1300 GS Suspension and Adaptive Ride Height Errors

[JoeBiff]

Really?

Barry

Yep, really
He’s a forum-crawling bot whose life’s ambition seems to be to dump on the R13 threads. You’ll have noticed ….

Trawl the forum and see how much/little he’s posted on other R1200/1250 threads in the past, which will give you some idea where the guy’s heads at

Two words spring to mind…
Useful, and
Idiot.

Peace and love to all.

 

[Smartbazza]

So, took the GS out yesterday and got all three fault messages and they won’t clear. Bike is in low position.

Back to the dealers, K1600 bagger, Goldwing or Africa Twin next?

I’m convinced now it’s the lithium battery reacting to the colder weather as when in the Pyrenees I didn’t get the messages once.

Barry

 

[leadfarmer]

So, took the GS out yesterday and got all three fault messages and they won’t clear. Bike is in low position.

Back to the dealers, K1600 bagger, Goldwing or Africa Twin next?

I’m convinced now it’s the lithium battery reacting to the colder weather as when in the Pyrenees I didn’t get the messages once.

Barry

Bejeesus you’re really not having any luck with the 1300

I love mine but in your position I think I’d be looking for something else too

Hope you get sorted

 

[pbbanks]

So, took the GS out yesterday and got all three fault messages and they won’t clear. Bike is in low position.

Back to the dealers, K1600 bagger, Goldwing or Africa Twin next?

I’m convinced now it’s the lithium battery reacting to the colder weather as when in the Pyrenees I didn’t get the messages once.

Barry

Check under the rear shock to see if it has leaked any oil, if so it's possible the seals have gone on either the shock or the pump.
That's what happened to mine when it was stuck in the low suspension mode and no damping.

 

[Smartbazza]

Check under the rear shock to see if it has leaked any oil, if so it's possible the seals have gone on either the shock or the pump.
That's what happened to mine when it was stuck in the low suspension mode and no damping.

Thanks PB, had a look and it all looks dry. The first time I got the messages which appeared 30 seconds from starting they were cured by a quick off and on again. The dealer said this was due to the very small drop in voltage between switching on and starting that the bike read as an issue with the lithium battery.

Interestingly I’ve also read that they have been putting lead acid batteries in bikes destined for cooler climes eg Northern Ireland to cure this.

The part that makes me think that this may be the issue is that I had the warnings when I left NI for the Pyrenees but not once when away, but come home and get the warnings most trips that go away with the off on routine (more irritating).

Friday evening and yesterday was the first time the errors won’t clear. Hey ho back to the dealers we go.

Barry

 

[pbbanks]

Thanks PB, had a look and it all looks dry. The first time I got the messages which appeared 30 seconds from starting they were cured by a quick off and on again. The dealer said this was due to the very small drop in voltage between switching on and starting that the bike read as an issue with the lithium battery.

Interestingly I’ve also read that they have been putting lead acid batteries in bikes destined for cooler climes eg Northern Ireland to cure this.

The part that makes me think that this may be the issue is that I had the warnings when I left NI for the Pyrenees but not once when away, but come home and get the warnings most trips that go away with the off on routine (more irritating).

Friday evening and yesterday was the first time the errors won’t clear. Hey ho back to the dealers we go.

Barry

I've had 2 x 1300gs with lithium batteries and haven't had a problem with them. They do behave strangely on the TFT when it's displaying the voltage when you first switch the bike on. It starts off showing a low voltage but then it creeps up to around 13v.
It never caused a problem with the suspension errors I had.
Mine started occasionally throwing up the 3 usual suspension errors after riding a while and would appear after stopping at a junction, or in traffic. The suspension had lowered ok without errors but after setting off again and getting up to speed where it should raise it would fail. The errors appeared and it stayed in low until I stopped and switched the ignition off\on and started off again. It would then rise up to high until the next time. It would sometimes ride for 50 miles and be fine.
It got more frequent at throwing the errors. I booked it into the dealers and they did diagnostics and pointed out the rear shock was leaking.
After I left the dealers it would never go into high suspension mode!. Not sure whether the dishes had caused it to blow more oil out??.

So don't think mine was related to the battery.

As you will have seen on previous posts mine was eventually fixed after fitting a new shock, new pump, and finding a wiring fault. Time will tell how long it lasts as the original shock \pump etc. had lasted 5,800 miles.
Until BMW say if there is a known fault with the original pumps or shocks we wont know for certain what the cause is.

