SOS

[Scotsrick]

Well it works.

I dropped my bike today at a T junction. Just stupidly and putting the wrong foot down on a road that sloped more than I thought whilst 2 up.

Anyway as I was picking myself up and the bike was still on its side I got a call asking if I was okay and if I required assistance.

I have to say I considered it a bit of a gimmick when it came with the bike but I’ve changed my mind now.

 

[Deleted account 221212001]

Good to know it works but I've always wondered how the SOS activation would be acted upon in a scenario where rider and bike part company after a spill and the rider cannot hear the controller and vice, versa. Would the control centre despatch emergency services on the assumption that you were perhaps incapacitated or do they like to speak to you to establish what the issue is. Has anyone ever experienced this scenario, if so how did it pan out?

 

[Keneman]

I did exactly the same stupid thing a couple of weeks ago on my 1250. Nobody called to check up on me. I am now feeling neglected.

 

[hawkeye]

Good to know it works but I've always wondered how the SOS activation would be acted upon in a scenario where rider and bike part company after a spill and the rider cannot hear the controller and vice, versa. Would the control centre despatch emergency services on the assumption that you were perhaps incapacitated or do they like to speak to you to establish what the issue is. Has anyone ever experienced this scenario, if so how did it pan out?

I can answer that having had exactly that situation last year when I was knocked off my R1250GS. If they get no answer, then they alert the police to come investigate. I found out subsequently that if you are in conversation with the control centre and there is an incident then depending on the replies they can request both ambulance and police, but with no answer, its police only in the first instance. And I have to say, they were very efficient indeed, I was in the middle of the countryside at the time with me and the bike down a ditch - the control centre knew exactly where I was from the SOS beacon, and they managed to have the police with me within 20 minutes of the accident occurring. Very efficient and very impressed.

 

[casbar]

Had a low speed drop as well. My SOS didn't work. When I got home I pushed the button to test it, first it didn't connect and the call failed, then I tried again, it just rang and rang and nobody answered (they must have been busy). Bike went in for service, the mothership said the SOS is working ok

 

[mw3230]

It would be interesting to know how many calls the SOS control centres receives and how many are riders having dropped their bikes or doing tests as opposed to accidents where assistance is needed.

I know of one case where a pal dropped his bike whilst stationary and he was contacted very quickly

 

[casbar]

It would be interesting to know how many calls the SOS control centres receives and how many are riders having dropped their bikes or doing tests as opposed to accidents where assistance is needed.

I know of one case where a pal dropped his bike whilst stationary and he was contacted very quickly

Agree, but if you pay for the thing, you kind of expect it to work, and as mine didn't I thought I would see if it was broken. Mine was broken when I first got the bike and it took them 6 weeks to fix, eventually replaced the transponder after 3 software updates did nothing. So I am not that confident the thing would actually work.

 

[Deleted account 221212001]

I can answer that having had exactly that situation last year when I was knocked off my R1250GS. If they get no answer, then they alert the police to come investigate. I found out subsequently that if you are in conversation with the control centre and there is an incident then depending on the replies they can request both ambulance and police, but with no answer, its police only in the first instance. And I have to say, they were very efficient indeed, I was in the middle of the countryside at the time with me and the bike down a ditch - the control centre knew exactly where I was from the SOS beacon, and they managed to have the police with me within 20 minutes of the accident occurring. Very efficient and very impressed.

That’s a very good result.

 

[yofi]

I can answer that having had exactly that situation last year when I was knocked off my R1250GS. If they get no answer, then they alert the police to come investigate. I found out subsequently that if you are in conversation with the control centre and there is an incident then depending on the replies they can request both ambulance and police, but with no answer, its police only in the first instance. And I have to say, they were very efficient indeed, I was in the middle of the countryside at the time with me and the bike down a ditch - the control centre knew exactly where I was from the SOS beacon, and they managed to have the police with me within 20 minutes of the accident occurring. Very efficient and very impressed.

