BMW Motorcycle Troubleshooting
BMW Motorcycle Troubleshooting

BMW Motorcycle Troubleshooting

If you're looking for help fixing your BMW Motorcycle, look no further! Our comprehensive BMW Motorcycle Troubleshooting guide will explain common issues, provide tips, and show you how to read your model's error codes.

Determine if the Petcock is Clogged 
One potential issue that might be keeping your motorcycle from starting up is a clogged petcock. The petcock is a fuel control valve. It controls the gas flow between off, on, and reserve settings. Clogged petcocks are a common issue that riders often bring up in forums. 
A minuscule screen helps keep gunk out of the petcock, but corrosion and bits of stray material can cause flow issues. Rattling the petcock a bit can help dislodge any blockages, but replacement or a deep cleaning might be necessary to get your bike running again. 

Set the Choke Properly 
For carbureted motorcycles, you might need to set your choke or mixture enricher to match the ambient/engine temperature. Another common oversight, this issue can crop up in extreme weather conditions, or when conditions take a sudden turn you haven’t accounted for. 

Look for Loose Wires 
Another seeming no-brainer is checking electrical connectors to see that everything is plugged in. Electrical issues often escape riders because they aren’t always visible, but manually checking the connectors can help you spot a problem that wouldn’t otherwise reveal itself. 
If you suspect something other than the battery is the culprit, especially if you’ve just swapped the battery for a new one, it’s also worth looking at your battery connector cables. It’s possible your new battery’s wiring is incorrect, making your non-start a quick fix once you tighten the cables to the terminals. 

Check for Blown Fuses 
Just like a car or truck, motorcycles have fuses, and they can blow the same as in any other vehicle. Keeping a fuse kit on hand is helpful so you can replace any blown fuses with one that has the same amperage. 
If fuses continue to blow after you replace them, you likely have a more serious electrical issue somewhere in the bike’s wiring. 

Engage the Clutch 
It’s usually a no-brainer for experienced riders, but for newbies, remembering to engage the clutch can mean the difference between a relaxing ride and a frustrating trip to the shop. Many bikes must have the clutch in before they will start—even when you’re in neutral. 
There’s also the possibility that your bike’s clutch switch has been damaged, and you can try “pumping” the clutch a few times to see if that helps reset it. You can get around the clutch switch, but long term, you’ll need another solution (and probably a clutch replacement). 

Confirm There’s Gas in the Tank 
A basic pre-trip check is seeing whether you have gas in the tank, but it’s something riders tend to overlook. Especially if your gas gauge reports a full tank, you might not think to check. Keep in mind that gauges can malfunction, so consider jostling your bike and listening for the slosh of gas in the tank before jumping to other potential problems. 
If you can confirm there’s gasoline in your bike, see if the fuel pump is operational (if the motorcycle has one), and if there’s a carburetor, see if there’s gas making its way there, too. 

SOURCE: https://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/shopping-guides/motorcycle-won't-start-but-battery-is-good



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Product Reviews:

It sounds like a tractor and it drives like one. Engine is struggeling unde
It sounds like a tractor and it drives like one. Engine is struggeling under 3000 rpm and above it, the vibrations are so severe that you will think twice about driving above 60 miles per hour for extended periods of time. The Rotax engine is the worst engine I have ever driven. Good for your lawnmower but that,s it. And, in my opinion, not worthy of the BMW badge.Pro,s: it is reliable, cheap to maintain, and easy to handle.
Published: July 3, 2020
Roger, Virginia
Source: cycleinsider.com

I bought this in April 2008 with 18,000 on it, as a 40 mile each way commut
I bought this in April 2008 with 18,000 on it, as a 40 mile each way commuter, and with the Corbin seat and BMW bags already on it. I love it right from the start. It has massive torque, gobs of acceleration and is fast enough for me (I haven't had it flat out, but I've had an indicated 120 mph out of it without trying hard). I found it a little too buzzy for comfort around 4500 rpm. The Manic Salamander bar end weights (18.5 ounces instead of the stock 9.5 ounces) completely cured that. I found it very windy over 70 mph; Parabellum windshield, adjusted as high as it can go cured that. My other add-ons were for personal preference, not necessity. The bike is as reliable as a stone, comfortable all day, a joy to drive and magic through the twisties. At first I felt like I wasn't getting much feedback from the front suspension, then I realized it just was not having any problems, so there was nothing for it to tell me. It just goes around bends on any surface at any speed I've asked of it without fuss.
Published: February 1, 2010
Brian Henderson, White House, Tennessee
Source: cycleinsider.com

