BMW has been in the adventure game for donkeys years and it shows. All the little details and you come to realize why they've done what they've done.

BHPian nitro.1000bhp recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Been living with my BMW F850 GS for a couple a of months now, I am actually in the middle of a longish ride and have covered about 4k kms now. My thoughts, this thing does it all!!. BMW has been in the adventure game for donkeys years and it shows. All the little details and you come to realize why they've done what they've done. Like the gear and brake levers are made of steel instead of aluminum (looking at u Tiger 900) . Why? Because if it gets bent or breaks, you could unbend it with a pipe or weld it back on if it's broken. The switch gear is quite intimidating to begin with but soon you realise all that one needs is at one's fingertips like, TCS off, ride modes, suspension settings etc. No need to get into some menu and scroll, it becomes intuitive as you ride along.

Oh and I don't know what the Africa twin crowd have been harping on about how it's better than the 23' GS 850 off-road.. I have been through some really gnarly single-track stuff on my bike where some of my buddies were even struggling on their 250-350 dirt bikes where this thing simply breezed through. River crossings, in between trees and vertical uphill climbs , it takes them like a walk in the park. The fuelling is glitch free, the motor is very tractable from low rpms at a higher gear than required.

Not so likeable things are the gearbox..it takes time to get used to, but just like my Duke 390 it doesn't like to putter and shift through gears like a commuter. You can't shift gears as you wish but have to get it to a certain rpm before you upshift, same with downshifts, you have to wait till the rpms drop sufficiently to be able to do it. Other not so great things, it's super top heavy while you're stood still but it's very manageable even at 5kph, it masks it's weight really well at low speeds. Front forks are non adjustable and can be harsh on ruts and broken roads, it's still 'OK' if you come from a bike like the Duke but then it can be better when one pays this much to begin with. That's all that's bad as I've figured out till now and I'll sure post more as I go along.

And about the 1250 being way better, I will find out soon, but I won't do a silly 2km test ride around the dealership and come to a conclusion. I will do a comprehensive test ride of atleast a 100kms and figure it out myself. But then, the 1250 is also 'just' 10 big ones more than my bike so..even if it is better I may not be able to afford one any time soon.

PS: anyone who is overweight and find the front forks inadequate can try the touratech closed cartridge kit. It won't break the bank but I hear it does wonders.

Cheers.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The tech is still under development and could take a while before making it onto a BMW bike.

BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division of the German automaker, is said to be working on an electronically-assisted centre stand for its big bikes. The design and information about the e-assist centre stand have been leaked via patent documents.

Putting a big heavy bike on its centre stand requires a combination of strength and technique, hence having a slight amount of electronic assistance could be helpful. The new patent tech appears similar to the manual stand but has a sensor that takes input once it touches the ground. The e-assist then raises the rear end to engage the centre stand. The patent filings also reveal that the motorcycle's switch cube will have a separate button, and so does the rear grab rail to activate the centre stand assist. The feature can also be deactivated, so the rider can manually engage the main stand if required.

The tech is still under development and could take a while before making it onto a BMW bike. Having said that, the upcoming BMW 1300 GS, which is expected to debut soon, could make for a suitable option for the tech to feature on.

Source: Cycle World

Overall these guys gave me one of the best service experience with bikes so far.

BHPian Jaggu recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

There is a new dealer for BMW Motorad (2 wheelers) in Bangalore and I had chance to visit them and experience the service support recently. For a change it was a very good experience and thought I should share it here on the forum.

As you are aware I had picked up a GSA 1200 about 2 years back (story here). As soon as I got the bike I got it checked at a private garage owned by a rider in Jayanagar, got the shaft assembly cleaned up and lubed. Then came the time to do the annual service (end of last year), and had got it done at Tusker BMW who were the sole dealer in Bangalore. It was a minor service with just oil change, so I went ahead with them inspite of horror stories about the dealership. Obviously just like any rude and bad dealer they won't allow owners to hang around while service is being done  had already decided that next service which is a major one, will be done at one of the other city dealers who had better repute and service standards.

The 390 Adventure and the GSA were doing my daily duties till August of this year, so Chaggu the GSA had done hardly 1000 kms since service. August made some plans with few close friends to ride the hills and decided to ship the 390 adventure to Noida. Dear friend and fellow mod khan_sultan is baby sitting the bike these days, since I plan to do few more rides up there before shipping her back to Bangalore. So now Chaggu has been a daily ride for me since Sep, and I was enjoying the bike.... till that fateful day in October beginning when I started the bike and it flashed "Engine control failure" on the TFT and went into limp mode!

