BMW G650X Challenge Thread Index

[gsd4me]

Just noticed your thread in the Oz forum. I`ve had a shitload of trouble with mine; it`s an ex BMW training course bike, then sold and was doing single track before I bought it.

Not a lot of K`s, but it was pressure washed and put away wet, so the shitty wiring and contacts were corroded. It really shows its Italian heritage.

I hate to say this but you might have to bike the bullet and get it to a BMW dealer ( ). They will put their diagnostic tool on it and should have it sorted in no time.

[Butters]

Originally Posted by dirtsurfer

I am pretty sure that the issue is electrical as I stuck a screwdriver into my spark plug cap, ensuring that the metal tip was in contact with the spark plug terminal connector, grasped the metal shaft of the screwdriver, took a breath and hit the starter, turning the motor over a few times and I did not experience any electric shock.

I like your style!

If I'm reading this right, however, I'm not sure you would have felt anything if you weren't grounded to the bike. The less painful method would be to pull the plug out, re-attach it to the wire, hold the plug so the metal is touching the engine (i.e. grounding it), then crank. That way you can look, not feel, the spark. Multimeters are cheap too.

But then again, there is certainly a manly backwoods mechanic flavor to your technique.

[Dagwood_55]

Originally Posted by Cruz

A little bit off topic, but how did you find the Rekluse on the XCH?

It works fine, but not as well as the Rekluse on my little 250F KTM. Tho no fault of Rekluse. I would mostly only use the Rekluse on start off in 1st gear, then when up shifting from 1, 2, and 3rd would use the clutch like on a standard clutch. But you still have the Rekluse bennies-no dieing or stalling. Also still have engine braking unless you clutch and let the engine completly wind down..... So, it does what it's supposed to do, Auto-Clutch.

[DirtTrailER]

Originally Posted by dirtsurfer

Yep it cranks ok, I also pulled out the injector to make sure fuel was being delivered into the motor. (it is)
I am pretty sure that the issue is electrical as I stuck a screwdriver into my spark plug cap, ensuring that the metal tip was in contact with the spark plug terminal connector, grasped the metal shaft of the screwdriver, took a breath and hit the starter, turning the motor over a few times and I did not experience any electric shock.

So, did you have a chance to investigate this further to see if it's electrical or specifically the ignition system?
BJ

[dirtsurfer]

Originally Posted by DirtTrailER

So, did you have a chance to investigate this further to see if it's electrical or specifically the ignition system?
BJ

I have done a little more cleaning of contacts and connections. I changed the spark plugs - for good measure. I cant find anything .It looks like I am going to have to take the bike to the shop for them to run some diagno$tic$ on it

[gsd4me]

Originally Posted by dirtsurfer

It looks like I am going to have to take the bike to the shop for them to run some diagno$tic$ on it

I know it`s a PITA, but my bike kept blowing a fuse and losing the instruments. We stuffed around for weeks looking in the wrong place (up around the airbox), but a trip to Morgan and Wacker revealed that a wire had chafed around near the rear brake pivot point, and all was fixed. Who`d have thought of looking there?

[Muddler]

On a couple of occasions now I have noticed water in my airbox after riding in the rain. I think the problem is that when riding at highway speeds in the rain water runs upwards under the guards and into the box. Luckily the airbox is deep and I see no evidence of water getting across to the throttle body.

Do others have the same problem?

If so, have you come up with a solution?
Im thinking a deflector plate to redirect water away from the air intake.

Is removing the airbox a big job? Are the bits around the throttle body difficult to detach?

[dirtsurfer]

Originally Posted by Muddler

...
Is removing the airbox a big job? Are the bits around the throttle body difficult to detach?

4 bolts, the throttle body just squeezes into the base of the airbox - press fit. the crankcase breather tube and the airbox drain tube are easy to manage

[301]

I recently purchased (3-4 months ago) a new 650X for my trip down the TAT 2011. I have around 350 miles on the bike and have had no problems until today.

