Engine Management Software Upgrades on 1200 GSA

[Dave Williamson]

My 07 1200GSA was recently called in for a sofeware update. Since I have had the bike I have been amazed how smooth it was having come off a whole range of Ks.
I fitted a Scorpion after market exhaust to allow me to fit differnt panniers but the bike remained incredibly smooth.

However, since I have had the software upgrades the bike is rough as hell above 4000 RPM. I am also convinced that it is noisier, slower and less fuel efficient.
I complained and they had it in again and said that they had found more updates on the laptop and so had loaded them as well. It may be marginally better but it is still far worse than it was originally.

I asked the dealer to remove the software updates and but the bike back to it's original spec, but they say it cannot be done.

Has anybody else suffered a similar fate?

Dave Williamson

 

[RickG]

Was it in for a scheduled service as well as the software upgrade? Could be they messed up the throttle sync' as that is easily enough to make it rough above 4000rpm. Shouldn't affect economy or performance though. 'found more upgrades on the laptop' smacks of desperation and not understanding.

 

[red1]

Could it be that the "upgrade" is incompatible with the scorpion can? Have you tried with the standard can re-fitted?

 

[Panzer]

Yes im the same.

This has happened to me ! i had mine in for a knocking noise at tickover they said it could be an over sensitive knock sensor and gave it an update now it is sluggish all round dose not accelerate still knocks like hell and has started to stall when i slow in high gears , i told this to a different dealer they said the software can not be removed but they would take it in for a check also it recognizes headlights off trick and switches them back on. Power is down i would say a good 15% all round ,it still goes but is dead .It goes in on fri the 25 th im away for that week but if it comes back any better ill let you all know.

 

[karlp]

There is no way the dealer is going to remove an update - that would be going against what BMW has told him to do to 'improve ' the product.

karl

 

[Panzer]

Yep

Yeah thats what i thought but we cant be the first so it will only be a short while untill they come up with another map... ( I hope )

 

[Phil Thomas]

If you are happy with the way your bike is running, perhaps the approach to the dealer should be "Do NOT under any circumstances update the software"

The old adage "If it 'aint broke don't fix it"

Seems to me BMW have a lot to answer for.

Regards to all,

Phil Thomas

 

[cookie]

There is no way the dealer is going to remove an update - that would be going against what BMW has told him to do to 'improve ' the product.

karl

as i understand it, it is impossible for a bmw dealer to get any update other than the current one, which is the only one available on bmw's server.

the updates are not held locally by the dealer.

i have been recommended to the current 1200 update by a friend who has had it installed

 

[Panzer]

Dont Do It

Dont do it it makes the bike awful . I wish they hadnt done it .When it comes back next time we will see . Shame really as its a good bike.

 

[Bond]

08 GSA 1200 vibrations

Over 4500rpm my bike vibrates so much my right hand goes numb and it's the most unpleaseant experience I've had with any boxer. 2 up and loaded it's even worse. The dealer in Guildford tells me they're all the same but sympathises, but can't do any better.mmm. I don't think I can live with the vibrations and am angry that nothing can be done. When so many of these bikes have been sold and so many rave reviews written, what can I do?

 

[RickG]

Over 4500rpm my bike vibrates so much my right hand goes numb and it's the most unpleaseant experience I've had with any boxer. 2 up and loaded it's even worse. The dealer in Guildford tells me they're all the same but sympathises, but can't do any better.mmm. I don't think I can live with the vibrations and am angry that nothing can be done. When so many of these bikes have been sold and so many rave reviews written, what can I do?

This is not necessarily anything to do with the engine map. If you do a search on the topic of vibration you'll find a load of information. Basicly they only 'all do that' if they are not yet run-in (you need to do around 10,000 miles) and also if the throttle sync' is not set up precisely. A bike with a few thou' on the clock and well set up is as smooth as silk. The dealer should have been more helpful and informative

 

[wilbjr21]

Over 4500rpm my bike vibrates so much my right hand goes numb and it's the most unpleaseant experience I've had with any boxer. 2 up and loaded it's even worse. The dealer in Guildford tells me they're all the same but sympathises, but can't do any better.mmm. I don't think I can live with the vibrations and am angry that nothing can be done. When so many of these bikes have been sold and so many rave reviews written, what can I do?

