The Hills Have Starts...

[Beemer Bob]

I recently (one week!) came back to the GS series after an 8 year spell riding the C650GT flying armchair.
Now that I'm forced to change gear manually I'm finding pulling away on hills rather tricky. Finding the sweet spot between clutch, throttle and rear brake has nearly ended in total embarrassment.
As yet I haven't employed the hill start option in the settings, I'm just winging it old skool for now.
My question: Does the hill start feature make a massive difference? When the brake is engaged, does it take a fistfull to get going?
Some tips in this department are greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Wet behind the ears Beemer Bob

 

[karlakGS]

I have hill hold on my 1250RS and find it is pretty subtle how it applies. My driveway has a fairly minimal slope, but the bike detects the slope and as I pull the brake to gently stop at the gate, it applies the hill-hold.

I have seen some people moan about it applying then having to pull away to dis-engage, not so with my RS, I find that if you dab the rear brake then the hill hold disenagages. It is also smooth when you pull away on a hill, works both up and down slopes as well.

 

[GSADavidZH2]

I find hill start a good feature. I had no issues using it, try it on flat ground and see how you get on with it. I never found it needed a fistful of revs to get it released.

 

[jetjock]

The ASA on the 1300GS is excellent and does hill starts with ease

 

[gateway77]

Engage Hill Start by squeezing the brake lever with a little extra force.
Dis-engage by doing the same thing and move off 'traditionally'.
Or leave it engaged and just apply gentle throttle increase until it releases.
Works well either way and is a very useful addition in several circumstances in my experience. (ie not just on hills)

 

[Nick Marshall]

I have used it on various BMW bikes over the last 3 years.
Got rather bored with it about 6 weeks ago. So turned it off.

Bike works well without it.
Mine is a non ASA R1300GS Adventure.

 

[Beemer Bob]

Thanks for the great comments, guys!
I will fumble through the settings and ENGAGE!

Not so wet behind the ears Beemer Bob

 

[botus]

I recently (one week!) came back to the GS series after an 8 year spell riding the C650GT flying armchair.
Now that I'm forced to change gear manually I'm finding pulling away on hills rather tricky. Finding the sweet spot between clutch, throttle and rear brake has nearly ended in total embarrassment.
As yet I haven't employed the hill start option in the settings, I'm just winging it old skool for now.
My question: Does the hill start feature make a massive difference? When the brake is engaged, does it take a fistfull to get going?
Some tips in this department are greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Wet behind the ears Beemer Bob

hill start jams on the back brake - as you abuse the clutch trying to ride off - it detects the throttle opening and when you have given the clutch too much abuse it lets off the back brake

its a nasty feature that at other times makes the bike play up and you nearly drop it whilst maneuvering - as it suddenly interferes with vehicle operation when your brain has already calculated where you want to stop and gravity was going to help you get the bike upright before stopping

had it for 5 years on three bikes - disabled it for five years on 3 of my bikes and 4 demo bikes - dangerous junk

KTM 1290
Triumph tiger explorer
K1600GTL - wait till this monster jams it on just when you didn't want it - why do you think from 2019 they all come with engine bars !!!!

 

[wessie]

as a self confessed short arse, sometimes, on a camber I need to have my right foot down

when I had an R1150GS in 2001 to 2011 I learnt to do a hill start using the front brake. I actually prefer this technique now and rarely use the rear brake on a hill. As my right hip has been problematic in more recent years, this became a very useful skill to have as I could have a little stretch rather than keeping my right foot on the brake at a junction.

 

[tomtom1200]

Luckily I am tall enough to use both brakes without issues. But given the GS brakes are linked anyway just use the front brake.

I found the hill start can be a touch unpredictable. I used to use it to hold the bike downhill while I faffed with my work pass at the gate but it released on me and nearly had me off. Also if you forget and switch the engine off it will release.

The only time I think it would be really useful, on really step hills I think it requires a bit to much throttle to make it release.

Ended up switching it off and haven't regretted it.

 

[gateway77]

Appreciate that everyone has a different opinion on 'rider aids' but having just come back from a longish trip around Scandinavia I know I've used this feature multiple times every day so I'm surprised by the negative comments as never found it to be problematic.
Usually apply with front brake and release with foot, that keeps my foot on the rear brake until I want to go.
But everyone develops their own methods for sure so if your system works it's all good.

 

[littleade]

I quite like it on my 1250RS. It wasn't very good on my 1st 1200 GS, always requiring a good handful to disengage but they seemed to have improved it quite a bit since then. I snick it into neutral just before I stop, then put my right foot down and engage HH. Saves doing the hendon shuffle when I move off and allows me to sit nice and relaxed while waiting knowing the bike's not going anywhere.

 

[tspivey]

I’m a fan of mine on my 24 R1300GS. I don’t understand the comments about it abusing the clutch, clearly not used correctly, mine releases smoothly as soon as the revs rise.

 

[autogs]

hill start jams on the back brake - as you abuse the clutch trying to ride off - it detects the throttle opening and when you have given the clutch too much abuse it lets off the back brake

its a nasty feature that at other times makes the bike play up and you nearly drop it whilst maneuvering - as it suddenly interferes with vehicle operation when your brain has already calculated where you want to stop and gravity was going to help you get the bike upright before stopping

had it for 5 years on three bikes - disabled it for five years on 3 of my bikes and 4 demo bikes - dangerous junk

KTM 1290
Triumph tiger explorer
K1600GTL - wait till this monster jams it on just when you didn't want it - why do you think from 2019 they all come with engine bars !!!!

Wtf is up with you? You spout nonsense again

 

[botus]

Wtf is up with you? You spout nonsense again

more posts above are agreeing with its pitfalls and turn it off - is dangerous unnecessary junk - I learnt to use the throttle and front brake together when I was 12 - I thought ever rider always did that - anything else is plain ridiculous

if you want to ride a bike heavy bike - unless on holiday take the panniers off (or go for therapy about your faulty ego), turn off hill start, wind back Traction control, disable anti wheelie

 

[leadfarmer]

Wtf is up with you? You spout nonsense again

It’s all he ever does

Hill hold is good, not strictly essential but most definitely nice to have

 

[JoeBiff]

It’s all he ever does

He gives the best impression I’ve ever seen of someone who’s been sacked by a dealership but before he’s left the premises he’s lifted every manual and manufacturer directive and thrown them in his shed out of spite?
Servicing Lambrettas in the car port, now?

 

[botus]

are those having a pop at me as stupid as you come across ?

the idea of all these unnecessary extras are purely to increase wear and tear to the bike - quick shift smear the gears to death and destroy the box, hill start wear out the clutch and contaminate the engine oil - extended service intervals - its only designed to help you need a new bike so they sell more

I suggest you get back to the marketing department and leave bikers to ride them properly

 

[autogs]

My hill start works perfectly thank you with no abuse of the clutch, I'm sorry to hear I'm not a biker after 45 years riding that's really upset me......

 

[J biker]

I like to keep it simole (no radar, no elec screen etc) but I like it.