I have the scan tool and OBD connector, so rigged it up and did a check. Errors pointed out to a faulty throttle control unit at the handle bar. Tried clearing codes, resetting it and an adaptation, but the bike just wouldn't come out of limp mode. While doing adaptation I could see that the throttle controller at max is going only till about 12%, which kinda confirmed it is conked. Now this is a known fault in the newer GS/A 1250 and there were no questions asked replacements. But never knew issue is there for the older models also. I had seen the news of another recall for a modification to be done for the drive shaft (news here), but that also did not have any mention about throttle control unit. Anyhow it was double bad news for me, since I did not have a spare vehicle that I can use, it was holiday season (puja) and call to Tusker enquiring about the availability of the part was a damp squib at best. They said they 'will get back' and no estimated timeline was committed since it was just after holiday season! Oh ya this part would cost about 25,000 INR that much info I could gather, and I was informed I would get a call back as soon as part arrives. It's been more than 1.5 month since then and I still am waiting for a call from Tusker BMW!

I knew relying on Tusker is a bad idea and went looking for help in couple of biker groups. Adventure Bike Rider group is one which has many GS/A riders and prompt came replies with contacts of other dealerships, used part, new part etc. I knew it is a simple fix and I have the software to do the changes at ECU, so was about to go ahead with procuring the part from someone in Bangalore. But before this I thought I will just check with the garage I mentioned in the beginning (owned by a rider), if I am on the right track. And this person confirmed this is a known issue and part replacement is the way to go, but he prompted me to check with the dealer if this can be covered under warranty since it is a known issue. Now here is the catch: 1- warranty ended in Dec since the previous owner did not get the extended warranty at purchase and BMW does not sell extended warranty later. ps: Now they do, there is a special scheme running where bikes still under original warranty can upgrade. 2 - The very thought of dealing with Tusker who could not confirm on part and related eternal waiting period ahead.

This is when someone from Bangalore Tiger group reminded me that there is a new dealer in town and close by for me in Koramangala and shared the contact persons number. Then another member from Adventure Rider Group sent me his reliable contact at JSP and asked me to check with him if my bike can be covered under recall. Messaged the JSP person Shashank and he said he will check on the part availability and if my bike is covered under the recall. He also mentioned there is already a wait list for people but will try his best. Oh yeah I came to know there is a silent recall that is happening for throttle control unit, that happens when you take the bike for service. Came to know through the contact for used part. The part I was offered was one such unit that was replaced but not yet failed. I had made the call in the evening and next day by afternoon Shashank replied back and confirmed that my bike is on the recall list and it will be free of cost! Also that the part is expected in next few days and he will revert to me as soon as it arrives. Since my bike was in limp mode and I explained my no vehicle situation, he fast tracked my vehicle for the recall. Within few days I got message that part has arrived and I can drop the bike next day. I assumed this job would take couple of days (from my experience dealing with Tusker attitude), but was surprised when the service advisor Varun told that I can come and pick the bike up by evening. Inspite of me adding a small list of other minor jobs.

By evening I got a call and was informed the rear pads are worn and need replacement at 12,000 kms!. I had a set of OE pads with me, so I informed I will carry it when I take delivery and get it replaced. Went to the workshop by evening and that is when I saw the service set up these guys have. A very nice waiting area with view to the service, so OCD's like me can hang around and watch while bike is being serviced!  By mistake I took one set of front brake pads instead of the rear and they had already billed the labor. Varun assured that I can just get the pads next day and can get it replaced in couple of minutes, to which I agreed and have got it done by now.

BMW Motorad Experience Center

Finally met up with Shashank and he took me around the showroom. So this is a BMW Motorad experience centre and not a typical dealer set up. As per him there are about 13 world wide and the first one in India (impressive). No wonder the massive sq foot area, spread over two floors and a great service Bay Area also. Now I will let the pictures do the talking.

People who are familiar with the area, this is the same building as that was occupied by Harley Davidson when they were operating in Koramangala. It has been redesigned and now is JSP Motorad.

Plenty of waiting and catch up area, it is warm and welcoming also. Finally a place where you can go and chill and experience the brand. Oh they do have events also happening here, had a DJ turn table that was kept there for those of you who want to throw a party lol

Second floor and more seating / catch up and a view to the service bay. It feels very comforting when a dealership opens its shop floor to the customers. Especially for bikers like me where we do work on our own machines and expect a certain minimum reassurance thanks to our OCD. Why can't all dealerships be like this, what is there to hide. I won't even mind paying a premium for a service experience that is transparent.

