Optional Computer on R1200S..What does it display??
 

I have talked to three dealers and none of them can tell me exactly what the optional R1200S computer will actually display...likewise [a real bone of contention with me] BMW will not respond to my requests for infomation on the options...they refer me to dealers...such as a fuel gauge; one dealer said the bike has one...the other said no..all the dealers say that getting information about products from BMW is damn difficult..why? Try to download the PDFs on BMW website on accessories and optional equip...."not available"...terrible way to run a railroad..

I have the computer on my bike. Yes - there is a gas gage, and the range count-down to the end display. There is an ambient tempurature gage with a flashing nagging option that kicks in at 35 F along with a little snowflake icon to warn for black ice. There is a gas milage calculator and and average speed calculator along with the trip meter stuff on the regular bikes. There is an oil level indicator that tells you that things are OK or to add oil. It helps to pass the time when you're slabbing.

What no top speed information? I actually like the little snow flake temp feature, I have something similiar to it on my Suburban that indicates ICE at 34F, maybe it's just me, but sometimes that little reminder helps me take it easier.

I like the new computer features BMW have added to the R12S and the way they integrate them into the bars so they are easy to use.

Our '07 VW Passat 2.0T Variant also has the "snow flake" indicator w/momentary chime but it becomes active @39F and below.

Have you tried downloading info from the German BMW Website?

http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/com_main.html

Dave Bowen wrote:

<snip> I have the computer on my bike. Yes - there is a gas gage, and the range count-down to the end display. There is an ambient temperature gage with a flashing nagging option that kicks in at 35 F along with a little snowflake icon to warn for black ice. </snip>

It sounds real handy, and someone shoudda told the #83 BMW Motorcycles of Daytona team, to not tape over the fuel readout during the Daytona race... ( oops! that won't happen again )...

:)

I had a 1980 Saab Turbo with the optional center console with gauges. One of them was an outside temperature gauge, and when it got near freezing a hole in the center hub of the needle would uncover a red light. It was great. Once coming back from Tahoe I noticed it, slowed down, and a few minutes later there were cars strewn all over the sides off the freeway.

Here's the German Webpage listing options for R1200S:

1) Wide Tires 110 Euro
2) Onboard Computer 140 Euro
3) Anti-Theft Device 180 Euro
4) Heated Grips 190 Euro
5) Tire Pressure Monitor 200 Euro
6) Sport Suspension 590 Euro
7) ABS 890 Euro

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1162351561.jpg

Mis-translation on item 5. It is a tire pressure monitor.
Not what we'd call a tire pressure controller, in english.

When I picked up my R1200S, the salesman couldnt figure out why my fuel gauge wouldnt come on. He thought the bike was broken.
Turns out that he didnt know the fuel gauge only comes with the computer.
The salesman also said my bike had the 6" rim and 190. I showed up to pick up the bike and thankfully it didnt!
What do BMW dealers know anyway.

Hi,

What does it look like?

Is it just a software upgrade to the existing display, or is it a new display?

Anyone know?

Adrian

...or does the bike has an extra push-button somewhere...??
...I only have such a 'TRIP' button...

Same display as standard. The button is in the same place as the 'trip' button, it just says 'info' instead.

Does the computer equipped bike have a gas level sending unit in the tank while the non-computer bike doesn't?
Any chance the computer could be added onto a non-computer equipped bike?

I'm sure this is a purely hypothetical question since there is no way you'd consider adding such crap to your bike, correct? :D

-Peter

Yeah, lot's of real men run tall bars.
None of them need a wimpy fuel gauge.
Real men can do the math. No crap needed.

I thought it computed your loan amortization.

Just speculation. Dont need that crap.

Thanks for correcting that Roger...I've edited my post.

Are we saying that the non-computer bike has NO fuel gauge?

No biggie. I'll ride with the cap open.

Just a low fuel light. Like in the olden days. Well, after petcocks.

Back to the old days of using the ODO. Love it.

...just the warning light, and a 'how-far-can-you-go-with-the-rest-of-the-fuel' counter...

