Forums > Maintenance > Immobilizer EWS failure leaves you stranded

Just happened to me last Sunday, luckily I was just getting started on the ride, and was only 30 miles away.

Dealer called me to report I had an open recall for the R1200RT for this issue. I had kinda ignored it up 'til now.

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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits

Talk to your dealer.  As I understand it, BMW does not have a formal "recall," but they do have a "campaign" going.  I have talked to two dealers and both were aware of the campaign, and both were happy to replace my EWS ring for free under the campaign.  I ended up having it done as part of my 6000 mile service.  I never had any trouble from my EWS ring, but with all the reports out there, I was happy that they were willing to deal with it on my request.

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Die Entropie des Motorraddes wird immer groesser. Most roaches are created unintentionally. IBA #27546

I would love to have the EWS bypassed.  If you want the bike that badly, take it.  It's insured.  I face an overwhelmingly more risky EWS failure than I face with theft.

My 05 RT started giving me failure about 2 months ago.  But I could power down an it was OK.  Happens about 1 out of 10 ignitions now.

The dealer is fixing it for me.  Also, I am keeping the old EWS antennae and will be able to easily change it in the field if needed.  My spare would suffice to fix a buddy's bike also.  I recommend in the GS situation, or for anyone nervous about it, to buy a spare antenna ring.  It's under $100 and beats being stranded.

This is a work around solution but the only solution available.  BMW says the new antennas are OK, I hope so.

Later I'll try and post some pics of the field repair.

Robo

312 Pages of fun reading on the EWS issue...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245456

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Thomas - I like to keep it simple... IBA# 28109 '07 R1200GS Adventure

The last time I went in to the dealer for 18K service, they did replace the EWS ring under warrentee.

 

Sophie's was replaced enroute to Alaska at, oh I can't remember, something like 7000 miles.  Then, recently it was replaced under that recall campaign.  For those of you who have this done, you should consider having the new one installed with a screw (bolt, nut, whatever the devil it is) that you can unscrew out in the wilderness.  The one BMW uses is a one-way kinda thing that has to be removed by munchkins with a secret ring or handshake or both.  Yeah, there have probably been 10times more antenna failures than thefts.  A remarkably complex solution to a nonexistent problem.

Laissez le bon temps rouler, yall.

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jean

I have a Ducati Multistrada with a simular system, a code comes with each bike that you input with the throttle if something happens to the anti theft system, it brings back to life so you can start the bike. I have never had to use it  but nice to know it's there if nessary.

  Ken G.

Neat system, that would be nice to have.

I should mention that it appears I had no EWS issue, but rather a needed software update.  It fixed my temperature sensor reading (was about 10 degrees F low) as well.  So no failure for me.

 

"A remarkably complex solution to a nonexistent problem." 

Jean,

Especially with the beemer automobile engineers, they seem to add features and complexity as if somebody dared them that they couldn't do it.  Rolling mainframe computers.  I don't get it.

How about designing a buck-simple, comfortable passenger vehicle that always starts, runs well, and needs zero attention for 10 years accept for fuel and oil?

Oh, but I can walk out the door and already buy that.  It's called a Civic.  I guess BMW is going for the well-heeled, anal retentive crowd.

And the R-bike WAS there.  Polished and perfected through two decades of small improvements.  Bulletproof.  And then they had to change it.

WTF is an immobilizer ring supposed to DO anyways?  Look at any list of most-stolen bikes and beemers lay down there at the bottom of the list year after year.  Punks stealing bikes do not want to mess with a beemer.  They want Gixxers and Harley bling.

Is 'change' a religion unto itself with these guys?

C

 

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401K? Retirement? Ha! Don't be ridiculous!

C, I agree.  I have a couple of buddies who wish they had an EWS system.  They also park their bikes with a massive cable connecting it to a pole or such.  To me, if you want my bike that badly, take it.  It's insured.  I'll use it as an opportunity to upgrade to a newer model.

I don't mind the fancy stuff, but I'd like to be able to DISABLE IT.  Why can't I on my next service visit ask them to change a bit in the code to just ignore the EWS?

I love the new R bikes.  They are, as I've said before, the most space age antique out there.  But it sure would be nice to be able to buy a good old rough and tough GS with carbs, no computer, and basic electronic ignition. 

I know Global Rider would like that.  But maybe it's us old dudes.  Maybe they just wouldn't sell?

 

Robo,

I bought the last old-style GS shipped to Austin for that very reason, although this one has the twin-spark heads.

Fantastic bike.

C

 

 

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401K? Retirement? Ha! Don't be ridiculous!

Way back in the last century when I started riding motorcycles, I said to my dad who rode a /2 at the time, that bike is so uggly you could leave it idleing on the sidewalk and nobody would steal it . Now that old /2 is mine and I still don't have to worry about it, none of the current generation knows how to start it, A KICK STARTER? TICKLE THE CARBURETTORS? You get a blank stare. But it always starts.

  Ken G.

Yes, those were the days...

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Thomas - I like to keep it simple... IBA# 28109 '07 R1200GS Adventure