fleagle
Registered user
The bike broke down yesterday. Thankfully it was at the end of a three week European tour just 100 miles from home. Could have been so much worst!
2008 R1200GSA. Symptoms as follows:
Riding home yesterday the battery symbol came up on the computer display. I was almost home after a 4500 mile trip, on a busy stretch of the A1. I pressed on.
The red warning light also came on but the bike didn't go into limp home mode.
Few miles later the dash display started flickering on and off, before eventually dying. Speedo needle fell back to rest position, tacho needle stuck at whatever position it was in when the display died. The bike continued running fine.
A few miles further and the engine cut out so I coasted to a halt.
Each attempt to start the engine just gave a single loud click from the starter motor.
At one point, while stopped, I'm sure the Garmin lost power even though it's directly connected to the battery and was sat in the mount. However I wouldn't put my house on that - I was v tired.
All lights, except the dead bulb obviously, worked fine with the electrics turned on.
The dash also illuminated ok once the engine was turned off. The battery symbol and red warning triangle disappeared.
All connections appeared ok. Disconected non-essentials from battery terminals (Garmin and Optimate leads). Eventually called breakdown recovery. Bike fired up no problem with a booster attached to battery. A voltmeter over battery terminals showed really low readings, both with engine running and engine stopped.
Bike was rolled into back of van and they got me home.
Few additional things, which may or may not be important:
Couple of days ago the front dipped bulb went. Got the LAMPF! warning. Probably not related but I'll mention it anyway.
For the last few days the bike has needed a few extra revs to pull away when cold. It's been really heavilly loaded so didn't think anything of it although it was fine for the first few weeks of trip. I didn't really think anything of it until I broke down and again may not be related.
As a side note, Carole Nash sent out SOS Motorcycle Recovery Services. Those guys were great. They only do bikes so you get a van, not a flat back or car transporter. Bike is a couple of months out of warranty which is why it didn't go through BMW assist.
Bike is booked in to the dealers on Frinday for a service. Is there anything I can check first before the dealer stings me?
Cheers guys, Dave
2008 R1200GSA. Symptoms as follows:
Riding home yesterday the battery symbol came up on the computer display. I was almost home after a 4500 mile trip, on a busy stretch of the A1. I pressed on.
The red warning light also came on but the bike didn't go into limp home mode.
Few miles later the dash display started flickering on and off, before eventually dying. Speedo needle fell back to rest position, tacho needle stuck at whatever position it was in when the display died. The bike continued running fine.
A few miles further and the engine cut out so I coasted to a halt.
Each attempt to start the engine just gave a single loud click from the starter motor.
At one point, while stopped, I'm sure the Garmin lost power even though it's directly connected to the battery and was sat in the mount. However I wouldn't put my house on that - I was v tired.
All lights, except the dead bulb obviously, worked fine with the electrics turned on.
The dash also illuminated ok once the engine was turned off. The battery symbol and red warning triangle disappeared.
All connections appeared ok. Disconected non-essentials from battery terminals (Garmin and Optimate leads). Eventually called breakdown recovery. Bike fired up no problem with a booster attached to battery. A voltmeter over battery terminals showed really low readings, both with engine running and engine stopped.
Bike was rolled into back of van and they got me home.
Few additional things, which may or may not be important:
Couple of days ago the front dipped bulb went. Got the LAMPF! warning. Probably not related but I'll mention it anyway.
For the last few days the bike has needed a few extra revs to pull away when cold. It's been really heavilly loaded so didn't think anything of it although it was fine for the first few weeks of trip. I didn't really think anything of it until I broke down and again may not be related.
As a side note, Carole Nash sent out SOS Motorcycle Recovery Services. Those guys were great. They only do bikes so you get a van, not a flat back or car transporter. Bike is a couple of months out of warranty which is why it didn't go through BMW assist.
Bike is booked in to the dealers on Frinday for a service. Is there anything I can check first before the dealer stings me?
Cheers guys, Dave
