keyless problems

[ChazzyB]

Just a thought; are you just doing a short press to switch the bike on. Just press and release - don't hold it down at all.

I keep the main key fob in an outer pocket and use it for the SatNav and cases. Saves having two keys. Plastic spare goes hidden about my person on longer trips.

 

[wileeeeeey]

Haven't had an issue with my keyless in the two months I've had the bike. Only main gripe is the spare key is seriously cheap of bmw. Anything to save money on such an expensive range of bikes.

 

[vRSG60]

Well after reading this thread and realising I didn't have the spare key I've contacted the dealer and I now have one on order .

 

[charliehorse]

Got it on a used 2016 GS. No Probs here either once I learned the thing and love it now.
I glued two old credit cards together and Dremeled out the centre in the shape of the plastic key.
I sellotaped the key in the recess. Fits with my cards in my wallet without fear of it continually falling out.
I know that it is always with me if I'm out.
Works in the recess in the mudguard without taking out of the card.
Saw on advriders that you can get a metal blank on ebay.
Might get one for the seat, GPS and top box to save the plastic from breaking.
Could be cable tied somewhere discrete.

 

[octatonic]

Got it on a used 2016 GS. No Probs here either once I learned the thing and love it now.
I glued two old credit cards together and Dremeled out the centre in the shape of the plastic key.
I sellotaped the key in the recess. Fits with my cards in my wallet without fear of it continually falling out.
I know that it is always with me if I'm out.
Works in the recess in the mudguard without taking out of the card.
Saw on advriders that you can get a metal blank on ebay.
Might get one for the seat, GPS and top box to save the plastic from breaking.
Could be cable tied somewhere discrete.

Brilliant idea- going to tape it to the roadside assistance card and keep it in my wallet.

 

[Dave h]

Hi
Think the keyless is great,No problems with mine,keep the plastic one in my jacket just in case but the rest of the keys hang round my neck on lanyard,Hope you get problem sorted.

Dave

 

[Nutty]

Don't take this the wrong way, but have you read the manual properly, to see how it works? I've done over 10,000 miles on keyless GS's, and haven't had one issue.

 

[ghost-rider]

you can order a spare key straight from bmw, nick/brad at Cotswold advised me to order one when I collected my bike due to the flip out key bein made of chocolate and having the potential to snap off in the pannier lock if a bit heavy handed, cost me from memory about £20, this is a genuine bmw key, same key that's used for normal keyed ignition bikes I'm guessing, speak to nick at Cotswold, because from memory now I think about it, I'm sure he said something about bmw being a bit funny about releasing keys to start with, but after discussions with em they agreed to supply(Cotswold anyway) because of people wanting to avoid the above issues

 

[woody1707]

Well went to the dealer this afternoon and Chazzb and nutty you are both right,
I am an idiot it seems I was pressing the button too hard and engaging the steering lock.

Red faced apologies to the dealer who was too polite to agree with me that I am an idiot .

I have ridden bikes since I was 16 some 41 years ago and am reasonable mechanically minded but it seems the technology is beyond me.

Thanks to all who have commented .

To all with keyless don't worry they are clearly reliable when operated by someone with an ounce of sense

 

[ChazzyB]

Well went to the dealer this afternoon and Chazzb and nutty you are both right,
I am an idiot it seems I was pressing the button too hard and engaging the steering lock.

Red faced apologies to the dealer who was too polite to agree with me that I am an idiot .

I have ridden bikes since I was 16 some 41 years ago and am reasonable mechanically minded but it seems the technology is beyond me.

Thanks to all who have commented .

To all with keyless don't worry they are clearly reliable when operated by someone with an ounce of sense

Result! Go out and enjoy it.

 

[desertyellow]

Well went to the dealer this afternoon and Chazzb and nutty you are both right,
I am an idiot it seems I was pressing the button too hard and engaging the steering lock.

Red faced apologies to the dealer who was too polite to agree with me that I am an idiot .

