BMW R1200S On-Board Computer

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Tue May 07, 2013 3:56 pm

All,

Can I ask the collective if anyone has successfully activated this sometime after purchase by way of handing over some money to your local BMW dealer for them to effectively activate what I believe to be already there?

There are threads on here about this where it seems that it can be done but nobody that I have spotted has actually done it.

As far as I can see from the parts fiches you need the wheel sensors for the RDC and a fuel level strip & bracket to get the various MPG readings.

So if we presume that I have all these and have fitted them to my motorcycle can I just turn up at my local dealers and be turned on so to speak?

Anyone had any experience on this.

By the way this is not a thread for opinions on the on-board computer as to whether it is good or bad, just want to know if anyone has done it successfully. Opinions on it's worth would be best left to another thread.

Best regards,

David

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue May 07, 2013 4:10 pm

Not sure with the R12S but with the K12GT for example customers could have say the ASC retrofitted

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?m ... g=77&fg=53

I'm fairly sure the RDC control unit is contained inside the alarm box.

The only thing that's showing as retrofit for the R12S is the alarm

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?m ... g=77&fg=53

I guess quizzing a dealers is the only way to find out, and even then it'd need a clued up one

Also I'm fairly sure the RDC needs a special wheel so you may have to change wheels

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Tue May 07, 2013 4:14 pm

Steve,

Thanks for that - I have the alarm/RDC which was a retrofit so that would appear to be step one...

Step 2 would seem to be fitting the wheel sensors and fuel tank bits

And then step 3 would be getting it turned on.... I have a request in with my friendly dealer (Cotswold BMW who I use for all my parts) and am hoping that they may give me the info I need. Rather than just shrug their shoulders as Vines did....

We'll see.

Best regards,

David

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue May 07, 2013 4:18 pm

David_S_Walker wrote:Steve,

Thanks for that - I have the alarm/RDC which was a retrofit so that would appear to be step one...

Step 2 would seem to be fitting the wheel sensors and fuel tank bits

And then step 3 would be getting it turned on.... I have a request in with my friendly dealer (Cotswold BMW who I use for all my parts) and am hoping that they may give me the info I need. Rather than just shrug their shoulders as Vines did....

We'll see.

Best regards,

David

Cool ... Vines reaction is what I'd expect from the average dealership ... I wonder if the guys at Motorworks would be more clued?

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue May 07, 2013 4:23 pm

by the way at MaxBMW website

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/fiche.aspx

theres a customer service chat now function, I bet one of the US customer service people would help

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Tue May 07, 2013 5:35 pm

I would be interested in what you find out about this David as I'm in the same position.
The bike is due a service before long and I had hoped to have this work carried out at the same time. I am going to ask the sevice guys about it when I make the booking, so any advise is welcome.

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Tue May 07, 2013 5:50 pm

Steve,

I'll give the Max guys chat room a try - Just need to work out when v UK time it will be manned.

Neil,

I will keep you posted - I have a feeling that if I had all the parts I have mentioned then it is just a case of switching it on...

...One thing for sure it won't be cheap!

Watch this space

Best regards,

David

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:11 am

All,

Looks like bad news....

It would seem that thereare a number of parts that would have to have been fitted at the build stage:

2 x RDC sensors, 2 pins & 2 stickers - USD price $252
Central Vehicle Electronics box - USD price $589
Fuel tank strip & bracket - USD price $199
Total around $1,050 or around £725 if you prefer

These could be sourced s/h from Motorworks who are offering the wheel sensors for £40 each, the fuel strip for £55 and the Central Vehicle Electronics box for £150 but you would have to be sure it was the right one as there were a couple of superceded part numbers involved. Also this would presumeably have to be paired to the motorcycle?

There is no alternative part number for the instrument panel so we must presume (risky) that the necessary is already in the ones fitted.

However whichever way you look at it and bearing in mind that BMW will want a princely sum for making it all work it is a lot of money to have the on board computer enable when if bought as an add-on when the bike was built would have been a couple of hundred quid!

The parts list above is compiled by me trawling through the fiche and noting the parts that are marked "Vehicles with On-board Computer"

I am still awaiting any info that might come from my friendly BMW dealer contact and will post that when I have it.

Probably won't take this any further now due to cost. Ihave the part numbers if anyone is interested?

Best regards,

David

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Fri May 10, 2013 4:33 pm

I hadn't considered second hand parts and that makes it cheaper.
It bugs me that the fuel gauge is there but no working level indicator. I guess I can live with it for the time being. Will be booking the service soon and hope to pick the brains of the tech's whilst I'm there.

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Mon May 13, 2013 11:03 am

All,

I received this back from my friendly dealer who had got it from BMW....

"I imagine the customers bike was built before June 2007 and fitted with only the Tripmaster system, a retrofit is not possible for this model as the software is not made available to do this in ISTA/P even for newer models I am afraid."

So yes my motorcycle was built before June 2007 so it would seem that even if I was to fit all the parts previously identified then it would not be possible to make this work.

It also hints that this could not be switched on for later models unless equipped at the build stage.

Before I abandon this altogether my question to other 1200S owners is: Does anyone have a pre June 2007 build R1200S with a fully functioning on-board computer?

Best regards,

David

Steve1200S · Post by **Steve1200S** » Mon May 13, 2013 3:30 pm

I had a look into this myself when I had the 12S...

I didn't come across a single bike that had the on board computer fitted. maybe it was in development towards the end of the manufacturing run of the 12S, but never was actually offered as an option on the bikes that where sold? Could be wrong though.

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Mon May 13, 2013 3:41 pm

Hello,

Well in the brochure that I have for the R1200S it lists the tyre pressure control (TPC) and above the description for it annoyingly shows an R1200S Dash display which to add insult to injury even has the fuel gauge registering half way full!!

SHown on the same page there is a clear option in the "Other Optional Equipment"Available list for an "On-Board Computer"

Brochure Print date is September 2006.

Not sure we will ever get to the bottom of this one?

Best regards,

David