BMW Recalls 1582 R1300GS Models

[exgman]

BMW has announced a worldwide recall of BWM R1300GS models due to starter relay issue. 25,000 units affected worldwide and 1582 units in US.

See: https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/b...9SP29lfrqFEcSAC8Eg_aem_QVnKNCgZnRHDM0n-a_xN-g

 

[omega man]

Thanks John,
I wonder if it is part of this thread-

Starter Run on Relay Update

Just read about the starter relay updates. Seems they used a newer one and need to go back to the old electrode magnetic type. It is in German so use Google Translate. https://www.motorradonline.de/enduro/rueckruf-bmw-r-1300-gs-starter-relais-update-juli-2024/

forums.bmwmoa.org

I wasn’t aware of a problem so an update had me wondering about the starting point of this issue……if it’s related.
I wasn’t able to do a translation when I gave it a quick look on a mobile device.
OM

 

[r0ckrat]

It is related, and they are reverting to electromagnetic relays might be related, but not "need to go back to the old one", not technically a BMW Manufacturing issue. A supplier issue.

According to the safety report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the starter relay is enclosed in a housing which was produced with an insufficient injection molding process. This manufacturing defect could make the housing susceptible to damage during motorcycle assembly or a dealer maintenance visit, making it possible for moisture to enter the unit. In certain environmental conditions, this could lead to corrosion of internal electrical contacts in the relay.

Leakage of current between corroded contacts could result in components heating up. This could lead to heat damage (scorching damage/smoke development) on the starter relay. In rare cases, this could increase the risk of a thermal event or a fire. BMW states riders should be wary of warning signs such as the starter motor turning on its own, odor of overheating electric components, and obviously, smoke.

 

[exgman]

It does seem that way Gary. Here's the URL for the NHTSA Recall: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2024/BMW/R%25201300%2520GS#recalls

 

[oldcamper]

They’ll get it fixed but I’m wondering why a “solid state” relay is even necessary.
I wonder if it operates on a digital signal from the canbus, which seems overly complicated unless they plan to implement automatic ICE start/stop in the future like some cars do now.
Regardless, these new machines may be nearly impossible for owners to maintain or repair by themselves, other than maybe simple oil changes and valve adjustments. That may become an important purchase consideration for some.

 

[rhbike]

They’ll get it fixed but I’m wondering why a “solid state” relay is even necessary.
I wonder if it operates on a digital signal from the canbus, which seems overly complicated unless they plan to implement automatic ICE start/stop in the future like some cars do now.
Regardless, these new machines may be nearly impossible for owners to maintain or repair by themselves, other than maybe simple oil changes and valve adjustments. That may become an important purchase consideration for some.

With BMW no longer offering service manuals, they are making it much more difficult for anyone other than a factory trained repair person to do much of anything on any modern BMW bike. I was lucky enough to get the official BMW service manual DVD for my 2020 K1600 just before they stopped selling the discs for all thier modern bikes, and though it covers anything mechanical stuff I might ever want to mess with, it lacks the info one would need if you were trying to service the bike let's say 15 years from now. For instance, there is no wiring schematic. The tranny and much of the bottom end of the engine is barely covered.

 

[GregoryT]

They’ll get it fixed but I’m wondering why a “solid state” relay is even necessary.
I wonder if it operates on a digital signal from the canbus, which seems overly complicated unless they plan to implement automatic ICE start/stop in the future like some cars do now.
Regardless, these new machines may be nearly impossible for owners to maintain or repair by themselves, other than maybe simple oil changes and valve adjustments. That may become an important purchase consideration for some.

This is what happens when you try to "reinvent the wheel".
Engine oil change is still easy - valve adjustment is anything but simple on the new bikes.