Is carrying a spare ring antenna any use?

ianm00

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It seems that many people are buying spare ring antennas to carry in the event of failure.

I thought that the ring antenna forms part of the immobiliser anti-theft device.

If a spare ring antenna can be just plugged in when the original fails what is stopping a potential thief carrying a spare in order to override the immobiliser? This is therefore a pretty pointless immobiliser so why bother to fit it?

Surely its not just as simple as plkugging in a spare? doesn't it require BMW to program anything into the bike ECU?

Has anyone succeeded in replacing the faulty unit at the roadside and got the bike going?

Ian
 
Hi Ian,
The Ring Antenna is just a transmitter, it takes a signal from your key and sends it via the canbus wireing to the ECU. This checks the key code and allows the bike to run.
The code match is ECU and key.
 
I carry a spare on long trips, and have tried a dummy run as it were, in case of failure. It took 5 mins, with tools from under the seat, and worked 1st time (it was not replaced, just piggy backed).
I know though that by having it ,and knowing how to fit it, I will never need it ! Peace of mind though, and ebay if ever I change bike.
 
Another question on same lines - once you have strapped the spare antenna to the bike and plugged it in does the key have to be within the ring - which would need 2 keys, 1 for ignition tumbler and 1 for ring?
 
you do need two keys to start the bike. one in the new antenna and one in the ignition switch.

the wiring won't reach to place the new antenna over the original key,so you have to hold/tape a spare inside it. you can remove it once started, or just leave it there.
 
I need 4 spares then - thats how many times I have had the EWS problem !!

3 for my 1st GSA (2006) and 1 for my 2008 GSA !
 
Ring Antenna

Hi is your 08 GSA the new model or an 07 model registered in 08??
I only ask because I have just got an 08 and I am now slightly worried?
 
not heard of any failures on the HP2 but I have a spare it's cost about £20 but I did buy a whole pile of spares at the time. :blast better in my opinion to have one and not need it than need one and not have it.

I did hear that someone just taped the spare key closer to the aerail and it was enough to get the bike to start. So carry the spare key in seperate pocket just in case.:thumb2
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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