Another great article writen by Nick V

Thanks Paul! :thumb

I've noticed that there have been a lot of 'RTFM' issues surrounding operation of the LC controls.
My personal feeling is that the factory-issue BMW manual is difficult to read because a lot of the information is written in a confusing manner, and in 'German English'.

I attempted to solve this by describing operation of the controls and display in a way that is task-oriented, not feature-oriented.

The following are described in the doc:
- Understanding differences in throttle-response characteristics.
- Accessing the riding modes.
- Selecting the riding modes.
- Enabling access to Enduro Pro mode using the coding plug.
- Customizing the digital display, customizing vehicle software functions and enabling ‘hidden’ software functions (by using 'BC Custom' mode).

Feedback from LC owners welcome!
 
Thanks for a very well written article, pity BMW couldn't manage something better than theirs which reads like it was written in German and translated by sub con in China!
My 2014 GS must be set for custom BC as I have the extra display functions but alterations to ESA settings in each mode are lost when the ignition is switched off, and, I think, are also lost as I switch between modes although I'll have to check this last point.
 
Very helpful, thanks for taking the time to do this :clap
 
JayGee said:
Thanks for a very well written article, pity BMW couldn't manage something better than theirs which reads like it was written in German and translated by sub con in China!
My 2014 GS must be set for custom BC as I have the extra display functions but alterations to ESA settings in each mode are lost when the ignition is switched off, and, I think, are also lost as I switch between modes although I'll have to check this last point.
Click to expand...

This from page 4-62 of the 1 Oct. 2012-onward BMW manual:
"The riding mode set, with the corresponding adaptations of engine characteristics, ABS, ASC and Dynamic ESA, is retained even after the ignition has been switched off."
 No qualifications are mentioned whereby the trip computer has to be in 'Custom' mode, or the coding plug inserted.

But then on page 4-63, the manual makes the same assertion in specific reference to the coding plug being inserted:
"The selected riding mode is retained in memory, even after the ignition is switched off."

I've just checked on my bike: the ESA damping reverts to it's default setting for each riding mode if the ignition is switched off with the coding plug not inserted. If the plug IS inserted, only then are any riding-mode customizations stored for the next ride.

This means two things:
  1. I mis-read the manual at some point. I thought I saw a stipulation in there that if the trip computer was in 'Basic' mode, the riding modes reverted to default settings when the ignition was switched off.
  2. I also assumed that the BMW manual is telling God's truth. It isn't. Page 4-63 tells the truth, but page 4-62 tells a contradictory version of the same story. :mad:

The upshot of this is: if you want the bike to retain your custom ride settings, you have to insert the coding plug.

My bad. :eek: I'll put out a V1.1 ASAP, and ask Paul to scrap V1.0.
 
Article corrected, and new version forwarded to Paul for publication a few minutes ago. :) My apologies for the error!

If using this document for reference, please check the version number (listed on the footer). The updated version is V1.1.
 
Nick V said:
I've just checked on my bike: the ESA damping reverts to it's default setting for each riding mode if the ignition is switched off with the coding plug not inserted. If the plug IS inserted, only then are any riding-mode customizations stored for the next ride.

The upshot of this is: if you want the bike to retain your custom ride settings, you have to insert the coding plug.
Click to expand...

Apologies if I throw a spanner in the works. I had a software update last September following issues with my ESA. I do not have the coding plug inserted but it does retain my custom riding settings. For example, if in Road mode, I select the Soft setting - it will retain that setting through ignition on/off sequences. Maybe this is peculiar to my bike and not others ??
 
Nick V said:
Article corrected, and new version forwarded to Paul for publication a few minutes ago. :) My apologies for the error!

If using this document for reference, please check the version number (listed on the footer). The updated version is V1.1.
Click to expand...
Thanks for enlightening me/us, I wasn't really pointing out an error, just what seems to be the case with my bike. It could of course change with s/w updates but obviously the BMW manual isn't 100% correct.
 
PaulW said:
Apologies if I throw a spanner in the works. I had a software update last September following issues with my ESA. I do not have the coding plug inserted but it does retain my custom riding settings. For example, if in Road mode, I select the Soft setting - it will retain that setting through ignition on/off sequences. Maybe this is peculiar to my bike and not others ??
Click to expand...

It could well be that the software has changed in this regard - if so, the same behaviour may well appear on the newest bikes.
Can anyone else with a very recent GS / GSA verify this?
 
Nick V said:
It could well be that the software has changed in this regard - if so, the same behaviour may well appear on the newest bikes.
Can anyone else with a very recent GS / GSA verify this?
Click to expand...

My enduro plug is plugged in, but if I remember to unplug it, will give it a go.:thumb

Great article, BTW.:thumb
 
Nick V said:
Thanks Paul! :thumb

I've noticed that there have been a lot of 'RTFM' issues surrounding operation of the LC controls.
My personal feeling is that the factory-issue BMW manual is difficult to read because a lot of the information is written in a confusing manner, and in 'German English'.

I attempted to solve this by describing operation of the controls and display in a way that is task-oriented, not feature-oriented.

The following are described in the doc:
- Understanding differences in throttle-response characteristics.
- Accessing the riding modes.
- Selecting the riding modes.
- Enabling access to Enduro Pro mode using the coding plug.
- Customizing the digital display, customizing vehicle software functions and enabling ‘hidden’ software functions (by using 'BC Custom' mode).

Feedback from LC owners welcome!
Click to expand...

Very good, Nick

Hugely instructional

When you get a minute, one for a 1150GSA would be good
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
Very good, Nick

Hugely instructional

When you get a minute, one for a 1150GSA would be good
Click to expand...

I'll do one.:thumb

Put key in, pray that it'll start, then if it does, make the most of it, before it breaks down.:aidan
 
Many thanks Nick,it's shed some light on a couple of things I was struggling with.

Steve

p.s. It doesn't take much to make me struggle :D
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
Very good, Nick

Hugely instructional

When you get a minute, one for a 1150GSA would be good
Click to expand...

Thanks to everyone who gave kudos for this! :) It's greatly appreciated.

Johnny, I'd love to - but I'd probably be talking through my hat.
The last oilhead I owned was an R1100S, and that bike (sadly) went to the great racetrack in the sky in August 2008...

There are links to some excellent how-tos (including one on re-building a broken ABS regulator) on the ADVrider site. ;)
 
Nick V said:
Thanks to everyone who gave kudos for this! :) It's greatly appreciated.

Johnny, I'd love to - but I'd probably be talking through my hat.
The last oilhead I owned was an R1100S, and that bike (sadly) went to the great racetrack in the sky in August 2008...

There are links to some excellent how-tos (including one on re-building a broken ABS regulator) on the ADVrider site. ;)
Click to expand...

Shame about the 11S, one superb bike

Enjoy your new stead, it looks great

Sadly I'm too technophobic to upgrade:blast
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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