Dave,
The problem some indies have is that BMW won't sell them or allow use of the proprietary software or computers to download codes and such to diagnose faults.

In some cases clever aftermarket companies hacked systems and built gizmos allowing indies to diagnose BMW systems, download error codes, tune and whatnot.

But BMW Continually change bike computers and software, making it very tough for indies to compete without specialized "dealer only" analytic equipment.

I agree about early 1150's ... lots of problems. My BMW GS test bike lost it's clutch (NO abuse on my part) on a BMW sponsored press ride!) Some red faces on that one.

But BMW has had ABS since "about" 1995 or so? Maybe earlier? I tested one of the very first K100RS with ABS ... kinda sucked ... but it was cool because no one else had it then! BMW just aren't always great at problem solving.

We hear lots about failed BMW GS drive lines. (shaft or bearings or trans or whatever) This a long and tragic story that's gone on since the very first Oil Head motors!

In 2003 (or so) when Yamaha introduced the FJR1300, Yamaha simply used a shaft drive system they'd used on their cruiser models back in the 80's. With very little alteration, this ancient system was bolted straight onto the
FJR ... and very few drive lines have every failed ... and this a bike with about 30% more HP than the GS or any BM twin.

This bit of Yamaha history was told at the official USA FJR press introduction ... along with engineering drawings I did not fully understand!. But I trusted enough to run my FJR test bike up to about 145 mph on the empty Anza Borrego desert roads. No failures but plenty of dragging of hard parts through corners and cooked legs from the HOT engine.

But then you don't hear much about BMW RT's failing compared to GS's. I used to believe it was off road use ... but the fact is ...many many GS drive line failures happen even to those who NEVER go off road!

POINT IS ... BWM are just a bit slow at solving serious engineering problems.

Ever heard of Gold Wing, or any Japanese shaft drive cruiser losing it's final drive? I'm sure it's happened .. but I never heard of it .
Only guys drag racing V-Max bikes ever blew shafts. (150 HP)

Slightly OT and sorry for the pedantry.


ABS is a 40 year old technology and can be diagnosed with a wiring diagram and multimeter. it has:


2 ABS sensors that make a steady AC voltage when the damage and run-out free polewheels are spun and have a given resistance.


A solenoid block cum pump which fires when connected to power and controls fluid flow without leaking. It fails to a standard brake system which can be used normally (although possibly illegally in the EU).


An ECU which has power.


A loom which connects the above together and to a warning display.


It is far far easier to diagnose problems with an OBD2 reader but far from impossible without.


What BMW introduced was a CAN network with multiple layers of additional functionality, lots of dis-information/bull**** such as "resets" (actually just clearing the error memory) and an incredibly badly trained dealer network which was allowed to cover its shortcomings with mystique and high prices. People were right to fear a 2-month long, thousand pound debacle but not the technology. Every truck and bus in Europe has ABS or EBS which by this September will include radar and lane cameras. They don't suffer the maintenance crises you hear of on BMW bikes. Hopefully mandatory ABS will bring the proper auto electricians in on the job and the problem will go away.


Don't let the weird kid who pee's in the paddling pool put you off beach parties.



Andy

All good stuff gentlemen; please keep this type of useful technical information flowing!

I do remember the original introduction of ABS, in the UK anyway, to BMW bikes - and it was innovative.
They used demo videos (or whatever tech that was back then; 16mm tape??) of K bikes sliding about on skid pans with outriggers fitted to the bikes so that they did not actually fall over when braking hard (fitted to those bikes which did not have ABS).
The stopping distance results were impressive, but of no interest to the "old timers" of the day.

Incidentally, a OBD2 bit of kit is sold on ebay for about £10.

As I understand it, all of the servicing records of BMW bikes are not held by the local servicing garage but are sent back to the big server in Berlin.
Car manufacturers are doing similar things.

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Dave

Makes sense if you have parameter files. Say they change a sensor and the new one is slightly different because the manufacturer has changed. You want them to fix the problem, not use old stock or simply show you the door. The new bit can work if the electronics are told about it. You don't want the change reversing when you have oil changed at a different workshop. If you fit a bit yourself and it just works, no problem.

What we really want is legislation to make you the owner of the data. Then any workshop with the tools can do the vehicle change and the record update.

The iRIPOFF model is winning though, you rent the parameter files.

Andy

BMW recalls 300,000 R and K models | MCN

BMW recalls 300,000 bikes - Motorcycle news : General news - Visordown

I love how every BMW recall is always someone else's fault....

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

It's the ultimate riding machine, therefore any fault must lie elsewhere.

Lawyers and marketing, logic Stephen Hawking would struggle with!

Andy

I had that same drive line on my XJ900, manufactured in 2001 (and earlier of course); as you say, it is still used today for the FJR.
It is a neat looking, compact final drive which never seems to give problems used on the highway.

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Dave