While we're discussing possible 1200 issues... Mine doesn't like to start if it's been sitting for a week or more. I can crank and crank and crank until I flatten the battery. It's not a battery issue but appears to be a fuel issue on start. The only way that I get it started when it does this is to remove the vacuum port plugs and give each throttle body a quick shot of ether or WD-40. It will then start fine. I asked my dealer who says there are other R1200 owners complaining about the same issue. I also asked them about any upcoming recalls surround engine management. They didn't know of any but said the K1200 ECUs got recalled for cold starting issues. anyone else experience this?
No problem with cold starting here after being parked 1-2 weeks between rides. 7K trouble free miles.
I left my bike in about 30-40 degrees for two weeks. When I tried to start it, it would catch then stall. If I tried to give it any gas when it was catching it would stall. I did this for 5 minutes until it finally could rev enough to stay running. On my pre-fuel injection bikes, this would happen from a rich fuel mixture at start in cold weather. This has only happened once, but it was a little disturbing, and your question suggested it might not be a one time thing.
Spowers, I had same/similar problem (see my recent post). The bike was parked outside overnight in rainy/somewhat cold weather and would not start. It did start after 10 or so tries. The dealer checked this out (600 mile service) and I was told thay the TBS needed recalibration (the bike was running too rich, according to the dealer). I have yet to have it out in the cold to see of this did the trick. Hope this is helpful!
Most FI engines (can't recall on GS) have a cold start valve that dumps fuel into the intake manifold or otherwise (via injectors) gives the engine a kick below x degrees to get process going. Good cranking yet no ignition on a cold engine that start when warm or when juiced with ether and the runs fine can be a telltale indication of a faulty temp sensor/solenoid. I would do some research on the cold starting process the motronic uses and then work backwards. The TPS doesn't make sense - the throttle can be closed at idle - besides it never fully closes anyway. A rich bike can be harder to start/rougher to idle when cold, but impossible to start...?
I have also experienced cold start problems on a recent trip. Then I went home to San Diego and no more problem.
This is actually a feature that ensures full oil pressure before the bike is started. That's what we were told in 1994. Jon
I think you're on the right track here. The fact that I can introduce a combustible vapor into the intake and get the bike to run tells me that it didn't have any/enough fuel/air mixture there. If it had too much, my introducing more "fuel" shouldn't allow the bike to start. The electronics should have put some in there on my behalf and appears not to have done so. Most EFI units have starting profiles in their maps, giving optimal mixture for starting when cold. Maybe it is a temp sensor, though the outside temp in Seattle hasn't dropped below the high 40s. The temp inside my garage probably hasn't gone below 50.
I'm taking mine in Friday, My bike has 20,000 mi and every time it gets below 40 deg I have trouble starting it.The tech at the dealer says there is a fix. I love the bike and I,m glad I have a spare to ride while this gets sorted out. RIDE SAFE
Mine hasn't exhibited that starting behavior, and I live in Spokane, WA where it's much colder (though less wet) than Seattle where SPOWERS lives. I've got just over 13k miles on mine. I keep my bike in the unheated garage (as of a couple weeks ago, now on a BMW R12GS charger).
Mine's outside, although under a heavy duty cover, but I haven't had any starting problems even at freezing point.
Wow! You really ride the bike. Please do report back on what this is. My shop doesn't know about the fix, so there's nothing for them to do. I'm not about to take it in only to have it sit there.
Strangely, had a cold start problem recently. Couple of weeks ago, just when it started getting chilly, in the mornings it needed about 10 tries to get it started. Fired, died, fired, died, etc. If I tried giving some gas just after it fired, it died. About the same time as the problem arose the bike also felt a bit rougher and a bit less responsive. Left outside under a bike cover but used every day for at least the 120km round commute. I mentioned this at the dealer last Saturday when I dropped in to pick up a liner for the top case (an expensive but excellent buy for us commuters). The mechanic checked it out and found the diagnostic showed a fault and that the bike was apparently in "limp mode". He reset it, but said it may not be perfect since this should be done when the engine is stone cold. Seems it could have been caused by one of the processors cutting out, if only momentarily. Took about 10 minutes, didn't charge me (SPC Motorcylces, Nr Alton if in this part of the world. Ace service and free doughnuts and coffee). Riding back, the bike felt a zillion times better and four cold mornings later starts first time every time. Not sure, but I think it was due to the battery running flat when I managed to leave it during the day with the parking light on (DOH!). So ... I'd suggest taking it to your dealer and getting it hooked up to the diagnostic thingy. Worked for me. Cheers Andy
You guys are talking about a literal "cold start", but I'm having cold-start problems in the 70-100 degree weather. The bike simply tries to start and then I give it a second and try again (usually starts in the second attempt). I had my service done early at 5100miles yesterday cuz I was worried that something was going on, but the service manager told me that "it'll be fine". When I was leaving work today i tried to start the bike and it briefly sounded like metal on metal contact... I have a 3800 mile trip coming up on Friday and I'm a bit worried, but I'm gonna go anyways cuz half the fun is the 'unknown'. If you guys hear of more issues like this then please give me a shout cuz maybe it's a bigger flaw than a few weird cold-starts... Thanks, Bryan R1200gs Adv. 2015 Bought 2/26/15, 5300miles
My '14 has been in and out of this "first NO start" of the day a few times.......just sit back and enjoy it when it starts right away and for the other times - just push the button again and she will fire right up. Nobody has been able to pinpoint the exact cause yet.