1300 GS Suspension and Adaptive Ride Height Errors

[gsig]

My new bike has displayed the following warning on 3 occasions in the first 500 miles.
Is this the same message you were referring to?

Same problem for me. Here's my story.
I initially had 6,000 problem free, predominately 2-up, miles. However during a solo ride with a buddy to, around, and back from the Pyrenees, consisting of 2,000 enthusiastic miles in some pretty hot weather, I had the same 3 errors messages. At the same time the suspension defaulted to its lowest position and remained there. Whilst this happened, the usual dash white down arrow, turned to a yellow colour.
On my return I took the bike to my dealer who initially diagnosed a software issue. Updating did not fix the problem. They then said there was air in the hydraulic suspension system. Bleeding did not fix it. They then said the hydraulic fluid was low, so refilled and re-bled the system again. Yippee! This appeared to fix the issue. When I went to collect the bike all seemed to work OK. However, on my journey home, after only 3 miles, the error messages re-occurred and the suspension again stopped working and dropped to the low position.
I rode straight back to the dealer and, after 45mins or so, they informed me that the hydraulic suspension pump had totally failed. After a few calls to BMW Motorrad, they informed me that a replacement pump was not currently avaliable as an upgraded pump was being sought. Nearly 6 weeks later I was told the new spec pump was in (part no. 33545B61604). On Monday 22nd Sept, the bike is booked in for 2 days to fit the new pump. Hopefully this will properly address the route cause problem and fix the issue. I will update you later next week.

 

[mew]

Mine did the same, got home and restarted the bike & no errors. Been out today , 120 miles and no issues but bike booked in 1st October at Sycamore Peterborough for a dianostic check........ not impressed its taken so long to get it in for a "look".
It seems the repair is a new pump which i will be insisting on

 

[logman203]

After having 2 suspension failures over the last year (see earlier posts) and having software updates solve the issue both times, I booked my bike in at Wollaston, Northampton in early August as I was aware that there was a new software update and wanted to get on the latest software prior to a 2 week trip down to Spain and Portugal. The software update installed correctly, but the system would not recalibrate successfully and kept throwing errors. A new hydraulic pump was identified as the root cause and fortunately Wollaston could get one the next day and installed the new pump. Everything was absolultely fine for our 2 week, 2 up, trip to Spain and Portugal .......so in my situation it does appear that the hydraulic pump is the weak link and needs replacing. Excellent service and responsiveness from the team at Wollaston.

 

[pbbanks]

Update on my 1300gs with failed rear shock and bike stuck in low setting.

It has now been in the dealers since 8th August & they have fitted a new rear shock and pump. The new pump failed and they have fitted another new pump, which also failed configuration. They have contacted BMW again and they want them to fit yet another new pump!. Dealer would like to try a new control unit but BMW insist they try the third new pump first!.
BMW Germany are now involved but I don't know the details of what they will do. I did raise a complaint 7 days ago with BMW customer services but they haven't offered any useful information other than saying they will contact the dealer (which I have obviously already done).

There is something seriously wrong with these bikes & the adaptive ride height failures and BMW doesn't seem to be owning up to the problems & don't seem to know how to fix them.
One pump failing could be just one of those things, the second new pump failing could be an unlucky coincidence, but a third new pump failing is beyond coincidence!.

The dealer is sick of it, and so am I.
Only saving grace is they have lent me a demo base model 1300gs until my bike is fixed.

Thinking of looking at the KTM 1390 with the auto box next year as I'm loosing faith in BMW.

 

[JoeBiff]

There is something seriously wrong with these bikes & the adaptive ride height failures and BMW doesn't seem to be owning up to the problems & don't seem to know how to fix them.

BMW should ask Botus-Bloke on here. He seems to have the answer to everything…

Thinking of looking at the KTM 1390 with the auto box next year as I'm loosing faith in BMW.

TBH - without pissing on anyone’s chips, I don’t think even KT have it right, either; I’ve heard stories kicking around that even they have their issues with long lead-in times for parts and repairs. Seems like you pays your money and takes your choice?

