[MrsBeamer]

It looks like my bike has developed the fuel gauge problem that so many owners are experiencing. I can see plenty of petrol in the tank but the fuel light is on and the fuel level meter shows nothing. Looks like a trip to the dealer is in order. I'm surprised that on an expensive bike such as this that it has such niggly issues.

I got this bike after trading in my Yamaha Diversion 900 which was 100% completely reliable and ran beautifully. I do hope I've not bought an expensive lemon.
I do like the Beemer but I can't stand these types of issues.

 

[zoomin]

MrsBeamer, Took delivery of my 2011 in August '11 and right from the showroom the fuel strip was defective. A few days later returned the bike to the dealer who ordered another (and who didn't stock replacements) and a new one was installed. Twenty miles later that one failed. The third one - the charm, I suppose - is working just fine after 4k miles. As long as the odometer is working you've nothing to worry about. Assume 45mpg (actually, mine gets better mileage), and you'll be fine. But I agree it's a lot of money to pay for such a niggling issue. I spoken with a couple of other owners - Rs and GSs - and they've never had a problem.

 

[Classic11]

I had the same issues and the same doubts. How can this bike that costs quite a bit more than the competition have any issues?? Especially with something as simple as a fuel strip. Those have passed and I have had no issue whatsoever from the bike since. I live a little over an hour away from the dealer and they offered to send someone to haul it back and forth free of charge to resolve that issue so maybe your dealer will make as good on it.

 

[Heinzie]

Faulty Fuel gauge

Same on a 2012. Really annoying.

 

[Hoshiko]

2011 here and no problems with the fuel gauge at all.

 

[toooldtocare]

My 2012 R12R just quite at less than 750 miles on the bike. Guess they have not fixed it yet.

 

[Clem]

2012 with only 7,000 km.s and no fuel strip issues yet.
But it's still early in the game. Too many failures out there to ignore.

 

[MrsBeamer]

Mine's fixed now. It was nice to lose the yellow light all the time. Anyway the bike is running well, no issues to report and in May we're taking it down to Sicily. Really, Really looking forward to giving the bike a good run out and to see how well it performs.

Nikki

 

[Clem]

WOW ! That's a very long run. Over 1300 miles one-way ?? You will have a great opportunity to really get to know the bike, all it's strengths and a few weaknesses. Take photos and something to post your experiences on the forum, please. Hope it's a trouble free journey.

 

[MrsBeamer]

will do Clem. I intend to a full report plus video and photos galore

 

[Okruszek]

Hi all, problem with fuel gauge but slightly different?

Hi All,
Just got my R1200R about a month ago, been waiting for a long time to get back on to a Boxer engine. My first bike was a 1964 R50. I think R1200R is one of the best bike around for everything. Loving it.

I moved from a F800s and to be very clear about this F800s is a great bike and does everything I throw at it with two up long distance to track day. The main reason of my change is the sitting position and the boxer engine!! The fuel gauge on F800s is brilliant. It will show accurately from about 120miles counting down. I can always trust it. i get 180 miles per tank.

The R1200R is rather different. It shows 200+ potential mileage on the computer when full up. The +200 stay til the trip meter up to about 50 then start dropping from 200 to 0 rather quickly. The computer potential mileage drops three times as quick as the trip computer goes up, in other words the computer potential mileage is only 1/3 of real mileage. it give total of about 180 to 190 miles with tank fills up to the rim.

I don,t mind the flue consumption what I need to know is exactly how many miles i have left to plan my next fuel stop. Is this normal? I had a quick chat with the dealer. His explanation is that the F800s have a deep tank under the seat where as the R1200r has a wide tank so it is less accurate. is this right?? I pay good money for this bike and there are so many computer senses on the bike, surely they can get this right??

On a different subject, I am looking for a sat nav. I am thinking about Garmain 660 with touratech lockable bracket or BMW navigator IV with the in house mounting. Any advise? is there a forum on this?

Thanks a million

 

[Hoshiko]

Hey Okruszek
I know exactly what do you mean about the fuel gauge, I have done any kind of experiments with this and they never work to what the computer claims.

A buddy of mine has a Grmin Zumo 660 on his bike.
It comes with everything you need to mount and is large and waterproof.
We have storage good rides on it around the 3 state area.

 

[farbmw]

@Okruszek

Hi,

I have the BMW navigator IV on my 2011 R1200R and it work and look great! I even like the fact that it work when you are wearing gloves as well.

When I picked up my bike last October the first day of having it, I went on a hour trip, and the gas read half so I thought I had enough gas for the trip back, and all of a sudden, she quite on me. So to make a long story short, I got the bike toed back to the dealer and the gauge still showed half full but no gas in the tank, so they replaced the strip and she been running perfect ever since.

I just love this bike!!

 

[Hoshiko]

+ 1 what Mr. Clem said.

I have a cousin on Gatineau Canada. Only 450 miles from Brooklyn NY, I have done the trip on a car and I have to say, 8-9 hours driving are not that much to me, in the car at least.

I planed that trip 2 years ago on my previous bike but never did it.

I probably do it for 2012.

Anyways, will be waiting for your pictures, videos, and/or comments.

