New GS with problems

[garvey2003]

Hi all,
Well took the new GS for a spin today for the first time and noticed. Couple of issues.
The fuel was down to one bar but the petrol light didn't. One on, can you change he bulbs?
The one, more worrying is the indicators work normally then start flashing fast. All bulbs ok. What do think is wrong

Now I have ridden it well, I love it. It's not a sports bike but it's smooth and comfy

 

[ahutcheon]

Fuel light on mine doesn't come on until the last bar on the gauge is disappearing. One easy test once the tank is low is to see what happens on the side stand - when I turn on the ignition on the side stand with what should be two or three bars left I get fuel light (and nothing on the gauge) until the bike has been upright for a few tens of seconds.

 

[Flipfly]

Indicator issue could be low battery power, mine has done it but sorts itself out once a bit of charge has gone into the battery.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Indicator relay ??

 

[flatdog]

Indicators -probably a bad earth or corroded light bulb holder. ?

 

[skywalker]

Open the relay box. Locate the fuel level relay (2nd row in relay box) its black and looks like a very large oxo cube with a thin ridged line on the top. Pull it out. Get a small piece of wire and fit a male spade connector to either end. As you look at the socket where the relay fits from the left side of the bike bridge the terminals that are at 9 and 3 o'clock. Switch on the ignition and the fuel level warning bulb should light up.indicating that the fault has to be on the input to the relay side so look at a fuel tank plug or possibly dirty contact on wiper arm of fuel sensor.
If you've bought it from a dealer take it back and get them to sort it.

 

[garvey2003]

Riding to work this morning I noticed the indicators flash fast when I have the main lights on, works fine with them off and and side lights.

I normally have the battery on an optimate, my old bike had to have that. Any issues with putting this on one?

I think some of the bulbs on the clocks are not working. Can you replace them or is this a new unit?

Another thing I noticed is it all seems very soft when riding, very planted in corners. Any recommendations to stiffen it all up a little.

Feel like I should be riding everywhere on the thing

 

[Flipfly]

Riding to work this morning I noticed the indicators flash fast when I have the main lights on, works fine with them off and and side lights.

I normally have the battery on an optimate, my old bike had to have that. Any issues with putting this on one?

I think some of the bulbs on the clocks are not working. Can you replace them or is this a new unit?

Another thing I noticed is it all seems very soft when riding, very planted in corners. Any recommendations to stiffen it all up a little.

Feel like I should be riding everywhere on the thing

No issues with an optimate and I'd say it's recommended (especially as it gets colder). Unfortunately I have no power to my garage, so it's not an option for me.
You should notice your clock resetting f power gets low in your battery.

You can adjust the stiffness by upping the preload. I have just fitted progressive Hyperpro springs and that seems to have improved the bike alot.

You can get to the bulbs in the clocks by removing the screen and the silver cover (the bit behind the screen 2xtorx screws). Be careful when putting the silver cover on as it has a couple of prongs that need to fit right or it won't screw down properly, and you can quite easily cross thread the brass thread inserts

 

[skywalker]

Sounds like the problem's on the short wiring harness from under the tank to the clocks. Possibly the half a dozen earth wires that go to a crimped connection half way up it

 

[garvey2003]

Got the battery on the optimate and it was low so might be the reason

Been playing with the bike a little in the garage and noticed the handlebars are bent, the right handle part is down a little

Can any bars fit or do u need GS ones
Need something cheap

 

[MattW]

Got the battery on the optimate and it was low so might be the reason

Been playing with the bike a little in the garage and noticed the handlebars are bent, the right handle part is down a little

Can any bars fit or do u need GS ones
Need something cheap

My bars bent when the bike decided to have a lie down on a very bouncy ferry across the sound of mull. It turned out to be the rubber isolated section under the grip which had bent. I took the bars off, put the bent end in the vice and leaned on the remainder until it straightened out - worked a treat. A rub down and a couple of coats of Hammerite smooth made the bars good as new.

Take a look at yours - if they've bent in the same manner then it's an easy fix.

 

[Bigyin]

Another thing I noticed is it all seems very soft when riding, very planted in corners. Any recommendations to stiffen it all up a little.

Feel like I should be riding everywhere on the thing

They are very soft compared to sports bikes.... i swapped from a ZX6R with a race shock on it and the first time i tried a quick change of direction at speed pushing on the footpegs it nearly spat me off as the rear shock unloaded

You have to adapt your riding...............or stick a Wilbers or ohlins unit

If i am out to play i wind up the hydaulic adjuster to the max, (2 up touring setting) but leave it mid level form normal commuting etc

 

[garvey2003]

Mine bent where it's bolted together if that makes sense, is it east to take the heated grips off?

 

[Backmarker]

2001 R1150GS: Manual says 'Fuel light comes on with 2 bars remaining'
Reality is no bars left before Fuel light comes on. Consistent across some 600 tank full/empty cycles.

 

[Dwaine Dibbley]

With the indicator issue it may be that the previous owner had fitted a Kisan signal minder, it will be a relay/box in place of the original indicator relay. This has an option to flash the indicators faster to get other traffics attention, if you keep the switch depressed a bit longer.
Another way to see if it has the Signal minder fitted is to repress the indicator switch after activation, this cancels the flashing, instead of using the BMW cancel button.
Worth a try.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Mine bent where it's bolted together if that makes sense, is it east to take the heated grips off?

1150r bars work well as a replacement

 

[garvey2003]

Excellent, thats for that. Just found an article on here showing me how to remove the bars.
Think I may strip them down this weekend, re-bend and paint and try and re-fit

 

[garvey2003]

Well I've charged the battery up and the indicators are still flashing fast on normal beam. Flash fine on side lights or no light and even if I switch on the heated grips its fine (not with lights on)

The ignition barrel wiring looks like its been playd with, lots of tape etc plus its haning a little. Can I get a replacement? if so can I fit it or would I need special tools.

If it was an earth, wouldn't it flash fast with or without lights on.
Cheers
Garv

 

[Udders]

They are very soft compared to sports bikes.... i swapped from a ZX6R with a race shock on it and the first time i tried a quick change of direction at speed pushing on the footpegs it nearly spat me off as the rear shock unloaded

You have to adapt your riding...............or stick a Wilbers or ohlins unit

If i am out to play i wind up the hydaulic adjuster to the max, (2 up touring setting) but leave it mid level form normal commuting etc

You ain't no lightweight either!