running problem (?)

[Doofus]

Hi - I wondered if anyone had any ideas about the following quirk...

I have a 2005 stock R1200GS - low miles (4000). I was tanking up the motorway, and when I came off to A roads I noticed the bike was making some nice popping sounds on overrun when rolling off for junctions. Not too spectacular, but I noticed as it normally doesn't do this. I was idly wondering if it was something to do with the previous spirited motorway riding when I got an amber warning triangle with engine picture on display. I also persuaded myself the engine was a bit more lumpy than usual (hard for me to be sure of this as I also drive a Japanese inline four so the BMW always seems like a tractor). There seemed to be slightly more vibes than usual, and on pull away it felt "different". I decided perhaps one of the plugs wasn't sparking properly.

I didn't stop until my destination (in case it never restarted!). For the journey home a few hours later the warning light was gone, as was the popping, and the bike seemed to run normally again.

Any ideas what might cause these symptons? Is poor ignition likely?

The bike's in for annual service in few weeks so I guess they will see an error code in the memory?

cheers, Darren

 

[Old Man]

Well, I get the popping/burbling on overrun but no amber caption. I quite like it, although it might mean the tuning's not quite in the groove. Still pulls like a train.

 

[ts2]

Popping is normal (Well mine does it). I find it does it less now, but thats more due to how I ride it. You need to be quite heavily engine braking with just a little bit of open throttle.

As for the Warning light? That sounds more like something you need to keep an eye on.

You're right though. They do feel like tractors cf inline 4s. I came from a GSXR 750. Couldn't believe how bad it felt at first. Now I have to say I love it. Vibes are cool, and that throaty growl as you accelerate out of a corner?

TS

 

[The White Rabbit]

On my 05 12GS I had three or four instances of warning light, and funnily enough one of those was after a fast continuous run, coming on when pulling into services. It cleared after a couple of restarts. On other occasions no sign of a problem. I know a few bikes seem to throw an FI warning light once in a while.

When my GS packed up, I never saw the warning light needless to say.