Stranded in Norway - Lost my Key!

[Middleview]

Help with advice please! I'm touring on a 2013 R1200GS built to US specs and delivered in Germany. I'm in Sandnes, Norway and somehow I've lost my key and don't have a spare. Very special - as in really, really feeling stupid and airheaded. Either I spectacularly left the key in the bike and someone took it, or I've managed to truly "lose it"... and have torn the hotel room and my kit apart numerous times. Retraced all steps ala "Hangover" and no joy as well. Of course I'd just whip out my spare if I'd been wise enough to get that sorted beforehand, but no, I honestly didn't bring them...

And, because it's Sunday nothing is open and roadside assistance numbers in U.S. and Norway don't have people "in the know". They are contractors working to get me off the road should that be needed. Nope, bike's securely parked in the hotel parking with a fat chain on it.

Luckily, I'm within 30 minutes of a local BMW dealer, who opens at 9am Monday. I've called their number and e-mailed without success, but that's expected.

My question for those who've experienced or know:
Can the dealer cut a key with the VIN only, accompanied by my registration and ID? Or, will they be required to haul the bike into the shop to get it onto a computer to program the ECU and immobilizer to the new key? Any and all advice in advance appreciated.

Thanks,
Stranded in Sandnes...

[Miguel AL]

The dealer can order a proper key to your bike using the VIN, but it will need to be programmed to your ECU once it arrives from the factory.

Since the bike is new you can get in touch with BMW Roadside assistance and ask for help.


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[Middleview]

Thanks Miguel. So far BMW roadside assistance has directed me to the dealer - they'll need to verify my bonafides to order the key.

[tonylester]

Originally Posted by Miguel AL

but it will need to be programmed to your ECU once it arrives from the factory.

No it doesnt, keys come programmed and cut for your bike. But you will have to provide proof of ownership.
You can have keys disabled though and seeing as you dont know where yours is and if your going to be staying in the area for any amount of time then this might be a good idea, if you want to do this you will have to take your bike to the dealership with any keys you dont want disabled.

[Miguel AL]

The manual is not very clear about new keys (p. 46):

"If you lose your key, you can have it barred by your BMW Motorrad authorized dealer. If you wish to do this, you will need to bring all other keys for the motor bike with you. The engine cannot be started by a barred key, but a key that has been barred can subsequently be reactivated. You can obtain replacement/extra keys only through an authorized BMW Motorrad dealer.The keys are part of an integrated security system, so the dealer is under an obligation to check the legitimacy of all applications for replacement/extra keys"


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[tonylester]

Originally Posted by Miguel AL

The manual is not very clear about new keys (p. 46):

"If you lose your key, you can have it barred by your BMW Motorrad authorized dealer. If you wish to do this, you will need to bring all other keys for the motor bike with you. The engine cannot be started by a barred key, but a key that has been barred can subsequently be reactivated. You can obtain replacement/extra keys only through an authorized BMW Motorrad dealer.The keys are part of an integrated security system, so the dealer is under an obligation to check the legitimacy of all applications for replacement/extra keys"


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Yes you can get a new key for your bike from a dealer. If you want to stop your lost key from working then you take your bike and any keys you want still to work to the dealer and it will lock out/stop any key that has been used on the bike that you dont have with you at the time

[Middleview]

Hey everyone,

Just a quick thank you to everyone who responded during my stranded day in Sandness, Norway! The end of the story was that other dealer in nearby Stavanger trucked my bike to their dealership and stored it for me until I could retrieve it in mid-September (went home to Brussels, on various missions, etc.) They ordered 3 new keys for me and they were waiting. I fired the bike up on Sep 13 and rode it home to Brussels bias ferry through Hirtshal, Denmark.

Bottom line, BMW cannot/will not produce replacement keys in less than a week. My better half now refers to the former key as the 1000 euro key. indeed!

HUGE shoutout to Jone Larson at Bikerstreet BMW in Stavanger. He saved my sanity with the bike retrieval and by ordering the keys!!

Many thanks to all involved.




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[pebble35]

Glad you got it sorted - modern immobilised bikes can be a nightmare when it comes to lost keys !

It's too late for you but one little tip I've always used on any trip is to take a spare key and wrap it in black insulating tape to attach it to the wiring loom somewhere out of sight 'just in case' - same with spare keys for anything else on the bike - chains/disc locks and luggage etc

[*Touring Ted*]

Lesson of the day...


Have a spare... ALWAYS !!!


Glad it's finally sorted. My sympathy for the cost.

[JustMe]

Well, why did you not spend the money on a rental bike for the week instead of going home? And where were your spare keys? At home and nobody could get to them?
Cheers
Chris

[mark manley]

Originally Posted by Middleview

as in really, really feeling stupid and airheaded.

Would you like to rephrase that? if you really were airheaded all you would of had to do was pull the wires from the ignition switch and join them together.

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by mark manley

Would you like to rephrase that? if you really were airheaded all you would of had to do was pull the wires from the ignition switch and join them together.

Reason 3840990344 to travel on a simple bike...