13 Common BMW R1200 GS Problems (Solutions Guide)

The BMW R1200GS is a popular dual-sport motorcycle manufactured in Berlin, Germany, by BMW’s Motorrad division.

The 1200GS stocks a unique, 1170cc, two-cylinder boxer engine with four valves per cylinder and a frame and suspension and braking systems ideal for a diverse range of on and off-road types of riding without sacrificing comfort.

Still, no bike is perfect—this article explores the solutions to the most common problems for the BMW R1200GS motorcycle.

1. BMW R1200GS Won’t Start

Some of the most common reasons a BMW motorcycle won’t start are a faulty battery, malfunctioning ignition switch, fuel system issues, or mechanical engine failures.

Dead or low battery:

Your beamer’s battery may not have enough power to crank the engine or operate the ignition system. Use a multimeter to check the battery voltage, which should be close to 12 volts.

A battery tender can help maintain the charge when the motorcycle is not in use.

Malfunctioning ignition switch:

If the ignition switch on your R1200GS is faulty or has a loose wire, it prevents the electrical current from reaching the starter motor or the spark plugs.

The ignition switch can be tested with a test light or a multimeter to see if it is sending power properly when flipped to the on position.

Fuel system issues:

Your BMW GS motorcycle’s fuel system could have a clog, a leak, or a bad pump, preventing the fuel from reaching the engine.

The fuel filter, lines, injectors, and pump should be inspected and cleaned or replaced if necessary.

The fuel quality and level should also be checked; old or contaminated fuel or low fuel pressure can also cause starting problems.

Engine mechanical problems:

The engine may have a compression loss, a timing issue, or a valve problem that prevents it from starting.

Use a compression tester to measure the cylinder pressure, which should be within the manufacturer’s specifications.

A timing light or a timing chain tensioner will help you check and adjust the timing. Inspect your BMW boxer’s engine valves, adjusting them accordingly if they are out of spec.

Remember, these boxer engines are different to wrench on than other, more traditional bike engine designs; there’s no shame in taking your BMW to the mechanic to diagnose and treat your starting problems.

2. BMW R1200GS Won’t Start Clicking

A clicking sound when trying to start the motorcycle may indicate a problem with your BMW R1200GS starter motor. The starter motor may be worn out, jammed, or have a bad connection.

A false start is when the engine cranks but does not fire up. A false start can be caused by any of the above reasons, as well as a lack of spark or air.

“My 2007 R1200GS won’t start off the button, the under-seat relay is clicking, but the starter isn’t spinning. The battery is good. I also hook it up to another one on a bike with the engine running, just to be sure. The starter is good, I’ve had it off the bike, and it spins fine with direct power from the battery via a jump lead. Solenoid clicks into life with a direct 12v feed to the exciter terminal. After loads of checking various things, I find the thin exciter wire to the solenoid only reads 5 volts or less when the button is pushed.”

Here are the most common ways to solve the problem of a BMW R1200gs that cranks but won’t turn over:

  • Check and replace the Starter motor.
  • Inspect and replace faulty spark plugs.
  • Inspect your air cleaner and clean/replace the filter as needed.
  • Replace the Spark Plugs Charge or replace the battery.  A low battery voltage can cause the relay to click but not turn over the motor.
  • Check the wiring and grounding of the starter motor, solenoid, and relay. A loose or damaged wire can cause a voltage drop or a bad connection.
  • Examine the fuel pump controller and bypass it if necessary. A faulty controller can prevent the fuel pump from running and delivering fuel to the injectors.
  • Check the camshaft sensor and the exhaust flap servomotor. A bad sensor or a stuck flap can cause a no-start condition or a rough idle.
  • Inspect the keyless entry system and the anti-theft alarm. A malfunctioning tank switch or a triggered alarm can prevent the bike from starting.

3. BMW R1200GS Battery Dying Issues

A BMW R1200GS battery can die for various reasons, such as a loose or corroded terminal, a faulty starter relay, a bad fuel pump controller, a defective camshaft sensor, a malfunctioning keyless entry system, or a parasitic current drain.

These issues can prevent the bike from starting or cause it to run poorly. A weak or old battery can also fail to hold a charge and must be replaced.

  • Charge or replace the battery. Use a charger compatible with the bike’s electronics and check the battery voltage.
  • Check the wiring and grounding of the battery, starter motor, solenoid, and relay. Look for any loose or damaged connections and clean any corrosion.
  • Inspect the fuel pump controller and bypass it if necessary. Look for any signs of water damage or short circuits.
  • Check the camshaft sensor and the exhaust flap servomotor. Use a diagnostic tool to scan for fault codes or test the components manually.
  • Examine the keyless entry system and the anti-theft alarm. Try using a different key or resetting the system.