When I took it off the kick stand and placed my hand on the rear of the bike, it practically went down to the rear tire. Lets say there wasn't much of a rebound either.

When I checked the air at the top of the shock (52psi). Not sure what is the issue with the rear shock...

[SCflyer]

Originally Posted by 301

I recently purchased (3-4 months ago) a new 650X for my trip down the TAT 2011. I have around 350 miles on the bike and have had no problems until today.

When I took it off the kick stand and placed my hand on the rear of the bike, it practically went down to the rear tire. Lets say there wasn't much of a rebound either.

When I checked the air at the top of the shock (52psi). Not sure what is the issue with the rear shock...

Have you checked the bottom of the shock just in front of the plastic guard? I swapped mine out for an Ohlins so never had it happen though there was evidence of it starting; there have been occurences of the guard rubbing a hole in the bladder over time.

[AZ-Twin]

Originally Posted by 301

I recently purchased (3-4 months ago) a new 650X for my trip down the TAT 2011. I have around 350 miles on the bike and have had no problems until today.

When I took it off the kick stand and placed my hand on the rear of the bike, it practically went down to the rear tire. Lets say there wasn't much of a rebound either.

When I checked the air at the top of the shock (52psi). Not sure what is the issue with the rear shock...

I used to run closer to 95PSI in mine, 52 is way low.

If you need a replacement air shock send me a PM, I have the one off my bike, under 1000 miles, it is in great shape, ready to deal.

Rob

[MizzouRider]

Originally Posted by 301

I recently purchased (3-4 months ago) a new 650X for my trip down the TAT 2011. I have around 350 miles on the bike and have had no problems until today.

When I took it off the kick stand and placed my hand on the rear of the bike, it practically went down to the rear tire. Lets say there wasn't much of a rebound either.

When I checked the air at the top of the shock (52psi). Not sure what is the issue with the rear shock...

I have mine at 125 and it is working great. I had lots of problems getting the pump working properly. BMW covered it under warranty though.
If you are going to load it up for a trip on the TAT you will want to increase it even higher.
Keep the pump somewhere where you can get to it easier. Mine's in my camelback now. If it gets too low you risk the rear fender hitting the rear wheel and pulling it all in on itself above the tire.
Don't ask me how I know. It took me about 5 times before I figured out what was happening.
FYI.. I'm 235 lbs. (125 on the bag)

[Colebatch]

Originally Posted by dirtsurfer

Yep it cranks ok, I also pulled out the injector to make sure fuel was being delivered into the motor. (it is)
I am pretty sure that the issue is electrical as I stuck a screwdriver into my spark plug cap, ensuring that the metal tip was in contact with the spark plug terminal connector, grasped the metal shaft of the screwdriver, took a breath and hit the starter, turning the motor over a few times and I did not experience any electric shock.

Makes me think it might be the ole "sprag clutch swarf, fouling the pick up coil on the X-Challenge" trick.

The same problem that shagged me for 10 days in Kazakhstan last year, and shagged LucasMT and his BMW dealer for 3 weeks in Poland last year. Even a dealer can spend ages trying to find this one, The diagnostics for the X-Challenge are pretty basic to say the least and they wont give any clues as to what this problem is.

Lay the bike onto its left side, open the generator cover, swipe your finger over the pick up coil and its terminals .... if you have superfine silver metal powder on your oily finger, then there is your problem.

If thats the problem, you probably should replace the sprag clutch, your oil and filter. And get the pick up coil super clean.

If its not your problem, it will have cost you 20 minutes and probably a $4 generator cover gasket.

[tmotten]

http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/SpragClutchFAQ.htm

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by AZ-Twin

I used to run closer to 95PSI in mine, 52 is way low.

If you need a replacement air shock send me a PM, I have the one off my bike, under 1000 miles, it is in great shape, ready to deal.

Rob

What shock did you get and how's it working for you?