DDHR1150RT
New member
Just wondering if anyone else has had electrical problems with their BMW or am I all alone? 
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Electrical problems
- Thread starter DDHR1150RT
- Start date
DDHR1150RT
New member
Hey Kbassa,
Thanks for asking.
I am on my third battery, through one alternator (which has been questioned by my dealer's service manager), have had all rear bulbs blown out (some twice and all were milky white streaked inside), the LCD screen (specifically the oil temp and fuel part) works sporadically (lately the fuel gauge has registered full with a full tank which is nice), ABS sensor failure, sluggish starter, and what seems to be a lack of fuel and spark (espescially when the bike is ridden in the rain. It can be a real pain to start!).
I have also had some quirky mechanical problems with the gearbox (especially second and fifth gears which have been addressed by various dealers at least three times before) and my speedometer is acting up again (jumps, quivers, and varies by 10 to 20 MPH) despite the cable being replaced in January.
For those who may want to know, the bike is a 2002 R1150RT with 43,000+ miles on it. My latest electrical and or mechanical glitch happened on my way to the Charleston rally. I crossed a set of R/R tracks near Rainelle WV just like the ones at Gauley Bridge, SLICK, and the bike bobbled, I recovered (heart in my throat), and the alternator light lit up brightly. A local motorcycle repair shop checked my bike out and determined the alternator was beginning to fail. They metered my charge output at 12 (it needs to be 13.1). They recharged my draining battery, checked again, and found a charge of 11 on the meter despite RPMs given. I had the bike towed to Virginia and a BMW dealer found the alternator belt to be shredding (they determined that the tension was not set right). They replaced alt. belt and checked out the bike for more electrical gremlins, found nothing. I rode home with some friends from the rally and for the next week we decided to ride in the North Georgia Mountains, etc. (I live north of Atlanta). I let the bike sit for one week and bam, click click click on the starter. Trickle charged the battery again and made an appointment for my local dealer to inspect (it goes in on the 27th of this August).
The bike has been through varying dealers for electrical and mechanical gremlins and given a clean bill of health but, still strands me on the road when I take a long distance trip. I am afraid to ride it anywhere now. BMW customer service has not returned my inquiries and Rob Lentini has forwarded my complaints to Pat Raymond (Service and Technical Manager of BMW motorcycles). Pat recommends my dealer contact the area service manager and "establish a base line from which a correct diagnosis can be made".
Again, more money will be spent, and hopefully will produce some answers. I am tired of being alone on the road or within BMW's world of perfection. I feel like throwing in the towel on this one but, I love my bike too damn much. That is why I posted this thread. Am I the only one with problems?
Thanks for asking.
I am on my third battery, through one alternator (which has been questioned by my dealer's service manager), have had all rear bulbs blown out (some twice and all were milky white streaked inside), the LCD screen (specifically the oil temp and fuel part) works sporadically (lately the fuel gauge has registered full with a full tank which is nice), ABS sensor failure, sluggish starter, and what seems to be a lack of fuel and spark (espescially when the bike is ridden in the rain. It can be a real pain to start!).
I have also had some quirky mechanical problems with the gearbox (especially second and fifth gears which have been addressed by various dealers at least three times before) and my speedometer is acting up again (jumps, quivers, and varies by 10 to 20 MPH) despite the cable being replaced in January.
For those who may want to know, the bike is a 2002 R1150RT with 43,000+ miles on it. My latest electrical and or mechanical glitch happened on my way to the Charleston rally. I crossed a set of R/R tracks near Rainelle WV just like the ones at Gauley Bridge, SLICK, and the bike bobbled, I recovered (heart in my throat), and the alternator light lit up brightly. A local motorcycle repair shop checked my bike out and determined the alternator was beginning to fail. They metered my charge output at 12 (it needs to be 13.1). They recharged my draining battery, checked again, and found a charge of 11 on the meter despite RPMs given. I had the bike towed to Virginia and a BMW dealer found the alternator belt to be shredding (they determined that the tension was not set right). They replaced alt. belt and checked out the bike for more electrical gremlins, found nothing. I rode home with some friends from the rally and for the next week we decided to ride in the North Georgia Mountains, etc. (I live north of Atlanta). I let the bike sit for one week and bam, click click click on the starter. Trickle charged the battery again and made an appointment for my local dealer to inspect (it goes in on the 27th of this August).
The bike has been through varying dealers for electrical and mechanical gremlins and given a clean bill of health but, still strands me on the road when I take a long distance trip. I am afraid to ride it anywhere now. BMW customer service has not returned my inquiries and Rob Lentini has forwarded my complaints to Pat Raymond (Service and Technical Manager of BMW motorcycles). Pat recommends my dealer contact the area service manager and "establish a base line from which a correct diagnosis can be made".
Again, more money will be spent, and hopefully will produce some answers. I am tired of being alone on the road or within BMW's world of perfection. I feel like throwing in the towel on this one but, I love my bike too damn much. That is why I posted this thread. Am I the only one with problems?
