Hello,
There does not appear to be an Ambient Air Temp Sensor fitted to my bike ( 2010 R1200RT )
Are thy fitted to all models ?
Thanks
Ambient Air Temp Sensor
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OverLander
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- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2025 8:30 pm
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- Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2010
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Ambient Air Temp Sensor
2010 BMW R1200RT
1992 Africa Twin XRV 750
1998 Beta Tecchno 250
and others .....
1992 Africa Twin XRV 750
1998 Beta Tecchno 250
and others .....
- David.
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Re: Ambient Air Temp Sensor
I can't speak for "all" models but both my 2010 & 2012 Camhead RT's had/have one fitted.
- Doctor T
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- Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
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Re: Ambient Air Temp Sensor
My 07 bike has one. Located on the right side (whilst sitting on the bike)of the mid-panel of the fairing. You can see it by looking between the fork and the fairing panel. It's only clipped on
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
May the shaft be with you
May the shaft be with you
-
OverLander
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2025 8:30 pm
- Location: Midlands UK
- Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2010
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Re: Ambient Air Temp Sensor
I have the right side of the bike stripped and it is nowhere to be seen ...
Is the air sensor required by the ECU ? Or is it just for ambient temp indication ?
I know my bike had an engine swap recently ( before I bought it ) so I am going over the whole bike checking and torquing bolts.
So far ...
Top shock mount bolt not fitted properly ..
Lower bolts holding the rear sub frame were not tightened at all ... fairing bolts and pins missing.
Gearbox mounting bolt missing .... Oil pipe from oil cooler trapped and squashed by the glove box ...
Not washer on Engine drain plug .. oil filter finger tight
Top right ignition coil butchered.. lower right ignition coil has an L on it so I am assuming the R coil is fitted to the left cylinder ...
I got it relatively cheap but wasn't expecting this...
Will be sorted soon tho ...
Is the air sensor required by the ECU ? Or is it just for ambient temp indication ?
I know my bike had an engine swap recently ( before I bought it ) so I am going over the whole bike checking and torquing bolts.
So far ...
Top shock mount bolt not fitted properly ..
Lower bolts holding the rear sub frame were not tightened at all ... fairing bolts and pins missing.
Gearbox mounting bolt missing .... Oil pipe from oil cooler trapped and squashed by the glove box ...
Not washer on Engine drain plug .. oil filter finger tight
Top right ignition coil butchered.. lower right ignition coil has an L on it so I am assuming the R coil is fitted to the left cylinder ...
I got it relatively cheap but wasn't expecting this...
Will be sorted soon tho ...
2010 BMW R1200RT
1992 Africa Twin XRV 750
1998 Beta Tecchno 250
and others .....
1992 Africa Twin XRV 750
1998 Beta Tecchno 250
and others .....
- David.
- Subscriber
- Posts: 8762
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:29 pm
- Location: North Yorkshire
- Bike Model and Year: R1200RT (Camhead) 2012
- Been liked: 506 times

Re: Ambient Air Temp Sensor
The ambient air temperature sensor is located on the front edge of the lower (main) RHS fairing panel. Is there a two pin wire/socket dangling about in that area. There is a photo on page 6.17 of the Haynes manual.
The ECU intake air temperature sensor is located in the LHS of the airbox at the front, see page 3.25 of the Haynes manual.
The ambient air temp. sensor does exactly what is says on the tin and is displayed on the dash as part of the BC function.
The ECU intake air temperature sensor is located in the LHS of the airbox at the front, see page 3.25 of the Haynes manual.
The ambient air temp. sensor does exactly what is says on the tin and is displayed on the dash as part of the BC function.
-
OverLander
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2025 8:30 pm
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- Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2010
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Re: Ambient Air Temp Sensor
Thank you for that information ... as long as its absence does not have an effect on the ECU
2010 BMW R1200RT
1992 Africa Twin XRV 750
1998 Beta Tecchno 250
and others .....
1992 Africa Twin XRV 750
1998 Beta Tecchno 250
and others .....
- Doctor T
- Posts: 2646
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:21 pm
- Location: west sussex
- Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
- Has liked: 1695 times
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Re: Ambient Air Temp Sensor
I've looked back at the spec of a 2011 RT. Bloody had to find on YT and Google, but it seems all versions of the RT in Europe and the US were fitted with an ambient air temperature sensor as standard on all bikes.
The sensor is not connected to any other device on the bike, so it is totally independent of the air sensor in the fuel/air system.
The sensor is not connected to any other device on the bike, so it is totally independent of the air sensor in the fuel/air system.
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
May the shaft be with you
May the shaft be with you
-
OverLander
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2025 8:30 pm
- Location: Midlands UK
- Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2010
- Has liked: 1 time
- Been liked: 1 time

Re: Ambient Air Temp Sensor
Thanks for thisDoctor T wrote: Fri Nov 07, 2025 12:58 pm I've looked back at the spec of a 2011 RT. Bloody had to find on YT and Google, but it seems all versions of the RT in Europe and the US were fitted with an ambient air temperature sensor as standard on all bikes.
The sensor is not connected to any other device on the bike, so it is totally independent of the air sensor in the fuel/air system.
2010 BMW R1200RT
1992 Africa Twin XRV 750
1998 Beta Tecchno 250
and others .....
1992 Africa Twin XRV 750
1998 Beta Tecchno 250
and others .....