I bought a 2000 R1100RT with 84k miles on the clock in July. I was not sure
I bought a 2000 R1100RT with 84k miles on the clock in July. I was not sure about changing from a cruiser to a sport touring bike. All summer long, when I went to the barn, I kept grabbing the RT. I put over 6k miles on this bike over the past three months, including a canyon carving expedition into the Smokies in August. It's easy to ride, comfortable and quick. Just trying to figure out why I waited so long to trade in my cruiser for a sport touring bike.
Published: September 22, 2012
Andy, Chagrin Falls , Ohio
Source: cycleinsider.com

I bought my R1100RT brand new in Oct., 2000. i rode her daily back and fort
I bought my R1100RT brand new in Oct., 2000. i rode her daily back and forth on Los Angeles freeways for a year. I put 31,000 on her during first year. She handled very well in rough traffic: stops on a dime and has the ability to power you out of tight spots like a rocket if need be. I rode her recreationally over the next couple of years, and due to knee surgery, I had to park her in my garage over the 2003-2004 time period. Occasional starts during 2005 ended with a dead battery, and her sitting quietly in my garage until the spring of 2012 (yes 7 years). I FINALLY put a new battery in her and she started up with a chug, until I put fresh gas in her. She rode like a champ and I had her serviced within a week. I've put almost 800 miles on her in the first two weeks of bringing her back to life and she hasn't missed a beat. I was thinking about trading her in for a new R1200RT, but after riding her and enjoying the looks of onlookers, I don't think I could ever get rid of her. This is one great machine built by one great company. If you have one; keep it.
Published: May 1, 2012
Mike Barker, Moreno Valley, California
Source: cycleinsider.com

The 2001 BMW R1150 GS is a fabulous motorcycle. A beast of a motorcycle. We
The 2001 BMW R1150 GS is a fabulous motorcycle. A beast of a motorcycle. Well engineered and tough it will take you where miles are afraid to tred! The R1150 GS has power to spare. Surprising lower and performance. My last motorcycle was a 2003 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster. I was impressed with the power of that Harley but this 1150 BMW puts it to shame. The BMW is smooth yet robust. The 6-speed gearing has a wide range. I especially like third gear! A handful of throttle feels like you are blasting off to the moon! At age 67 I only rode my BMW mildly off road on my own farm and then only over improved dry pastures! Mine has just over 31,450 miles at the time of this review! My bike was fully serviced and ready to ride anywhere when I purchased it second hand. The tires were just 1 year old with just 1,000 miles on them. I am 67 years old and recently purchased this BMW motorcycle in September 2021, however it is too tall for me to ride comfortably and safely. I have a 30" inseam but riders need longer legs to safely handle this motorcycle. I thought about lowering the suspension but these GS BMW's are too nice to alter. So I purchased a second BMW R1200C Pheonix last week which suits my stride much better. I do not need two BMW motorcycles so I am reluncticly parting with my GS. This is what Cycle World Magazine had to say about the BMW R1150 GS: BMW R1150GS - BEST USED BIKES Exemplifying the very essence of a two-wheel Swiss army knife. Cycle World July 22, 2015 YEARS SOLD: 2000–2004 MSRPNEW: $14,190 ('00) to $14,500 ('04) BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE: $4,885 ('00) to $6,500 ('04)BASIC SPECS: The R1150GS is powered by an 1,130cc air-/oil-cooled, four-stroke opposed twin featuring four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection, and shaft drive. The 1150 introduced a six-speed gearbox, while later models came equipped with dual spark plug heads and servo-assisted combined ABS brakes. The GS weighs 582 pounds WET with its 5.5-gallon fuel tank topped up and produced 74 hp and 68 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheel on the Cycle World dyno. The "Showa" suspension offers 7.9 inches of rough road-smoothing travel, while the adjustable saddle height (33.1 to 33.8 inches) accommodates a range of riders. WHY IT'S DESIRABLE: Few bikes have proven to be as versatile as the GS BMW Beemer family, with the 1150 exemplifying the very essence of a two-wheel Swiss army knife. It's a road-hardened touring mount and heavyweight dual-sport all wrapped in one. "I went places and saw things on the GS that I never would have on another bike," Mark Hoyer remarked back in the days before he was editor-in-chief. "It truly makes molehills out of mountains." All that, plus the reputation of durability and reliability rivaling that of an anvil easily warrant the price of purchase. THE COMPETITION: Long-travel twins gained prominence in the early 2000s with the introduction of the KTM 950 Adventure and 1,000cc Ducati Multistrada. Undoubtedly, this trend was helped along by the BMW R1150GS, which was honored as the Best Sport-Touring Bike of 2000 by Cycle World in our Ten Best issue.
Published: October 10, 2021
Guy Foster, Mississippi
Source: cycleinsider.com

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