BMW GS R1150 Ride | My bike broke down after leaving it on the side stand overnight.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Not gonna lie, this was worrying and a bit of fun at the same time. Thanks to all who have commented with solutions! You only know what you know ay, and I’m no mechanic so this was something completely new for me. As per the comments, I now know the lights were just the lights that come on when the ignition is switched on before pressing the start button, the same lights that would come on if I stalled the bike - I just saw lights on and thought they must be warning lights 😄. The issue is electrical because the tachometer went to zero when the bike died. I’ve since checked the wiring and it is in a bad condition with cracked and perished insulation so that has been repaired and the bike is running fine 👍🏻.

[@sarasmitz6004]

It's an electrical issue. Easy to tell. The tach went to zero as it died. If it was a mechanical or fuel issue the tach would still read your RPM as it died.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Thanks Jamie, I appreciate you sharing that info 👌🏻.

[@heleti0000]

Possibly a faulty /sticking "kill switch" on the side stand ? (if one is fitted for when the bike is in gear and the side stand is down ?)

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hi, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 👌🏻. I haven’t been able to replicate the problem since it happened in this video, but will be checking over everything this weekend, side stand included 👍🏻

[@Tiz147]

It wouldnt turn over with the kill switch triggered.

[@Maksimumluxury]

Hello gays i have r1150gs a today i have problem..my Vdo display only flashinn 0:00 time and thats it..i dont see full or gear indicators ..bike working fine but vdo display is dead..battery is a 6 months olad and is good..pls help

[@MALVSMACHINE]

You’re better off posting this query in forums for an answer rather than KZbin comments. Check fuse 3, seems to be a common issue with the clock. Other than that, it could be a deeper issue within the components of the clock.

[@ralphsmotodiary]

Had a slightly similar issue with my R1200R, it would show low oil pressure at idle and would then stall and it would sometimes be very difficult to get started again. I replaced the oil pressure switch and all has been well since. If the R1150 engine is the same as the R1200, though, the oil pressure switch is on the left side so leaving it on the side stand shouldn't give it any false signals. I tend to leave mine on the centre stand if I can since the oil does seem to drain out of the right cylinder if it's left for a long time and then the next start up can be noisy for a split second from the right side of the engine.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hiya Ralph, thanks for taking the time to comment and share your experience mate. I’ll add the switch to my list and look at getting it changed just for peace of mind… she’s an old girl now 😄. I’m going to see if I can replicate the problem again when I’m home on the weekend so we’ll see how it goes, fingers crossed I don’t get proper stranded 😆

[@dodger0101]

Check the side stand sensor/switch. I had a problem with my 2004 r1150gs it would cause the same stall/cut off problem.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hello jetBlack, thanks for taking the time to comment. Great stuff, I’ll definitely take a look at it because I don’t want the same shenanigans again 😄👍🏻

[@Tiz147]

HES was my first guess after reading the thumbnail. I always park mine on its side stand with no issues.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

It was a weird one, I’ve not had the same issue since. Fingers crossed it won’t happen again 😄

[@stevemorris122]

Battery light and oil pressure light will always come on when the motor isn’t running, check the wiring on your hall sensor, I’ll be honest if it’s been on there since new I’d also change it out of peace of mind.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hi Steve, thanks for taking the time the comment, I didn’t realise so that’s good to know 👍🏻. I’ll take a look and get on to it, I definitely prefer peace of mind 👌🏻

[@johncummins3860]

If you have bought any new cut out switches or sensors keep the old ones and wire out the faulty bit so it can be plugged back into the loom - keep it in bike tool kit as a spare when touring! !

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hi John, I’ve not bought anything yet but that’s some great advice, thanks very much, greatly appreciated 👌🏻

[@verticalgyno]

oil press light on with engine off is normal as well as the battery light. In case of real issue with the oil press the ECU don't stop the engine, so forget the oil press. sensor. First to check is the side stand switch and the side stand spring. Then check the wiring harness on the RH handlebar, aeging and too tite zip tie can cut the wire, from the Rh side ther are wire to and from the kill switch if one fail the engine will stop. Check the harness coming from the key switch, sometimes the soldering inside the switch broke and the engine stop. All those check are easy to do, no parts removal required, just turn on the engine and shake the harness or turn the handlebar full right full left. If no fault found check the wire and connectors to the injectors, if no fault found and only after all the check listed above i will going to check the hall sensor harness because for this check you have to remove parts. Ciao ;)

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Thanks very much for taking the time to write all that dude, I will add the checks to the check list 😁👍🏻

[@blakeusry124]

Side Stand switch is most likely the culprit. I had that happen on the exact same bike.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Thanks very much for sharing your experience. I’ll start pulling the bike apart again soon to check over the wiring, switches and sensors in the hope the problem is solved.

