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Howitzur

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2015 BMW R1200GS Adventure
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17 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
new member, but long time creeper from Google lol
So, I have googled this issue until I was blue in the face. Has anyone found a resolution for this??? Basically, u have to hit the start button twice for it to fire up. First push it just turns over. Release and press again, boom! Immediately fires off.
Ive got to the point that, on my first start of the day (I commute on mine), I bump the start button then release it, then hold it down to fire it up. The second push is always immediate start. (Also, thos issue is random. Sometimes I can start it on the first button press.)
If feels like it's something simple. But every time I search this issue, I never see a resolution other than a possible ecm update/flash. I also found I'm not the only one (several on this forum). Anywho, sorry for the novel. Thx in advance!
2016 GSA w/ 15k miles. Last dealer ecm flash/update was by previous owner in 2020 at local dealer at the 12k mile service. I bought this bike 2 months and 2k miles ago. I have changed the oil myself.
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Called another dealer today and he was actually very informative and receptive. He was the GM for the dealer and we spoke for about an hour. I'll give props to BMW of North Dallas. He didn't have to BS with me that long. He said he was aware of this (every other dealer I've called acted ignorant to this). He said he thinks it's a timing issue when the bike is shut down and doesn't return to the right timing sequence. He said some R1200 bikes do it, others don't. Said to not worry about it. Said it was another lovely quirk of the boxer. Oh well, I feel better about it now.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
90% of the time I shut it down by the keyless button. 5% is with the kill switch and the other 5% is with the kickstand while in 1st gear. Makes no noticable difference.
 
Do you turn your bike off with the kill switch or the key, thats if you dont have one of the keyless models. I found using the key to turn it off reduced the issue for the most part, someting about sequencing in the ECU.
I had the problem with my '17 RT. It won't start the first try no matter how long you crank, but starts on second try immediately. ...and it's not every time. Not a problem, more of a quirk. However, Boxflyer seems to think this is a cam position sensor being set slightly off. If you do a full tune-up using his procedure, it should go away....I didn't buy the tools to do 12K services until I got my '22 GSA. I'm doing the work myself now and have no issue. Can't remember back to where it was ever an issue with the 1250.

Anyway, there may or may not be a cure, but it does not hurt the 1200 wethead bikes to just start them twice. I bought my 1250 to celebrate a hard-earned retirement, but my 1200RT was a fine bike that really didn't need replacing. Plenty of power, great suspension, great wind protection and only a few niggles. 1250 about the same with but with different strengths and different niggles.

I've never seen a BMW product, 2 wheels or 4, that was free of oddities. ...It's a tradition!
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Still no fix. I did notice something suspicious (or just a fluke). When the weather cooled off here in Texas late last year, the issue went away. It wasn't until this past month I noticed it doing this fail to start on the first ignition press again... ugh!

It's almost like ambient temp and/or humidity affected it? Idk. I just worry that if I ever plan to sell it, the future owner will fire it up and raise a stink about it if they don't know much about these bikes and their gremlins.
 
Still no fix. I did notice something suspicious (or just a fluke). When the weather cooled off here in Texas late last year, the issue went away. It wasn't until this past month I noticed it doing this fail to start on the first ignition press again... ugh!

It's almost like ambient temp and/or humidity affected it? Idk. I just worry that if I ever plan to sell it, the future owner will fire it up and raise a stink about it if they don't know much about these bikes and their gremlins.
I think it's just a fluke. According to boxflyer, it can be fixed by aligning the cam position sensor. They are often out from the factory for some reason. I bought his service tools and aligned my 1250 when I did my 12K service. It wasn't correct, however, 1250's don't have that issue, so I can't say if correcting the sensor positioning fixes it or not.

Trade it in on a 1250 and your troubles will be over!
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
I think it's just a fluke. According to boxflyer, it can be fixed by aligning the cam position sensor. They are often out from the factory for some reason. I bought his service tools and aligned my 1250 when I did my 12K service. It wasn't correct, however, 1250's don't have that issue, so I can't say if correcting the sensor positioning fixes it or not.

Trade it in on a 1250 and your troubles will be over!
Could you link his info/write-up on this cam position sensor job? I'd love to give that a go!
 
I just googled “boxflyer BMW” All his youtube videos came up. If you want to learn how your bike works, this stuff is golden.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
I had the problem with my '17 RT. It won't start the first try no matter how long you crank, but starts on second try immediately. ...and it's not every time. Not a problem, more of a quirk. However, Boxflyer seems to think this is a cam position sensor being set slightly off. If you do a full tune-up using his procedure, it should go away....I didn't buy the tools to do 12K services until I got my '22 GSA. I'm doing the work myself now and have no issue. Can't remember back to where it was ever an issue with the 1250.

Anyway, there may or may not be a cure, but it does not hurt the 1200 wethead bikes to just start them twice. I bought my 1250 to celebrate a hard-earned retirement, but my 1200RT was a fine bike that really didn't need replacing. Plenty of power, great suspension, great wind protection and only a few niggles. 1250 about the same with but with different strengths and different niggles.

I've never seen a BMW product, 2 wheels or 4, that was free of oddities. ...It's a tradition!
Curious on what procedure you used? Could you share the video on how to do this with boxflyer's tools? I sold the 2016 back in early 2024. I picked up a 2015 GSA in April 2025 and have the same problem. Definately a common problem with these model of bikes. Any help is appreciated.
 
