BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Hi, I've just bought a R1200RT LE on a 2016 plate,
I can't seem to get my hill start to work on it, I'm following the instructions as wrote down in the book, the light has only come on once or twice when I've tried to activate it,
Any thoughts please

Should be just a firm squeeze on the lever with the engine running.  If that's not happening I'd take it back to the dealer and have them check it out.  I've got a 2016 too and it has always worked, so it may be worth digging deeper.

buzz wrote: Hi, I've just bought a R1200RT LE on a 2016 plate,
I can't seem to get my hill start to work on it, I'm following the instructions as wrote down in the book, the light has only come on once or twice when I've tried to activate it,
Any thoughts please

Dont have this on my bike but do in my VW Tiguan. I need to press the brake firmly on a hill so the ABS pump maintains the pressure. If I just use very light pressure it doesn't engage.

My Hill Start Assist works as per design.
I don't use it much because I don't like the way it comes off, but it works with a good firm squeeze of the front brake lever. You don't need to be on a hill either - I did an emergency stop when an Audi driver pulled out on me and found the HSA on when I tried to get going again.

gogs01 wrote:
I don't use it much because I don't like the way it comes off,

To release the HSA just pull the front brake lever again.

I'm after finding out if it's a known problem and if anybody could shed some light to as why it's not working
Cheers

When I first got my RT I was puzzled as to why it would not work at times, then discovered it only worked when I was in gear, not neutral.

I wonder if that's country specific.  Mine works in neutral - handy when stopped at traffic lights as you can just let go and have a scratch or whatever.....  Don't forget that as soon as the engine stops it releases though!!

Sprintgull wrote: I wonder if that's country specific.  Mine works in neutral - handy when stopped at traffic lights as you can just let go and have a scratch or whatever.....  Don't forget that as soon as the engine stops it releases though!!

My tiguan works as long as engine is running because it uses ABS pump for pressure. If you are stopped for a long while the rear caliper motors kick in and apply rear brakes to prevent pump overheating also does this when you stop engine so for hill start only works with engine running. Dont know if bike with hill start is exactly the same although I know they dont have motors on rear caliper.

It works in gear or neutral and uphill/downhill/on the level,  on my bike (2016)

It does release when you put the sidestand down.

I think it's sorted now, I may have been pulling the brake leaver back to slowly, time will tell.
Thanks for the reply's 

Yes, you’re right there. Give that front brake lever a firm squeeze to apply (ooh missus)!

buzz wrote: I think it's sorted now, I may have been pulling the brake leaver back to slowly, time will tell.
Thanks for the reply's

I can control to a degree whether it engages in my Tiguan by brake pedal pressure.
You will be able to do the same I presume.