New rider and EWS at 60mi/hr?

[bk1017]

Hello all. I'm new to this forum, new to riding, but have been obsessivelly lurking for a while.
After about 10 yrs of marriage, I got the wife to break down last summer and let me get something with two wheels. She only agreed to a scooter, so I got a Vespa GTS 250 but I knew this was just the way in and it would then only be a matter of time . I live in Brooklyn, so the scooter actually worked out well especially since the last time I rode was in college some 20 yrs ago. A few rides later she caved in, and since I didn't have money for an intermediate bike I just found myself on my dream, a new to me 2007 R12R.

So, after quite a bit of coercion, Santa brought me this:


I absolutely love the bike and still drool every time I see it. I also realize that my opinions are biased, being that this is my first bike and I don't have anything to compare it to.
So lately I've been bundling up and going out so that the bike will teach me how to ride it.

This brings me to the puzzle. I went out the other day to get myself an easy pass, and when I headed out towards home something scary happened. I was getting on a launch pad, eh, I mean on ramp, and had aggressively reached 4th gear when, all of the sudden, I felt the bike lose all power. I thought that I may have accidentally hit neutral or something and I quickly glimpsed at the display. To my surprise, I noticed that it was blank and even more, the bike had shut off. I only looked briefly because I was going about 60mi/hr and with the engine off I was not going to keep staring at the display. The only thing that I was able to catch before the display went completely dead was a big EWS code. I thought the day was only going to get more interesting, but after I came to a stop on the shoulder I cycled the ignition and the bike started as though nothing had happened.

Now I tried searching and though there are many posts on EWS, none were at speed. And wouldn't the immobilizer only affect starting up? What else could make the bike shut off "mid-flight"? I am calmly relating this now, but I don't need to tell you that I did not find it so amusing on the Van Wyck Expwy, and the circumstances could have been much worse. Even with my limited experience I realize I was lucky.

I am sure I am leaving out most relevant details, so if there is anything else I should add just let me know.
Bike has been perfect otherwise, with maintenance up to date according to MAX BMW.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice/help

1017

[mogu83]

It might be a good idea to take a ride to your favorite dealer, introduce yourself and ask them to check the VIN to see if the recalls are up to date. Just to establish that the bike is current.

[Woland]

Had this happen to me on my last bike, a F800ST. Dead bike at speed with EWS showing. Started right up after cycling the ignition. Had it at the dealer for a couple of days with them doing a thorough check but they never found anything amiss and the fault never happened again in the 6k miles or so I owned it. The only "conclusion" they reached was that the same thing happens if you turn the key while riding. At least that's one possibility, key wasn't securely turn the whole way and "vibrated" off.

For me it happened while doing about 90 on the highway, passing a couple of lorries. Not a fun situation to be in I can assure you.

[bk1017]

Thanks for the input.

It might be a good idea to take a ride to your favorite dealer, introduce yourself and ask them to check the VIN to see if the recalls are up to date.

Now that the weather is cooperating, I will probably stop by the local MAX BMW. According to them, the bike had the brake line recall done last year at same time as 12K service.
I never bothered to ask if the antenna ring recall was ever done, but I'll make sure and ask anyway.

The only "conclusion" they reached was that the same thing happens if you turn the key while riding. At least that's one possibility, key wasn't securely turn the whole way and "vibrated" off.

I am glad my experience is not truly unique. I was thinking something along the same lines, just did not see where EWS fit in. The roads here are mighty bumpy and the bike was shaking all the way up the ramp. I actually just came back from checking that the battery cables were secure. Also, the fact that I can't quite figure out how to properly adjust the suspension yet probably did not help in the vibration department.

Hoping this was the only time

1017

[bicyclist]

The roads here are mighty bumpy and the bike was shaking all the way up the ramp.

On the F800riders.org forum, there have been similar reports of loss of power at speed that turned out to be caused by battery problems. BMW has had problems with their batteries suffering from internal fractures. The result is usually that the bike simply won't start, but occasionally, it causes the engine to quit while going down the road. Since you were chattering over bumps, your battery may have gone open briefly. Putting a meter across the battery won't show anything because there's enough of a connection to allow current to flow. Load testing the battery may show a failure.

There could certainly be other causes, but that battery problem is common enough that you should give it a hard look.

[deilenberger]

See if the EWS ring has been replaced. Then either load-test the battery or get a new one. '07 was the prime year for EWS failures (and apparently fuel strip failures - I'm getting #3 on Tuesday..)

[Woland]

See if the EWS ring has been replaced. Then either load-test the battery or get a new one. '07 was the prime year for EWS failures (and apparently fuel strip failures - I'm getting #3 on Tuesday..)

When I had my trouble, the mechanic who has a stellar reputation, said that a faulty ews ring wouldn't affect a running bike. If I remember correctly this was due to the ews antenna only "checking" the connection at start up. Thus, if that was faulty you wouldn't be able to start it, and if it broke down while running you wouldn't notice it until you shut it off and then tried to start it again.