4. BMW R1200GS Not Charging

A BMW R1200GS may not charge properly due to a faulty or weak battery, a bad connection or corrosion on the battery terminals, a malfunctioning charging system, or using a faulty or incompatible charger.

A low or high voltage reading on the dashboard can indicate a charging problem.

  • Charge or replace the battery. Use a charger that is compatible with the bike’s electronics and can communicate with the onboard socket. Check the battery voltage and load test it.
  • Check the wiring and grounding of the battery, stator, and regulator. Look for any loose or damaged connections and clean any corrosion.
  • Inspect the stator and regulator/rectifier. Use a multimeter to measure the output voltage and current of the charging system components. Look for any signs of overheating or damage.
  • Use the correct charger. Follow the instructions for connecting the charger to the onboard socket or directly to the battery. Avoid using chargers that are too powerful or not designed for motorcycles.

5. BMW R1200GS Won’t Idle or Rough Idling

If your BMW R1200GS is experiencing idling issues or problems where your bike won’t stay running, it could be due to a faulty fuel injector that’s either dirty or damaged or a clogged or damaged air filter.

Other possible culprits include a misaligned or worn throttle cable, a malfunctioning idle actuator, a bad camshaft sensor, a faulty spark plug or coil, low or high fuel pressure, or poor valve adjustment.

Idling and running issues can cause the bike to stall, vibrate, buck, or run unevenly. A fault code scan or a compression test can help diagnose the problem.

  • Clean or replace the fuel injector. Use a fuel system cleaner or remove the injector and clean it manually. Check the fuel pressure and flow.
  • Clean or replace the air filter. Remove the filter and inspect it for any dirt or damage. Clean it with compressed air or replace it if necessary.
  • Check and adjust the throttle cable. Make sure the cable is not loose, damaged, or dislocated. Adjust the cable slack and synchronize the throttle bodies.
  • Reset the idle actuator. Use a diagnostic tool to reset the idle actuator and calibrate the stepper motors. Check for any problem codes.
  • Inspect the camshaft sensor. Use a multimeter to test the resistance and voltage of the sensor. Look for any signs of corrosion or damage.
  • Check the spark plug and coil. Test the spark plug gap and the coil resistance. Remove the spark plug and inspect it for any fouling or wear.
  • Examine and adjust the valves. Use a feeler gauge to measure the valve clearance and adjust it according to the specifications. Check for any signs of leakage or damage.

6. BMW R1200GS No Power

A BMW R1200GS may experience power loss due to a faulty or leaking fuel pump, a bad fuel pump controller, a defective stator or regulator/rectifier, a worn or damaged final drive, a clogged or dirty air filter, a malfunctioning camshaft sensor, a poor valve adjustment, or a low or high fuel pressure. 

  • Check and replace the fuel pump. Test the fuel pressure and flow. Look for any signs of fuel leakage or cracks in the fuel pump flange.
  • Inspect and bypass the fuel pump controller. Look for any signs of water damage or short circuits in the controller. Bypass the controller with a jumper wire if necessary.
  • Check the charging system. Use a multimeter to measure the output voltage and current of the stator and R/R. Look for any signs of overheating or damage.
  • Examine the final drive. Check the final drive oil level and quality. Look for any signs of oil leakage or wear in the final drive unit.
  • Clean or replace the air filter. Remove the air filter and inspect it for any dirt or damage. Clean it with compressed air or replace it if necessary.
  • Inspect and replace the camshaft sensor. Use a multimeter to test the resistance and voltage of the sensor. Look for any signs of corrosion or damage.
  • Check and adjust the valves. Use a feeler gauge to measure the valve clearance and adjust it according to the specifications. Check for any signs of leakage or damage.
  • Check and adjust the fuel pressure. Use a fuel pressure gauge to measure the fuel pressure at idle and at higher rpm. Adjust the fuel pressure regulator if necessary.

Related: 7 Most Common BMW R1200 GS Problems (Explained)

7. BMW R1200GS Keeps Stalling

A BMW R1200Gs motorcycle can stall out due to disruption to its air, fuel, spark, or electrical supply.

  • Dirty or faulty fuel injector. Clean or replace it and check the fuel pressure and flow.
  • Clogged or damaged air filter. Clean or replace it.
  • Misaligned or worn throttle cable. Adjust the cable slack and synchronize the throttle bodies.
  • Malfunctioning idle actuator. Reset the actuator and calibrate the stepper motors. Check for fault codes.
  • Bad camshaft sensor. Test the resistance and voltage of the sensor. Look for corrosion or damage.
  • Faulty spark plug or coil. Inspect the spark plug and test the spark plug gap and coil resistance.
  • Low or high fuel pressure. Measure and adjust the fuel pressure at idle and higher rpm.
  • Poor valve adjustment. Measure and adjust the valve clearance. Check for leakage or damage.
  • Stuck exhaust flap valve. Test and free up the valve and servomotor.

