BMW GS Update

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RonH

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The bikes are delicate definately. Don't ever tip one over, even while sitting still on grass. Another one of my BMW stories, neighbor has a K1600 or whatever, don't know BMW because I learned my lesson years ago, but it was sitting in the yard and the kick stand sunk into the grass, so the bike tipped over. Next time I see it, it's back on 2 wheels, but all kinds of "crap" hanging off including mirror, pieces of the fairing ect. He hasn't ridden it since as I assume damage causing inability to do so. I think the kick stand or frame actually broke because after this happened he had a small floor jack under it to hold it upright.
Think long and hard if this is the type of motorcycle you want. Wow, the R1200GS is way lighter than the Yamaha! Fragile things are not often made real heavy vs strong competition.
 

Tenman

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The day I bought my gen 1. A guy that was at the shop there who had one said "get some Altriders immediatley". I did. No telling how many times I've dropped mine on my Altriders. No damage yet. Except the windshield I just broke off when I was getting off of it and my foot slipped in the grit and it hit a tree. Snapped the Madstad windshield right across the middle. I couldnt beleive it didn't bend the mount any.
 

Madhatter

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I have the altrider bars and skid plates , now with battle marks of hard use. fear the tenere starbucks riders.
 

MotorSWATCop

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The bikes are delicate definately. Don't ever tip one over, even while sitting still on grass. Another one of my BMW stories, neighbor has a K1600 or whatever, don't know BMW because I learned my lesson years ago, but it was sitting in the yard and the kick stand sunk into the grass, so the bike tipped over. Next time I see it, it's back on 2 wheels, but all kinds of "crap" hanging off including mirror, pieces of the fairing ect. He hasn't ridden it since as I assume damage causing inability to do so. I think the kick stand or frame actually broke because after this happened he had a small floor jack under it to hold it upright.
Think long and hard if this is the type of motorcycle you want. Wow, the R1200GS is way lighter than the Yamaha! Fragile things are not often made real heavy vs strong competition.
I have a '16 Tenere and absolutely love it. That being said...I have attended 2 courses out at Rawhyde in CO. They are a BMW certified school and the bikes they offer are all Beemers (GS & GSA). In both of the classes, there have been numerous crashes on the BMW's and I wouldn't call them delicate. They are all equipped with crash protection from the factory and stand up well. This includes one I saw tumble down a hill. A K1600 is like my FJR...all plastic and not made for the crash. I get that they are maintenance intensive and expensive but I don't buy that the GS line is particularly delicate.
 

Madhatter

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parked tenere on oct 10 tried to start it a couple of days ago , no go . so it has finally let me down . have tried everything suggested but will not start. it was running great when I parked it now nothing. time to consider other options .
 

EricV

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Was it on a tender? Did you wash it just before you parked it last?

It's likely just flooded. Go charge the battery, then jump it tomorrow with the truck/car and crank at 3/4 to wide open throttle until it starts.
 

Checkswrecks

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parked tenere on oct 10 tried to start it a couple of days ago , no go . so it has finally let me down . have tried everything suggested but will not start. it was running great when I parked it now nothing. time to consider other options .
We're coming into winter and the release of updates and new models so it might be worth waiting a bit.
 

Sierra1

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In addition to a 'Tender, I make sure there is STA-BIL in the tank also. I prefer the 360 because it's supposed to take care of everything. Once upon a time, my FJ got parked for years with STA-BIL in the tank. When I finally got around to starting it....I drained the old gas....put new gas, oil and a battery in it....cranked right up. Made me a believer.
 

MonkeyBut

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You guys are going to fall for that? One let down and start to look for other options? :rolleyes:

This is the classic, "I want a new bike." ;)

I started doing the same thing with my '04 Vstrom, (which was running perfectly BTW) but it was time for a big service. Suspension, brakes, tires and chain. That money was used as a downpayment on my new Tenere.

This is definitely NBE. New Bike Excuse.

This post is purely speculation and should be considered tongue in cheek.
 

