R1100 Weirdness

[Argus 21]

My 96 R1100 RSL with 17 K has developed a weirdness. Starts fine, no surging down low and cruises fine at highway speeds.
If you are at 60 or so and want to pass, it does this weirdness.
Accelerating in 5th up through 80 or so is as exhilarating as ever, but when I reduce throttle, it has something akin to an intermitent miss. Runs fine when it is back down to 60-65. It will also have an occasional "miss" at steady cruise as if misses just one or two power strrokes and then runs fine. Very occasionally, it will exhibit this miss at steady highway speeds. Just a blip and then it's gone. By the time you think "What the h--- was that?" it is back to normal. I am at a loss and would appreciate what steps to take. Have pondered the need for a chip? Water in gas (unlikely)?, coil problem?, Hall sensor? Plugs have about 900 miles on them and as far as I can tell, the bike is unaltered from stock.

[kbasa]

Gads I hate tracking those down.

Fuel filter's good? You might want to try some of the HES tests Jim ran on his RS as well. I think he used the garden hose test and the followed it up with the hair dryer test and figured out that the HES was no good.

Are there other conditions that lead to this? Weather, rain, heat or something?

[Argus 21]

What is a HES test and how do I reach the person youi mentioned? I can trouble shoot some but have no idea where to start on this one.
Thanks:dunno

[kbasa]

Calling Jim Von Baden. Jim Von Baden, pick up the white courtesy phone.

The HES is an item that will usually just quit. Jim recently had to troubleshoot and replace his. I think he got a used one.

[Argus 21]

Is the HES the Hall Sensor that has something to do with ignition or timing?

[lorazepam]

HES=hall effect sensor

[Argus 21]

From what I have read on this site, the HES is located somewhere around or under the alternator belt cover? Anyone have a link that explains how to do this? I am trying to get the machine ready for a 4K trip and this thing it is doing has me baffled. Thanks to all.

[bmwmick]

Argus,
You'll do a lot better here if you use the tools :confused: Click on SEARCH, enter jim hall effect OR dead on highway and select the Oilheads forum to do your search in. You will find Jim's similar problem. BUTT, his problem was a bad coil and it sounds different than your symptoms.

HTH,

Mick

PS You could also search over on the
http://www.bmwsporttouring.com Site and find even more useful data. :clap

[Argus 21]

Thanks to all who have replied. I have come up with a Clymer manual for the bike. Where would I start, as in what would seem most suspect as being the culprit in this? Should I just replace the HES (Provided I can find it , Ha!), put in new coils?
It does not seem to be weather related at all, it does its act rain or shine. I woud like to solve this but don't want to use the car dealer method of "throwing parts at it until it goes away". You may rid yourself of a problem, but you never discovered it's true cause. Great board here.
Cheers

[Argus 21]

Gave up due to time for trip becoming too close to have the thing in pieces all over the garage floor. Also lots of pressure at the salt mine. Left it off at the dealer and will await verdict later this week. It still had the weirdness on the way to the dealer. I will post results. Hope all had a happy and safe 4th of July

[Argus 21]

They could find nothing wrong. Checked for codes. Did a test ride and it did act up and it was determined to be "nature of the beast".
I am going to live with it and will launch my planned 3K trip. As explained to me, "that is as good as it gets with 1996 Motronic engine control systems".
It still accelerates like a demon , stops well and if I keep my right paw under control, it turns nearly 50 mpg at sane speeds.
Rationalizing here, but it is a bit like suddenly finding out your new bride likes gin in her morning coffee...you are still gonna love her.
Cheers.

[Argus 21]

I put over 100 miles on it Sunday and rode in a county fair parade. That was slow going and the oil temp guage got to within the last three segments of the digital diplay. Anything that would be sensitive to heat certainly had it's opportunity to cut up. It ran normally. On the way home, I was caught in a good downpour so whatever could get wet was certainly wet. It ran normally. It bucked once slightly when decelerating down through 70 from passing a truck. Maybe it was some bad gas...hard to say. I plan on leaving the Sat. on the 3K trip. Now down to what is really necessary to take. Cheers

[CustomSarge]

Argus21:
"As explained to me, "that is as good as it gets with 1996 Motronic engine control systems"."

Do Not accept this load of .... If they All behaved this way, you'd know about it soon enough around here (forums).
1> is it directly repeatable? One specific scenerio that always makes it happen narrows it down a lot. Post it if you find one so we can noodle on it some.
2> I'm in the "fuel system troubles" camp. Draining, using DriGas & changing filter are cheap & easy to put common trouble to rest. To your point, a batch of bad gas can cause all kinds of nonsense.

[Argus 21]

I have added the dry-gas as suggested. No, it is not directly repeatable and seems to be decreasing in frequency. I am leaving on the 3K trip starting Saturday and it will certainly have a chance to improve and disappear or get bad enough to diagnose and be repaired. Thanks for the reply.:dunno

[Cliffy777]

but don't forget to share "the rest of the story" when you return. we want an update on your problem AND a ride report. (please)

[Argus 21]

Here is the rest of the story:
A joyous 4419 mile bike trip. Went to the 40th HS reunion (truly some people do peak in HS!) Stopped midway for an engine tick diagnosis in Little Rock. While they were diagnosing, etc., I found the bike I have been thinking of ever since I saw one months ago unassembled in a crate at Bob's in Maryland. It was a bright red 2004 K1200GT. Red seems to be hard to find and this dealer had two. I bought the demonstrator and traded the RS. I kinda miss the RS but love the brutal acceleration the GT has as well as the cruise contol heated seat and grips, power adjust w/s etc. Very pleased with this K and do miss the RS (S.O. allows one bike at a time).
Cheers
Jim;)

[bmwmick]

Jim,
Congrats on the new K! I'd still rather ride my K-Bike than my Oilhead But don't let anyone here know, OK?

Mick

[JimVonBaden1]

I guess I am a day late and a dollar short!

Congrats on the new K bike!:clap

Jim:brow