Can you suggest a code reader

[JimLob65]

Hello: I am a new BMW owner, 2016 R1200RT. Have been riding for about 45 years, mostly various Honda bikes. After a few years without a motorcycle I got the itch to get back into riding and found this RT a couple hundred miles away for a good price with 30k miles on it. I absolutely love this bike! Comfortable, powerful, well optioned out and very easy on the eyes. However in my month of ownership I have had the same issue pop up twice.

Upon start up on two occasions I have had a check engine light. The first time it happened I shut it down and restarted. The light went out but the bike ran horribly above about 3500rpm’s, stumbling and missing. I babied it home, shut it down and restarted it only to have it run perfectly fine. I contacted the previous owner who told me a similar thing had happened to him on one occasion, and that the dealer told him he most likely was experiencing bad gas as he had just filled it up. Was told to ride it hard and it cleared itself out. Don’t really buy that as what I experienced sounds nothing like a contaminated fuel issue. No further issues until I started it up today. Had a check engine light and it ran terribly again. After letting it sit for a short time all problems are gone again.

I have been a mechanic for over 40 years and would like to get a code reader to see what is going on. What are the suggested code readers for these bikes without breaking the bank? Anyone else run into a similar problem? If so what was the issue and the repair?

Thank you in advance.

[Doctor T]

Welcome to our site. A good code reader for BMW is the GS 9-11. Not cheap but worth it.

[JimLob65]

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. I am hoping to find something that isn't quite that expensive.

[Mark S.]

If all you want is the ability to see trouble codes there are any number of options available. If you want to RESET trouble codes--and service reminders--you need the GS-11. Here in the US you can take your vehicle to any auto parts store and they'll connect a reader to scan trouble codes for free.

[JimLob65]

Thanks again for the information. Much appreciated. I am sure the GS 9-11 is an excellent unit and would do all that I need to do, plus! However it is rather expensive and I was hoping to find other options that would do what I need in this instance, read the stored code and point me in the right direction as well as clear codes and reset service reminders. I ran across this unit on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/0fwvvG58

Maybe this is worth a try?

[Glenn]

If you have an Android phone or tablet take a look at Motoscan in the Play store, in addition to the app you will need a compatible OBD adapter

[Doctor T]

Most OBD readers say they can connect to the BM bike, but they are very basic. and cannot reset codes. I found this when i first bought my RT. The good thing with the 911 is that you can set service intervals and auto-bleed the ABS. It also reads and checks the system properly.
It maybe exspensive, but when you decide to sell it on, you all get a large amount of your money back

[JimLob65]

I decided to try out the SC530. I appreciate all the input about the GS-911 and will in fact buy that one if the SC530 doesn't work out. The 350% cost premium of the SC530 vs the GS-911 has just a little bit to do with the decision. I should have some idea tomorrow if the SC530 is a keeper or if I will be upgrading.

Thanks again.

[exportman]

Hello

With a decent OBDII reader and an Android phone with the Paid version of the Motoscan app you can do some basics like resetting the service warning.

Look at this link https://obdlink.nl/en/obd-apps/motoscan


The GS9 11 is far superior but as you mentioend expensive.

[JimLob65]

As I stated previously I ordered the SC530 with the expectations that it would arrive today. As per usual with Amazon lately it seems, the delivery was delayed. However, taking in the advice from some of those posting in this thread as well as some online research I also ordered the GS-911, which should arrive tomorrow, probably at the same time as the SC530 . Most likely the SC530 will be sent back. Bike has been running great with the exception of the two times the issue popped up.

[Jambriwal]

Just this passed week I purchased the Moto Scan app & MX+ OBD II dongle.
I was able pair new TPMS sensors and bleed the ABS part of the brake system. Next to set the service reminder because I changed oil & filter in November before hibernation. I also had to buy the adapter cable for 10 pin to 16 pin since my 2015 r1200rt has the older 10 pin plug.
Worked pretty well seeing it all happened in one day. In all cost a bit over $200.

[JimLob65]

I received both code readers at the same time today and decided to try the HEX GS-911 first. Set-up was fairly straight forward and after 4 updates I was reading codes. My bike had 4 codes, 1: ‘fuse activated for system component protection, overload’, 7 events and not active; 2: Camshaft sensor input signal, no signal edge detected, input level high’, both of which happened at 49090 km. The other two involve the exhaust flap servomotor, ‘mechanical fault or blockage’ and ‘adjustment error’. Both happening at 49067km, 255 times and active.

It appears issues with the exhaust flapper isn’t uncommon. Don’t believe this is the cause of my problem though. Not sure if I will mess with it or not at this point. Bike runs great and am not sure if it is worth the effort.

I firmly believe the problem with this bike is that the camshaft position sensor needs to be replaced. The first event corresponds with the first time I experienced the problem (3.5 miles after I trailered the bike home) , it has occurred twice, and the code was detected twice, and a YouTube video about replacing this sensor on a 2015 R1200RT put out by BMWMOA the narrator describes my exact same issue! Looks to be a fairly easy job to do, although the R&G engine guards on my bike may present a bit of a problem as the sensor sits right above the guard bar.

Not sure if I will even try the SC530 as the GS-911 seems to work very well (as well as it should, costing 3.5x more)!!

[Mark S.]

seems to work very well (as well as it should, costing 3.5x more)!!

I believe the price difference comes down to capability. Some might say the increased number of functions doesn't justify the difference, but you can do things with the GS-911 that can save you a lot of money. I live in the USA and my closest dealer is over an hour away. A service call requires me to arrange transport to and from the dealer (they don't offer same-day service) to drop off the bike. The last (and only) "oil change" I had the dealer perform for my S1000XR cost me nearly $300. Since then I've done some 10 oil changes in my garage. If you assume $500 in parts for those oil changes then the GS-911 saved me $2000 in dealer's fees and untold hassle getting the bike to and from the shop.

Everyone's situation is a bit different, but for me the GS-911 is a no-brainer.

[JimLob65]

Yes, I understand your point, and agree. I can justify the additional cost based on how much money I will save potentially with this one repair, based on the assumption that the SC530 doesn't have the same capabilities, which I will never know because I am returning that unit without even taking it out of the box. Add in the cost savings of doing my own brake bleeding, for example and the decision is clear, again assuming the GS9-11 does what the SC530 can't.

Thanks again to all who have taken the time to help me out. Much appreciated!

[Doctor T]

When i first plugged my 9-11, I was shocked with loads of problems like low pressure to the fuel pump and other low readings. Then, after a minute or two i worked out these were correct as the engine wasn't running.