1300 GS Suspension and Adaptive Ride Height Errors

highly unlikely you can take a loan bike abroad - most places stopped it after Brexit

Taking a UK Rental Bike Abroad​

Approval Requirements​

You cannot take a rental bike from the UK abroad without prior approval from the rental company. It is crucial to check the specific policies of the rental company regarding international travel with their bikes.

Steps to Follow​

  1. Contact the Rental Company: Before planning your trip, reach out to the rental company to inquire about their policy on taking bikes abroad.
  2. Obtain Documentation: If the rental company allows it, ensure you receive any necessary documentation that permits you to take the bike out of the country.
  3. Check Local Regulations: Familiarize yourself with the regulations of the country you plan to visit regarding bike transport.

Important Considerations​

  • Insurance: Verify if your insurance covers the bike while traveling abroad.
  • Equipment: Ensure you have any required equipment for biking in the destination country, such as lights or reflective gear.


Vehicle Logbook Requirements for Riding Abroad​

Taking Your Own Vehicle​

  • Log Book (V5C): Yes, you must take the vehicle log book (V5C) with you if you are taking your own vehicle abroad for less than 12 months.
  • Address Requirement: Ensure that the V5C shows your most recent address in the UK.

Additional Documentation​

When traveling with your vehicle, also consider the following:

  • Insurance Certificate: Carry your motor insurance certificate.
  • MOT Certificate: Ensure your vehicle has a current MOT.
  • International Driving Permit (IDP): Check if you need an IDP for the countries you are visiting.
You muppet..🤣 That’s alway been the case for rented vehicles….
 
I have a 2025 R1300GS and started to get the 3 error messages after I had done about 3000 miles, around Oct last year (purchased in July). I informed my dealer of this when I booked it in late last year for an early service. The service was yesterday and I had the errors come up 3 times on the 90 mile trip to the dealer. Anyway they informed me that they had never seem those errors before and that a software update should fix it. They had to keep the bike overnight so they lent me a brand new Trophy model with the auto box.

So this morning I got the call saying the errors hadn't been fixed and that they were in discussions with BMW and they mentioned replacing a pump. I'm hoping that will fix it, however my concern is that I am heading to Spain on Wednesday next week and that they won't either get the part or fix the issue before then. I can't imagine they will let me use the loan bike for a 2 week, 3000 mile trip so its more likely I will have to get my bike back and go on the trip knowing the errors will appear. However will BMW still perform the work under warranty if they know I am doing a big trip on it while it has these errors? Would seem unfair for me to be penalised when it's their issue.
Good news is I got the pump and both shocks changed and it has cured the messages issues. By way of comfort I did 6000miles on the bike from the messages started including a trip to Spain and France.
Barry
 
Thankyou. Thats good to know, especially about not having any issues on your trip
 
Unfortunately the issue hasn't been fixed in time for my trip. Apparently they need some special suspension fluid which is being shipped from BMW in Germany. So I have my bike back but now the error messages stay on all the time and don't get cleared by turning the bike off and on again. None of them stop riding but it's annoying being stuck in the low suspension setting the whole time. Might be my imagination but doesn't seem as comfortable. Hopefully doesn't spoil the riding in the mountains.

They will be fixing it properly when I get back and before I head off on my next one. Very disappointed that a very expensive bike with only 3500 miles on the clock has this issue and nobody can seem to explain why. Like some of you here, I will be having a word with BMW customer services once the issue is resolved.
 
Unfortunately the issue hasn't been fixed in time for my trip. Apparently they need some special suspension fluid which is being shipped from BMW in Germany. So I have my bike back but now the error messages stay on all the time and don't get cleared by turning the bike off and on again. None of them stop riding but it's annoying being stuck in the low suspension setting the whole time. Might be my imagination but doesn't seem as comfortable. Hopefully doesn't spoil the riding in the mountains.

They will be fixing it properly when I get back and before I head off on my next one. Very disappointed that a very expensive bike with only 3500 miles on the clock has this issue and nobody can seem to explain why. Like some of you here, I will be having a word with BMW customer services once the issue is resolved.
I’d advise you to raise a case with BMW customer services now and emphasise your dissatisfaction, and what you expect in terms of compensation for the bike not functioning correctly.

Cheers
Tony
 
Unfortunately the issue hasn't been fixed in time for my trip. Apparently they need some special suspension fluid which is being shipped from BMW in Germany. So I have my bike back but now the error messages stay on all the time and don't get cleared by turning the bike off and on again. None of them stop riding but it's annoying being stuck in the low suspension setting the whole time. Might be my imagination but doesn't seem as comfortable. Hopefully doesn't spoil the riding in the mountains.

