I've had my 2011 R1200GS for just over a year. Just got a GS-911 and while reading up on it I came upon two potential sources for being stuck in the middle of nowhere. First was a ring antenna and the other was a fuel pump controller. Anyone know which year models these two potential problems affect? Are they that prevalent?
Lots of thread covering these...SEARCH is your friend. Fuel pump controller - 9 threads Ring antenna - 11 threads
+1 But...ONLY if you use your browser, rather than the site's "search". just search the topic, and add "advrider"
None of them apply to the 2011. The design was change from 2008 on and although I would never say never its a rare failure on the newer bikes. The FD on the other hand........
Thanks Marki Thanks for the replies. Guys I don't make a new topic unless I do a search. Both of these topics have a zillion hits and cover from 1933 Boxers to the present. (just a little hyperbole ) After reading all kinds of fixes on all kinds of GS's, you just start to go cross eyed. Thanks for that suggestion to go off site, I'll try that next time. I pretty much expected the answer I got from Marki
The ring failure is not a 2011 isssue, no worry. The fuel pump controller is an ongoing issue due to design flaws, that is to say the controller assembly points forward tipped at an angle that makes it act like a cup. So when it rains the contoller electrical connection is partially submerged and you better hope the seal is intact. All the GS911 will do here is say " Yer Fucked"
Ditto I have to use this 'non-ADVrider' as a seach method. For all its wonderful super duper, NASA-approved features, my Droid Razor Max simply will not let me use the website's Search function.
http://burnsmoto.com/bmw-fuel-pump-bypass-cable.php Instructions for installation in WRITTEN form...wording from Video: https://skydrive.live.com/#!/view.aspx?cid=2A3A3F4609DB3988&resid=2A3A3F4609DB3988!130&app=Word If you get one...PRINT these instructions and take with you in your tool tube.
After reading for hours on the FD I was so terrified, I had my wife follow me in the car everywhere I went She got tired of that so I have two SPOT's, in case one fails, an EPIB, and one of my Trax boxes if full of flairs. Sheeee IT!!!
Thanks for the info. This is one of the things that triggered my submitting the thread. I just wanted to find out if these things had been fixed or were of such a frequent nature I needed to get the cable or a spare ring antenna.
Hello TH, I wanted a GSA for years, but all of the failure talk and horror stories kept me from commiting. When I finally decided its now or never I got an extended warranty, and even then I expected the worst, I even asked the mechanic on the day I picked it up if I needed to buy some extra oil in case it used too much before the 600 service. He looked at me and said no it wont need any, I have watched the bike like a hawk for loose this leaking that and low oil levels. I am happy to report no problems yet, I expected oil use but as of yet I have not added any, and that has surprised me considering where I ride its never under 80 mph but maybe the last model is the best model. Best wishes. D.
flair <SUP></SUP>/flɛər/ Show Spelled [flair] Show IPA noun 1. a natural talent, aptitude, or ability; bent; knack: a flair for rhyming. 2. smartness of style, manner, etc.: Their window display has absolutely no flair at all. Synonyms: chic, dash, panache, verve; oomph, pizazz. 3. keen, intuitive perception or discernment: We want a casting director with a real flair for finding dramatic talent. 4. Hunting. scent; sense of smell. In light of number 4 maybe he just pee'd a bunch in his pannier...
Maybe that was Freudian! 45 years of riding means you better have a "flair" for roadside maintenance plus a mix of parachute and star cluster flairs.
Not a 1200, but a similar level of fun when things go pear-shaped, On-ramp, @ redline shifting to 3rd. Took the swingarm as well. Nobody died, nobody went down, only one piece of plastic dinged a bit.:huh Bottom line here is check the front U-joints often after 40,000 miles or so. My first drive shaft lasted 97,000. the second about 50,000. When I get home this summer I'll pull the rear apart again and check on things. When this last one happened there weren't any new swingarms in the country. No ETA either. Poolside found me one at an online breaker. My search of EBay having come up empty. I did have to order a new drive shaft. so after the dust settled around a grand was gone from the little plastic card, hence the slight ding. It buffed out. Had I needed to source a new swingarm my pending vacation would have been in a hire car and I'd have parted out the bike. As it is, I'm still wearing it out. 36,000 miles later. If I were traveling around the world I would not pick the GS. Personally I'd go simple and basic. Get a tractor. KLR with a carb and fix all the stupid crap they messed up. Ignore the weight and carry less crap. But, since I'm your basic Starbuck's Adventurer the GS Adventure gets the job done. The 1150 looks more the part than the 1200. Most people can't tell I'm a poser.
So..bored to tears. Decided to Google TuefelHunden for laughs as some inmates are quite clever with their 'names'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_Dog <a href="http://s635.beta.photobucket.com/user/RMWBMW/media/2010%20Vario%20Cases%20and%20Mounts/408px-Teufel_Hunden_US_Marines_recruiting_poster.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/R/RMWBMW_2010%2520Vario%2520Cases%2520and%2520Mounts_408px-Teufel_Hunden_US_Marines_recruiting_poster.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 408px-Teufel_Hunden_US_Marines_recruiting_poster.jpg"/></a> Huh! TH...great choice.