8. BMW R1200GS Noisy Engine

Contaminated or improper oil is the leading cause of abrasive engine noises, like whining, knocking, and ticking. Other culprits include poor engine valve or timing adjustments or crankshaft problems.

  • Low or dirty engine oil. Inspect and change the engine oil and filter.
  • Poor valve adjustment. Measure and adjust the valve clearance. Check for leakage or damage.
  • Worn or damaged camshaft or followers. Inspect the camshaft and followers for wear or damage. Replace them if necessary.
  • Loose or broken timing chain or tensioner. Check and adjust the timing chain tension and alignment. Replace the chain or tensioner if they are faulty or damaged.
  • Bad crankshaft or connecting rod bearings. Test the oil pressure and inspect the bearings for wear or damage. Replace them if necessary.

9. BMW R1200GS Speedo Not Working

A BMW R1200GS speedo can fail if the speed sensor is faulty or due to electrical failures. Improper tire PSI can also make the speedometer’s reading inaccurate.

  • Damaged or loose speed sensor. Examine and tighten the sensor connection and inspect the wiring for breaks or shorts.
  • Bad instrument cluster. Test the voltage and resistance of the cluster and look for signs of water ingress or corrosion.
  • Incorrect tire size or wheel circumference. Verify that the tire size and wheel circumference match the specifications in the owner’s manual.
  • Faulty ABS module. Scan for fault codes and test the ABS module operation and communication.
  • Worn or broken speedometer drive gear. Remove the front wheel and inspect the drive gear for wear or damage. Replace it if necessary.

10. BMW R1200GS Heated Grips Not Working

A BMW R1200GS’s heated grips can stop working due to blown fuses, low battery, various electrical failures, or faulty grips.

  • Blown fuse. Check and replace the fuse for the heated grips circuit.
  • Bad switch. Test the switch operation and continuity. Look for signs of corrosion or damage.
  • Loose or broken wiring. Trace and inspect the wiring from the switch to the grips. Repair or replace any faulty wires.
  • Faulty heated grips. Measure the resistance of the heated grips and compare them to the specifications. Replace the grips if they are out of range or damaged.
  • Low battery voltage. Inspect and charge the battery. Test the charging system output and regulator function.

11. BMW R1200GS Cruise Control Not Working

A BMW R1200GS cruise control can stop working due to malfunctioning electronic sensors or computer units, improper throttle cable spec, or faulty wiring.

  • Defective brake or clutch switch. Test the switch operation and continuity. Replace the switch if it is faulty or misadjusted.
  • Damaged or loose speed sensor. Check and tighten the sensor connection and inspect the wiring for breaks or shorts.
  • Faulty cruise control module. Scan for fault codes and test the module operation and communication. Look for signs of water ingress or corrosion.
  • Incorrect throttle cable adjustment. Adjust the cable slack and synchronize the throttle bodies.
  • Bad instrument cluster. Test the voltage and resistance of the cluster and look for signs of water ingress or corrosion.

12. BMW R1200GS Fuel Gauge Not Working

A BMW R1200GS fuel gauge can stop working because of frequently running on low fuel or problems within your gauge cluster, ECU and sensor systems, fuse box, or wiring harness.

  • Empty or low fuel tank. Refill the fuel tank and check the gauge reading.
  • Faulty fuel level sensor. Test the resistance and voltage of the sensor. Look for signs of corrosion or damage.
  • Loose or broken wiring. Trace and inspect the wiring from the sensor to the gauge. Repair or replace any faulty wires.
  • Faulty fuel gauge. Test the gauge operation and calibration. Replace the indicator if it is out of range or damaged.
  • Bad instrument cluster. Test the voltage and resistance of the cluster and look for signs of water ingress or corrosion.

13. BMW R1200GS Alarm Not Working

A BMW R1200GS alarm can stop working if your battery is low, dead, or defective, your alarm system is faulty, or due to electrical failures like impaired wires, blown fuses, or damaged modules.

  • Dead or low battery. Examine and replace the battery in the alarm remote and the motorcycle.
  • Bad alarm remote. Test the remote operation and signal. Replace the remote if it is faulty or damaged.
  • Loose or broken wiring. Trace and inspect the wiring from the alarm module to the horn, lights, and ignition. Repair or replace any faulty wires.
  • Faulty alarm module. Scan for fault codes and test the module operation and communication. Look for signs of water ingress or corrosion.
  • Incorrect alarm settings. Inspect and adjust the alarm sensitivity, volume, and duration.

Author:

  • Michael Ta Nous

    I've been weaving words into stories since my early scribbling days, and my journey in the world of motorcycles and their communities spans almost two decades. Living with a talented motorcycle mechanic as a roommate, our garage transformed into a vibrant workshop where I absorbed the intricacies of...