[Hoshiko]

I'm in brooklyn too, Greenwood Heights.
Hope you find out what's going on with your bike, mine is 2011 with 5k on it, no problems so far.

[bk1017]

I don't know what to make of the battery. Some suggest that it could be cracked, as this is known to happen to the oe exides. When I first brought the bike home, I did not use it for about a week and a half and it hesitated on startup. After that, I put the bike on the canbus tender and it never really had problems, always strong starts. However, the tender would sometimes be green (3/3), sometimes yellow (2/3 or 1/3). I just assumed that this is how the tender worked since I read somewhere over here that it cycles as though the bike is being ridden.
Anyway, I just placed an order for one of those yellow motobatt batteries that were being discussed here not too long ago. You guys mentioned you needed a guinea pig. I will write back after I get it.

I will also pay more attention to see if the key moves in the ignition cylinder.

Thanks for all the input

1017

[nylife]

First Welcome to the forum
Second, Welcome to another Brooklyn Rider with R1200, i dont see any when i ride so its a welcome addition
3rd, not sure where you are in brooklyn, and i dont want to say anything bad about MAX bmw(never been there), but Cross Country BMW is closer ride probably, which considering an issue maybe a better way to go.

[nylife]

See if the EWS ring has been replaced. Then either load-test the battery or get a new one. '07 was the prime year for EWS failures (and apparently fuel strip failures - I'm getting #3 on Tuesday..)

Not this Topic Related, but i will be also at the cross country this tuesday for some service maybe i see you there, always a pleasure to meet another Forum member

[bk1017]

Welcome to another Brooklyn Rider with R1200, i dont see any when i ride

Thanks for the welcome, but on Thursday I saw TWO R1200R's on the West Side Highway in front of me. That made 3 R's in one block; what are the odds? I am near Prospect Park, and Cross Country does look closer. What time are you going there? There is this little inconvenience, called work that will keep me busy in the morning but I am also looking forward to meeting more r1200r people. I have a lot of questions and am willing to benefit off your guys experience.

1017

[nylife]

I am going there tomorrow around 10ish, need to be there at 1030
I am in Sheepshedbay

and by all mean ask question we here to help

[websterize]

Anyway, I just placed an order for one of those yellow motobatt batteries that were being discussed here not too long ago. You guys mentioned you needed a guinea pig. I will write back after I get it.

Coming up on three years since I took delivery, so I'm due for a battery refresh. Welcome, and look forward to your report on the Motobatt.

[deilenberger]

See if the EWS ring has been replaced. Then either load-test the battery or get a new one. '07 was the prime year for EWS failures (and apparently fuel strip failures - I'm getting #3 on Tuesday..)

Not this Topic Related, but i will be also at the cross country this tuesday for some service maybe i see you there, always a pleasure to meet another Forum member

So that was like yesterday?

When I was there?

And you didn't say hello!

Got my 3rd fuel strip.. was there from about 1PM to 3PM.. did chat with one fellow who I think owned an R12R and was considering a low seat - he was eyeballing my Sargent reworked low seat..

If that was you - HI!

[deilenberger]

Welcome to another Brooklyn Rider with R1200, i dont see any when i ride

Thanks for the welcome, but on Thursday I saw TWO R1200R's on the West Side Highway in front of me. That made 3 R's in one block; what are the odds? I am near Prospect Park, and Cross Country does look closer. What time are you going there? There is this little inconvenience, called work that will keep me busy in the morning but I am also looking forward to meeting more r1200r people. I have a lot of questions and am willing to benefit off your guys experience.

1017

Jeepers! We could'a had an R1200R convention! If only I knew you guy's names... (hint! Yelling "1017, 1017" would get some rather odd looks..)

Cross-Country has related to me that they've done quite well selling R12R's for the past year or so. Seems they've finally caught on and are not such an unknown "secret" super-bike anymore. People even come in looking for them. Right now - the R1200R's outnumber any other bike in our local club (6 of them in a club with about 65 members.. Hi Harry!)

[nylife]

See if the EWS ring has been replaced. Then either load-test the battery or get a new one. '07 was the prime year for EWS failures (and apparently fuel strip failures - I'm getting #3 on Tuesday..)

Not this Topic Related, but i will be also at the cross country this tuesday for some service maybe i see you there, always a pleasure to meet another Forum member

So that was like yesterday?

When I was there?

And you didn't say hello!

Got my 3rd fuel strip.. was there from about 1PM to 3PM.. did chat with one fellow who I think owned an R12R and was considering a low seat - he was eyeballing my Sargent reworked low seat..

If that was you - HI!

I thought it was you, i recognized the bike, but i was already on my way out, i was the white bmw, right behind you parked next to service