comments on fuel pump failure thread

[Tim Cullis]

Wapping seems to be on the same side?

So you're not sure either...

 

[judge]

So you're not sure either...

You could always just gag him and hope he goes away if he's being too testy for you

 

[Steptoe]

So you're not sure either...

I'll run a poll and put my findings to all the 1200 owners.

 

[st247]

I think you will find that Tim said he had finished collecting the names and had withdrawn from the project. That provoked the dummy spitting retort from some quarters. I simply thought it a pity if two or more days' work were to be wasted and suggested that someone (myself if necessary) took it on. He now seems to have restarted, so all is well.

I agree that it's best to sort the data properly when making any enquiry or comment to anyone.That is what I tried to do (with clear evidence) on the 'Green card' issue. All Tim has at the moment is a list of names of people who, without a doubt, have had their fuel pump controller replaced. I will even grant you the two characters where there may be some doubt (a) One chap who said he wasn't sure and (b) El Gringo's mate from Mexico who had other work done, apparently. But it is nothing more than a list, possibly meaningless unless compared with other data,

There seems to be some sort of sticking point here around the data. I appreciate what your saying about the statistics, and the fact that they can be manipulated by whoever compiles them. The problem for BMW is that people don't buy bikes based on statistics (I hope!), they buy them based on emotions.

People are looking for a bike that is 'unstoppable', as they say (advertising standards, anyone?). The 1200 is far from that, and getting a worse reputation on an almost daily basis. If they can't sort out a reliable controller, then it will eventually affect both new and after sales of bikes. If however they actually managed to produce a controller that didn't fail, or at the very least failed safe, there reputaion may well be reinstated. At the minute though it appears as though they know theres a problem and have decided to cash in by hiking the price. Not nice for present customers or those looking to buy.

It is, perhaps, interesting that BuMW have mounted two campaigns to sort 1200 problems. (a) The re-routing of the ABS sensor cable on early 1200's (b) The EWS ring. Both campaigns have, apparently, come as a result of no direct pressure that I know of from UKGSer or any other public forum. Nemezis bangs on about Germany's apparent disquiet over brakes and now hand guards, neither of which seem to bother the UK or UKGSer. It perhaps shows the problem of dealing with large organisations and / or that nothing is ever quite as we perceive it, no matter how good our intentions may be.

I agree, it is difficult. And it's made more so by constant bickering about how it should be done. Even when Paul BHT stated that BMW were watching the thread the bickering still continued. So the second thread just gave BMW a nice answer to any question that Tim may have raised.

Why should Tim stand up to scrutiny? Well, he asked for help on a public forum. The public should be allowed to ask why he is doing it and / or point out any possible faults in his study. Enquiry and re-checking is the basis of any half decent probe into anything. If it upsets Tim, that's sad. BuMW will not hesitate to stonewall him. If, as Dahoom pointed out, Tim can't stand some questioning here, then BuMW will not fear him, that's for certain.

I don't remember Tim asking for anyones comments or help, as I read it he asked if you'd suffered a breakdown caused by the fuel pump controller. I'm sure if he needed help he would have have asked. Tim isn't, to the best of my knowledge, elected or employed by forum members so why would you think forum members have the right to question what he's doing or why? 'Enquiring and Rechecking' may be the basis for any decent probe but it may have been better to do this after the data had been collected and in a more constructive way.

I have now written the final letter to the MD of both BuMW and RBS expressing my (and probably others') disappointment with NIG / BuMW Motorrad's response to insuring travellers in 'exotic' Europe and Morocco. I have also suggested possible routes of cover for those whom NIG's intransigence does not suit. I cannot do much more, short of becoming BuMW's insurance broker....a task I would not mind. Good luck with your letter(s) should you decide to help Tim.

And I wish you every success, as I do Tim. This is despite me not needing the green card, or having a fuel pump failure. I've PM'd Tim and offered to help, and would be prepared to help you or anyone else if it could benefit others.

Beyond anything more; Good luck to Tim. I welcomed him back in his thread. He at least is trying. Others find it easier to simply moan and fill the site with symbols.

 

[st247]

Your getting personal and missing the object of your frustrations, which would be put to better use against the object of your dissatisfaction.

Wasn't meant as personal at all. Unfortunatley/fortunatley? i can't claim to be dissatisfied or frustrated at all, my 1200 has been disappointingly reliable, despite my best efforts to kill it. I can see how you'd be confused though, it's a common misconception that all 1200 owners are dissatisfied.

 

[Pukmeister]

You aren't gonna win any hearts and minds within the halls of BMW by being aggressive or by causing argument for its own sake, but I realise you need to present some evidence for the inadequacy of the component, be it a fuel pump controller, EWS antenna or any other component prone to failure.

The electronics need to be made more reliable if possible to do so, even if there is a price percentage involved. Thats assuming the fault can be identified by BMW, the problem addressed and the part made more reliable for the future.

Hats off to Tim for championing the cause, and good luck in persuading BMW to review these issues with their products or their suppliers. Just remember to ask them nicely.

It's not funny when you are stuck with a bike that won't start literally in the middle of nowhere, assuming that with some better design or QA on BMW's part it could have been avoided.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Off topic a bit, but there's one unhappy bunny on AdvRider today. First he had EWS failure resulting in the bike being in the dealers for four days, now he's just been stranded with FPC failure.

And he's yet to reach his 600 mile service
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363092

Tim

 

[Dahoum]

Off topic a bit, ...............
.
.
.....Tim

Oy, what makes you think you can just stroll in and post off topic comments on a thread?

Some people eh

 

[Steptoe]

I can see how you'd be confused though, it's a common misconception that all 1200 owners are dissatisfied.

I'm very easily confused. Read your post which seems to be a statement of dissatisfaction on Wappings involvement , and looked at all the bickering going on.

I dunno, those mad and goofy 1200 owners, what are they like.

 

[st247]

I'm very easily confused. Read your post which seems to be a statement of dissatisfaction on Wappings involvement , and looked at all the bickering going on.

I dunno, those mad and goofy 1200 owners, what are they like.

I suspect we have the same wiring problems as the 1200