BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I've tried a number of times and different ways to activate the Hill Start Control while stopped on an incline. Succeeded once by accident but don't know what I did. Seems like foot firmly on rear brake pedal then squeeze and release front brake lever should do it. My bike is a new to me 2017 R1200RT with all the options.

Does it only activate on really steep inclines?

The owners manual states

Firmly pull and then release
handbrake lever 1.
Telltale light for
Hill Start Control appears in
the display.
Hill Start Control is activated.
Pull handbrake lever 1 again to
switch off Hill Start Control.

NOTICE
Hill Start Control is deactivated
automatically when the motorcycle
pulls away.

The 'General' waning light and
the indicator light show briefly
in the display and the indicator
light for Hill Start Control goes
out when the brakes are fully
released.
Hill Start Control is switched
off.

Mine activate on even the slightest incline

Its simple ride along come to a stop pull the FRONT brake lever hard and let go you will see a H in a circle on the dash on the left hand side this indicated the Hill hold is active

To release it pull the front brake lever and let go
Or set off but with a bit more throttle than usual and you feel it seem to struggle but just keep going and it will release and allow you to ride off

Thanks sakm. I'll give your method a try on my next ride. I usually roll up to a stop with the front brake. Sounds like I need to fully stop then quickly release then reapply the front brake.

sakm wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:25 pmTo release it pull the front brake lever and let go. Or set off but with a bit more throttle than usual and you feel it seem to struggle but just keep going and it will release and allow you to ride off.

Which method do most folks use. On a steep incline, it wouldn't be unknown to stall and drop the bike when trying to set off.

David. wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:35 pm Which method do most folks use. On a steep incline, it wouldn't be unknown to stall and drop the bike when trying to set off.

It's personal choice on which method you use

I use a combination of both depending on the loading of the bike and the incline etc

You dont need to be on an incline, it will do it anywhere. I use it at traffic lights sometimes.

To engage, pull the front brake lever quite hard, you just need to bump it, and if you have just braked to a stop you do not need to release prior to bumping the lever.

to release, either bump the lever quite hard again (the H goes off in the display) or rev and let the clutch out as you would normally do. Sometimes the bike will shoot off a bit if you let the system do the release, so beware!

Twisty Road wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:31 pm Thanks sakm. I'll give your method a try on my next ride. I usually roll up to a stop with the front brake. Sounds like I need to fully stop then quickly release then reapply the front brake.

No no need to do that

pull up to a stop then just pull the brake hard no need to release it and then pull it hard again

stop pull the lever let go job done

Having watched a few different videos about HSC, one thing that hasn't been mentioned is looking for the flashing (H) when setting off. This appears to be the point where the bike is being held on the clutch/throttle and the HSC is about to release. Just like you would if holding the bike manually on the rear footbrake when doing a hill start. Releasing the brake when the clutch/throttle is holding the bike to prevent it rolling backwards. With HSC, this method seems to give a smoother start when setting off.

Never had any problem with mine does exactly like the manual states . One of the better extra,s on the RT .

David. wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:46 am Having watched a few different videos about HSC, one thing that hasn't been mentioned is looking for the flashing (H) when setting off. This appears to be the point where the bike is being held on the clutch/throttle and the HSC is about to release. Just like you would if holding the bike manually on the rear footbrake when doing a hill start. Releasing the brake when the clutch/throttle is holding the bike to prevent it rolling backwards. With HSC, this method seems to give a smoother start when setting off.

Yes thats what happens but you can feel whats going on and the flashing H means nothing to be honest as its flashes about 3 times and your off but I tend to watch the road rather than watch for the light on the dash in my opinion its a bit of a distraction

Nick Evans wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:53 pmSometimes the bike will shoot off a bit if you let the system do the release, so beware!

Why does this happen, doesn't sound very safe.

I use it quite frequently but once on a very steep up hill stop it didnt release properly when I pulled the front brake leave and I did a kangaroo impression through the junction. Wasn't funny for me at the time but the rider following me thought it was impressive

I thought this was a gimmick as first, but I find myself using it a lot waiting at traffic lights. It is useful to be able to take both hands off and relax

until time to go. Using the Hill start control on a hill, I either pull away cleanly or pogo . I find it hard to get it right every time.

So now I hill start as before..

audibob2 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 27, 2023 10:13 pmUsing the hill start control on a hill, I either pull away cleanly or pogo. I find it hard to get it right every time.

Could this be compounded by the clutch biting point changing from cold to engine at normal temperature.

David. wrote: ↑Sat Jan 28, 2023 4:49 am Could this be compounded by the clutch biting point changing from cold to engine at normal temperature.

I don't think it would be as I have had the kangaroo effect a few times and my clutch biting point doesn't move