Newbie with problem

[Sixpack]

Hi,
I was registered here a long time ago when I was looking for a 1200gs and finally got round to buying one 4 months ago. I love the way the bike handles and have been popping in and out of this site to get information on tires and things. I thought it was about time I joined to start repaying some of the great info I've received from this site.
The bike is an 05 1200gs it had 1800miles on the clock when I bought it and I've done another 3000 in the last 4 months. I bought this bike so I didn’t have to use my vfr750FV over the winter. The BM is going to be the commuter bike while the vfr would be used for weekend fun rides. It hasn’t worked out like that as I've never been off the BM since I bought it. It just gives so much confidence on any kind of road. I grew up doing motocross and I just feel at home with the riding position on the BM. I love all things two wheeled I've got a road and mountainbike for keeping fit.

Now for the bad part I got all dressed up ready to go out on Monday and the bike would turn over but would not fire. In my wisdom I always thought the battery was under powered so I assumed it was the battery. I bought a new battery from Arnold Clark in Aberdeen fitted it and it still wont fire. I contacted the emergency number and they told me the warranty only lasted two years!!! The guy I bought the bike from said it had a three year warranty. Yes I know not very smart on my part but I didn’t think of checking at the time. I've booked it into Arnold Clarks for Monday but I've still got to find a way to get the bike into them. I thought someone out their may have some advise or things to check first?
Regards,
Sixpack.

 

[Bert]

Hi,
I was registered here a long time ago when I was looking for a 1200gs and finally got round to buying one 4 months ago. I love the way the bike handles and have been popping in and out of this site to get information on tires and things. I thought it was about time I joined to start repaying some of the great info I've received from this site.
The bike is an 05 1200gs it had 1800miles on the clock when I bought it and I've done another 3000 in the last 4 months. I bought this bike so I didn’t have to use my vfr750FV over the winter. The BM is going to be the commuter bike while the vfr would be used for weekend fun rides. It hasn’t worked out like that as I've never been off the BM since I bought it. It just gives so much confidence on any kind of road. I grew up doing motocross and I just feel at home with the riding position on the BM. I love all things two wheeled I've got a road and mountainbike for keeping fit.

Now for the bad part I got all dressed up ready to go out on Monday and the bike would turn over but would not fire. In my wisdom I always thought the battery was under powered so I assumed it was the battery. I bought a new battery from Arnold Clark in Aberdeen fitted it and it still wont fire. I contacted the emergency number and they told me the warranty only lasted two years!!! The guy I bought the bike from said it had a three year warranty. Yes I know not very smart on my part but I didn’t think of checking at the time. I've booked it into Arnold Clarks for Monday but I've still got to find a way to get the bike into them. I thought someone out their may have some advise or things to check first?
Regards,
Sixpack.

If she won't fire, there is a HUGE chance it is the fuel primer thingy.
You will find it (as you sit on the bike) on the left hand side, by the front fork, under a plastic round 'dome' which unscrews.
It is a simple electronic device but it will totally bring the bike to its knees. Simple to change too, no special skills required
It is not repairable- You'll need to get another one from BMW
and make sure you get the one with the new thicker gasket

call me 07815 912892 if u want to talk about it- in any case it is well wise to have one of those as probably the only spare you'll need on a 1200- I nose it Az got one!! so even it is isn't that (but I'd bet it is) you still be wise to have one.
Bert

 

[Greg Masters]

Welcome back to the site, sixpack.

I'm sorry to learn of your troubles; I'm sure the the 1200 cognoscenti will be along in a minute to offer solutions.

Have you checked the fuel pump do-hickey?

Greg

 

[Duchess]

Hello and welcome sixpack .... I'm going to move your post over to the Technical section of the forum where I think you'll get a better response to your problem.

Hope you get sorted soon.

Enjoy your stay with UKGSer.

 

[Bert]

fuel pump do-hickey

didn't my post below work??
any way here is the fuel pump do-hickey again, veruy often the culprit

 

[Womble]

I was using a 1200 on the BMW offroad course. It had exactly the same symptoms as yours, and Simon Pavey reckoned it was the EWS (anti-theft).

It probably just needs a new antenna - a little black ring that sits around the ignition switch. Even if it isn't, it is a well known fault on 1200s and you would be advised to buy one and keep it with you anyway, just in case, as I don't think they're that expensive.

By the way, my last bike was the same as yours. Lovely bike, but I still wouldn't go back from my 1150

 

[cookie]

if it's the EWS it would probably show EWS on the display, but it would seem this is not always the case.

my money's on the fuel pump energiser as described above, though you sometimes get fuel starvation problems leading up to total failure.

 

[Womble]

That's the thing - it didn't show EWS on the display.

By the way, welcome to the site Sixpack

 

[Loiq]

Ring aerial take the spare key and hold it really rear the key bit should start if that's tape the key to the steering lock the aerial costs about £25ish...

 

[Sixpack]

Thanks very much for the replies.
I tried putting the spare key and fob against the ignition but still no go. I found the fuel primer and there was a lot of water sitting around it. Is there any way of testing it or should I just go ahead and order a new one? I forgot to say that I checked the air filter yesterday and managed to snap the lug on the top right of the side panel. I managed to get the left side off today without breaking anything. I also had a strange thing happen a couple of weeks ago I was riding along and the horn stuck on. After swearing at the guy behind me for totting his horn at me I realised it was me. I pulled the connector to the horn and it was full of water. I sprayed it with wd and it's never been a problem since.
Regards,
Sixpack

 

[KAYCEE]

"Arnold Clarks"!!!! Wouldn't let them look at my car let alone my GS

 

[cookie]

Ring aerial take the spare key and hold it really rear the key bit should start if that's tape the key to the steering lock the aerial costs about £25ish...

more like £90

 

[Sixpack]

Sorry meant to say John Clark BMW not Arnold Clark. I've got a hold of a bike trailer so I'll take it in Monday to see what they say.
Regards,
Sixpack