Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
rev counter wacky thang! rev counter wacky thang!
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Nov 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: johannesburg, south africa
Posts: 1
Unhappy rev counter wacky thang!
hi there Bm freaks ..
lately my f650gs (2007 model) does this wacked thing - I'm driving along and after about 15 minutes on the freeway, the power dips suddenly .. and the rev counter goes wacky, it would go off the clock if it could ..
all goes back to normal with the power after a second or two .. but the rev counter stays on max
when I get to the side of the road and turn off the bike, the rev counter is fine when the bike goes on again ..
the BM crew just fixed my brights and hooter, saying it was a worn cable behind the headlight
when I took bike back, they removed the cables from the main frame of the bike, saying this is where the cables wear through, but the problem persists ..
any idea what this could be? Must I replace the battery? Is it the rev counter, or an electrical problem?
Would appreciate suggestions, thanks ...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Nov 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 107
I suggest you join ukgser forum. Well worth the joining fee. There is a mine of info on there. I have just copied this thread as you have to be a member to view. aiat msy give you some clues on things to check before paying a mechanic at least.

help needed, rpm is playing up!!
hi all, hope you can help,had the bike for a month and went out the other day, riding along lovely and the bike gave a jerk and the rpm counter went crazey . on ever gear it stayed above 8 and didn't feel right. went out again the next day everything norm and it done it again but this time it also stopped (twice) . any info please.








Check your battery connections are tight.Loose connections can cause this and other problems.


Tony








We're twins!


I've had exactly this problem before - resulted in a trip to the dealer and a new fuel pump.



The rev counter tells you you're redlining, and any attempt to use the throttle cuts out yes? Lots of stuttering and surging too?



Well, you're timing is good cos yesterday the same thing happened again (F650GS Dakar May 05) and I have to be rescued from Mull ( ) back to Edinburgh. Annoyingly, the bike started after being left for an hour, then cut out again.






Local dealer here (Motorrad Central) shut today but it's going into them tomorrow for a full report. My concern is that cos it now runs, they won't either look properly or simply won't find the problem - but it's there!



Keep in touch on this - I'd like to hear what happens to yours and I'll post my findings here too.



The thing is, having happened twice in 2 months, I just don't trust it anymore. Heading off to Norway again this summer and I don't fancy an engine management system/fuel pump problem north of the Arctic Circle!



Considering trading it in for something else, but maybe I'm being hasty.







snap


your fears could be right when i went with the problem, they couldnt find a thing wrong so had the bike back knowing it was not right, so i went up the dual carriageway and went up the gears and around 70-80 the bike went wrong, went straight bk to bmw but didnt turn the bike off, the man went out on it and bingo broke down. but i also have other problems my battery has leaked acid down the side of my bike, damaged frame,engine,engine cover and eroded spark plug . so check your overflow pipe and strap it on. good luck












found out what the problem was rpm!!


rang bmw today and they told me that the ignition coil and main control unit was faulty, that was why my engine kept stopping and the rev counter went crazy.


hope this helps you












Thanks Smiler - mine's still in hospital - I'll give them a call and see how they're getting on with it - i'll mention your experience and see what they come up with.



Cheers







Hi



Just joined this list ........



I had a similar issue this year with a 2005 GS. Otherwise very happy with bike and luckily the bike got be home each time.




It was just as descibed and no real cause was obvious, to me anyway. I tightened the battery cables( which were loose) and put nylok nuts on, but the problem continued, though the battery cables were remaining tight. Finally I had the bike recovered to the dealer from my house.



Dealer (Clarks) found the rear wheel sensor had a fault so it was replaced. Took the bike back and all was well when I rode it home. Few days later, took the bike out and same problem after around 2 miles. Left the bike a few minutes at the roadside and guess what.....it went fine again. This was just like before. Rode it straight to the dealers and left it there, coming home on a CS loaner. They were very helpful.



They had it a few days. Seems the bike was again showing a faulty rear wheel sensor, which they knew was good. They eventually found a loose connection in a socket just under one of the side panels above the engine, which looked like it had not been made correctly at the factory. Sorry I don't know more details.



They fixed it and did a longer road test.



I have not done many miles since then ( few months back) on this bike, as it does shake your confidence, but I am using it more now, and can report that I have had no further reoccurance of this problem. Longest trip has been around 120 miles.




Perhaps a loose/badly made connector can lead to all kinds of "faulty" components being diagnosed, the vibration of the bike under different load conditions giving the impression of a random fault.




Hope it helps........
__________________
This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 23 Nov 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Linköping
Posts: 10
Is there metal flakings in the oil?
I had simmilar issues with my Dakar, metal flakings shorted the RPM sensor, the same sensor also gives the ignition timing, so the engine don't get ignition.

Make an oilchange and see if there is any metal in the oil and clean the sensor if needed.
After that it is time to figure out where the metal comes from, in my case it was the starter (a common problem).

Hope it helps.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
bike cutting out, rev counter

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:41.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top