...more than enough information, IYAM...

Stopped by the local dealer and looked in the owner's manual. The on-board computer offers:

- ambient temp
- average speed since last reset
- average mileage since last reset
- remaining range on whole tank, not just reserve
- oil level
- tire pressures (if equipped with monitor)

Also, the rear axle ratio is listed only as 2.62.

Thanks Steve...but is the listed information on the stock computer or the optional computer information that costs extra? The stock configuration does not come with a gas gauge (gals in tank) but the optional does..[supposedly!]

We know the 2.62 information listed is bogus...as bikes are now coming with 2.75s... curious what was the ratio of the bike you took the manual from? A very early 2006 bike may have had a 2.62...

This is my ***** with BMW we should not be speculating on the details of a standard or optional piece of equipment or accessory...terrible way to run a company...

The on-board computer is optional, and includes those functions I listed as well as a fuel gauge.

I don't see why the 2.62 is bogus. EVERY time a bike has the 2.75, it's shown on the Monroney label as having the "Alternative Rear Axle." Like I've said a dozen times, it's NOT an option, it's another ratio BMW is installing for whatever reason we don't know. The ratio on the bike that manual went with had the 2.75. It doesn't appear to be a choice or option we have, Phil.

OK...it DOES have a fuel gauge [gallons in tank]? [not mentioned in your 0914 post]...also not wanting to beat a dead horse: "Like I've said a dozen times, it's NOT an option, it's another ratio BMW is installing for whatever reason we don't know. The ratio on the bike that manual went with had the 2.75. It doesn't appear to be a choice or option we have, Phil." That is exactly my point you can't get a 2.62, so for a BMW R1200S to show a FD ratio of 2.62 , is bogus.

I think the fuel gauge always being on display as a series of bars and has already been mentioned several times. I was posting the "computer" information that one can cycle through with the button, which only confirms what Dave Bowen posted and adds that the tire pressure readout is incorporated (if equipped).

What's so hard to understand about a standard ratio of 2.62 that is effectively not available right now as the bikes are coming instead with an "alternative" ratio? Maybe BMW has a shortage of 2.62s right now, who knows? Who cares; it's only a 5% difference in gearing and only of interest to those looking for 7-8 mph potential difference in top speed or 200 rpms less at cruising speed. I'd be happy with the benefits of a 2.75 for 1st & 2nd gear if I could get it and move on to more important things.

You should just get the $275 on-board computer. What you get is well worth the money. And so is tire pressure monitoring for $260, IMHO. I have the SmarTire on my bike, and love it.

i have a 1200gs not fitted with computer which has a trip button and shows a fuel guage on the screen all the time. i also have a 1200s fitted with computer which has an info button but doesnt show any fuel gauge, just a warning when it gets to reserve. it only cycles through the mileage and trip when you press info. cant seem to work it out does anyone have any ideas?

The GS has a standard fuel gauge. Are you sure your S bike has OBC? The S fuel gauge only comes when you order the OBC (and then it is visible all the time), and the way you describe it sounds like your bike is non-OBC like mine. I have noticed some R12S' have the "info" button but not the OBC. Mine says "trip" and I have no OBC.

it says on the accessory list from the dealer that the bike is fitted with computer. my bmw dealer is not too clued up on bikes and maybe there has been a mistake and it does not have it fitted. i will ask at the dealers again. do you know if the computer is built into the display or is there something else under the seat maybe?

The bikes without OBC have the info button that cycles between odometer and two trip odometers. I'd have a dealer check your VIN to see if it was equipped with the OBC. I don't think an OBC can be added.

I have the computer on my 12S and I'm Ok with it. I would have had to wait 10 weeks to get the bike, in my color, without it. It has average mileage, ambient temp., oil level, clock and "range". Range is a countdown, in miles, to when you may have to walk and somewhere around 50, or so, the yellow hazard light comes on and it flashes "fuel". After the new wears off it's more of a gadget than anything else and I tend to leave it in clock mode....just my $.02SmileWavy