 

[botus]

this one doesn't even have ride height control - I think its really faults in dynamic ESA causing the issues for all of them

still stored on the bike as active

see lower picture - with the bike 2 inches higher than it was at the back, it transformed the handling - with some weight and better geometry at the front it felt like a real bike.... it was far more fun, stable and really happy in the bends

 

[Mad Paddy]

Smartbazza has your 1300gs had the pump fluid checked in the system as I had same same issues
10000kms ago my dealer checked and adjusted level of fluid in suspension pump and I’ve had no fault message since

 

[Smartbazza]

Smartbazza has your 1300gs had the pump fluid checked in the system as I had same same issues
10000kms ago my dealer checked and adjusted level of fluid in suspension pump and I’ve had no fault message since

Morning Paddy, they have previously told me they have completed the software updates and stated it's a voltage drop issue. I'm in on Wednesday so I'll mention the fluid check.

disappointing bit is that the bike was in for a service a couple of weeks ago. I told them of the issue, they ran a software update and I got the message about 100 yards from their door.

I am at the stage where if they cant tell me what the issue is it's goodbye 13GS and goodbye BMW (which i hope not).

Barry

 

[pbbanks]

Morning Paddy, they have previously told me they have completed the software updates and stated it's a voltage drop issue. I'm in on Wednesday so I'll mention the fluid check.

disappointing bit is that the bike was in for a service a couple of weeks ago. I told them of the issue, they ran a software update and I got the message about 100 yards from their door.

I am at the stage where if they cant tell me what the issue is it's goodbye 13GS and goodbye BMW (which i hope not).

Barry

They can now say it's "voltage drop" if it's stuck in low suspension & the battery is charged up.
It is stuck in low suspension mode now isn't it?.

 

[Smartbazza]

They can now say it's "voltage drop" if it's stuck in low suspension & the battery is charged up.
It is stuck in low suspension mode now isn't it?.

Took me a minute!

Barry

 

[pbbanks]

Took me a minute!

Barry

Meant to say "they can't say it's a voltage drop if it's now stuck in low mode & battery is charged up".

 

[Smartbazza]

Meant to say "they can't say it's a voltage drop if it's now stuck in low mode & battery is charged up".

lol. Agree.

I read your message as non existant voltage ‘drop’ when I have a suspension “drop”.

 

[Smartbazza]

Update, front shock did not have the correct amount of fluid in it from new. New pump, front shock, rear shock and……lithium battery being swapped out.

Barry

 

[pbbanks]

Update, front shock did not have the correct amount of fluid in it from new. New pump, front shock, rear shock and……lithium battery being swapped out.

Barry

Sounds like they don't know what's wrong so they're changing everything .
Hopefully sorted when they've done it all.
Mine has been ok since they changed the rear shock + they sorted out whatever was causing new pumps to fail after they fitted them (lin?? fault I was told).

 

[Smartbazza]

Sounds like they don't know what's wrong so they're changing everything .
Hopefully sorted when they've done it all.
Mine has been ok since they changed the rear shock + they sorted out whatever was causing new pumps to fail after they fitted them (lin?? fault I was told).

so they were able to find that the front shock apparently did not have the correct amount of fluid in it from new which meant the system struggled to calibrate itself.

they are having a problem with lack of fluid when new / fluid leaks. there is a tool they use to fill the system when the bike is being built but do not have this available to allow the dealers to adjust fluid levels thus they have to change everything (what I'm told). they are keeping it for a week to ensure everything is up and running.

I had a check yesterday and I have the photos of the three warnings that appeared the first time i used this bike in December. after several attempts at uploading new software etc I probably should have rejected the bike early in the year but because the warnings cleared on a restart I put up with it (until they became permanent a coupe of weeks ago).

Noting this is my second 13 to f' up it does make me think I should have bought a Stelvio as could they be any worse!!

Barry

 

[tasmanuk]

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.

 

[botus]

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.

 

[Tyzer]

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.

I did a 3,500 mile trip to Norway with pillion and luggage with the same warning lights coming on for the entire trip ,didn't cause me any issues thankfully.
As far as the dealer saying they'd never seen those warning lights sounds like total bollocking its a known fault.

 

[Tyzer]

To add,what is really piss poor is these issues are still happening.