Outside Fairing Temp indicator accuracy

[cali_beemer]

SO I love the outside temp indicator on my 1200RT but theres one problem. Its not accurate at all. It was showing 65 degrees out today but the high was never above the mid 50's. I was wondering if everyones is like this? I am assuming that its just picking up heat form the motor. So, is there a better place to mount it? Where is it located now? The temp indicator on my LT was very accurate.

[Rotor]

It's under the rear fender. My 05 is not very good either. I believe BMW was moving them free of charge for a while to the front with better results. Don't know if they are still doing that or not, but you can ask.

[Effjay]

Currently (at least on my '07), ambient temp sensor is located behind RH side panel ("lateral trim panel front right" in BMW parts parlance). I have an older aftermarket tropical fish thermometer which measures to 1/10* and supposedly accurate +/- .1* (sorry, it's apparently no longer available) mounted on the dash with sensor mounted on panel fastener same side as BMW sensor point except lower and to right side of the oil cooler. The two guages track each other fairly well - generally within 1*. The BMW item is worthwhile but not very handy, i.e., it should be a constant display on the BC and visible when other BC data is displayed.

 

Jeff

[cali_beemer]

It's under the rear fender. My 05 is not very good either. I believe BMW was moving them free of charge for a while to the front with better results. Don't know if they are still doing that or not, but you can ask.

 

I will have to ask the service department about that. It would not seem logical to have it in the back. Any heat from the bike will be going to the back.

 

Does anyone knwo if this is an easy thing to do or are there new parts involved?

[CoarsegoldKid]

I don't know where mine is but it's very inaccurate. I talked to my dealer after I first got the bike in 2005 about it being useless. He told me he never heard of one being inaccurate but would get back to me after talking with BMWNA. I guess they are still talking cause I've not heard a word about since. I generally add 6 degrees to whatever it reads.

[RTinNC]

I don't know where mine is but it's very inaccurate. I talked to my dealer after I first got the bike in 2005 about it being useless. He told me he never heard of one being inaccurate but would get back to me after talking with BMWNA. I guess they are still talking cause I've not heard a word about since. I generally add 6 degrees to whatever it reads.

It seems from what I have read on this and other sites the 2005 RT's had issues with temp accuracy. I believe as noted they moved it on later years. My 2006 seems very accurate.

 

 

[cali_beemer]

I don't know where mine is but it's very inaccurate. I talked to my dealer after I first got the bike in 2005 about it being useless. He told me he never heard of one being inaccurate but would get back to me after talking with BMWNA. I guess they are still talking cause I've not heard a word about since. I generally add 6 degrees to whatever it reads.

 

Mine is just the opposite. It shows a higher temperature on the display than what it really is. It was showing 65 when it was probably in the high 50's.

 

 

[black99S]

Just go look at your bike. Squat in front, look to rear of bike left side between the panels, a black probe like thingy about 2" long with wires attached. If it ain't there it's in your rear fender. Dealers were relocating them in 2006 to the front and updating software.

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

I have an older aftermarket tropical fish thermometer which measures to 1/10* and supposedly accurate +/- .1* mounted on the dash

 

I had the same set-up on my RT only mounted the sensor inside the left mirror housing. Tracked pretty close to what the weather man was saying and any public displays.

 

On the GT, the factory sensor is mounted inside the upper right fairing and seems to track fairly accurately as well.

[97oilhead]

My 05 RT was inaccurate, the probe was moved to the front fairing and was still off quite a bit. The bike had a software update this spring and the temperate is very accurate now. So if your bike reading is still off and the probe is moved, check into a possible software update.

 

Nick

[rickmoen]

I don't know where mine is but it's very inaccurate. I talked to my dealer after I first got the bike in 2005 about it being useless. He told me he never heard of one being inaccurate but would get back to me after talking with BMWNA. I guess they are still talking cause I've not heard a word about since. I generally add 6 degrees to whatever it reads.

 

Same here. Add 6`and it reads what bank heater-meters display - except those are notoriously inaccurate, too!

[motoguy128]

For those with the factory Tire Pressure Display, keep in mind that the temperature transmitter is used to compensate for changes in air temperature to give a "virtual" tire pressure. It's corrected for approx 68F (20C) I believe.

 

Fortunately, my temperature seems to be fairly accurate.... lucky for me, it must be broken.

[hexairheadbeemerguy]

On my '07RT it is just above the air intake on the lower right hand side and is quite accurate.

[keithb]

I gave up on mine. It is 5-10 degrees off.

[Nice n Easy Rider]

On my '07RT it is just above the air intake on the lower right hand side and is quite accurate.

+1

[Penforhire]

My '08 seems quite accurate. No idea where it is. Haven't settled the argument yet with my ST1300 buddy, whose temp reads 1 to 2 degrees less than mine. I also find mine is more responsive, changing faster when we both feel the air change.

[Semper_Fi]

My '08 seems quite accurate. No idea where it is...

 

it is in the same place as the 07 up front behind the right front lower panel

[Rotor]

Mine is just the opposite. It shows a higher temperature on the display than what it really is. It was showing 65 when it was probably in the high 50's.

 

Hey, if the temp is reading 15 degrees higher than actual and then you get a "snow flake" symbol what happens?

[Husker Red]

 

My 05 RT's thermometer was really close when I first bought it. I later had a service done with a software update and ever since it reads about 10 degrees higher than actual. It does seem to be consistently off 10 degrees, so I'm okay with that.

 

The fact that it changed after the software update makes me wonder if it couldn't be fixed with a software update. They did not change the sensor location.

 

Mike

 

[FLTRI]

Add me to the +10* club. I've noted that it "only" reads about 5* high at night and during winter riding. During the summer, it's at least 10* too high.

 

2005 RT with the probe in the rear fender...

[Tetz]

Had an 06 that was too high. Dealer was aware of bulletin and kit too move it to the right forward faring. I too had the software update and it was spot on.

[roadhome]

I'm just going to glue a weather rock to the top of my mirror...if it's covered in ice, it's cold, if it's wet, it's raining, if it's melting a hole through the plastic, it's hot...you get the idea

[cali_beemer]

I'm just going to glue a weather rock to the top of my mirror...if it's covered in ice, it's cold, if it's wet, it's raining, if it's melting a hole through the plastic, it's hot...you get the idea

 

Good idea, it can work for diagnostic purposes too... If its covered in oil, check the final drive...