Stalling - is it a GS characteristic? How much is acceptable?

[bbb]

Hi Peeps,

I have a 2010 spec GSA that stalls from time to time without any muppetry on my part!

Normally I am sitting at traffic lights with a warm engine, then the lights go green and I go to give it some throttle, and before I can even let the clutch out the engine has died. This is obviously not so great on a commute through London with vans and lorries by my side ready to launch off the lights as well

I bought the bike in the summer with low mileage and it infrequently stalled early on into my ownership. I have now changed the battery (due to previous experiences with a 650 Dakar) and it has had a big service at BMW with no faults to be found apart from a stuck exhaust flapper that was replaced. Since the service it is stil doing it but not as badly as before......yet! My bike also stumbles sometimes when giving initial throttle, like the engine can't decide if it's going to pickup or not.

The dealer has told me that GS's stalling is a characteristic of the bike. So what do you guys say!? How common is GS stalling really if at all, and how much stalling would you accept?

Apart from that I'm loving my GSA I just hope this won't start taking the shiny shine off things

 

[Fanum]

The dealer has told me that GS's stalling is a characteristic of the bike. So what do you guys say!?

I'd say that your dealer is talking out of his arse

Seriously....that's a bit like saying "Oh don't worry sir, it's a characteristic of this model to suddenly veer uncontrollably to one side...it's called 'character!' "

 

[bisbee]

Dealer is talking bollox Go and see Steptoe

 

[pjm-84]

I've had it happen a few times recently on my 2013 GSA. As a result I have just put some of the expensive fuel in and it seems to run better.

I also know what you mean about "stumbling". I believe, maybe wrongly, that the engine tick over is on the cusp and any drop in revs, even small, can cause the "hiccup". A little bit of transmission drag, when cold, when waiting at the lights in gear etc.

 

[bikemad]

Id say 'bmw weve got a problem' try going to see an independent,plenty from this forum about especially if you dealer is talking

It could be the dreaded lumpy running some suffer from caused by lean mixture to meet standards,might benefit from accelerator module,power commander or remap to get it running better ?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

For the off idle throttle try a TPS reset. Mine stutters and baulks when it needs done. If you don't know switch ignition on and let it do the pre check but don't start. Slowly twist throttle fully open and closed 3 times. Switch off ignition and your done. It's free to try and takes a minute. It won't do anything for the stalling but it might help the stumbling.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

There is something wrong because the bike should neither stutter or stall. I would whizz it round to Steptoe in West London so he can cast his expert eye over it. Sounds like the throttle bodies are out of whack to me.

The only time when they are prone to stalling is if you change down at fairly slow speeds without blipping the throttle in my experience.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Some pre twin cams suffered from stalling but not in the situation you describe. AFAIK it isn't a problem otherwise.

 

[SteveM]

Hi BBB I've got an accelerator module you can have for the cost of a self addressed envelope. It really helped my '11 plate GSA run a lot better before I had a Hilltop tune, especially at low revs. As has been said previously, you could have some slight underlying problem as well which you'd do well to get fixed before fitting something like an accelerator module, otherwise you might simply mask the problem.

 

[spm0912]

I had exactly the same problem on a twin cam. Happened infrequently after idling in stop start traffic. It's not done it since its been hill-topped so I put it down to lean running.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I'd do a TPS reset as mentioned above. I'd also check the state of the air filter, as it's easy enough to get to.

Try it on super unleaded too.

Otherwise, try calling St Eptoe also mentioned above.

 

[SteveM]

I had exactly the same problem on a twin cam. Happened infrequently after idling in stop start traffic. It's not done it since its been hill-topped so I put it down to lean running.

Hey spm0912, I've got a great idea, lets start a Hilltop thread

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Hi Peeps,

I have a 2010 spec GSA that stalls from time to time without any muppetry on my part!

Normally I am sitting at traffic lights with a warm engine, then the lights go green and I go to give it some throttle, and before I can even let the clutch out the engine has died. This is obviously not so great on a commute through London with vans and lorries by my side ready to launch off the lights as well

I bought the bike in the summer with low mileage and it infrequently stalled early on into my ownership. I have now changed the battery (due to previous experiences with a 650 Dakar) and it has had a big service at BMW with no faults to be found apart from a stuck exhaust flapper that was replaced. Since the service it is stil doing it but not as badly as before......yet! My bike also stumbles sometimes when giving initial throttle, like the engine can't decide if it's going to pickup or not.

The dealer has told me that GS's stalling is a characteristic of the bike. So what do you guys say!? How common is GS stalling really if at all, and how much stalling would you accept?

Apart from that I'm loving my GSA I just hope this won't start taking the shiny shine off things

If the "helpful" dealer is a BMW dealer ask them to reload the software. If they are an indie take the bike to a BMW dealer and ask them to reload the software. Only after that has been been done go looking for other causes.

Does your GSA have the enduro gearbox? Most of mine (I'm on my 5th) have had them and it helps avoid stalling but that should not be happening anyway. It's not character it's a fault, one that can put you on your side if it happens mid manouvre, it needs fixing.

Good luck.

 

[bbb]

Crikey boys, that's a response and a half Thanks very much to all.

Your input is great as it helps confirm a few things in my mind amongst others. TPS I'd not thought of but simple enough, can do before I leave work. The bike had it's software updated at its recent service, I think this was probably quite out of date. I've run the bike on Super Unleaded now for about 2 months and this has improved economy but not fixed the stalling. Throttle Bodies and Steptoe were half on my radar so I'll def give him a ring now, thanks for the nudge. SteveM I actually have a Boosterplug module that I was planning to fit if I change the headers and remove the exhaust flapper - but perhaps I should just fit it. Thanks for your offer.

Considering the bike is pretty new to me (sold by BMW) I'd expect BMW to fix this but I have the feeling based on previous experience that that's a dead horse!

I'll let you know over the next month or so how I get on.

Cheers, bbb

 

[Bendy toy]

Mine was prone to stalling but I couldn't find anything wrong. Eventually a primary coil failed and very soon after the other one went down.
That explained why swapping coils left/right did nothing - both were failing.
New coils fitted - no more stalling.
But mine is an 08 and the old black body coils are known for failing. The later stainless sleeve variety are more reliable.
Has anyone found a three wire plug top coil in a motor factors that will fit the boxer 1200?

 

[bbb]

How long did you have to live with it stalling before it got terminal and then getting fixed? Or perhaps I should ask how many miles?

I did about 4,000miles in the first 3 months of ownership so I'm putting them on at the mo.

The annoying bit for me is just filtering through traffic to the front and sitting there wondering what's gonna happen come pull away! You look like such a gormless erection when it stalls and there's an audience of bikers, cyclists, lorries, all ready to move off!!

 

[bbb]

My mechanical bike woes are no longer a problem.....in as much my GSA has been stolen after just 4 months of ownership!

It was stolen from Forest Hill (London), between 18.45 and 19.45 this evening. It's a yellow GSA with top box, touratech wind deflector, black touratech cradle mount, puig hugger, registration LG59 SFU.

Bye bye little yellow - my first venture into GSA ownership

 

[SteveM]

I'm really sorry to hear about this. I've had bikes stolen in the past and know how annoying and upsetting it is.
Hope your insurance sorts you out soon and you get another GSA.
Good luck, Steve.

 

[twizzle]

Oh well, all's well that ends well!

 

[Bendy toy]

I'm planning to fit a tracker. My bike has become a personal thing I don't want to lose.