system error

[malcolmkaty]

Help
not run my bike in three weeks due to work went to start it yesterday and just a click , screen did not dim tried a couple of times but nothing then had
system error consult dealer or technician can't remember which one came up as a message , put my optimal on and cam e back in 30mins and it started switch off and tried again same problem , the bike has only done 300 miles is it just a case of low battery and the cold , the bike is kept in a unheated insulated shed , Do these drain batteries even when switch off ?

 

[littleade]

Most likely the battery either gone flat (especially if it's got a tracker fitted) or you've got a duff battery. Leave the optimate on and try it again in a day or so. Hold the clutch in as that might help if it struggles to crank. If it still doesn't start ring BMW assist. Good luck

Edit: daft question but did you remember to switch it off last time you used it, assuming it's keyless?

 

[Engineer]

Help
not run my bike in three weeks due to work went to start it yesterday and just a click , screen did not dim tried a couple of times but nothing then had
system error consult dealer or technician can't remember which one came up as a message , put my optimal on and cam e back in 30mins and it started switch off and tried again same problem , the bike has only done 300 miles is it just a case of low battery and the cold , the bike is kept in a unheated insulated shed , Do these drain batteries even when switch off ?

Yes they do drain the battery, you are lucky to get away with a week's non-use in cold weather - the tracker is a big part of the problem. In this last cold snap my bike really struggled to start after 4-days, it did start but when I stopped for petrol 2 miles down the road it refused to start again. I normally leave the bike on the BMW battery charger at my other address, but it's not practical to do it when in St.Ives.

P.S. the error message is probably reporting a battery low condition.

 

[malcolmkaty]

I had a S1000 rr m sport which had a tracker and factory alarm which would drain the battery in days had to be on a float charger all the time . I suppose with the Gs it takes a lot of power to turn over the engine and starting and leaving to idle for a couple of minutes is not enough to get the battery back to full power and needs to be ridden a good few miles for this , I will keep it on a float charger , no tracker or alarm askthe problems I had had on my other bike and the tracker gave false locations .

 

[Engineer]

Never had problems on my 5 previous GS's - this is my first 1250 and it has the tracker fitted - if I keep the tracker then I'll have to always keep the bike it on maintenance charge. Unless I get a significant insurance discount when I renew, I'll have it removed because it won't be worth the hassle.

 

[malcopopolo]

Modern bikes and cars have oem fitted batteries that just meet the minimum. very little spare capacity.
Weight & cost are 2 factors they wrestle with.

I was messing with my fully charged GS with some lights just using the ignition and not having the bike on charge for a week. Bike just clicked. Put it on charger for 20 mins and it burst into life. Modern bikes if the voltage drops will not attempt to start to protect the ECU.

My bikes are always on a trickle charger.

 

[GSMarky]

Never had problems on my 5 previous GS's - this is my first 1250 and it has the tracker fitted - if I keep the tracker then I'll have to always keep the bike it on maintenance charge. Unless I get a significant insurance discount when I renew, I'll have it removed because it won't be worth the hassle.

Made zero difference to my insurance and drained the battery so it's off!

 

[Pootler]

Last time i had a completely flat battery on a BMW it took about 3 days to bring it fully back to full charge using a BMW maintenance charger (many years ago). Leave it on for a full day or so and the try again.

 

[Engineer]

Made zero difference to my insurance and drained the battery so it's off!

Think I may do the same, if I can't trust the battery for at least a week of non use then it causes me problems if I am away from my place in Tempsford.