I have ridden bikes since I was 16 some 41 years ago and am reasonable mechanically minded but it seems the technology is beyond me.

Thanks to all who have commented .

To all with keyless don't worry they are clearly reliable when operated by someone with an ounce of sense

Maybe the dealer should have explained how this new to you technology works!!

 

[Nutty]

Well went to the dealer this afternoon and Chazzb and nutty you are both right,
I am an idiot it seems I was pressing the button too hard and engaging the steering lock.

Red faced apologies to the dealer who was too polite to agree with me that I am an idiot .

I have ridden bikes since I was 16 some 41 years ago and am reasonable mechanically minded but it seems the technology is beyond me.

Thanks to all who have commented .

To all with keyless don't worry they are clearly reliable when operated by someone with an ounce of sense

That's a good result. And you managed to get it resolved before JB chimed in!

 

[DC]

lol ..proper tosser !

got a few of us keyless boys worried then ! good thread though ,love the idea of the key in the card trick ! I have keyless on my RT...theres something on the underside of the seat ( just above the wheel) you can do to start the bike, never looked into it , but will now just in case

 

[Madsplash]

My original order for a GSA was keyless, however the delivery kept getting delayed week after week. After contacting dealer I was informed that they had tried to find out the reason for the delay and all they were told was that their 3 bikes were ready but for some reason not shipped and no date was given for a possible delivery.

As I was starting to get a bit pissed off, they told me they had a model with my exact specs except for the keyless option. Time to get some expert advise...
Phone my son that is studying motor racing engineering at Uni and traveling around the Far East as part of a Racing Team (yeah he's got more of a life than I do!) and asked about my options. His answer was: he wouldn't touch the keyless option with a barge pole, sooner or later it will let you down!

He doesn't like them in a car but on a bike that gets exposed to the elements sooner or later problems will appear.
For me that sealed my deal! Others may think differently but for me there are already enough electronic gizmos and gadgets to go wrong and I don't need another one even though the plastic key may temporarily solve a problem. Besides... I would still have to carry a key for case and panniers so might as well have the normal ignition.

The bottom line is... if one is happy with their choice that's what matters.

 

[Wonkey donkey]

Well went to the dealer this afternoon and Chazzb and nutty you are both right,
I am an idiot it seems I was pressing the button too hard and engaging the steering lock.

Red faced apologies to the dealer who was too polite to agree with me that I am an idiot .

I have ridden bikes since I was 16 some 41 years ago and am reasonable mechanically minded but it seems the technology is beyond me.

Thanks to all who have commented .

To all with keyless don't worry they are clearly reliable when operated by someone with an ounce of sense

At least it's sorted and your thread has made me realise I need to go and get a spare key cut as well so thanks

 

[batman1]

I struggled to get a blank cut, so I ordered a new spare single non transponder key from BMW to use on my top box, panniers and to remove my seat. The keyless key stays shut away in my inside pocket.
Although I do have keyless, I'd prefer a normal lock and key.

 

[Boxerboy55]

Glad I didn't tick that box.

Another First World Problem - as my kids would say

BTW - I love proper keyless (keep it in your pocket all the time) on our cars

 

[woody1707]

Thanks for all your comments guys and I am pleased I have allayed any fears I may have stirred up with my thread.

 

[dmilne]

lol ..proper tosser !

got a few of us keyless boys worried then ! good thread though ,love the idea of the key in the card trick ! I have keyless on my RT...theres something on the underside of the seat ( just above the wheel) you can do to start the bike, never looked into it , but will now just in case

On the RT it has to be pushed under the speedo, I think the rear wheel thing is on the GS...

 

[Nutty]

If the top box & panniers were installed at the factory as standard on the bike, I'm sure they would also be keyless. But bods would soon moan if they had to pay another couple of hundred quid to also have keyless fitted to their luggage, if ordered as an accessory. BMW are damned if they do, damned if they don't.

I've still yet to read about anyone being left stranded by keyless, on a GS/ GSA in the two and a half years it's been available.