Madhatter

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other options is just that , damn thing started up this evening …. WOT for the tenth try ..... and as for washing the bike , maybe once in 7 years .... I just normally use a damp rag and wipe it down …. just weird that it acted this way , never done this before.... had the recall harness done before moab trip and the bike runs and sounds different , but no starting issues till I tried Friday …. and as for a new bike , I still like my tenere …. got a lot of life left in her , but could decide to get a new machine at some point …. maybe some bad gas at last fill up (hope that's it cause it will go away ) I will play with it tomorrow see if it starts normally … it is not the miles on it , but it is a 12 model so age may be at play here. 8 years old by model ,I bought it new and have had it for 7 plus years , how long do I need to keep it before I can consider other "bike ' options . I just wanted it to start and that was the other options I was looking for . buying a new bike always fun , and Yamaha hasn't stepped up with an improved model , every other bike I might look at is from Europe …..
 

Madhatter

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I pulled fuses , I did WOT , I pulled air filter to directly spray either down its throat (nothing happened ) , kept charger on it so I could wear out the starter , nothing …… I did WOT again and again and again ….. nothing …. so I needed other options …… trading is one ….. I have been looking …. and I don't need an excuse to get a new bike , I have had this one long enough to keep or trade or sell with out remorse …. it is overall the best bike I have ever owned , but it is not perfect..... and now it is getting a bit dated ….. one option was to haul it to the dealer so they could have a go at my wallet , and maybe fix what is wrong ..... but it started and tomorrow I will see if it will start normally …. and if it does im going to put some fresh fuel in it , maybe that will help. and when my parts get here , new rear brake rotor with pads and a few other tweaks …….
 

Madhatter

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never really needed a tender as I ride it at least once a week , and stab-bil nope as I ride it every week . so how does a fuel injected bike flood?
 

EricV

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No harm, no foul Madhatter. Just brainstorming. Wife wanted me to get a newer bike when the '12 crossed 100k. I looked around, but nothing else appealed to me, so I got a Gen 2.

A few years later, we're not riding big mile days or off road, partly because she's not comfortable wrestling with a big bike any more. Ok, moving on to smaller bikes.

As far as how does an EFI bike flood, usually because of the cold start routine getting interrupted. If you don't let it fully warm up before shutting it down, it squirts a bunch of fuel in when it already had rich condition from the last start. Raw fuel runs down the cylinder walls and you lose compression, thus no start. At that point it just needs to dry out before it will start.
 

Madhatter

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could I own a bmw , yes. will I own a bmw ,possibly. when will I own a bmw, as soon as I can find 25k . and that there is the rub . I am more likely to buy a honda civic and keep riding my tenere till im to old to hold her up.... anything is possible. waiting on Yamaha..... a P.S. not trying to make this thread about me , but my post on another thread was not getting much help.... thanks guys , I will let yall know how she acts soon.
 

MonkeyBut

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That is why threads like this are invaluable. I can understand your frustration with the bike not starting and looking at different options and i was kidding about the new bike excuse. I'll leave my joking part in The Basement on the other site and the serious stuff here.
I just learned not to stop a cold Tenere before warmed up and could cause a no start condition on next start up. Invaluable. I learned on another thread here about why my bike would not start right away even though it is new. Hold the starter button until the engine completely fires up and runs. Been doing that ever since and my bike not firing up hasn't happened again. Invaluable. I hope your no start condition was just a fluke and that the problem does not come back. Enjoy the day.
 

Tenman

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I had a hard start a couple of years ago on my gen1. It was a hot Ms. day and was fixing to rain. I pulled in under a hotel roof and killed it. I put my rain duds on and talked to some guy that was checking my fine bike out. When I went to leave. My fine bike wouldn't start. I tried the wide open throttle a few times and didn't hit. I was getting nervous my battery was gonna fade. Set there a few minutes more and hit it again wfo. It fired up wide ass open. I took it home and cycled the key propably 15 times and it fired up everytime. I'm a firm beleiver in not letting off the starter button to soon.
 
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