[@patrickmeylemans9627]

I drive a Honda and don’t think of side stands… just drive and this for more then 127000km and still going strong….

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Awesome stuff. What Honda do you have?

[@patrickmeylemans9627]

@@MALVSMACHINE NT700 Deauville from 2007... bought 3 years ago with 64.000km, driving 20.000km/year

[@MALVSMACHINE]

@@patrickmeylemans9627 nice, smiles for miles 👍🏻

[@LOTPOR0402]

Get the tank off it and check the rubber hoses connecting fuel pump to filter

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hi Ant, thanks. I changed the filter and checked the hoses over a few weeks back so fingers crossed they should still be good 👍🏻… I won’t rule it out though.

[@danreich4320]

The side stand switch is garbage on a BMW. Another one of their worthless solutions to problems that don’t exist.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Thanks Dan. I’ll be looking at the switch and replacing if necessary 👍🏻

[@gvnthomas]

Well that definitely didn't start how I expected it too.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Haha same 😆. I wanted to go to a waterfall and play with the camera and then ride back but the bike had other plans 😆. Some good suggestions in the comments so I’ll be taking a look at what the gents suggest 👌🏻.

[@gvnthomas]

@@MALVSMACHINE yeah there's a fair bit of advice in the comments, can't fault people for sharing their advice and trying to help 👍

[@MALVSMACHINE]

@@gvnthomas mint init, can’t fault them 👌🏻

[@barrieshaw2844]

ive just owned a bmw r1200 gs on a 15 plate i had it for 7 weeks and cut out completely dead 3 times and scared me to death, on looking on gs forum and asking my local dealer who informed me that they was aware of this problem but wasnt too sure how to rectify it, so i got my money back and returned to a tiger again, would never touch anything bmw again

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Ah that’s fair enough 👍🏻

[@bikeserv]

Replace the oil pressure rel3valve spring. They get soft and the oil pressure drops on these. Hall sensors do go bad like you're experiencing

[@bikeserv]

And oil light always comes on when the engine shuts off

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Thanks Con, for taking the time to comment. They’re on my list, can’t wait to get in to it 👍🏻

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Haha someone pointed that out to me, can’t believe I hadn’t noticed it before 😆

[@bikeserv]

@@MALVSMACHINE happy to help. Was a BMW tech, so if you need any help let me know

[@MALVSMACHINE]

@@bikeserv ah man that’s fantastic, thanks very much!

[@jeffreylindop5782]

could be faulty side stand switch or hall sensor on its way out.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hi Jeffrey, thanks for taking the time to comment. She’ll be getting a look over on the weekend and that’s where I’ll be beginning 👌🏻

[@cinematictrax8443]

Thanks for the vid. I have a 02 GSA that I have been doing some maint on over winter as just got her in Sept. I have peeled off the brittle cracking insulation on two wiring harnesses that go from bars under the tank. I would be interested to know where abouts your wiring problems / issues were so that if they are weak spots, I can have a look at mine before I tape (amalgamating) up mine before re assembly. I am going to use self amalgamating tape to keep the wires together then cover that with a split corrugated plastic tube which I am still thinking about how I am going to seal (the split) once the tubing is installed. This is all the daunting stuff about riding these old beemers. This is my first and was looking for a GSA 1150 for some time. Its very low miles - 16 k and going through her to hopefully do preventative maint as none of us want to break down. You seemed to take it well in your stride. Tbh I am an ex-Honda rider and have to say never had a break down with any of the bikes, including a 2000 TransAlp 650 which I loved but was too underpowered for when I take the Mrs. pillion. Last year we went to the Shetlands which was amazing and quite cheap to take the bike on the ferry from Aberdeen. If you haven’t been check it out, its an amazing place with the friendliest folk on the planet.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hello mate, hope you’re well! I’m currently editing a video where I worked my way through the loom, pulling off the old loom tape, pulling the pins out of the connector blocks where I could, cleaning and checking the wires for cracks and then putting it all back together. I only found cracks on the Hall effect sensor wires so have repaired them by cutting the wire, adding a clear heat shrink over the broken insulation to seal it, done some soldering of the cut wires to link them and sealed those, and then added a large outer heat shrink over the smaller wires that were soldered and heat shrunk, then wrapped it all in loom tape - it’s been quite the saga but the work paid off and the bike starts. All the loom under the tank and to the handle bars have had the same cleaning and new loom tape treatment so I’m hoping it’s future proofed! I’ll be hopefully posting the video on Thursday if I can get it finished, if not it’ll be Sunday so hopefully that will help somewhat, and if you watch it and have any questions, drop me a message and ill do my best to answer 👍🏻

