HINTS & TIPS #7 BMW R1250GS Hill Start Control Explained 🤔

Hill Start Control explained on the BMW R1250GS. Mine is a 2022 model, as always refer to your owners manual, as things may differ slightly , depending on model year🙈
The system works not only on an incline, but on a level or declined surface. Give it a go!
00:00 Introduction.
00:45 What is HSC?
03:01 How do we turn the system on?
03:28 How do we activate HSC?
06:22 How do we de-activate HSC?
09:00 Let's see HSC in use on the road.
13:56 Finally......

[@exiledscouser919]

It’s on my new 1250GSA and it comes on even when level. A green H lights up and you can’t go backwards. I wanted to roll back a few feet to avoid an obstacle ahead but I could not feckin’ deactivate it. Had to stop and watch a YT video and finally worked out you have to depress the rear brake pedal quite hard. Made me look a right Charlie for the q at the bus stop opposite who chortled at my predicament. BMWs are a technological marvel, it’s true but I’ve never had a motorcycle that doesn’t show, by default the fuel gauge on their otherwise fine TFT.

[@user-il2oh4ud3x]

Definitely needs practice in starting on steep hills. The amount of gas needed on a steep incline is noticeably greater. I didn’t realize this and stalled when taking off, which deactivated the HSC and introduced a significant jolt. Almost dropped the bike before I collected my wits and grabbed the brake!

[@JBK647]

Thanks for taking the time to explain how this works. Clear and easy to understand.

[@kevinandrews2511]

Great refresher Paul, I use HSC all the time when loaded up, I have the pro- set up but avoid auto at all cost, to easy to miss it engaging, followed by it stalling. Your absolutely right in say get out and practice - ✈️👍

[@gsd32i]

Thanks, I use manual if I am going to use it. I guess the proper off roaders might use auto but going into my garage is about as off road as I can manage!!!!!! 😂

[@49googie]

Good vlog , love the two land sharks !!

[@nathancampsall5061]

Thanks for vid - very helpful indeed. Need to get the same confidence with the flipping quick-shifter next and rev ranges!!

[@gsd32i]

That may be another video!

[@sorinmoisa72]

Very well done explanation clip. I appreciate the time you've taken to produce this. Keep up the good work!

[@gsd32i]

Thanks 👍

[@brucebrown6597]

Awesome videos explaining all the features of the GS. I had something happen when HSC was engaged. Sitting at a stop sign on an incline with HSC engaged, I blipped the throttle, and HSC deactivated. I’ll have to experiment more with this.

[@xjr13john]

Read the manual, HSC disengages at 2000rpm!

[@user-ql9ip8ll7z]

Great Hints 👍

[@paulk1309]

Another great video explained very clearly, thank you. p.s Gorgeous German Shepherds! Paul

[@gsd32i]

Many thanks!

[@bobtaylor5263]

great explanation I thought I knew about the hill hold but yes I learnt more again thank you

[@gsd32i]

👍

[@advoregon]

Great video, very informative. One key element not mentioned is that if you activate HSC at a traffic light and then let off the brake to fix your gloves or something, your brake light goes out and your only showing running lights to the cars behind you. This was disappointing to me. I wish the brake lights would stay bright.

[@gsd32i]

Thanks for the input , the jury in my mind is out on BMWs multifunction rear lights .

[@advoregon]

@@gsd32i Yes, I’ve heard a lot of that too. I’m in the US and they’re just traditional functioning, even on the newer models (21-23). We didn’t get the brake light functions in the turn signals. Same nice led and shape, but no multi function. I tend to use HSC at traffic lights and I just wish the back would stay bright.

[@04michael3110]

Thanks for clear and fluent explanation.

[@gsd32i]

You are welcome!

[@surlinderkhinda]

Another great informative guide for us,thanks for your videos

[@gsd32i]

My pleasure!

[@phillipcollingwood8894]

One more great blog mate and so handy to see an owners review as having to come off a zzr1400 because of bad hip pain when riding or sitting on board On to a gs I hope but like a kid in the sweet shop with all the colours and extras on used before getting a new gs1300 maybe later

[@gsd32i]

Best of luck with whatever one you get . Really enjoying mine 👍👍

[@abyields7831]

Awesome, learn something new, appreciate your help!

[@gsd32i]

Glad to help!

[@Ashcoolntic]

Thank you so much, useful content !

