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Specifically, I want to reset the 'Service' message on my instrument panel. In general, I want to see what there is to see. CAN (Car Area Network) is an interesting area to explore on modern bikes (been around for a long time on cars, as you probably know). I found the GS 911 in a quick internet search. I was looking for tools and I'm a little suprised that more interface tools didn't pop up. Therefore, I'm asking our knowledgable and curious members what else is out there. After all, BMW has been using CAN bus for 6+ years and we all like to buy stuff and work on our bikes.
Well - the GS911 works very well. It's not a mystery - it's been on the market for 3-4 years now (I reviewed it for the ON when it first came out..)It would be interesting to find out how well that GS911 works. I have a Snap-On Tools Solus for cars. BMW, Mercedes, VW are not covered in the Solus due to Proprietary software. On the common cars I can control/test/actuate an amazing amount of the vehicle functions. It's not a magic fix but will get you headed in the right direction. There has been many posts in forum land that a good dealer-that you purchased the bike from-should reset the service minder light at no charge. It seems that's most of what people want out of the code reader. :
It would be interesting to find out how well that GS911 works. I have a Snap-On Tools Solus for cars. BMW, Mercedes, VW are not covered in the Solus due to Proprietary software.
Well - the GS911 works very well. It's not a mystery - it's been on the market for 3-4 years now (I reviewed it for the ON when it first came out..)
The Snap-On Solus is a box I'm also familiar with for cars, a friend/mechanic has one. He's tired of the late and very expensive update modules from SnapOn and is looking at other alternatives now.. I tested it for an article for the BMW Car Club of America Roundel magazine, can't say I was awfully impressed, but that was a number of years ago. There are MANY other tools available that DO cover VW, Mercedes and BMW functions (including the AutoEnginuity - a parallel sort of device to the GS-911) just fine, despite their "proprietary" software (IMHO that's basically an excuse from SnapOn..)
The GS-911 is a work in progress - there are continual beta releases that update the capabilities of the tool to more extensive coverage on bikes it already covered, and on bikes that are newly covered. It won't do everything the dealers computer will - but it is quite adequate for the average small shop or home wrench.
The GS-911 is specifically designed for use with BMW motorcycles, with the manufacturer apparently reverse engineering the functions of the BMW GT-1. Not all functions are supported, but every so often there is an upgrade that adds more. For my '05 the only function that is missing for normal maintenance is the whizzy brake bleed test. So far I've done without that function. It is on their "road map" of things to add.
The last update in March added a bunch of stuff. Link.
It's also fun to go into real time capture mode and then plot the output.
There are MANY other tools available that DO cover VW, Mercedes and BMW functions
If you managed to get that graph from the 911 : I might be able to get it out of the Solus but it would be a cumbersome transition.
The GS-911 gave me the data in comma separated values (CSV) format, I think. Just about any spreadsheet made can read CSV. Once the data is in a spreadsheet it's simple enough to pick the row and column for graphing. Doesn't look like I kept the data, though. There were lots more columns than just battery voltage.