Removal of all problem systems...

General discussion of the BMW R1200RT/R1250RT
Post Reply
Marvin2Shoes
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:50 am
Location: Queensland, Australia
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2011 MOD
Has liked: 76 times
Been liked: 17 times
Australia

Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Marvin2Shoes »

Has anyone yet embarked upon a quest to make the R1200RT more like an Airhead to work on? I feel that removing all this BMW nonsense and starting with off-the-shelf systems would make the bike much friendlierto work on.
Do I need to adjust my suspension electronically? NO.
Do I need the constant errors on my dash disabling other functions on my bike? NO
Do I need a display that displays nonsensical symbols but requires a computer to connect to diagnose same? NO
Do I need a flashing warning to say I have a blown lamp... NO
Do I need a radio and speakers to annoy other people? NO
Do I need a computer running my engine? Well as it is much less powerful than my 1980 GSX1100 i would have to say "why bother?" A decent kit version transistor assisted ignition would suffice and be repairable by me.
Do I need a bike that can't be changed easily to LED bulbs? NO
Do I need a computer that has functions that can't be overridden by me? NO
I guess I just don't need a BMW... I should have rebuilt a 1990's Moto Guzzi. Bugger. Too late? Anyone want a camhead that intermittently throws an ABS warning? I didn't think so :(
2011 R1200RT Highly Modified
Ed Harley
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:36 am
Bike Model and Year: 2013 R1200RT
Has liked: 11 times
Been liked: 50 times
Finland

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Ed Harley »

Perhaps fix the problem and enjoy the ride. :cheers:
1983 GS1000G | 1984 GSX1100EF | 1997 FLHR | 2016 FLSTC | Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 XRT
User avatar
Doctor T
Posts: 1626
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:21 pm
Location: west sussex
Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
Has liked: 879 times
Been liked: 230 times
Great Britain

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Doctor T »

Marvin2Shoes wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 12:25 pm Has anyone yet embarked upon a quest to make the R1200RT more like an Airhead to work on? I feel that removing all this BMW nonsense and starting with off-the-shelf systems would make the bike much friendlierto work on.
Do I need to adjust my suspension electronically? NO.
Do I need the constant errors on my dash disabling other functions on my bike? NO
Do I need a display that displays nonsensical symbols but requires a computer to connect to diagnose same? NO
Do I need a flashing warning to say I have a blown lamp... NO
Do I need a radio and speakers to annoy other people? NO
Do I need a computer running my engine? Well as it is much less powerful than my 1980 GSX1100 i would have to say "why bother?" A decent kit version transistor assisted ignition would suffice and be repairable by me.
Do I need a bike that can't be changed easily to LED bulbs? NO
Do I need a computer that has functions that can't be overridden by me? NO
I guess I just don't need a BMW... I should have rebuilt a 1990's Moto Guzzi. Bugger. Too late? Anyone want a camhead that intermittently throws an ABS warning? I didn't think so :(
I agree with you. Most of the time a simple warning bulb would cover faults just like my old R80RT. Bikes have got too technical over the years but it's what people ask for. Rider modes why? i have a right hand for that. All this tech also makes you lazy. Ie like tye pressure checks, oil level, etc. If i could find a mint low mileage R100/80RT i would jump at it. Simply to fix and my favorite Carbs
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
User avatar
Corker203
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2022 8:03 pm
Location: Northern Wisconsin
Bike Model and Year: R1200rt 2009
Been liked: 3 times
United States of America

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Corker203 »

Just my humble opinion here, but perhaps in some ways all of the new technology has made some of use worse drivers. Personally, I am fond of manual transmissions in all of my vehicles and believe that it has the tendency to make some drivers more attentive and connected.
beemerboy9
Posts: 582
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2016 9:44 am
Location: North London
Bike Model and Year: 1250RT 2019
Been liked: 16 times
Great Britain

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by beemerboy9 »

Corker203 wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 2:29 pm Just my humble opinion here, but perhaps in some ways all of the new technology has made some of use worse drivers. Personally, I am fond of manual transmissions in all of my vehicles and believe that it has the tendency to make some drivers more attentive and connected.
Manual gearbox - one way to change gears with the lever.

My automatic - I can change gears by
a) use steering wheel paddles
b) using sport mode to alter change up and change down points
c) using manual mode on the gear selector to hold a particular gear.
d) using kickdown

I'm happy enough with manual gears on the bike but would not have a manual car.

