BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Hi folks, my fuel gauge was showing approx 20% full, the mileage to empty was showing about 95 miles. So no problem thinks I. Then it runs out of fuel!! Luckily I was out with a pal who fetched some fuel and off we went. Anyone experienced similar with the 2009? It’s the model before the twin spark. I’m thinking it’s a faulty sensor in the tank, but haven’t yet set about it with the tools. Thanks in advance. 

I recently commented on a similar issue in a day of disasters. 30 miles range my low fuel warning came on, 28 miles range I ran out of fuel, 2007 RT. Apparently we have some sort of "fuel strip sensor" rather than a float based arrangement, They appear to have somewhat of a reputation, put this "r1200rt fuel strip sensor" into google

thought it would be something along those lines. I`ll do the suggested searching, thanks

The possible good news is that this may still be under an extended warranty since the fuel strip was so problematic.  My 2009 just stopped showing any fuel level or range info at all, so it's possible your partial function problem is not the sensor alone.  If it's just a poor connection, etc. they may charge you for the inspection.  Otherwise, you're just under the warranty extension limit, so call your dealer.

Is the warranty extension applicable in the UK, https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/ ... 6-4420.pdf

Thanks David, I`ll ask and let you know.

My 207 1200rt ran out of fuel in London, shortly after I got the bike. Very embarrassing. I had to wander around the corner to get a new fuel can (£15) and 5 litres of juice. I took it back to the supplying dealer and they replaced the fuel strip (apparently they do this to virtually every one of these they've sold) and now the display works perfectly and seems much more accurate. It was seriously over-reading before, and the low fuel indicator never came on.

No warranty replacement available in the UK, I gave up with Jeffries. I got it replaced by the Workshop in York. Think it was about £200, the sensor is £125.

Our 2008 Hexhead ran out for fuel about 2 miles from our house with at least a third of a tank full showing on the gauge. Luckily a petrol station was only a breathless 200 yard push away. This was not before I had started to remove the fairing to get at the Fuel Pump Controller (I carried a bypass at the time) which was notorious for failing. It was my other half who suggested that we had run out of fuel !!. The bike was out of warranty but replacement was carried out by Cooper BMW at Sunderland for £70, or was it £170, can't quite remember. I do recall that BMW had some level of "Good Will" input !!.

I had a 2009 RT (my first one) I had to take to the shop 5 times to install a new fuel-sensor strip...luckly, it was all under warranty.
That's one of the ailments of that model