[@gsd32i]

👍

[@andrewfishburn5184]

As usual very helpful Video content

[@gsd32i]

Appreciate the comment 👍👍

[@ianfreshwater5528]

I’m enjoying the series. My brand new GS arrives this week and so I’m getting lots of information before I get to play. Cheers

[@gsd32i]

Thanks . Try not to spend too much time looking at accessories !!! 🤣

[@ianfreshwater5528]

@@gsd32i Too late, I’ve already compiled my wish list! I fear the money I saved from getting the bike in the BMW EOFY sale won’t be remaining in my account very long 😀

[@gsd32i]

@@ianfreshwater5528 brilliant 😂

[@marcusdorsman5229]

It works facing down hill as well

[@GS_riders1250]

Excellent explanation 👍 and nice to see your hairy assistants 😎

[@gsd32i]

😂 they were very good and didn't utter a peep!

[@chriskennard5920]

I for one am eternally grateful that you can be bothered to make these videos as is negates the need for me to delve nose deep into the owners' manual or to experiment clad in a would-be blindfold on my rides out to discover what the hell is going on - thanks, it means a lot...to not only me, but countless others too.

[@gsd32i]

Thank you , appreciate the kind words.

[@creedm3040]

Awesome video! I found it very useful. I keep the HSC in auto. Which do you use? I may have to experiment. Loved the dogs. Always a good prop! Geez they are beautiful! Best!

[@gsd32i]

Yes they are fab. Off to France in our motorhome in a few days with them. Manual mode for me, for my road riding .👍

[@brankojerbic6040]

I just use it as a hold on a hill and then disengage and use the back brake before taking off as on any bike.... Using this on a regular basis will wear out your clutch pre maturely due to higher revs required before the system releases the brake...

[@joegaralde8832]

great video sir! i will be turning this feature off! i almost dropped the bike while turning on a incline when i first got the bike! 😮don’t need it

[@gsd32i]

I use mine all the time...but in manual mode😂

[@CLLUK]

Thanks for an excellent video. HSC. Another skill set that for some, could be relegated to history.

[@gsd32i]

You bet, use mine in manual mode an awful lot, especially with a pillion.

[@ThePittsaero]

Very informative as always Paul! May I ask which handlebar clamp you are using for your camera? I'm assuming it doesn't mark the paint? Cheers, M.

[@gsd32i]

Thanks . It’s the go pro one but I put some foam backed tape on it to stop precisely that happening 👍

[@KarlyBoy]

I am sure I saw or read somewhere that the HSC warning light will flash when sufficient Rev’s are on to disengage the HSC control, or did I dream that 😊I should add that my 2020GS has never flashed, but I am sure I saw a YT Video where that was the case

[@gsd32i]

Nothing in my manual about that, not in the engineering details or warning/symbols section......but I am definitely no expert🙈

[@johnandrobinmccoy8305]

leaving my driveway and stopped. The damn HSC came on, I couldn't figure what hell was going on. Really glad I wasn't stuck in traffic somewhere. Turned the stupid system off for good.

[@gsd32i]

I like it , but I have it in manual mode and had no issues …. So far 🤞

[@carlwinterton1833]

Hey I noticed you have a Garmin connection which is fitted to a bracket can you please let me where you got that bracket from thanks very much great videos 👍

[@gsd32i]

from e bay seller uk marmac 1353 Garmin Zumo XT Bar Mount | 12mm £18

[@motoyak2901]

HSC also works in downhill. I set HSC always at automatic.

[@gsd32i]

Thanks , strange the manual doesn’t mention that , but I did put it in the description . 👍

[@paulellis8414]

Great Vid. How do I know when my ABS is on or off. The manual is very confusing. All the best, Paul

[@gsd32i]

You can't switch ABS off, certainly not on my model, June 2022. Basically enduro pro will deactivate the rear abs for skidding around bends, but front abs still functions. If the ABS light comes on the dash after you ride away then the abs is faulty....but that's on my '22 model. The newer GS's have now done away with the " ABS" on the left control cluster. Have a look at my handy tips video number 6, it explains all the modes....🙈

[@paulellis8414]

@@gsd32i cheers for the info. I thought I had turned mine off by accident. Take care and thanks 😊

[@user-pr8ce4lr4j]

Hello, I apologize for the interruption, my name is Andrey and I would like to know in "Road" riding mode, is it possible to set the D.T.C Traction Control to maximum grip mode? I apologize for the question and my lack of knowledge and I would be very happy to receive your help on the subject, thank you very much Andrey

[@gsd32i]

hi. Road, Rain, Eco mode are all non adjustable and have set responses programmed by the BMW technicians . Rain mode DTC will activate earlier than in road mode. Road gives you the optimal control and traction on dry roads. No wheelies are permitted in those modes. The Pro , ie programmable modes , allow adjustments to suit individual riders preferences. if you want maximum performance without working out the various different options , stick it in dynamic mode for maximum performance from the DTC , allowing slight wheelies. Hope that helps 👍

[@user-pr8ce4lr4j]

@@gsd32i Dear sir I asked so many riders and only you really helped me I want to thank you for the answer

[@gsd32i]

@@user-pr8ce4lr4j Hi . Glad I was able to help . Ride safe 👍

[@mohammedghaddar166]

I am reading around HSC Pro - is there any difference b/w HSC and HSC Pro (if it does exist)?