 

[Okruszek]

Garmin 660, Touratech

Hi all,

Thanks for all your advise. I decided to get a Garmin Zumo 660 instead with Touratech lockable mount and the Can-Bus connection. BMW dealer fitted for me and did a great job of keeping it neat and tie all the extra cables out of the way. It was a real close call to choose between the 660 and Navi IV. As the BMW Navi IV looks cleaner and less trouble(one dealer to sort out the whole bike), but I thought the least BMW could do is to include car mount!! The price turned out about the same after the labor charge for an hour work of fitting. But the 660 is lockable at least it will be handy for the fuel break

Anyway, so far so good, love the fact my trip is all logged. Now I can plan the trip on the computer as well!!

The R1200R is doing great, Just love the sound, even in the city 2000-3000 rpm with the akrapovic with the muffler!!

One question, would I be able to put "entire" Europe map on the 660??
I am not quite figuring this out yet but when I down load the updated map as Garmin's new product user upgrade. The computer tell me I only have enough space for UK and France and a bit of Spain? Do I need an additional memory card or am I doing something wrong?

 

[Hoshiko]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your advise. I decided to get a Garmin Zumo 660 instead with Touratech lockable mount and the Can-Bus connection. BMW dealer fitted for me and did a great job of keeping it neat and tie all the extra cables out of the way.Pictures please It was a real close call to choose between the 660 and Navi IV. As the BMW Navi IV looks cleaner and less trouble(one dealer to sort out the whole bike), but I thought the least BMW could do is to include car mount!! The price turned out about the same after the labor charge for an hour work of fitting. But the 660 is lockable at least it will be handy for the fuel break

Anyway, so far so good, love the fact my trip is all logged. Now I can plan the trip on the computer as well!!

The R1200R is doing great, Just love the sound, even in the city 2000-3000 rpm with the akrapovic with the muffler!!More pictures please

One question, would I be able to put "entire" Europe map on the 660??
I am not quite figuring this out yet but when I down load the updated map as Garmin's new product user upgrade. The computer tell me I only have enough space for UK and France and a bit of Spain? Do I need an additional memory card or am I doing something wrong?

I don't know the answer to your question, My buddy's one has all USA and Canada on his, I'm pretty sure that is way more information to store then whole Europe.

Have a great trip

 

[beaujarle]

Hi there,
Got my '12 out of the dealership Thursday & was happily riding it to our favourite destination early Friday morning. Available fuel was showing 247km when suddenly it dropped like flies. When it reached 0km & the fuel warning came on, I almost sh*t in my riding pants as I was in the mountain areas & the next petrol station was about 20+kms away. With the hot desert summer heat here...you just don't want to be stranded!!! Rode the bike slowly at 70km/hr & to my relief, reached the petrol station. Opened the tank cap & guess what, the tank was half full!!!!

Filled the tank up, but that fuel warning light was still on and the fuel availability counter was still down at zero. Brought the bike to dealership early morning today & they'll get it fixed. Thank god for 2 years unlimited mileage warranty!!!

By the way, what is the distance capacity of the 1200R? On regular touring speed & on fast hard riding? Thanks.

 

[Clem]

Distance Capacity ? 200km.s+

Hi beaujarle,
Fill her up religiously every 200Km.s and you'll never have to push it.
Trust that fuel strip, and you're asking for trouble.
It's not real smart to try and see how far you can go on a tank of gasoline unless you HAVE TO, because the gas inside the tank cools the electric fuel pump, and you're not helping matters running it on fumes.
My 2012 got poor gas mileage when it was brand new,
and I was breaking-in the engine. Only about 15 km/liter.
Don't be concerned. Keep the oil topped up, vary the RPMs a lot, and after 1,000 kms., run the crap out of it. Don't baby the motor.
She'll taper off using oil after about 10,000Km.s and the gas mileage will
climb to about 20 Km.s/Liter. After it is completely run-in, you CAN get more, say 22 Km/L, by just poking along in 6th. gear at 60 km/hr. but you are lugging the engine and it ain't NO FUN at all. Continued hard riding at speed will get you 17km/L and a traffic citation, not necessarily in that order. Highway cruising should return 19-21 km\L.
Woah, this is a GREAT bike!!!

 

[beaujarle]

Hi beaujarle,
Fill her up religiously every 200Km.s and you'll never have to push it.
Trust that fuel strip, and you're asking for trouble.
It's not real smart to try and see how far you can go on a tank of gasoline unless you HAVE TO, because the gas inside the tank cools the electric fuel pump, and you're not helping matters running it on fumes.
My 2012 got poor gas mileage when it was brand new,
and I was breaking-in the engine. Only about 15 km/liter.
Don't be concerned. Keep the oil topped up, vary the RPMs a lot, and after 1,000 kms., run the crap out of it. Don't baby the motor.
She'll taper off using oil after about 10,000Km.s and the gas mileage will
climb to about 20 Km.s/Liter. After it is completely run-in, you CAN get more, say 22 Km/L, by just poking along in 6th. gear at 60 km/hr. but you are lugging the engine and it ain't NO FUN at all. Continued hard riding at speed will get you 17km/L and a traffic citation, not necessarily in that order. Highway cruising should return 19-21 km\L.
Woah, this is a GREAT bike!!!

Super ...thanks!

 

[Okruszek]

Hoshiko,

Only got back to the website today after a long break. I will get some photos posted within couple of days.

One question about your friend's Zumo's 660. Does it locate itself rather slowly? My zumo 660 takes up to 8 mins sometimes to find enough satellite to locate itself. It is slower than my old Tom Tom rider one. Does it sound right??

Thanks