Engine Management Software Upgrades on 1200 GSA

[Budweiser]

I've just had a 6000 mile service on my 08 Adv together with the recall work and software upgrade. The bike isnt running as smoothly as it did, infact it feels quite rough. Is it possible to fine out what version of software was installed? I'm really not happy the way the bike is at the moment so will be calling Cannons on Tuesday to see what they suggest. I used to run in 3rd gear at 30MPH and the bike was very smooth and responsive - now I need to be in 2nd gear at 30 MPH and it is very lumpy. Anyone got any suggestions

 

[Jones8447]

It'snot just BMW

It seems this kind of crappy ECU upgrade isn't unique to BMW.

I have an 06 Audi A4 2.0 Tdi. A fantastic car until it went in for it's service recently. On collection the dealer informed me that they had installed an ECU upgrade. Well...the car was transformed into a sluggish, asthmatic, rough running heap that was awful to drive and nearly got me into trouble a few times as it lacked so much power pulling off from a standing start. I was gutted and returned to the dealer who initally informed me that they were not allowed to reverse the process as Audi insisted on it for emissions reasons. After alot of 'discussion' an understanding technician agreed to re-map the car to it's previous settings. This has been done and although it's still not what it was it is 100% better than it was following the 'upgrade'.

I know I will flatly refuse to allow any further upgrades on my car or bike.

 

[sherpatensing]

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

Sorry to say i had mine done. 3000/3500 and on overrun it vibrates badly through the handlebars and footrests. 5000 bad vibes through the bars. NOG have had it back and done 'special measures' as advised by BMW and replaced two ignition coils. Still rubbish. I'm well pissed off as this was a pleasant motorcycle. I was going to Scotland next week but I can't ride this bloody thing to Fort William and back.

 

[Budweiser]

Cannons tell me the bike is fine and set up correctly but, to me, its not as smooth as it was. The vibes are noticible at 5k much more than before FIIK what to do

 

[GS TRV]

1400 dry miles around Ireland

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

Must have been the software

 

[Budweiser]

Sorry to say i had mine done. 3000/3500 and on overrun it vibrates badly through the handlebars and footrests. 5000 bad vibes through the bars. NOG have had it back and done 'special measures' as advised by BMW and replaced two ignition coils. Still rubbish. I'm well pissed off as this was a pleasant motorcycle. I was going to Scotland next week but I can't ride this bloody thing to Fort William and back.

Thought from your post on another thread that NOG had solved the problem?????

 

[sherpatensing]

Thought from your post on another thread that NOG had solved the problem?????

So did I.
I think I spoke too soon. After a 10 mile ride in the rain I thought it was OK but now after some more miles, it is no better. The 3000/3500 rev/min area is around 50/55 mph, so I have tried riding at 65/70 mph and pulling the clutch and freewheeling back through the 50 mph and the vibes are still evident which may suggest there is another problem. Any ideas?
Anyway, it's going back to NOG again.......

Had a look at a Stelvio today.

 

[MattW]

Well, if you're at tickover when freewheeling through 50mph, then I guess you've ruled out engine related vibes.

Wheels out of balance / damaged? My old H1 500 used to wobble like a bast*rd at about 60 due to an almost imperceptibly out of true front wheel - well to be honest, it used to wobble all the time (and try to kill me every time I went out), but that particular wobble was the wheel.

Bad wheel bearings / front suspension pivots?

Other chassis mis-alignment?

 

[sherpatensing]

Well, if you're at tickover when freewheeling through 50mph, then I guess you've ruled out engine related vibes.

Wheels out of balance / damaged? My old H1 500 used to wobble like a bast*rd at about 60 due to an almost imperceptibly out of true front wheel - well to be honest, it used to wobble all the time (and try to kill me every time I went out), but that particular wobble was the wheel.

Bad wheel bearings / front suspension pivots?

Other chassis mis-alignment?

I thought that too, tyres or perhaps transmission related.

 

[Berin]

Well, if you're at tickover when freewheeling through 50mph, then I guess you've ruled out engine related vibes.

Wheels out of balance / damaged? My old H1 500 used to wobble like a bast*rd at about 60 due to an almost imperceptibly out of true front wheel - well to be honest, it used to wobble all the time (and try to kill me every time I went out), but that particular wobble was the wheel.

Bad wheel bearings / front suspension pivots?

Other chassis mis-alignment?

Mine's (07 1200 GSA) just been had a new rear wheel and rear wheel carrier fitted - the original was out of true. My brother (07 1200 GSA) is just having his final drives bearings replaced

 

[big-khol]

i set off around germany and italy with a smooth and noise free bike, half way through my trip it turned into a lumpy vibrating nail !
came back had 6000mile service and software up grade and bike transformed ...smooth, more power and better acceleration.

at 5000rpm there is no flat spot before upgrade it sounded like a old ford engine with shagged tapits

 

[wilbjr21]

i set off around germany and italy with a smooth and noise free bike, half way through my trip it turned into a lumpy vibrating nail !
came back had 6000mile service and software up grade and bike transformed ...smooth, more power and better acceleration.

at 5000rpm there is no flat spot before upgrade it sounded like a old ford engine with shagged tapits

That was the same with me - had 6000 mile service done in Germany and valve clearances were out. Like a sewing machine again after adjustment.

 

[cookie]

i set off around germany and italy with a smooth and noise free bike, half way through my trip it turned into a lumpy vibrating nail !
came back had 6000mile service and software up grade and bike transformed ...smooth, more power and better acceleration.

at 5000rpm there is no flat spot before upgrade it sounded like a old ford engine with shagged tapits

of course, it might have just needed the service

 

[GSmonkey]

Just had the 6000 service on my 07GSA and I assume the software upgrade. Engine is probably marginally smoother, no big difference really. Also had a new front engine cover and a new rear disc............

 

[CliveS]

All is back to normal

I had the same problem on my 07 after an upgrade, see my previous comment, but today I had another upgrade and the bike is back to normal.
My understanding is "V12" is the suspect program and it appears to cause the sluggesh running and poor perfiormance.
The dealer installed "v13" and all is back to normal. <p><font size="6" face="Arial" color="#0000FF">YES YES YES</font></p>


Hope this helps