I think it's just a fluke. According to boxflyer, it can be fixed by aligning the cam position sensor. They are often out from the factory for some reason. I bought his service tools and aligned my 1250 when I did my 12K service. It wasn't correct, however, 1250's don't have that issue, so I can't say if correcting the sensor positioning fixes it or not.

Trade it in on a 1250 and your troubles will be over!
Not true at all, plenty of no start 1250's occurring as well. This is a starter/battery issue, so far with my brand spanking new 240 CCA YUASA I installed a few weeks back, I haven't had any more starting issues......knock on wood.
 
Curious on what procedure you used? Could you share the video on how to do this with boxflyer's tools? I sold the 2016 back in early 2024. I picked up a 2015 GSA in April 2025 and have the same problem. Definately a common problem with these model of bikes. Any help is appreciated.
It's not the engine timing, it is a weak battery along with a starter that draws too much current, and the ECU on these LC 1200/1250 are very sensitive to voltage fluctuations it seems.
 
Not true at all, plenty of no start 1250's occurring as well. This is a starter/battery issue, so far with my brand spanking new 240 CCA YUASA I installed a few weeks back, I haven't had any more starting issues......knock on wood.
It’s not a starter/battery issue! My 1200 did it from Day 1. The engine position sensor is a ring around a shaft on the left cylinder head. With the TDC pin installed, you just loosen the ring and put it in the right position. Then the bike starts first time. I’m not going into detail. Google “Boxflyer BMW” and watch the youtube video. It’s sectioned so you can find the bit you need easily without going through the whole process. I’ve done the whole thing and have all the tools now. You don’t need much to reposition this ring. No, I’m not posting the vid for you. Don’t be so lazy. If you want to be lazy just push the starter twice. It doesn’t hurt anything.
 
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It’s not a starter/battery issue! My 1200 did it from Day 1. The engine position sensor is a ring around a shaft on the left cylinder head. With the TDC pin installed, you just loosen the ring and put it in the right position. Then the bike starts first time. I’m not going into detail. Google “Boxflyer BMW” and watch the youtube video. It’s sectioned so you can find the bit you need easily without going through the whole process. I’ve done the whole thing and have all the tools now. You don’t need much to reposition this ring. No, I’m not posting the vid for you. Don’t be so lazy. If you want to be lazy just push the starter twice. It doesn’t hurt anything.
Let me just add that "No Start" can mean a dying battery, of course....and replacing the battery is the 1st thing you should do if you think the battery is weak. Low voltage is bad for all the electrics on the bike so having full voltage will help everything electrical last longer.

What I'm talking about is when the bike won't start on the first push of the button no matter how long you hold it down or how charged the battery is, but it you just first start briefly, determine it's not starting right up, then let go and try again...and it starts like it should? ...That's the symptom I'm talking about....2 tries required. It's not about a weak battery. It's this engine (or crank?) position sensor being a few degrees off. All this thing does is tell the ECU that the engine has turned around once. If it's too "retarded", it sometimes doesn't see the mark on the camshaft and the bike doesn't start right. It just needs to be moved so it sees it sooner as the camshaft goes around. It doesn't affect valve or ignition timing and isn't a precision setting.

I haven't set mine in a long while and dont' trust my memory but I think it supposed to be at about 9 o'clock...facing you as you sit on the flor with the valve cover off looking at it from the side. Again, Boxflyer has recorded all the correct stuff. Trust him. He's good. ...and it's free.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
It’s not a starter/battery issue! My 1200 did it from Day 1. The engine position sensor is a ring around a shaft on the left cylinder head. With the TDC pin installed, you just loosen the ring and put it in the right position. Then the bike starts first time. I’m not going into detail. Google “Boxflyer BMW” and watch the youtube video. It’s sectioned so you can find the bit you need easily without going through the whole process. I’ve done the whole thing and have all the tools now. You don’t need much to reposition this ring. No, I’m not posting the vid for you. Don’t be so lazy. If you want to be lazy just push the starter twice. It doesn’t hurt anything.
Not sure how you got "lazy" out of my comment asking for guidance on what you used to fix this issue. Thanks anyways.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Not true at all, plenty of no start 1250's occurring as well. This is a starter/battery issue, so far with my brand spanking new 240 CCA YUASA I installed a few weeks back, I haven't had any more starting issues......knock on wood.
I think this has been discussed in detail earlier in this thread to include me saying I replaced my battery in my 2016 and it did not remedy the issue.
 
Well......there is a MASSIVE thread on ADVrider with so many from around the word trying this and trying that and assumed they were right about what worked, until they found out their assumed fix or the dealer fix didn't work, and the consensus is a weak or too low CCA battery plus a starter that is drawing too high current, is what ultimately causes the majority of "no start" situations. This is happening on liquid cooled 1200's and the 1250 regardless of years, doesn't seem to be an issue with the 1300. Believe whatever you like, do whatever you like, makes not a difference to me either way. My buddy had it happen to him 3 times on his 22 R1250 GSA, he installed a new Antigravity ATX12-HD Li-ION battery with 480 CCA several months back and hasn't had an issue since and that's all he did........coincidence? BMW has also changed the part number for the replacement starter that works for all liquid cooled GS engines, I also don't believe that to be a coincidence.

I also tried advancing the engine stroke, let engine and starter cool down and still no start up, but was able to get a jump off another battery and one other time my jump pack......bike fired right up both times. I am sure the engine/crank position sensor being out of alignment can be an issue for some and is a worthwhile check, and I am also very familiar with Boxflyer and his expertise with the BMW boxer bikes. Good luck, I do however appreciate one other potential thing to take into consideration over a weak battery and faulty starter.
 
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