barryt]

I've been out on the new twin cylinder F650GS today while my R1200GS was in for a service. On entering a small roundabout, in the rain, the rear wheel suddenly locked up and I got dumped on the floor. Only damage to bike was a broken front brake lever. I continued with my ride thinking I must have done something wrong, it was wet etc etc. However, after completing a ride of about 180 miles I was leaving a deceleration lane of the A46 near Caistor, went to let the clutch out and put power on and the rear wheel locked up again, fortunately it was dry and I was more prepared. Is this the type of thing the rest of you are experiencing?

This is exactly what happened to me yesterday - fortunately didn't drop the bike though. I wasn't slowing down - I'd just come off a roundabout and was accelerating up through the gears.

I assumed it was different to the stalling issue but maybe its related?

 

[emdub]

I've noticed this stalling issue on my bike, it's happened more often than on any other bike I've had, but had not yet thought of this as a problem. Now that I see all these reports I'm starting to worry because I have noticed this recurrent issue... I've had the 1000 km service done and I now have 4000 km on it. Wednesday 9th I'm fitting the full remus exhaust... I'll ask about this issue and report back. One thing I do notice that I didn't read in these 5 pages is that once it stalls it won't start immedeately and it takes an extra second or 3 for the start button to respond...

That said I did 110 km full throttle the other day (red shift light constantly blinking at 220 km/h). I stopped for gas once once, but it really was full throttle the whole rest of the time. There was no one on the road (it was past 2am) Then did 20 km of twisties and then a further 2 or 3 km off-road with no problems.

 

[BM_donator]

One thing I do notice that I didn't read in these 5 pages is that once it stalls it won't start immedeately and it takes an extra second or 3 for the start button to respond...

Good spot emdub - I have noticed that little delay too.

It's almost exactly the amount of time you need to panic and drop the bike when pulling onto a roundabout

 

[emdub]

Last week had 2 fixes on my bike that were recalls by BMW... one was the imobiliser antena which was substituted. Never gave me problems but hey, I'll have new parts any time.

2nd problem was this stalling issue which I was told is only "fixed " if the client complains. I was told it can be a problem on only some bikes. Anyway on the way home had it stall twice but hasn't happened again. What can I say...

I guess I need a few more km on it to figure out if it's still an issue...

A couple more days on it and no more stalls so far... one thing I do notice is that it seems smoother coming on to the throttle. I've read some people complaining about the 800's initial throttle blip that makes it harder off road to keep steady throttle at low speeds/ low gear. I too noticed this but didn't think of it as a flaw but rather as character... well it seems to be gone since the update. Either that or I've really gotten used to it and just don't notice it anymore. It seems smoother off the throttle in 1st or 2nd...

 

[lawe]

I've read some people complaining about the 800's initial throttle blip that makes it harder off road to keep steady throttle at low speeds/ low gear. I too noticed this but didn't think of it as a flaw but rather as character... well it seems to be gone since the update. Either that or I've really gotten used to it and just don't notice it anymore. It seems smoother off the throttle in 1st or 2nd...

What kind of update was it that was is? Was it just software? I have not had that much problems with stalling (just once) but I would really like the throttle a bit smoother on 1st gear.

 

[Tim Cullis]

This is sounding very much like an engine management remap for the F800GS.

The stalling problem is likely to be down to running too lean in an attempt to meet stupid euro regulations. As I understand it, changing the fueling to a richer mixture at low revs will
- prevent the engine stalling, and
- make pickup smoother.

(My first 1200GS was so terrible at low revs that I got into the habit of pulling the clutch at roundabouts. It was two years into the ownership before BMW managed to get the fueling right.)

Running through the thread some owners (paddy, Wizard, Scorpion1946) say the problem stopped after the first service. What's the betting a new map was uploaded to the bike?

emdub and BM donator point out that the stall as an issue is accompanied by an inability to restart for several seconds.

Tim

 

[paddy]

My update

Well I had my bike serviced at about 600 / 650 had a patch software download, bike now done 3500 miles, including a run to the Alps, that was 1700 miles, not one stall.
So I think like all new Machines it had a problem, now it's cured.

Love the bike very agile in the mountains, good in strong crosswinds, with an AIRHAWK 600 miles a day no problems. All in all I think its a super bike.

Best thing at present is the fuel consumption, 63mpg.

Paddy

 

[emdub]

I've just gotten back from a 700 km trip and not one single stall either. Pick up from idle is also definetly smoother. I'd say the problem is solved.

