I get the impression from the OP that the Cork dealer would only supply the control unit on the understanding that it was non-refundable. Whether or not he did any programming is only important if the current owner wants to try and sell it privately.

The way in which it broke down is also an important factor in determining what has actually caused the bike to stop (or not start in this case). If it was as the OP said one minute the bike was working 100%, he then stopped and a few minutes later tried to start the bike and it was completely dead then he was probably right to think that it was an electronic failure. In my experience broken wires initially cause intermittent faults leading eventually to complete failure but the problem with electronic failures is that they can just occur for no good reason (although heat is usually the cause).

If this sort of fault occurred on my low tech bike I would have tried 'hotwiring' the starter motor and ignition circuits depending on the exact symptoms. I'm not sure how much the CANBUS technology affects things but, for example, if the starter isn't turning I would disconnect the existing wiring and jump it directly from the battery - if it turns then it points the finger at the switch and numerous interlocks (neutral switch, sidestand switch etc.). OK I realise I'm probably over simplifying things as I have very little experience of such complex machines but it's interesting to note that technology hasn't overcome the problem of fatigue breaks in the wiring loom at the headstock! I would have thought that some sort of wireless connection could be used.

CANBUS has been around for nearly 30 years with 4 wheelers and it is here to stay:-
What is CAN Bus?
According to that website --
1. One advantage is the reduction in the amount of wiring used in the loom - for the BMW car it saved 50 Kg of weight.
2. Vehicle construction regulations standardise on the implementation of CANBUS technology; I have come across this theme in other discussion, whereby the diagnostic tools are supposed to be interchangeable.

Wiki explains a lot more about how signals are transmitted via the CANBUS, but the old ways of diagnosing faults have to be modified to take into account that information flows as signals/impulses and not as a constant flow of current

"I get the impression from the OP that the Cork dealer would only supply the control unit on the understanding that it was non-refundable. Whether or not he did any programming is only important if the current owner wants to try and sell it privately."
In part, this is why I mentioned that becoming involved in the garage internal procedures for procurement of spare parts is not a great idea, even if the customer considers that they are under time pressures; further, doing it via a personal friend/acquaintance simply complicates the relationship aspects.

__________________
Dave

I think you also have to be realistic / fatalistic about any BMW Motorrad facilities outside of the developed world.

Many of them do not have up to date diagnostic kit.

Once I spoke to the official dealer / importer in Kazakhstan who said their diagnostic kit cant help with anything more recent than 1999.

Generally speaking, the sales of BMW motorcycles outside the western world is tiny (in contrast, sales of BMW cars in Peru or Mongolia or wherever, is actually significant). Dealers are often the local car importing franchise of BMW who has been compelled by Munich to have a token Motorrad sales and service facility too, as a condition of getting the BMW Car franchise for that country. In reality, their interest in selling or servicing the motorcycles is near zero. Their investment in equipment and staff training is also near zero. Again using Kazakhstan as an example, there are NO BMW owners in Kazakhstan that I know that go to the dealer for service. All say they are useless, and get the bikes serviced by local passionate motorcycle mechanics. The dealer there exists only to import and sell new bikes. Beyond that, they have no real function.

The local importers and dealers are only interested in the BMW car business. Thats where the money is.

Expecting the motorrad section to be any use at all, to have top draw bike mechanics, to have up to date diagnostic equipment or even carry any spare parts in stock is totally not realistic.

__________________

The latest diagnosis machine, MOSS, Costs over £4000 to dealers and has to be connected to germany through the internet to use it, it's easy to see why far away dealers will not fork out for the latest equipment if they rarely see any need for it

Whilst we are busy slating BMW R1200GS does anybody know the story behind this photo I have just seen on Facebook and what did this chap's dealer say to him?

It used to be that if you had a motorcycle franchise you were contractually obligated to buy all the service material and get staff trained up (at your expense) on each new model. BMW insisting that you take on a bike franchise in order to get the car franchise is just another indication of their declining comittment to customer service.


At least he won't need a diagnostic machine to work out what's wrong with it!

have only ever seen one other like that.
Could have been a number of things, the drive shaft could have previously broken and damaged the inside of the swingarm, he could have previously had an rear end accident.

Dealer:
It's time to trade up sir; you need the new, 2013, wasserhead.

Joking apart, I don't see any of this thread as beating up BMW as a company; that stuff lies elsewhere in the HUBB.

__________________
Dave

If BMW are obligating car franchise holders in small markets to carry a bike franchise as well just to get a few sales, but not insisting that they have the same level of support or trainng as in Europe then they are working against their own self imposed high customer service standards.

BMW makes a bike which is marketed as the ultimate RTW tourer and sold on the understanding that they have a worlwide dealer network second to none. If you choose a BMW over a Kawasaki because of this spiel then I think you are very naive.

I learnt in Africa 20 years ago that the dealers listed in the book in Nairobi, Lusaka and other places didn't really exist. Most were set up when BMW managed to sell a few R80s to the national police force and, since they had long been replaced by Hondas or similar, all that remained were a few service parts in a box on a shelf.

"I am sorry sir, but for riding off asphalt on a BMW you are required to have the obligatory TKC80 tyres on your bike. Unfortunately, as you had the Anakees at the time of the incident, your warranty doesn't cover this.

But the good news is that we can get you a new swingarm, drive shaft and tension strut in 4 weeks for £2500 - plus labour of course, which is £100/hour plus VAT. We can check out the final drive, but if its scratched you can add another £900 to the bill.

Shall we book it in?"

__________________

If BMW would make the old R100GS again, they couldn't keep them in stock