[@cinematictrax8443]

@@MALVSMACHINE Thanks laddie. Muchly appreciated. I am glad your bike is starting now and you’ve got things sorted. That’s what we have to do to these old girls, we need to love them and nurture them with TLC and I’m sure we can get the great mileage out of these wonderful bikes like so many other have and still do. Looking forward to your video mate and looking forward to spring and getting out again, I get such itchy feet to ride again after the winter, take care and ride safe bro.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

@@cinematictrax8443 no problem at all! Yeah same too, it’s great being able to share what I’m learning so we can keep them on the road doing what they’re meant to do. They’re awesome bikes so would be a shame for them to just get scrapped or broken for parts. Yeah I can imagine you’re busting to get out, it feels like it’s been a long winter doesn’t it. Thanks mate, you too and I hope the vid helps 👍🏻

[@janbrittenson210]

Fuel pump would be the primary suspect. Maybe oil pressure sensor.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Thanks for commenting, much appreciated! Added to the list of things to replace👌🏻. I’ll be getting out this weekend to see if the same thing happens so wish me luck 😄👍🏻

[@leewhite4887]

Another great one, does make me want to buy one!

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Thanks Lee, thanks for having a watch through. This bike has been great fun to both work on and ride. I’m looking forward to getting out for some more rides this year and will be doing the North Coast 500 on it in June which I’m really looking forward to. You’ll enjoy it if you buy one no doubt ✊🏻

[@CHADCZ123]

I love my 1150! Have done 2 6,000 mile trips on it with no problems!

[@antongoldschneider5838]

Were you able to diagnose the stalling issue? Ignition coils can crap out on the 1150 so I'd recommend replacing those. I discovered the issue on mine when I ran the bike at night and noticed one exhaust manifold glowing red

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hi Anton, thanks for the comment! I haven’t diagnosed the issue yet because I’ve not had a repeat of the problem so just continued riding, but I’ve just got the bike up to the garage to start looking over it. I’ll add the ignition coils to the list 👌🏻. That must’ve been crazy to see at night time 😄

[@antongoldschneider5838]

Yeah, it was spooky but an easy fix! Now I'm replacing the O2 sensor because I was an idiot and damaged the wiring by crimping it under the gas tank when I was resting it on the bike (over the winter) instead of just reattaching the damn thing properly. Bike is running like crap as a result

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Glad it was an easy fix! Ah man, what a pain! We live and learn ay 😁👍🏻

[@jbbloodclot]

@@MALVSMACHINE When mine kept doing this i found it was the wiring from the fuel plate what holds the pump and filter

[@MALVSMACHINE]

@@jbbloodclot thanks mate 👍🏻. I ended up going through the majority of the loom a few months back which was a long repetitive process but got there and haven’t had an issue since…. Well, starter motor packed in 😆 but I changed that and she starts and runs great 👍🏻.

[@OARotifa]

Awesome… and thanks

[@MALVSMACHINE]

No problem, thanks for watching and commenting 😁👍🏻. Looks like the tank will be off again 😄

[@Hazardous975]

What jacket is that mate?

[@MALVSMACHINE]

Hiya mate, it’s a Barbour quilted jacket. Can’t remember the name of it but there are ones similar on their website 👍🏻.

[@Totally_Unsupervised]

Had a similar issue after dropping my bike. It turned out to be a faulty clutch sensor.

[@MALVSMACHINE]

@@Totally_Unsupervised ah thanks, I’ll look in to that and add it to the list of things to change 👌🏻