R1200RT Interesting Observations today

[jweisberger]

So I took the bike out for a short 1hr each direction ride today, down the 280 from Marin to Menlo Park, in CA. Its a fairly easy and quick 40-50mi ride. I noticed some strangeness --or atleast strange to me things today.

1) When I started the bike, white smoke out the exhaust for 30-45 seconds

2) When I started the bike the rear wheel spun, even tho I was up on center stand and in neutral. (I think I'd never started it on the center stand before. I was being lazy and wanted to make sure the battery was gonna get her going before I started the physical rolling of the bike out of the spot it was wedged in for the last 5-6 weeks)

3) The Oil indicator in the BC function went from a Check to --- and back to a Check. At one point there was a [!] on the screen as well. I meant to go look at the oil but the bike needed to cool down and I had to get back to my desk. I will look later. Am I getting near a borderline state on the oil? Can I top it off with any 20w50 or do I really have to care about getting BMW motor oil?

4) The engine felt rough (which caused me to check the BC Oil indicator.) It also did not drop to idle until the bike stopped moving -- EVEN with the clutch out and no gears engaged. How come?

I am always amazed at how much nicer this bike rides than any thing else I've ever owned/ridden. The one thing that gets me about it is the wind signature. Seems like every breeze wants to move me around, I'm sure I'll figure it out over time.

Thanks guys...

Jason

http://www.bother.com

[eric81]

So I took the bike out for a short 1hr each direction ride today, down the 280 from Marin to Menlo Park, in CA. Its a fairly easy and quick 40-50mi ride. I noticed some strangeness --or atleast strange to me things today.

1) When I started the bike, white smoke out the exhaust for 30-45 seconds

2) When I started the bike the rear wheel spun, even tho I was up on center stand and in neutral. (I think I'd never started it on the center stand before. I was being lazy and wanted to make sure the battery was gonna get her going before I started the physical rolling of the bike out of the spot it was wedged in for the last 5-6 weeks)

3) The Oil indicator in the BC function went from a Check to --- and back to a Check. At one point there was a [!] on the screen as well. I meant to go look at the oil but the bike needed to cool down and I had to get back to my desk. I will look later. Am I getting near a borderline state on the oil? Can I top it off with any 20w50 or do I really have to care about getting BMW motor oil?

4) The engine felt rough (which caused me to check the BC Oil indicator.) It also did not drop to idle until the bike stopped moving -- EVEN with the clutch out and no gears engaged. How come?

I am always amazed at how much nicer this bike rides than any thing else I've ever owned/ridden. The one thing that gets me about it is the wind signature. Seems like every breeze wants to move me around, I'm sure I'll figure it out over time.

Thanks guys...

Jason

http://www.bother.com



Hey Jason,

We had some threads lately that should explain #2 and 3 on your list.

This link should help with #2: http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16382
This link should help with #3: http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16305

As for question #4, do you mean the indicator isn't showing neutral? or does the bike stay in gear when you shift to neutral?

[JimVonBaden1]

Sounds normal enough to me. That was probably not smoke but steam coming out for condensation coming out of your cat.

All the rest sound normal. The instrument lights sound like the normal self test to me, unless I am reading them wrong.

Jim :brow

[jweisberger]

Eric,

Thanks! That does cover #2 and maybe #3. I am not sure the issue I had is the same, it sounds substantially similar but I think I only got the [!] as I was powering down the bike. Regardless, I'll check the sight glass in the AM and see where its at.

On #4, it has nothing to do with the neutral gear. When I even squeeze the clutch and let off the throttle the idle speed stays up near 2-3k rpms as I glide. When I stop it drops to 1000.

Am I nuts or is that not normal behavior?

[Nodakgus]

Coming from a heavy, big-bored H-D Road King, I still am getting use to the stronger effects from the wind on my 12RT. Last Sunday was very windy and the wind had its way with me "big-time". I am sure I will slowly get use to this and notice the effects less and less.

[jweisberger]

So, I took the bike out on my rounds again yesterday. Gym, meetings for work and then to the baseball game.

First thing in the AM I looked at the oil level in the sight glass. First the bike was on the center-stand. I had about 25% of the glass visible. (I know the manual says check it warm and on the side-stand.)

So I moved to the side-stand and checked it after running the motor for a few minutes. I had about 3/4 of the glass filled. After warming it up and riding for another 20 or so minutes the level had moved up a bit (due to expansion.)

So I'm not low on oil and the problem with the computer/sensor is likely the culprit. I'm a ways a way from the 6k service, but I'll likely call BMW and discuss upgrading the software.

Wind is still an issue. I moved from a HD Softail to the R12RT and in 10 months I am still not used to the wind. Not sure if there is anything but riding a lot to get me over it.

[henzilla]

.

Wind is still an issue. I moved from a HD Softail to the R12RT and in 10 months I am still not used to the wind. Not sure if there is anything but riding a lot to get me over it.

I did the same move, but kept the HD, both move, but the RT now feels stable and other than the occasional :doh big gust butt squeezer do not notice.

[marcopolo]

...(I know the manual says check it warm and on the side-stand.

Better check that manual again. The bike should be on the centre stand, not side stand.