Sorry to hear of your experience and hope you get your bike fixed and returned swiftly but shit like this can take the shine right off ownership. Incidentally, did you speak to me last Saturday in the pissing rain at Fimber? If it was, I apologise for having to abruptly leave you, mid-story.

 

[logman203]

Update on my 1300gs with failed rear shock and bike stuck in low setting.

It has now been in the dealers since 8th August & they have fitted a new rear shock and pump. The new pump failed and they have fitted another new pump, which also failed configuration. They have contacted BMW again and they want them to fit yet another new pump!. Dealer would like to try a new control unit but BMW insist they try the third new pump first!.
BMW Germany are now involved but I don't know the details of what they will do. I did raise a complaint 7 days ago with BMW customer services but they haven't offered any useful information other than saying they will contact the dealer (which I have obviously already done).

There is something seriously wrong with these bikes & the adaptive ride height failures and BMW doesn't seem to be owning up to the problems & don't seem to know how to fix them.
One pump failing could be just one of those things, the second new pump failing could be an unlucky coincidence, but a third new pump failing is beyond coincidence!.

The dealer is sick of it, and so am I.
Only saving grace is they have lent me a demo base model 1300gs until my bike is fixed.

Thinking of looking at the KTM 1390 with the auto box next year as I'm loosing faith in BMW.

Be very clear with BMW customer services regarding what you want in compensation for these failures. For my 2 failures, I now have a 3 year service plan and an extra years warranty all free of charge. This is the first time in all of my years of GS ownership that I have needed to contact BMW customer services and express my dissatisfaction regarding these failures. In my situation, my BMW dealer have resolved the failures and I am happy with the response from BMW customer services.

 

[pbbanks]

BMW should ask Botus-Bloke on here. He seems to have the answer to everything…


TBH - without pissing on anyone’s chips, I don’t think even KT have it right, either; I’ve heard stories kicking around that even they have their issues with long lead-in times for parts and repairs. Seems like you pays your money and takes your choice?

Sorry to hear of your experience and hope you get your bike fixed and returned swiftly but shit like this can take the shine right off ownership. Incidentally, did you speak to me last Saturday in the pissing rain at Fimber? If it was, I apologise for having to abruptly leave you, mid-story.

Yes, that would have been me at Fimber.
It did start raining heavier so I was glad I was in the car, no need to apologies.
(Could ask Vertu if they want advice from Botus but I don't think they'd be impressed ) . Mind you, he does seem to have plenty of time searching the internet & does find some BMW technical info. sometimes.

You'll see from my last post my bike still isn't fixed & the dealer will now be fitting a 3rd new pump (apparently not their decision but BMW's !).
Things all seem to be a bit disjointed with the communication between dealers and BMW technical support.

 

[pbbanks]

Be very clear with BMW customer services regarding what you want in compensation for these failures. For my 2 failures, I now have a 3 year service plan and an extra years warranty all free of charge. This is the first time in all of my years of GS ownership that I have needed to contact BMW customer services and express my dissatisfaction regarding these failures. In my situation, my BMW dealer have resolved the failures and I am happy with the response from BMW customer services.

I'll see if customer services come back with anything after (& at the current rate of progress IF they fix it!) .
I have suggested they supply a new bike if they can't fix it .

Hopefully it will be fixed soon & all ok .

 

[JoeBiff]

I'll see if customer services come back with anything after (& at the current rate of progress IF they fix it!) .
I have suggested they supply a new bike if they can't fix it .

Hopefully it will be fixed soon & all ok .

They’re cracking machines both for handling and engine; both aspects are hard to fault.
I hope you get a swift, and appropriate remedy to it all.

 

[TaskMule]

I'll see if customer services come back with anything after (& at the current rate of progress IF they fix it!) .
I have suggested they supply a new bike if they can't fix it .

Hopefully it will be fixed soon & all ok .

My opinion is that now that it's escalated to head office and they are ordering a third (or whatever number it is now) pump then if that one fails then a new bike would be the only fix. Maybe one without the pump system

 

[gsig]

Yes, that would have been me at Fimber.
It did start raining heavier so I was glad I was in the car, no need to apologies.
(Could ask Vertu if they want advice from Botus but I don't think they'd be impressed ) . Mind you, he does seem to have plenty of time searching the internet & does find some BMW technical info. sometimes.