[@gsd32i]

Hi, hill start pro, or programmable ,simply means that you have several options for the hill start, off, manual-where you apply the front brake to turn it on(I use this all the time)or auto-where the bike senses the angle and applies the hill hold function automatically . 👍

[@mohammedghaddar166]

@@gsd32i thank you

[@GeorgeNikolaidis]

Is it standard to all the 1250GSA?

[@gsd32i]

not sure, you’ll have to check on the bmw website for your country as models specifications may differ.👍

[@onahi2002]

One tip. And this is a great visual example. Do not fit a screen protector. It's completely unnecessary. And destroys the reflection/glare. Look at the reflection 😅

[@gsd32i]

TBH I have got use to it and the screen remains cleaner than the Matt finish of the tft and screen wil be scratch free at resale . Never an issue unless you point a camera at it and put it on KZbin 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@onahi2002]

@GSD321 it's glass. And not touch screen, so no need to touch it. One of my bikes is a 2018 GSA with TFT. no marks on it at all. The anti glare finish is one of the great bonuses with the TFT, ruined by adding a TFT protector.

[@gsd32i]

@@onahi2002 Thanks for posting , choices choices 🙈. 👍👍

[@leetheriderforlife7548]

Hill starts can be hard but to put this on a bike is a massive waste of time, this is something for new riders on L plats.

[@gsd32i]

Each to their own , personally I find it a useful tool to have in the armoury 🤪. Appreciate the input and ride safe 👍

[@StephanLAS]

I actually find it quite useful for example if you want to stop to take a photo, you put on the hill start and then you can look for your camera take your picture while balancing the bike with your feet and you don't have to worry about Slip Sliding down or up the hill

[@joeedwards1682]

I’ve been riding motorcycles for 20 years. Over 10 of those I raced at a competitive level. Two Harley’s and a R1250GS. Never laid one over, until today. The HSC caused my bike to tip over when I took off. I’ve had it for 2 years and it’s always been off. I turned it on last week just to see what it was like. Well my conclusion is that it’s absolute garbage. The engineers should have designed it to disengage upon slight release of the clutch. This is the most embarrassing feature of the bike. And it’s not close. Extremely disappointing.

[@gsd32i]

Ouch, hope all was ok with you and the bike. Was out on mine today with no HS issues, I find it pretty good. Although I have had to rev it a bit on a steeper incline etc .Thanks for posting.👍

[@ybliga]

I have just purchased an R1250R that has this abomination of a system. Reading the manual was of little help as it is totally confusing. Your demo cleared up some of my queries but sadly, you appear to have glossed over certain aspects, most likely because you don’t fully understand it either. For example, what the hell is this nonsense about rolling backwards at a speed of 1-2kph set by the bike after deactivation? What on earth does that mean ? If the system isn’t active and you’re on an incline, the bike is free to roll back at any speed dictated by the incline and gravity and so where does 1-2kph come in. Likewise, what is this about the system applying the brakes going downhill at less than 1-2Kph. It doesn’t say that in the manual. This silly and unnecessary system will cause riders to drop their bikes - be in no doubt. I will be switching it off and leaving it well and truly off!!!!!

[@gsd32i]

Appreciate the input . Personally I don’t use automatic hill hold and only use manual hold, which I haven’t had an issue with . Yes manuals can be a bit confusing . I suspect even the bmw sales folk wouldn’t have an in depth knowledge of the systems technical functionality , give manual a go .

[@ybliga]

@@gsd32i apologies for the verbosity of my post . . . I was feeling exasperated after having read the manual through. I suspect it has lost some of its meaning through imprecise translation from German. I have come across complaints from riders whose bike applied the brake when going downhill at very low speed and caused them to lose balance and drop the bike. I suspect you're right - set to manual, it is likely to be less of an issue but I did read about one chap whose RT wouldn't release the brakes at all and he had to have it unceremoniously shipped to the dealers. Not good . . . .

[@gsd32i]

@@ybliga No problem , good to let off steam 😁 No issues with manual mode in 2 years of ownership. I did see one video of the brakes locking on and then after a while the rider simply switched the bike off and then back on again and all was well. Ride safe 😁

[@jcc6664]

H is pronounced Aitch NOT Haitch.