BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Hi Guys ... 2016 RTLC with almost 23k on the clock !
Just been to Scotland, travelled up last Tuesday 274 miles no problem, came to the bike Wednesday morning and it wouldn’t start (heavy rain all night) Called out breakdown, and it started ... anyway he checked it over, and said 99% sure it’s the battery ... so a trip to Motorrad Glasgow the following day and new battery fitted .... no more problems till today .... heavy rain all the way home yesterday, never missed a beat ..... gave it a good clean today, and won’t start! Obviously not the battery ! ... any suggestions.. start switch ?
Not a problem because I have extended warranty... I’ll be in the phone in the morning.

Sounds like water is causing a problem while the bike is stationary but ok on the move.

After washing my bike, I use an old hair dryer (don't need one anymore) to drive out the water from switches etc. Could give that a go on the start switch.

Obviously wouldn't have happened if you'd had a GS    Does sound like water in the starter cluster though, Ive even heard of people putting poly bags over the grips & clusters to keep them dry overnight when parked outside on tour.'


ps. I'll bet that GSA you was with ran just fine  8)

That GSA is only 12 months old


I was leaning to the switch, but I’m not sure .... over the past couple of months, I have seen the battery symbol come up, and the dash reset itself, I usually have it on MPH, and it resets to the RT logo !
So I was happy to go along with the mechanic’s call on the battery!
Just been back in the garage to kick the bastard .. sorry I mean try and start it ... and the battery symbol is showing again, first time this week it’s shown itself ... new battery was fitted Thursday morning

How Ironic, or should that be Iconic.

Did either the breakdown or Motorrad Glasgow check out the battery charging system on the bike.

Can you put the battery on charge overnight and try again in the morning.

Not an RT but I had a similar issue with a Pan European a few years ago. Left out in pouring rain and when I turned the key all the dash lights came on but the starter button didn't do anything. Call to the breakdown and the chap came along and put a couple of sprays of WD40 (or something along those lines) into the button and it started working. Fine after that.


As you say, give to the dealer to sort out. Thats why you've paid for the extended warrranty.

Alternators have been known to fail, you'll be glad of that extended warranty if it has.

https://www.bmwsporttouring.com/topic/9 ... going-bad/

Thanks Chaps ... worst case scenario, it will cost me £100 ... but I'm interested to know the problem !

David .. no Motorrad Glasgow just fitted the battery and no diagnostic check, lack of time for both of us !

So the dealer rings yesterday and tells me the bike is ready ... annual service as well as the non starting !
Great stuff !! What was the problem... wasn’t one apart from a flat battery they say, we just charged it up overnight!
So I ask did it go on the diagnostics, no reply ! Well I’m sorry but I’m not accepting it back for it to go again and having to ring warranty for a 3rd time!

The "40th year anniversary model GS" looks nice Dave, I can picture you and Stella on one of those  8) 

simbo wrote: The "40th year anniversary model GS" looks nice Dave, I can picture you and Stella on one of those  8)

That's really bad service considering already replaced once. And the GS is just the common bike.

You are correct on both counts Bob

How long does it take to do a charging system check. Part of the annual service should be checking the battery charging state.

I hope Douglas Park, Motorrad Glasgow will reimburse the cost of the new battery & labour charge.

Which other BMW dealer do we need to avoid, name & shame.

For £100 per hour labour charge, I'd expect perfection.

I presume you didn't have to pay the 100 quid excess to be told there nothing wrong with it?


Can you take it to another dealer for a "second " opinion?