Most important ............. valve clearances - are they correct ?

 

[theEnglishman]

Complete opposite here - my '07 GS was vastly improved by the software update. The flat spot at 5k has completely disappeared and it's returning slightly better MPG - up about 5-10%

But I've got the standard can and headers.

Have you taken the bike to a dyno and had it looked at? It sounds to me like you need a Power Commander if you want to run a non-standard can. Or buy the akrapovic one that's 'approved' by BMW.

 

[Panzer]

Akrapovic

Hi again i have an approved BMW Akrapovic exhaust on mine with that software and its no good , unless its the fuel pump not fueling enough that could be a cause!

 

[nix]

I've recently had this software upgrade on my late standard 07 GS and it's transformed. Very smooth through-out the rev range and improved MPG.
For what it's worth, they also did the TB sync at the same time, (dealer SBW).

Nick

 

[Dave Williamson]

Since I last contributed to this thread we have had the routine 6000 mile service. When I handed the bike over I was told that they had another upgrade for me. My heart sank!!!!!!!!!

To cut a long story short we have done 1400 mile since the service and the bike has been transformed back to what it was originally. Who knows what has been done in the confines of the workshop but I am just delighted to have the bike as it was originally.

There was also a recall for a new ring antenna so that is the third on this bike.

Anyway we have just enjoyed 1400 dry miles around Ireland and the GS ran faultlessly so we are delighted.

Dave W

 

[Hexme]

Since I last contributed to this thread we have had the routine 6000 mile service. When I handed the bike over I was told that they had another upgrade for me. My heart sank!!!!!!!!!

To cut a long story short we have done 1400 mile since the service and the bike has been transformed back to what it was originally. Who knows what has been done in the confines of the workshop but I am just delighted to have the bike as it was originally.

There was also a recall for a new ring antenna so that is the third on this bike.

Anyway we have just enjoyed 1400 dry miles around Ireland and the GS ran faultlessly so we are delighted.

Dave W

A happy ending, nice one

 

[daimo]

1400 dry miles around Ireland

Were you riding round a big shed or something? Monsoon season here at the moment.

 

[rodsharp]

I have same problem . Bike is 07 with about 8.5k miles,serviced at 6000 and it ran faultless and very smooth for a twin.
Went into dealer for EWS recall and engine software update just before I left for a trip to France. Thought the bike was ruined and guessed it maybe lower octane fuel in France causing vibrations over 4000revs and noticably less urgency for overtaking etc. Filled with Shell V Power 99 octane when I got back but it made no difference.
NOG were very understanding as usual (thanks Matt) and had it back in to check over and lent me a new GS for the day. Guess what , the loan bike also sufferred tingling vibrations over 4000 revs ,not excessive or even quite as bad as mine but much worse than mine before update.
My conclusion for what its worth is that ,as the loan bike must have the latest software,and it was similar to my own as far as vibrations are concerned do not have the update if you are happy with the way your bike is running.

Hope that if enough people comment on this there may be another update available soon

 

[CliveS]

From the land of OZ

My 07 1200GSA was recently called in for a sofeware update. Since I have had the bike I have been amazed how smooth it was having come off a whole range of Ks.
I fitted a Scorpion after market exhaust to allow me to fit differnt panniers but the bike remained incredibly smooth.
However, since I have had the software upgrades the bike is rough as hell above 4000 RPM. I am also convinced that it is noisier, slower and less fuel efficient.

Dave Williamson

My late 07 went the same way after my last service. Hopefully it will improve like yours when next serviced. What date did you have the service? and can you find out what upgrade program was installed that returned the bike to normal