R1200s trip computer, nothing more than a computer setting and 2 sensors?
 

Hello all,

I just picked up a candy cane R1200S last week and I love it! It's a blast to ride in the mountains of east TN. When I talked with the dealer who had the R1200S, he assured me it had the trip computer, but it didn't when I went the 900+ mile journey to pick it up. I know most people on here think the computer is rather useless, but me being the techy type I was curious to see exactly what it would take to add that feature since I thought I was getting it.

I got a copy of the service manual and from what I can tell there are 2 parts, one being the outside temp sensor that sits in front of the oil cooler and the other being the oil level sensor, which my bike has a sight glass in the spot where the sensor would go. However, I can not find anything that suggests there is an actual seperate "computer", so I am wondering if this "trip computer" is simply a bit setting on the EMS system. I've not dealt with BMWs newer electronics, but I know on my Audi TT I can change some settings by using VAG-COM, such as regional settings,idiot lights, etc. and I'm wondering if the same can be done with the GT1 on the R1200S to enable the trip computer.

For the heck of it I pulled out the fuel level sensor on several occasions, and then the computer comes up and says I'm low on fuel, but the range is always pretty much correct (it'll say 100 miles or more if I've recently filled up the tank) so I'm thinking all of the stuff for at least the average speed, MPG, etc. is already in there just waiting to be turned on. Of course, the outside temp wouldn't work and neither would the oil sensor without adding those gauges (my guess is it'd always tell you it was freezing and you didn't have any oil), but I thought it might be nice to have the fuel gauge and so forth.

Anyone here have access to the GT1 or something like that to see if that is indeed an option? I don't live close by to a dealer but next time I go by one I might see if I can get them to hookup the bike and see what is in there.

I wanted the on-board computer added to the one I got, and the dealer was initially told by BMW it could be added. After getting the parts and trying to install it, they concluded it wasn't going to work. They followed up with BMW, who later confirmed it wasn't possible. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it doesn't look likely.

Hey Carlton, I thought you lived in Tahoe?

BTW, welcome Brian, look for a thread on "Digital Dashboard" you might be able to get the instrument panel from the HP2S which would give you some fun computer geek options, it may be vaporwear though.

...the "on board computer" also provides tire pressure info, which can be quite useful... but you can not put it in after the fact, I checked extensively as well. I bought a 3rd party tire pressure setup and have yet to install it... it'll find it's away into the GS now.

Used to. Moved back to the bay area.

I wanted to add the on board computer too but received feedback from the forum that it couldn't be done. Please keep us informed of what you find out. If you're successful, I'm sure several of us will follow in your footsteps.

One idea I had was to check to see if a computer can be added to the R1200GS. Since the population is so much larger, perhaps someone has had success. If so, the same solution might apply to us. Just a thought...

There probably isn't a GS owner worth his salt that didn't get every option available installed from the get go! :)


http://arch.smugmug.com/photos/7435684-M.jpg

it would appear that i bought the only r12gs ever shipped without the optional computer. i bought used anyway, but i didnt know there was one.

things like that happen to me.

Don't feel so special... I own two and neither has a computer!

there comes a point at which instead of a motorsikkle with a computer you have a network of computers with a motorcycle casually attached.
Since I live in the bits-and-bytes world for work I kind of like to escape all that microprocessor clutter.
Besides, when the Big CME happens, all those PC boards will be cute junk and the ability to set a float level and gap a set of points will again have value:)

True, simple can be best. Do you have a picture of your XR to reinforce the point?

Thanks for all of the helpful replies! I went out and checked my bike, pulled off the fairing, and it looks like I don't have the plugs for either the temp sensor or the oil level sensor. I am surprised but it looks like those connectors simply don't exist at all, like there is a different wiring harness. With that said, I've got a couple of recall notices to take care of so when I visit my dealer to get those done I'm hoping they'll be bored and perhaps let me play with the GT1.

It would still be nice to have the fuel gauge and other stuff even if the temp sensor and the oil thing doesn't work. I'm sure that's probably why BMW said it can't be done after you buy the bike though, since I can't find the connectors anywhere for the extra stuff, and they sure aren't going to turn on a feature that gives errors for missing sensors. I just feel like the potential is there for more info and all you have to do is flip a bit somewhere to turn it on! I'll follow-up with what I find out, I'm really just curious to see if it can be done more than anything.

Buy one of these and save $3000.00 easy to install made in Germany:D

http://www.sigmasport.com/us/produkte/bikecomputer/

makes ya wonder, to what lengths they (they being people who design things for the manufacturing process) will go in wiring to leave something off. then other times, all the connectors are there for no reason at all. my 2 wheel drive toyota has 4wd indicator lights on the dash, and plugs where the transfer case would be. the ktm had all the light plugs, just no lights.

but bmw...i guess they make different harnesses for options levels?

My memory's not so good. It was the tire pressure monitor I was trying to retrofit to my bike, not the onboard computer. I must have been told the OBC couldn't be added, because I would have done that. But stupid Brad got me hooked on monitoring tire pressure, so I really wanted that. The dealer got all the parts, installed it, and tried to program it, but to no avail. One of the parts was needed anyway for the factory alarm, so they gave me a deal on getting that.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r1100s-r1200s-tech-forum/356344-fuel-gauge.html

Yea, that might be the ticket. I've got a Shimano computer I picked up a few years ago that even tells you what gear you're in (it hooks up to the shifters). It gives you RPM from that since it knows the gear ratios. So all I need to do is hook that thing up to the gear selector then I'll have a $50 computer that tells me more than the expensive BMW one! Just think of all of the space and weight savings. too! :D

After some investigation on my own, I figured out that the fuel gauge portion required a different sensor in the tank (plus programming). The heater strip in my bike, sans fancy computer upgrade, is only reading the level at the "low" level. It sees nothing above that. The full-on strip reads it from start to finish. Rather silly, but nothing I could do about it. If I wanted to change it, I needed to purchase a new one then have it programmed. Decided it wasn't worth it.

The tire pressure readings have to pass thru rf equipment, which is included in the alarm box. So, unfortunately, you have to equip your bike with the sensors then equip it with the alarm box, then change the programming (whether you use the alarm or not). Decided it wasn't worth it.

I came to the conclusion that neither was worth it to me. Hell, I don't even pay attention to the tach, let alone adding more numbers to deal with.

If any of this does not make sense, please understand that I am working on my 3rd martini and this is under no circumstances to be translated into French.
Thank you.