You'll see from my last post my bike still isn't fixed & the dealer will now be fitting a 3rd new pump (apparently not their decision but BMW's !).
Things all seem to be a bit disjointed with the communication between dealers and BMW technical support.

Just checking, are you sure the 2 earlier pumps fitted were the new spec? I only ask as I was told the new ones have only just been made available hence the delay from BMW Motorrad.

 

[gateway77]

My pump was changed back in mid July after multiple visits to the dealers - thankfully (and fingers crossed) no issues since then over five thousand miles.
It seems very frustrating for all concerned; the customers and the dealers who can only do what BMW head office instruct - and clearly this issue has taken them some time to identify and resolve.
Personally I think BMW should be doing quite a lot more to keep their customers happy and with the brand - I really love the way my bike handles / rides and don't think it can be improved (for me) - but I've started to consider other options looking ahead.

 

[pbbanks]

Just checking, are you sure the 2 earlier pumps fitted were the new spec? I only ask as I was told the new ones have only just been made available hence the delay from BMW Motorrad.

The dealer said they were the new spec. pumps. They are in touch with BMW about the issue so I assume they are.
Presume even the older ones worked until they failed , from what they say they can't get the ones supplied to calibrate at all. Dealer wanted to try a new control unit but last I heard BMW insisted on another new pump first ??. .
Doesn't make sense to me. I'm letting it be their problem now rather than my problem .

 

[gsig]

Same problem for me. Here's my story.
I initially had 6,000 problem free, predominately 2-up, miles. However during a solo ride with a buddy to, around, and back from the Pyrenees, consisting of 2,000 enthusiastic miles in some pretty hot weather, I had the same 3 errors messages. At the same time the suspension defaulted to its lowest position and remained there. Whilst this happened, the usual dash white down arrow, turned to a yellow colour.
On my return I took the bike to my dealer who initially diagnosed a software issue. Updating did not fix the problem. They then said there was air in the hydraulic suspension system. Bleeding did not fix it. They then said the hydraulic fluid was low, so refilled and re-bled the system again. Yippee! This appeared to fix the issue. When I went to collect the bike all seemed to work OK. However, on my journey home, after only 3 miles, the error messages re-occurred and the suspension again stopped working and dropped to the low position.
I rode straight back to the dealer and, after 45mins or so, they informed me that the hydraulic suspension pump had totally failed. After a few calls to BMW Motorrad, they informed me that a replacement pump was not currently avaliable as an upgraded pump was being sought. Nearly 6 weeks later I was told the new spec pump was in (part no. 33545B61604). On Monday 22nd Sept, the bike is booked in for 2 days to fit the new pump. Hopefully this will properly address the route cause problem and fix the issue. I will update you later next week.

Following on from above, I picked my bike up this afternoon with the new spec hydraulic suspension pump fitted. Took it for a 150 mile 'test' ride and all appears to be fixed. Hopefully all will be well from now on as I love the bike.

 

[pbbanks]

I heard today that the long running saga of my 1300gs ASA suspension failure has finally been fixed. That's after 3 new pumps & 2 months.
I asked what the final resolution was and they say it was a line fault which as I understand is a fault in the canbus wiring.

I will get the bike back next week & hopefully it sorted.

I can now understand why it has been difficult to find the fault if it was a break or a short somewhere in the wiring.
I don't know if a fault in the wiring could have caused the suspension pump to over pressure & fail in the first place & loose oil from the suspension and make it go into permanent low suspension setting??. Or if removing and fitting the new shocks and pump\s could have accidently caused the wiring fault??.

all's well going forward.

 

[botus]

they don't last as long as they used to - check the mileage

 

[Smartbazza]

they don't last as long as they used to - check the mileage

Did you restart and it cleared?

Barry

 

[leadfarmer]

Did you restart and it cleared?

Barry

He’s never even ridden one

 

[Smartbazza]

He’s never even ridden one

Really?

Barry

 

[botus]

Did you restart and it cleared?

Barry

yes - but ten other faults stored for other stuff