So this is part of the shaft recall, BMW has added a vent at the bottom and a breather on top (pic not available). This will prevent moisture / water accumulation inside the shaft assembly that was causing premature ceasing and failures. Simple fix takes couple of hours at dealership workshop and BMW has provided training and tools required to carry the job as factory spec.

Once the vent is drilled, a special calibration tool is fitted to the rear hub. This comes with an additional ecu unit that then connects to the diagnostics machine. The shaft is held at a certain angle and then bike run at certain RPM to calibrate the whole thing. If there is deviations from the specs there maybe a shaft recall also that would be done for the vehicle (is what I understood). My vehicle had done hardly 12,000 kms so the specs were well within range.

Calibration run in progress on another bike.

Video

The ever cheerful Shashank who saved me lot of grief and money too lol

Overall these guys gave me one of the best service experience with bikes so far. Yes the mechs/staff are mostly ex Tusker and Ducati blr guys (as informed by folks from biking groups) but the overall vibe they give is definitely positive for now.

Hope they keep this standard up and give customers the premium feel that a brand like BMW is always associated with. Cheers and wishing the very best to JSP Motorad team in Bangalore.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Now if you like to keep any good Canbus enabled bike like the BMW, the Cansmart is just essential to enjoy a host of features that you do with the accessories.

BHPian dkaile recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Updates:

Sorry for not posting updates for sometime now. Here are a few updates and recent trips:

Denali Cansmart Gen2 and B6 Brake Light:

So my daughter came from Ireland in last December and bought me some goodies. Now if you like to keep any good Canbus enabled bike like the BMW, the Cansmart is just essential to enjoy a host of features that you do with the accessories. It seamlessly integrates with the original BMW switches and you can turn your lights on/off, adjust the light intensity, enable flashing on horn and control flashing with the dipper switch and host of other functions. I already had installed the Denali Sound Bomb Horn, with which this seamlessly integrates. The wiring for the soundbomb horn and the fog lights (and it's switches) were removed and replaced with this new set.

Product features:

Kit contents:

The Denali B6 Brake Light which can also be programmed for intensity and flashing. Even flashing on high engine braking, sudden obstacle braking, sudden deceleration braking, activation only after a certain speed etc. is also possible. Costed me around 8k:

Cansmart Kit alongwith Wiring Harnesses for 2 sets of lights, a horn and a brake light. All can now be seamlessly integrated with the original BMW canbus and controlled at your whims without the need for additional switches, wiring or relays. Costed me around 16k from UK (without duty). It's available around 20k locally:

Since I was going to install the Cansmart, also decided to change the round local fog lights, which I had previously installed, for a 2nd set of HJG FOG Lights with Twin Focus Lens. This is exactly similar to the Baja Squadron Pro Lights which I had mentioned earlier and which costs upwards of 25-20k now. As is visible in the photo, this one comes with a dual focus lens which is reversible. The lower diffused portion is for 'spread' while the upper clear portion is for 'spot' focus. This also comes with a detachable yellow fog light cover. Costed me 2.8K:

The B6 light attaches to the rear license plate with 2 sets of bolts. Can also be taped on with 3M high strength tape. But I opted for the former option:

The Cansmart installation starts:

Final resting place of the Cansmart and the wiring harnesses highlighted here. The Cansmart piggybacks inline on the original canbus connection taken from the TPMS system on the bike. No wire cutting:

Final programming in progress with my laptop:

The 2nd pair of HJG's installed lower down. The cover was later reversed after taking this photo so that the diffused side was on the lower side:

Night view of the new lights head on. I have programmed such that the 2nd set of lights only turn on while the high beam is on. And that too is fully controllable by the OE turn indicator switch whether I want to keep, either light, on or off:

Night View of the B6 Brake Light. This is at 10% intensity!! Yes, you read it right. It is so bright that I had to set it at 10% on riding mode and 50% on braking mode. Blows the stock brake light out of the park. Higher Visibility = Higher safety on two wheels:

Alsisar, Rajasthan trip - 712 kms - 24th to 26th December 2021:

As my son and daughter both were here in December from Ireland, where they are now employed, decided to do a nice family trip with our group. We were a total of 41 people with 12 bikes and several four wheeler.

All set to embark:

The property Alsisar Mahal. It's quite a remote location at the edge of the Thar desert:

Few of the bikes:

712 kms round trip with average fuel economy of around 18kmpl with some enthusiastic riding:

All washed and ready for the next trip back home:

Got a friend a pre-owned F850GS Adventure recently. Done only 11k kms and in brand new condition at quite a good deal. The weight and bulk of the bike, however, is nearly as much as my bike:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.