flat battery?

[birdseye]

copied from another BMW site

"While picking up my 1200RT today as part of the customer brief I was told to put the bike to "sleep " each time I park it. This means applying the steering lock which apparently puts the Canbus into dormant mode otherwise it keeps checking itself despite showing no display. During the winter there were several cases of GSs suffering from flat batteries just sitting in the garage and some owners being stranded................Well that seems to be BMWs answer to the battery drain issue..............Believe it if you wish can't do any harm IMHO to give it a go."

 

[GrinningGSer]

Surely can't be the lack of steering lock use that causes flat batteries cos EVERYONE will use the steering lock when parking- WONT THEY ?

Rumour was earlier this year, several software updates ago, that flat battery was caused by switching bike back on again, then off quickly before it had finished its checking proceedure, leaving a canbus that did not power down. Many reasons why you may do this... thought that was fixed by recent software updates though

p.s. never had a flat battery.

 

[birdseye]

Surely can't be the lack of steering lock use that causes flat batteries cos EVERYONE will use the steering lock when parking- WONT THEY ?

Rumour was earlier this year, several software updates ago, that flat battery was caused by switching bike back on again, then off quickly before it had finished its checking proceedure, leaving a canbus that did not power down. Many reasons why you may do this... thought that was fixed by recent software updates though

p.s. never had a flat battery.

I've never had one either, but I always use the steering lock. Does everyone? I dont know - I doubt it.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Does the steering lock have any electrical circuit/switch ? Does anybody know ?

 

[blackburnlee]

I'm due to take my 12GS into Vines on the 13th. When booking the chap mentioned an update to the battery/software to stop this sort of thing happening. I don't always use the steering lock and I've never had a flat battery... Seems strange to me.

 

[Mr K]

Never had a flat battery and never used the steering lock - I use a chain and the alarm.

 

[luke scott]

I have to be honest and say as a loyal bm customer and owner of three gs'es I live in fear of changing to the 1200 when the time comes. One of my mates got his software update but needed new clocks as a result. The technician said that the clocks would not allow the software to load so voilla a new set of clocks. €600 cost retail in Ireland. I hope I never have to replace a set outside warranty.

 

[birdseye]

I have to be honest and say as a loyal bm customer and owner of three gs'es I live in fear of changing to the 1200 when the time comes. One of my mates got his software update but needed new clocks as a result. The technician said that the clocks would not allow the software to load so voilla a new set of clocks. €600 cost retail in Ireland. I hope I never have to replace a set outside warranty.

Well relax a bit. I've never had a single problem with my 1200 and there are lots like me. Trouble is , forums and the internet gives the few that have problems a voice out of all proportion to their numbers. When did you last post simply to say there were no problems to report?

The dealers I have spoken to all say that the 1200 has given fewer initial probs than the earlier GS's but one things for sure - its a lot less repairable at the side of the road and a lot more (unnecessarily?) technically complex.

 

[Pukmeister]

The clocks are yet another part of the CANBUS system, and I suspect there was a fault in the ecu within the clock housing. Hope the warranty covered it.

 

[GrinningGSer]

So- here is another example of a group of guys nattering away and worrying about a problem that NONE of us on this post have suffered... so lets worry about something else....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................gearbox end seal

No problems YET and out again tomorrow