BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Last week I had the 20000km service done by BMW on my '20 R1250RT. While doing that they performed a SW update. Mechanic said it was for a warning light for the suspension, now being yellow and after the SW update being red. Strange story but okay.

When I picked up my bike I immediately felt loss in power and torque
Turns out to be they put the new software on my bike which actually is meant for the GS/GSA/RTP, recall number 0000232600 (see PDF above).

The new software doesn't allow high RPM's when pulling the clutch in 3, 4, 5 or 6th gear and give full throttle. Now my bike only makes 6000 RPM when doing that, while before the SW update it would went into the redline at 9000 RPM. This should be protecting the transmission input shaft from breaking.

Don't have a problem with that, but I do have a problem with the loss in torque and power. If I give full throttle now in 6th going 100km/h it feels like a bloody 600cc bike, feels like at least 20Nm missing

Long story short, let the BMW mechanic NOT perform a SW update, even when they say it's "for warning light from yellow to red".

I think BMW is doing this secretly on the R/RS/RT when it's in for a regular service to avoid a worldwide safety recall like for the GS/GSA/RTP.

Well if it is not meant for your bike they need to put the correct software on it. I’d go back and demand that as it’s clearly wrong.

That’s terrible.

I had the suspension software update done on my 2020 R1250RT last week (there is one, specifically for the "civilian" RT). No change to the bike's performance, as my dealer clearly used the correct RT update and not the GS one!

I suggest you go back and ask them to install the correct software update, then all should be OK.

Old Foxy

Agree with the other members. Take it straight back and demand the correct SW update

How do you know they have installed the wrong software?

But I agree if it is the wrong one then you want the correct software installing for your bike

I already contacted my dealer which contacted BMW Germany headquarters. Apparently it's not that easy to remove this SW update/put the old SW back. And I actually don't know whether the mechanic can choose a SW update, according to him it was the yellow/red suspension warning light SW update.

I know it's (kind of) GS/GSA/RTP SW update because the engine now only hits 6000 r/pm max when on full throttle while pulling the clutch which I already mentioned in my first post. Maybe it's combined with the yellow/red suspension warning light software, I don't know, dealer doesn't know and BMW probably won't tell.

I just wait what BMW Germany comes up with.

@Old Foxy: If you pull the clutch in 3,4,5th gear and give it full throttle, does it go into the redline (9000 rpm), or is it limited to 6000 rpm?

I'm only asking but what scenario would redlining the motor with the clutch pulled in arise ?.

Well, it will go into the rev limiter, but in normal conditions you never do that off course, but it's how you can recognize if you have the SW update or not. And I don't mind that, but I do mind the loss in power.

This is what you should have got. They did mine and no changes noted.

Thanks. That's also what my mechanic told me. But maybe BMW secretly put the "GS/GSA/RTP" SW update together with the suspension update, I don't know.

Like I asked @Old Fox, if you rev your bike pulling the cluth in 3, 4, or 5th gear while riding, does it only reach 6000 rpm, or the 9000 rpm redline? Mine only makes 6000rpm now.

My BMW dealer called me today to say that I was right, BMW Germany headquartes admitted they (secretly?) did put the GS/GSA/RTP software update 0000232600 on my bike (toghether with the suspension SW update if that is true) and will do that on all the R1250XX bikes when they have a regular service. Strange way to do business

My dealer said I was the first to feel a difference in torque and power, I'm probably very sensitive , and BMW protocol now is that they need my bike for couple of days to "test" it. It's to big a hassle for me, so I leave it this way, not a really big problem.

Lesson learned, I never let my dealer put any new SW update on my bike in the future!

Am sure that RTP bikes only come with basic non-electronic suspension. I know this is the case across Europe

UK current RTP do come with ESA. Found that out a couple of weeks back from a current police motorcyclist. They have to sit on the bike before turning it so the suspension can calibrate itself to their weight otherwise it defaults to a super lightweight rider!