2008 R1200GS Adventure Fuel Gauge Problem

[M1Tanker]

I just recently purchased a U.S. Spec. 2008 R1200 GS Adventure. I did not get the computer or ESA. I did get ABS and traction control. I have just over 1,000 miles on the bike now and have had the same problem with the fuel gauge since day 1. The fuel gauge reads either full, half, or on reserve with the flashing yellow triangle, “Fuel!” displayed, and miles to empty. I’ve been tracking this for a couple of weeks recording distance, fuel gauge reading, and amount of fuel put in the tank. It is always the same and I’ve never seen the LCD fuel gauge read ¾ tank or ¼ tank, just full, half, and reserve. The dealer is aware of the problem and verified the software at the 600 mile service. I’ve been keeping them abreast of the aforementioned information.
Additionally, I’ve been searching http://www.advrider.com/forums/index.php, http://forum.r12gs.eu/index.php?sid=a2e01c6eefa30df16c538304302e28f1, http://www.gs-forum.eu/
http://gsri.info/forum/index.php?page=Index, http://www.r1200gs.info/, http://www.ukgser.com/forums/, and http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/, and I’ve seen some information on 2007 model year fuel gauge problems but have not seen anything on 2008 model year fuel gauge issues such as what I have. Does anyone else out there have a 2008 R1200GS Adventure with this problem?

 

[simon2]

mine is exactly the same

Yes mine is exactly the same. But only done 600 miles, will mention it to the dealer at first service next week. But when I picked it up he did say the gauge stops in one place for a long time then go down quickly.

 

[marvellous thingys]

"Dont worry Sir, they all do that. Nothing to worry about.
By the way Ive banked your £11000.
Thankyou Sir , please call again".

 

[Attleborough]

I think it's a "feature" of the bike.

If I fill my 07, by the time I've done around 100 miles it the warning light is on saying less than 50 miles to go.

When I fill up I rarely get more than 11 - 12 ltrs in (about 1/2 a tank) So I'm getting around 45 - 50 to the gallon but the tank indicator is well

Can only suggest you return it as no fit for purpose.... or just do what the majority of us do which is to enjoy the bike and set the trip meter everytime you fill up and watch to fill up at around 150 ish miles.

HTH!

 

[M1Tanker]

Yes mine is exactly the same. But only done 600 miles, will mention it to the dealer at first service next week. But when I picked it up he did say the gauge stops in one place for a long time then go down quickly.

My dealer here in Germany said the same about the gauge stopping in one place for a long time and then goes down quickly. I've been riding autobahns to work and back for the past week or so. I've been riding at between 100-120mph and up to 130mph, so the bike's fuel consumption is high. Mine goes straight from full suddenly to half. The other day I started out with the fuel gauge reading half. After about 10 miles on the autobahn the yellow triangle flashed, "Fuel!" displayed, and it read 59 miles. I pulled immediately into a tankstelle and put in only about 4 liters of fuel. The tank then read half full. I'm continuing to track this, but I'm really convinced something is wrong.

 

[davedyer]

Can only suggest you return it as no fit for purpose....

Its purpose is to get you from A to B. A faulty fuel gauge doesn't stop it doing that because you can set the trip meter...

or just do what the majority of us do which is to enjoy the bike and set the trip meter everytime you fill up and watch to fill up at around 150 ish miles.

HTH!

Only 150? I comfortably get 200 - 230 miles from my 07 - didn't the 08 get a slightly bigger tank?

 

[FOGGY]

fuel gauge

take it to a dealer and get them to put LATEST NEW software into it. if its within warranty it'll cost you nowt.

 

[Richard M]

I had the latest software installed last week and this seems to have resolved the problem.

 

[bettlejuice]

New Software

I was told at my 600 ml service ( 1st May ) that the new software was not due for about a month , they tried to adjust it at the dealers but made no difference.

 

[Embee]

For what its worth, my new 08 GSA fuel gauge gives an accurate reading all the way down the scale, matching the trip and the miles-to go computer readout. Must be the latest software according to previous replies.

