marcopolo Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 I have a 2006 R12RT (built Feb '06). It has that well-known problem where the horn will cut out if you press the button continuously, or use it several times in quick succession. The fix involves a software update, which my dealer is quite prepared to do (warranty work). Save for the horn, the bike runs very well. I'm one of those guys who believes if it's works, don't fix it. I know, however, that I need a horn that works (and, no I'm not going to replace it with a louder one). My question is, should I be in any way hesitant about getting the software updated to the latest version because I risk making something else run worse, or introducing an unexpected "problem"? I know once you update, you can't go back. I also recall reading a post on another board a while back where someone reproduced the BMW notice to dealers about the update from last summer, that talked about changes to no longer recognize one of the two temp (?) sensors as one of the two was being eliminated in R bikes starting with 2007 production (or something along those lines). Why would they do that? To save money? Link to comment
duckbubbles Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 My experience with the BMW updates has both been bad and good. I think it was #6 that made my accessory circuit shut down most of the time. #7 fixed that and got the engine running cleaner, but I've also lost about 10% gas mileage. It may be wise to say- "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Have you had the horn shutoff problem? Frank Link to comment
marcopolo Posted March 4, 2007 Author Share Posted March 4, 2007 My experience with the BMW updates has both been bad and good. I think it was #6 that made my accessory circuit shut down most of the time. #7 fixed that and got the engine running cleaner, but I've also lost about 10% gas mileage. It may be wise to say- "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Have you had the horn shutoff problem? Frank Yes to the horn question. Shut off last summer in Vermont after I had pressed it several times in quick succession. Starts back up again, if you shut the bike off, and start it again, but clearly that's not the answer. As wimpy as the bike horn may be, I want it to work. Link to comment
Ken H. Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 Ver. 7 fixes the horn, will little reported problems that ver. 6 had. Link to comment
duckbubbles Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 I'd have to agree that version #7 fixes several problems that plague some bikes. It's an all or nothing update. You can't just pick the parts you want. Since the update, about six months ago, I haven't noticed any troubles with the bike operation. The exhaust pipe outlet doesn't soot up very much anymore. A couple of hundred miles would have coated it pretty good. Now it isn't very noticeable after the same amount. My only "complaint" is a drop in fuel mileage that equates to roughly 10%. It's still in the upper 40's, but would do over 50 before the update. Hardly any popping in the exhaust while downshifting, just better overall response. No. 7 was a good thing for my bike overall. Frank Link to comment
tgrrdr Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 I just had my bike in for service and they performed a "flat battery update" (per the print out they gave me). One of the downsides they discussed before the update was that I would have less current to my accesory plug. I have an early 2005 bike and she indicated that it had 10-12 amps available to the accesory plugs before the update and would only have 5 amps after. Since my electric vest only draws 3 or 4 amps I went with the update. Since I just picked it up yesterday I haven't had a chance to check the gas mileage but didn't notice any changes on the 40 mile ride home. Link to comment
marcopolo Posted March 4, 2007 Author Share Posted March 4, 2007 Guess I'd better ask exactly what changes are part of the update before I have it done. I'm not sure if I need to worry about the accessory socket business, or not. My bike has three (two up front, and one in the rear). I generally only have one vest plugged in at atime. Link to comment
ScottT Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 My 2005 has the original software load on it. It's not broke so it's not getting fixed. I too had the horn issue and resolved it by wiring one of the horns directly to the battery and controlled by a relay. The original horn leads now control that relay. The reduced current draw was enough to keep horn from cutting out. A temproary solution for you would be to unplug one of the horns until you can wire in a relay or get the software updated. If your dual horns are the same as the 2005 one is still louder than 95% of other stock motorcycle horns. Link to comment
Tommy_Boy Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Just curious - how would I know (or find out) what version I have in my '06 RT? Link to comment
marcopolo Posted March 5, 2007 Author Share Posted March 5, 2007 My 2005 has the original software load on it. It's not broke so it's not getting fixed. I too had the horn issue and resolved it by wiring one of the horns directly to the battery and controlled by a relay. The original horn leads now control that relay. The reduced current draw was enough to keep horn from cutting out. A temproary solution for you would be to unplug one of the horns until you can wire in a relay or get the software updated. If your dual horns are the same as the 2005 one is still louder than 95% of other stock motorcycle horns. No dual horns like the '05s. I believe that changed in early 2006 (my bike was built Feb '06). They're back to one wimpy horn like mnay other BMWs. Link to comment
duckbubbles Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Tom- The only way to find out which, if any, updates have been installed in you particular bike is to have the dealers machine hooked up to check. One thing that no one has mentioned is that there are something like 12 available "slots" in the computer for updates to be done. If an update upload is done, that's one. If the update fails, that's also one- or so a tech told me. More than that number of update tries and you have to get a new computer. So far I have two on mine. Update 7 took about 30 minutes to load into my bike. Don't mess around with any earlier updates, I don't think any up to date dealer should have them anymore. The count is up to something like 7.2, as far as I know. Frank Link to comment
ckatopodis Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 I heard the same thing at a new owners seminar given by the dealer. 13th update requires a new computer. Link to comment
Pictou Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 I had my first software update last fall and everything went fine and the bike runs great. I think they said it was version 7. Since your under warranty I would go for it. I don't think you'll regret it. I haven't noticed the fuel mileage drop yet but I don't pay that much attention to fuel mileage. I haven't had any problems with the on board power socket but all I have used it for is to power a GPS (I have my heated vested wire to the battery). I am curious why the computer can only be updated 12 times. I have no doubt this is true but I would have thought that modern flash memory could be cycled more often than that without worry. My MP3 player, thumb drives etc. even the remote for my TV are all capable of thousands of cycles. Lets hope BMW gets it right before we start running out of room. Link to comment
velomoto Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 I am curious why the computer can only be updated 12 times. I have no doubt this is true but I would have thought that modern flash memory could be cycled more often than that without worry. My MP3 player, thumb drives etc. even the remote for my TV are all capable of thousands of cycles. Lets hope BMW gets it right before we start running out of room. The limit of 13 flashes has nothing to do with life span of flash memory - modern NAND flash has a lifespan of approx. 500K write cycles... Hopefully nobody will "need" thirteen software updates! Link to comment
PODMAN Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 While having my bike fixed so gps would not cut cruise off (they replaced the control module) they updated the software. GPS and cruise work excellent and no wires had to be cut (some say cut one of the wires that go to the gps). Anyway updating the software caused the w/s to stop working. The 8.01 update which dealerships should have rec'd today will fix that plus everything else from what I have been told. More info about this update on the K bike website. I have a 06 R12RT Mike Perez Dublin, Ohio Link to comment
Tommy_Boy Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 Tom- The only way to find out which, if any, updates have been installed in you particular bike is to have the dealers machine hooked up to check. Thanks! Link to comment
CoarsegoldKid Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 Why in the world would an engineer limit the computer to a specific number of updates? It makes no sense to me. Good thing my PC isn't limited! Link to comment
Guest Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 Why in the world would an engineer limit the computer to a specific number of updates? It makes no sense to me. Good thing my PC isn't limited! limit aftermarket tuners? Link to comment
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