While manual gears do tend to make some car drivers more attentive and connected, it makes a lot of them worse.

Furthermore very few drivers who learnt on a manual before buying an automatic ever get training on how to use an auto gearbox.
John Bentall
Marvin2Shoes
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:50 am
Location: Queensland, Australia
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2011 MOD
Has liked: 76 times
Been liked: 17 times
Australia

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Marvin2Shoes »

Ed Harley wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 12:28 pm Perhaps fix the problem and enjoy the ride. :cheers:
Er... That's problems... Plural. The ABS light has just been the straw that broke the camels back. Oh... that and having to pay for proper BMW badges as the fairing had very boring silver discs attached that interestingly had all the same mould markings as the new bmw blue & white ones.
It only cost AU$148 for the privilege. :(
2011 R1200RT Highly Modified
User avatar
Doctor T
Posts: 1626
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:21 pm
Location: west sussex
Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
Has liked: 879 times
Been liked: 230 times
Great Britain

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Doctor T »

Marvin2Shoes wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:23 am Er... That's problems... Plural. The ABS light has just been the straw that broke the camels back. Oh... that and having to pay for proper BMW badges as the fairing had very boring silver discs attached that interestingly had all the same mould markings as the new bmw blue & white ones.
It only cost AU$148 for the privilege. :(
It must be a country thing. My 2007 has blue and white roundels on the side of the fairing. Never seen the silver discs have you a picture of them?
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
Ed Harley
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:36 am
Bike Model and Year: 2013 R1200RT
Has liked: 11 times
Been liked: 50 times
Finland

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Ed Harley »

R1100s was very sensitive to battery condition and if battery was not in top order ABS light was flickering although there was no actual fault.

Do R1200s possess this same behaviour?
1983 GS1000G | 1984 GSX1100EF | 1997 FLHR | 2016 FLSTC | Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 XRT
User avatar
Doctor T
Posts: 1626
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:21 pm
Location: west sussex
Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
Has liked: 879 times
Been liked: 230 times
Great Britain

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Doctor T »

A bad battery can affect the ABS on R1200RT. When i got my bike, the battery wouldn't hold its charge and my ABS light would flash until the alternator chucked power into it. As soon as it had over 12v and i restarted the bike the ABS lamp would go out as normal. Not sure if it was just my bike or if this is common.
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
Marvin2Shoes
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:50 am
Location: Queensland, Australia
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2011 MOD
Has liked: 76 times
Been liked: 17 times
Australia

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Marvin2Shoes »

Doctor T wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:11 pm It must be a country thing. My 2007 has blue and white roundels on the side of the fairing. Never seen the silver discs have you a picture of them?
As requested. Upside down unfortunately. Front and back of badge shown:
20230113_140103.jpg
20230113_140103.jpg (359.57 KiB) Viewed 366 times
2011 R1200RT Highly Modified
Ed Harley
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:36 am
Bike Model and Year: 2013 R1200RT
Has liked: 11 times
Been liked: 50 times
Finland

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Ed Harley »

If I search with BMW and that part number 7721222 it shows numerous typical colored BMW emblems like this:

Image

Maybe yours has been cleaned of coating or it has become loose otherwise?

https://www.lllparts.co.uk/product/51147721222/plaque
1983 GS1000G | 1984 GSX1100EF | 1997 FLHR | 2016 FLSTC | Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 XRT
User avatar
Doctor T
Posts: 1626
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:21 pm
Location: west sussex
Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
Has liked: 879 times
Been liked: 230 times
Great Britain

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Doctor T »

Looks like someone has peeled the sticker off the front. As i said never seen a silver one like in your picture
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
Marvin2Shoes
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:50 am
Location: Queensland, Australia
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2011 MOD
Has liked: 76 times
Been liked: 17 times
Australia

Re: Removal of all problem systems...

Post by Marvin2Shoes »

If it had anything peeled off it then why is "BMW" moulded into the surface.... You'd expect it to be a flat silver disk for a sticker to adhere to? Very odd.
Also... my rant about the bike above... I should make it clear.: I absolutely love the engine and suspension and handling. I'd be totally happy to lose all the electronic rubbish though. The bits that are good - cruise control and windscreen adjustment - can exist without all the other nonsense. I don't need to adjust my suspension with a button or have my braking system govern if I'm able to set my cruise control.
2011 R1200RT Highly Modified
Post Reply