As example in a car

https://youtu.be/HazhFOL5QYU?t=45

It's a brilliant bit of kit, and if it wasn't now included but optional then worth every penny of the £300. Will be mandatory on all bikes within a few years.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

Two weeks after buying my SOS bike, I decided to test it. I was in campsite in the Ardennes. Lifted the protective cover and pressed the button. The countdown to cancell appeared on the TFT. I allowed it to continue. Instantly an English speaking voice asked if I needed any assistance. I explained it was a test and he confirmed my exact location.
The call was ended and I was happy.
Five years ago I reached my friend's villa in St. Tropez. During a conversation over a beer he told me the week previous a young lad had been found dead in the mountain valley. He had left the road on his motorcycle, and crashed deep down in the river. He survived the crash. But broke his pelvis and eventually died of dehydration. No one knew he was there. No one see him leave the road. The SOS in this case would 100% saved his life.
My Dutch mate has just purchased a GSA with SOS. He didn't really take much notice of it. But one day he was on a stretch of sand and fell off. To his amazement, whilst he was laying next to the bike, he began talking to the BMW emergency team. He explained he was OK and the call ended.
What puzzled him was that the BMW person spoke in Dutch. And the bike was purchased from a German guy. BMW state the language is always in the owners spoken tongue. However, he didn't pay to transfer the SOS details. So is it done automatically, for free ?
US bikes don't have it.

 

[Arsey]

My bro fell off his GS in Guernsey and the SOS kicked in .
An old dear answered in Guernsey patois and despatched a Rapid Response Donkey carrying a soothing mug of bean jar .
Great service . How did we ever manage without ?

 

[leadfarmer]

When warlord fell off in Walsall the voice said “am yow allroit arr kid ?”

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

How did we ever manage without ?

Let's hope you never have to answer that !

 

[Doc]

I might press mine to test it. I for some reason didn't have the option not to have it.

 

[Arsey]

Let's hope you never have to answer that !

If I didn’t trust myself to ride a bike without a Call Mummy button , I’d give up tomorrow.
I can see it’s a great feature for a GS 1250 rider . Heavens , already today someone is worried how busy the Eurotunnel will be at the end of June so it’s one less thing to worry about if you are of such a nervous disposition.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

If I didn’t trust myself to ride a bike without a Call Mummy button , I’d give up tomorrow.
I can see it’s a great feature for a GS 1250 rider . Heavens , already today someone is worried how busy the Eurotunnel will be at the end of June so it’s one less thing to worry about if you are of such a nervous disposition.

First, Any device that can save or protect life is a bonus ... right ?

Second, Unlike some on here, as stated above in my post, Many riders do ride to distant, barren places, Starbucks not included. And it would save life. We obviously do not hold the same super powers you have Arse.

 

[Arsey]

First, Any device that can save or protect life is a bonus ... right ?

Second, Unlike some on here, as stated above in my post, Many riders do ride to distant, barren places, Starbucks not included. And it would save life. We obviously do not hold the same super powers you have Arse.

So the SOS facility will be fuck all use if you’re in a distant barren place, as the system relies on the availability of a mobile phone network.
Even riding over places such as the alps , the phone signal is patchy and you’re more likely to come off up a mountain pass than in the middle of town.And if its the latter then there may just be a few people around to help you.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

So the SOS facility will be fuck all use if you’re in a distant barren place, as the system relies on the availability of a mobile phone network.
Even riding over places such as the alps , the phone signal is patchy and you’re more likely to come off up a mountain pass than in the middle of town.And if its the latter then there may just be a few people around to help you.

its impossible to support anything, even if its a positive life saving device, with someone who just wants to argue for the hell of it. UKgser I guess.
I'll agree. Its shite. and shouldn't be forced upon us.

 

[Arsey]

its impossible to support anything, even if its a positive life saving device, with someone who just wants to argue for the hell of it. UKgser I guess.
I'll agree. Its shite. and shouldn't be forced upon us.

Congrats.
You’ve turned your usual psycho weird in less than 5 posts.
Whilst I agree that an SOS button may be useful, it does seem a tad crap that it only works if you have a phone signal so is fuck all use if you are riding remotely where accidents are likely to happen.
Not everybody shares your strange views of life ,thank fuck.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

Congrats.
You’ve turned your usual psycho weird in less than 5 posts.
Whilst I agree that an SOS button may be useful, it does seem a tad crap that it only works if you have a phone signal so is fuck all use if you are riding remotely where accidents are likely to happen.
Not everybody shares your strange views of life ,thank fuck.

Arse.
My weird strange view on life is based on this.
Speak to people on the Intraweb the same as you would if you were standing next to them in the pub. I read your posts on here, along with a few others that make me so wish I was standing next to you in the pub Your persona would be so difference. Not the obnoxious arse you are here.
If you research the emergency network signal. It is everywhere. Youd be very unlucky not to be within it.
But again. Its shite,