 

[KAYCEE]

I mentioned a similar probem to my dealer when the bike went in for it 600mile service. Before the "fix" the bike did about 300+ miles before the tank needed filled.
After the "fix", the guage didn't "fall" as quick but now suggests that the tank is empty after 220 miles. When I filled up, after the guage reading empty, the bike took 22 litres to fill up to "full". (11 litres still in the tank).

I'll "live" with it until the next time the bike goes into the dealer.

Kaycee

 

[Goose]

Maybe a serious look at the KTM's fuel guage should be done ... can it be modified? Seems a helluva lot of moolah to pay for a classy, expensive "willy-extension" that cannot accurately "gauge" the performance?

 

[M1Tanker]

As stated earlier. The dealer verified the software version at the 600 mile service. I'll go back to him and specifically ask what version was verified and if there is another newer version already out, and if not, if another version is planned. I do understand using the tripmeter, but fuel consumption varies quite a bit for me whether I'm on the autobahn or secondary roads.

Additionally, I think that fuel gauge accuracy is important if travel is done in more rural or desolate areas.

 

[FOGGY]

SOFTWARE

new software was available form 9th may.
make sure they have installed CIP 11.2.

 

[Attleborough]

Only 150? I comfortably get 200 - 230 miles from my 07 - didn't the 08 get a slightly bigger tank?

I'd rather fill up before I run out than before, hence the 50 mile cushion !

 

[Ali-bear]

I did not get the computer ...

At least you didn't get the useless computer as well as the useless fuel gauge.

 

[andrew_walke]

I think it's a "feature" of the bike.

If I fill my 07, by the time I've done around 100 miles it the warning light is on saying less than 50 miles to go.

When I fill up I rarely get more than 11 - 12 ltrs in (about 1/2 a tank) So I'm getting around 45 - 50 to the gallon but the tank indicator is well

Can only suggest you return it as no fit for purpose.... or just do what the majority of us do which is to enjoy the bike and set the trip meter everytime you fill up and watch to fill up at around 150 ish miles.

HTH!

When you fill up there is a rubber tube inside the tank which acts as a splash guard, if you keep on filling very slowly until the petrol is level with the base of the cap you will get 15 to 18 litres in there. I have been told that if you yank out the rubber bit it will fill quicker and you will get more in.

 

[stubox]

My 08 GSA has a suitably random approach to its fuel gauge and range on the trip computer. After 160miles the range says 80 and there are 2 bars showing.

At 220miles the range says 80 and there are 2 bars showing.

At 260miles the range says 80 and there are 2 bars showing.

At 290miles I filled up with 29L which matches the avg mpg readout.

So I'll use the trip from now on.

Stu

 

[M1Tanker]

Last week I asked the Kaiserslautern, Germany BMW dealer, from whom I purchased the bike, if CIP 11.2 addressed the fuel gauge issue and he said that it did not. I received a phone call from him yesterday and he told me that BMW did acknowledge that there is definitely a problem with the fuel gauge displaying the incorrect fuel level and it will be addressed in a future software drop. The dealer also told me that he did not need me to continue sending detailed information regarding gauge reading, miles driven, and quantity of fuel put in tank when refueling.

 

[strod]

I picked up a 2008 GSA in April, just experienced an interesting fuel gauge display issue - the reading went down to circa 1/4 to a 1/3 of a tank, as expected after recent use.

However, after being stationary at a junction on an incline, the reading changed to circa 1/2 to 2/3 of a tank, with the "useless" computer changing/increasing the expected tank range in line with the new fuel gauge display. This did not revert after return to a flat surface, and I continued to use the bike without apparently using any petrol for several trips - useful given the escalating price of fuel these days I guess.

This then suddenly changed when the guage plummeted from 1/2 full to one bar, and the fuel warning triangle was illuminated accordingly....followed by a £35 tank refill!

so far, this has been a one off event, but I guess I should see what the dealer has to say anyway - North Oxford Garage