 

[Ludlovian]

This has just started happening on my 650

I have been taking an interest in this thread since taking delivery of my F650GS at the start of June.
For the first time today (bike has done 1300 miles and had 1st service at 700) it cut out THREE times. Each time I was decelerating in 2nd gear approaching either a junction or a roundabout. I will be putting a call into the dealer first thing.

 

[nigelc]

Just to add to the list.. I've done 3000 miles on mine. So far..
1) Its refused to start once after I bought petrol, I tuned it off and then it was fine. Just one of those things.
2) Stalled/cut-out or whatever it is 3 times so far. All have been after an hour plus riding, all when slowing down from speed and changing down. Luckily all in dry weather so no 'offs'. When I first got the bike there was a lot of slack in the throttle movement. I adjusted it after the 2nd stall and it has felt 'better'.. but it still did it again. I'm a pretty experienced rider and all I can say is that there is no warning at all so it is a bit scary. My current practice is to hold the throttle just off closed (rather than too much blip) as I change down. That way way I can tell if the engine is still working before I finally release the clutch. I'm not sure if that makes sense but it feels safer.

Apart from the stall, a lsightly hard seat and some vibration the bike is 100% what I wanted. It handles very well for a trail style machine, cruises at 80+ indicated, its done 120mph with panniers and barely sips the petrol. (62mpg according the the computer but never checked).

 

[jimbob59]

Stalling & vibration?

Nigel:

I wonder if there is an updated fuel map since you took delivery or had last service that might address the stalling? Might be worth ringing up the dealer?

Is there a way us non-diagnostic-tool owning guys can tell what mapping version we have ... I wonder?

On the vibration ... is it in the bars or the seat/body?
Just curious ... as there have been some other discussions on how to dampen bar vibration either with lead shot or with a 'barsnake" ...

http://barsnake.com/

Jim

 

[Tim Cullis]

I've had several stalls on the trip to the Pyrenees but these have been generally when the bike is at a halt with the clutch pulled in and the engine ticking over. There seems to be quite a lot of clutch 'drag' (if that's the right word), try pushing the bike around when it's in first with the clutch pulled in, it's quite difficult.

TIck over speed is around 1100-1200 revs which seems quite high, possibly in an attempt to prevent stalls?

No stalls on the move.

Tim

 

[R80GS_basic]

I had my bike through the first service last saturday at 1200km. I experienced the stalling issue (I counted 12 times during the first 1200km!) and it was always when slowing down / down shifting. I cannot tell about the others' experiences but in my case it was a very lean fuelling. I have some experience in riding and racing and I can tell if the stalling it's because of me or the bike... in anycase i mentioned this to the service and they installed a software upgrade on the bike's. I have done 500 km this weekend in Tuscany, with a bit of everything and not even once the bike stalled! So the issue should be solved...
Only lesson for me, coming from an old R80GS and off road competition bikes with solid carburetors is that bikes are more and more computer dependent... so if you have a lean fuelling, instead of changing the jetting... you just upload the latest software update... 2.1. and problem solved! ...I must be getting old to complain about these things! But other than this i just love this bike!
gianluca
------------------------------
www.gianlucamarucci.com

 

[BM_donator]

Had my engine remapped at dealers this afternoon.
Done a quick 50 miles and their is definitely an improvement in roll-on/roll-off on throttle response.
I was able to create the stall prior to the remap by using high revs and then backing fully off the throttle with the clutch in - I've tried a couple of times this afternoon and it hasn't happened yet.
Fingers crossed, but I think it may be fixed

btw, I counted at least 10 different items the software remap fixed on the work sheet but couldnt read them all upside down!

 

[martin c s]

Did your dealer do the remap as a warranty job? BM donator. I had the stalling 4 or 5 times in the bikes first 2000 miles but none for the last 2000 miles. My throttle response is very jerky at low speeds though so I am hoping a remap would help this.

 

[BM_donator]

Did your dealer do the remap as a warranty job? BM donator. I had the stalling 4 or 5 times in the bikes first 2000 miles but none for the last 2000 miles. My throttle response is very jerky at low speeds though so I am hoping a remap would help this.

Yes, it was under warranty. I think someone further up this thread said that dealers have been instructed to do the remap if customers complain.
I was living with the problem until I had three stalls in one day, the last of which caused me to (gently) drop the bike on a mini-roundabout. Nothing so severe as Brian’s accident in France, but enough to provoke me to get it sorted. Only damage to the bike was a lightly scuffed bar end.
PS. Had a great weekend riding around the East Mids with no stalls.