Is it possible to fit a Ghost Immobiliser (typically on cars) to the 1250 GS?

[drogo]

Ok so I have this Ghost II Immobiliser fit to my car which is great...its basically this small device hidden somewhere in the car by an approved installer. Once you get in the car, you need to enter a PIN Code to allow the engine to start. The PIN can be any combination of buttons on the dashboard (AC button, volume up/down, you name it). Even if a thief has your car keys, he wont be able to drive the car as he would need to enter this PIN for the GHOST to unlock the engine. As you can imagine, I would love to have this system on a bike as well due to thefts, etc. and I dont believe such a thing exists for motorcycles (correct me if Im wrong)

I contacted Ghost to see if they can fit one and they replied the following:

"Thanks for your query. We can only do files for vehicles that have CAN coded buttons and have CAN codes that can be used to prevent the bike from being driven. What bike do you have, and do you know if the buttons on your bike are digitally controlled or still basic analogue switches?"

"We have done a file previously for a 2012 BMW GS Motorbike, so I suggest when you get your bike you give us a shout and we can check to see if the existing file is OK of if the later models need a new file."

Can someone translate this CAN thing to me (not a tech expert)? Does the BMW 1250 GS have this CAN ability or not?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Ok so I have this Ghost II Immobiliser fit to my car which is great...its basically this small device hidden somewhere in the car by an approved installer. Once you get in the car, you need to enter a PIN Code to allow the engine to start. The PIN can be any combination of buttons on the dashboard (AC button, volume up/down, you name it). Even if a thief has your car keys, he wont be able to drive the car as he would need to enter this PIN for the GHOST to unlock the engine. As you can imagine, I would love to have this system on a bike as well due to thefts, etc. and I dont believe such a thing exists for motorcycles (correct me if Im wrong)

I contacted Ghost to see if they can fit one and they replied the following:

"Thanks for your query. We can only do files for vehicles that have CAN coded buttons and have CAN codes that can be used to prevent the bike from being driven. What bike do you have, and do you know if the buttons on your bike are digitally controlled or still basic analogue switches?"

"We have done a file previously for a 2012 BMW GS Motorbike, so I suggest when you get your bike you give us a shout and we can check to see if the existing file is OK of if the later models need a new file."

Can someone translate this CAN thing to me (not a tech expert)? Does the BMW 1250 GS have this CAN ability or not?

I asked the fitter who did our Ghost and he said as far as he knew BMW bikes were the only bikes he could do !

Brilliant bit of kit on a car but i doubt they are as good on a bike as the bike can just be lifted into a van so IMO better chaining it down

 

[drogo]

I asked the fitter who did our Ghost and he said as far as he knew BMW bikes were the only bikes he could do !

Brilliant bit of kit on a car but i doubt they are as good on a bike as the bike can just be lifted into a van so IMO better chaining it down

Ok thanks for this. Yes brilliant piece of kit. yes the Van point is fair but it is quite a heavy bike. It would be tough for someone to put it into a van I think. You would probably need multiple people. Also not sure how common van thefts are. I thought thieves mostly ride stoken bikes which obviously the Ghost will be best to prevent this most common type of theft.

 

[Alan R]

It would be interesting to know the % of stolen bikes that were ridden away under their own power rather than pushed or lifted - methods not really feasible with a car. I’m led to believe that a fair % of car thefts first involve securing the car keys from within the owners property, then simply driving away with the targeted vehicle. The Ghost immobilizer seems to be a response to this type of car theft.
Is this a useful feature for a different type of vehicle, a motorcycle, where the thief breaks the steering lock by kicking the handle bar, grinds the security chain (if fitted), then wheels the prize away, sometimes pushed along by a foot of a moped riding accomplice? All without the need to start the engine of the target motorcycle.
So, is it possible to fit to a motorcycle? Maybe. Will it prevent theft? Unlikely.
Alan R

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Your BMW certainly does use CANbus.
However, bikes are almost always pushed/dragged into a van when nicked.

 

[Mr Bean]

Your BMW certainly does use CANbus.
However, bikes are almost always pushed/dragged into a van when nicked.

Mine was pushed by a scooter.

Chain cut and away they went.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Mine was pushed by a scooter.

Chain cut and away they went.

Or a scooter…the scrote’s ‘transport of choice’.

 

[ragerover]

Yes

We fit them. Anything with Canbus

 

[Wapping]

yes the Van point is fair but it is quite a heavy bike. It would be tough for someone to put it into a van I think.

Think again.