Hard to start 2007 R1200RT

[flyinhi]

I just purchased a nice R1200RT. 2007 with 11k on it. Has had good maintenance and runs out well. Problem is that when the temperature drops below 45 it is difficult to start. Once started it idles rough for about 5 seconds or so then idles smoothly and normaly. Anyone had a similar problem? Normal riding in town and on highway appears normal. Fuel mileage seems good.

[marchyman]

At cool temperatures crack the throttle a bit before starting. Also, pull in the clutch even when in neutral so the starter doesn't have to turn the tranny in cold oil, too.

[racer7]

And you don't need 20W-50 dino juice st low temps either. The oem battery is weak for cold cranking with high viscoisty lubes. If you want to stick to BME lubs, the 15W-50 syn will help cranking speeds a bit as will any other comparable oil. And a battery with more cold punch like an Odyssey will also help.

[bogthebasher]

My 08 was always hard to start around freezing and the tips highlighted by marchyman really helped however once I put in an Odessey as racer7 says - it seemed like a different beast on startup.

[t6pilot]

+1 on checking the battery, if it's weak will cause the problems you describe. Engaging clutch reduces strain on starter same for lighter weight oil in winter.

[deilenberger]

flyinhi,

Please read: http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=46055 - I've added that info to your thread title. Please do so yourself on future posts to the tech forums.

[David13]

Good afternoon Hi
Most modern engines use an advance system, such as setting the computer to run rich at lower temperatures.
An 'auto choke' if you will.
But the RT seems to have no such modern convenience, and thus, when it's 45 degrees, a little additional throttle is necessary.
A little 'manual choke'.
Many people report such a necessity at cold start up, and that includes 45 as cold.
dc

[Jankoman]

I too have a 2007 RT. November thru April I run a lower viscosity oil, I believe 10W-30 which is acceptable up to 80 degrees F (check manual). Prior to starting, I turn on key and wait until the system goes through its check, pull in clutch lever and start the motor. The big difference for me was the replacement battery. The stock BMW battery does not have a lot of CCA. So, I replaced with a Universal UB12220 battery. The stock battery, if I can recall correctly, has only 100-120 CCA. The UB12220 has 220 CCA. In fact, I had the same problem with my 2003 RT which the UB12220 also corrected. I've heard good things about the Odyssey battery, but last I priced it was about $140? The UB12220 is about half that. On both RTs, the UB12220 solved both the cold weather cranking issue and the generally slow cranking with the stock battery. I think a new, after-market battery will solve your starting issue.

[racer7]

I tried that UB. The example I had failed in 3 months. Typical Asian junk but perhaps OK if you happen to get one made well. I suspect that as with the oem battery which is famous for internal fractures (sudden death syndrome) theseare made from a lead pool that includes a lot of recycled junk that is to high in antimony and tin (components of many commercial leads such as the stuff used for wheel weights). The Odyssey is US made from very pure lead, part of the reason for its durability.

[Jankoman]

That's cool, I understand your reservations about the UB. However, I have had mine UB for 3+ years with no problems. Back in 2009 I bought my first BMW, a 2003 R1150RT. I was a little disturbed when I attempted to start it with the tempature at around 36 degrees. I did not start!. I contacted dealer I had bought it from, and they had no suggestions other than maybe the starter. 200+ dollars and a new starter later, same problem. I then contacted original owner, and to my dismay, he informed me that that was the reason he sold the bike: trouble starting in cold weather since day one. So, not having unlimlited funding and talking to others regarding the problem, it seemed that the battery was the culprit. (Also, the original owner had told me that he had replaced the OEM battery 5 times, with no different outcome.) So, for $55 (in 2009) shipped, what the heck, give it a try. After I installed in 1150, never an issue starting again! I bought my 2007 RT in September of last year and noticed the loss of cranking power in cold temps so I swapped the 1150 UB with the 1200 BMW battery and once again, no problems. In fact, the test came when I rode to work one morning with the temp gauge on the 07RT at 26 degrees: No trouble starting! So I simply make a suggestion to FLYINHI to try the UB battery because it's a low-cost attempt to fix the starting trouble. When it's time to replace my UB, I will probably go with the Interstate or Odyssey alternative.

[David13]

I do not believe it is a battery issue. If it was, the starter would not turn, or turn slowly.
That is not the problem. The problem is that it starts, but then doesn't run. It's a no choke problem.
Every bike I ever had had to use choke to start, almost at any temperature. Til it warmed a bit.
I don't think that will be any different with the RT.
No new battery needed. Just a little throttle.
dc

[Jankoman]

Maybe FLYINHI can shed a little light and define "difficult to start" as posted in the original post at the start of this thread.

[David13]

Maybe we are just looking at two different conditions here. He does mention 45 degrees, and that is my approximate cut off. Above that, I never have any problem starting on the first crank. Also when it has been run, or is warm, as in riding throughout the day, and stopping here and there. Starts on the first crank.
Even if it has sat for up to 6 weeks, I have no problem, unless it's at or below about 45 degrees.
But others with a weak battery condition, well. That's something different.
I remember a Toyota, old, many years ago. When it got hot, after running an hour or so, it would not start. Solution? New and adequate cable to the starter. It had been replaced with a smaller wire, and the heat caused a low battery condition.
dc

[TRANZEAT]

Could anyone tell me which model of Odyssey Battery is compatible for a 2005-2009 1200RT ?

[henzilla]

could anyone tell me which model of odyssey battery is compatible for a 2005-2009 1200rt ?

pc680