They will be fixing it properly when I get back and before I head off on my next one. Very disappointed that a very expensive bike with only 3500 miles on the clock has this issue and nobody can seem to explain why. Like some of you here, I will be having a word with BMW customer services once the issue is resolved.
That’s exactly what happened to my bike. I got the warning the first time I rode it and they updated the software. Every other time ( roughly) I rode the bike I got the warnings and they updated suspension stayed low however at the first junction I flicked it off and on and it cleared for the rest the day.

Interestingly it didn’t happen once on my 3000milentrip to Spain and France last summer which initially was cited as being to do with the starting voltage drop however more likely the fluid volume may have been impacted by the higher temps.

Eventually the messages would mot clear / bike stayed low before it went in the get sorted. Pre Xmas the dealer did not have the tooling to adjust the oil level this they replaced everything but as you say this may have changed.

Be aware the pegs are significantly lower now and will touch down remarkably easily. Have a good trip.

Personally I would be asking the dealer to borrow their fleet bike for the trip noting it is not a rental.

Barry
 
That’s exactly what happened to my bike. I got the warning the first time I rode it and they updated the software. Every other time ( roughly) I rode the bike I got the warnings and they updated suspension stayed low however at the first junction I flicked it off and on and it cleared for the rest the day.

Interestingly it didn’t happen once on my 3000milentrip to Spain and France last summer which initially was cited as being to do with the starting voltage drop however more likely the fluid volume may have been impacted by the higher temps.

Eventually the messages would mot clear / bike stayed low before it went in the get sorted. Pre Xmas the dealer did not have the tooling to adjust the oil level this they replaced everything but as you say this may have changed.

Be aware the pegs are significantly lower now and will touch down remarkably easily. Have a good trip.

Personally I would be asking the dealer to borrow their fleet bike for the trip noting it is not a rental.

Barry
I did mention taking their bike but they said that wasn't allowed.

I will just have to live with the lower ride height and ride accordingly. Annoying as I was looking forward to trying the GS in the mountains. Rode an RT for 4 years so was keen to see what it was like having a lot less weight. Anyway I think it is going to be wet for the whole 2 weeks so that will slow me down anyway.
 
Sorry to hear they can't get it fixed in time. Very frustrating.
I've had the same problem and the bike felt a little wooden without the adjustable height operation although perfectly ridable.
My issue was fixed with a new pump and the fluid your talking about I guess.

For what it's worth I've just come back from Northern Spain and spent a good deal of time in Enduro (so always in the low position).
For whatever reason I found this setting really suited me on the twisty more technical sections and gave more than enough power to accelerate strongly up towards the next chicane - and also around towns etc it was good in little streets / cobbles.
NB - no ABS in Enduro.

Did take it down a few tracks and gravel roads too - switching satnav to shortest rather than fastest is a real hoot but not to everyone's taste!

Lastly - the weather forecast was pretty poor but in the end it only rained a couple of times briefly over 8 days and always seems to dry up fast.
Hope you have a great trip regardless (but be sure to tell customer service how much it spoilt your experience).
 
Sorry to hear they can't get it fixed in time. Very frustrating.
I've had the same problem and the bike felt a little wooden without the adjustable height operation although perfectly ridable.
My issue was fixed with a new pump and the fluid your talking about I guess.

For what it's worth I've just come back from Northern Spain and spent a good deal of time in Enduro (so always in the low position).
For whatever reason I found this setting really suited me on the twisty more technical sections and gave more than enough power to accelerate strongly up towards the next chicane - and also around towns etc it was good in little streets / cobbles.
NB - no ABS in Enduro.

Did take it down a few tracks and gravel roads too - switching satnav to shortest rather than fastest is a real hoot but not to everyone's taste!

Lastly - the weather forecast was pretty poor but in the end it only rained a couple of times briefly over 8 days and always seems to dry up fast.
Hope you have a great trip regardless (but be sure to tell customer service how much it spoilt your experience).
I thought in enduro mode the bike would never go in the low position ? I will have to read the manual 🥴
 
Unfortunately the issue hasn't been fixed in time for my trip. Apparently they need some special suspension fluid which is being shipped from BMW in Germany. So I have my bike back but now the error messages stay on all the time and don't get cleared by turning the bike off and on again. None of them stop riding but it's annoying being stuck in the low suspension setting the whole time. Might be my imagination but doesn't seem as comfortable. Hopefully doesn't spoil the riding in the mountains.

They will be fixing it properly when I get back and before I head off on my next one. Very disappointed that a very expensive bike with only 3500 miles on the clock has this issue and nobody can seem to explain why. Like some of you here, I will be having a word with BMW customer services once the issue is resolved.
You will need to ride cautiously especially on corners with bumps as it will ground out due to being in the low position. (Been there done that).
Surprised at BMW even releasing the bike as really it is a safety issue.
 


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