[DucRider]

1) Cruise Control does not work with the KOSO Dash. !!! But it does with my OEM Dash
2) The Odometer reading is reading +/- 20K miles below my actual mileage, on the KOSO Dash
3) When Playing Music, the USELES music info displays, but blocks the USEFULL information like FUEL, Engine Temp, etc.. Since I always have music on my sena when I ride, I will not pair with my phone with the screen, since the Useless Music and Artist info is irrelevant and it Blocks the REAL USEFULL information such as FUEL Quantity! I Did not try the GPS, I just unpaired the Phone, because I would not be able to ride around with no fuel quantity engine temp etc.. all the time, so the GPS indication function now is also useless!
4) Can't figure out how to shut off the Annoying Giant red bar across the top of the screen, yes a discreet shift light is sometimes useful, but NOT a GIANT RED FLASHING BAR that is constantly in your face flashing to shift 10X a minute !!!
5) Before I swapped out my OEM Dash no ABS or any failure lights on, With the KOSO Display. I have a Constant (ABS) light on, and NO there is no ABS Failure there was none on my OEM Dash when I swapped it back, or before I installed the KOSO.
6) Warning red triangle below the (ABS) for the RDS on the lower right stays on and the annoying on screen RED RDC Stay on all the time, although on the settings menu it has the option for RDS warning on/off, the off portion is grayed out and can not be disabled (Yes, I don't have the pressure sensors and don't need them)
7) Check Engine Light Always on on the bottom left of screen. (Just had the bike serviced it had no faults, No way to disable this check engine light that I can see on the config menu)

As I mentioned above, I did a Dash Swap back to my old OEM dash, and now I have no ABS Warning, and Cruise Control works fine So it is the KOSO that is the issue.

1 & 2) No solutions for you there - I don't have those issues.
3) Are you sure you can't switch between screens so you can choose whether you're getting music information or more extended bike information? I can switch between them.
4) You can shut the red bar off - it is 5-8 in the manual.
5) I've got the failure lights for the check - it's just the triangle, though, not the ABS light (and my ABS still works - ask me how I know!). The failure triangle (and the faults triggering it) is what they are currently addressing.
6) Those lights don't stay on for me at all.
7) I don't have the CEL issue.

Could model year be an issue? My bike is a 2017 (late). Yours?

 

[vagamundovalencia]

1 & 2) No solutions for you there - I don't have those issues.
3) Are you sure you can't switch between screens so you can choose whether you're getting music information or more extended bike information? I can switch between them.
4) You can shut the red bar off - it is 5-8 in the manual.
5) I've got the failure lights for the check - it's just the triangle, though, not the ABS light (and my ABS still works - ask me how I know!). The failure triangle (and the faults triggering it) is what they are currently addressing.
6) Those lights don't stay on for me at all.
7) I don't have the CEL issue.

Could model year be an issue? My bike is a 2017 (late). Yours?

Oh Nice.. Ok that's one + being able to shift from the song info to the bike information, I just did not even try, I was sort-off singularly focused on the Cruise Control not working and then got annoyed with the rest of the lights.. I'll have to figure out how to turn off the "fast and furious" shift bar IF I mount it back and KOSO has a fix for the cruise control.. The Cruise control is absolutely a deal killer for me, the rest are annoying but I could possibly live with,... 🤔 I take that back, the (ABS) warning light would bug me not knowing if I have a Real or Fake ABS Fault, so that has to be resolved as well..

 

[Ron from BC]

I wondered about the build date too however I'm not sure what the differences are. It's of no help right now as I don't have the KOSO however my '17 GSA has a build date of Monday June 12th.

 

[DucRider]

I wondered about the build date too however I'm not sure what the differences are. It's of no help right now as I don't have the KOSO however my '17 GSA has a build date of Monday June 12th.

Certainly don't quote me on it because I'm talking out my ass right now, but if the late 2017 build was the same used for the 2018 (with which you could get a TFT), that could make a difference? If that's the case, though, it should be easy to add the BMW OEM TFT to such bikes, but I've read on this forum that this is simply not the case. Hard tellin' not knowin'.

 

[Ron from BC]

Certainly don't quote me on it because I'm talking out my ass right now, but if the late 2017 build was the same used for the 2018 (with which you could get a TFT), that could make a difference? If that's the case, though, it should be easy to add the BMW OEM TFT to such bikes, but I've read on this forum that this is simply not the case. Hard tellin' not knowin'.

The key for the OEM TFT compatibility is in the wiring harness and yes that different harness was installed in the last half of the year....I believe in July or August. DR: What's the build date of your bike?

bimmer.work : VIN Decoder for BMW

Also, VAGA.....had said earlier his OEM panel had a problem which was the motivator to look into this RX-5, not sure what his panel's issue is but could it be playing a role in these anomalies.

 

[DucRider]

The key for the OEM TFT compatibility is in the wiring harness and yes that different harness was installed in the last half of the year....I believe in July or August. DR: What's the build date of your bike?

bimmer.work : VIN Decoder for BMW

According to that site, production on my bike started Tuesday, June 13, 2017. I've read of a June switchover, I've read of an August (after the summer break) switchover. As I've said . . . hard tellin' not knowin'.

 

[Ron from BC]

The wiring harness you need for the TFT is X6ABA.

 

[Ron from BC]

Go to realoem.com and the code for your bike will be under General Electrics.

 

[DucRider]

Go to realoem.com and the code for your bike will be under General Electrics.

According to that, my wiring harness is OEM Part No. 61118350519. A little digging shows that part to be "For vehicles with dynamic esa [X191A (+)] and connectivity [X6aba (-)]." Not sure if that answers the question.

Hope someone other than the two of us is getting some value out of this!

 

[Ron from BC]

According to that, my wiring harness is OEM Part No. 61118350519. A little digging shows that part to be "For vehicles with dynamic esa [X191A (+)] and connectivity [X6aba (-)]." Not sure if that answers the question.

Hope someone other than the two of us is getting some value out of this!

I agree.....I don't want to go down the rabbit hole of TFT retrofits LOL.

Ok so to stay on topic, you're real happy with the KOSO display, albeit with a couple of fault codes that are being worked on. So I am interested on what damage V had with his OEM panel and if that might play a role in his different issues.

Phew....

 

[DucRider]

the rabbit hole of TFT retrofits

FWIW, here's the definitive discussion of the TFT retrofit (37 pages!). TLDR: It can be done if you have (or install) the right wiring harness and switch out the controller. All in it looks like it's in the $3k range (after recoding, etc. by dealer). Makes me an even bigger fan of the Koso, assuming they address the kombi fault.

As for the RX-5, I really do like it a lot, and it might be a lesson re limits on model year compatibility if they aren't able to address the issues @vagamundovalencia is having. Though that could be an issue/damage particular to his harness as well. Once again . . . hard tellin'.

 

[vagamundovalencia]

Hey.. Sorry Just noticed I did not say the year of my bike, but it is a 2015 Standard R12GS LC non-adventure. , Build date,, Humm how do I see that? Anyhow its solidly in the middle of the year dates for the 2013-2017 model.. so it should be as standard as it gets in that model range.. 🤔

 

[vagamundovalencia]

FWIW, here's the definitive discussion of the TFT retrofit (37 pages!). TLDR: It can be done if you have (or install) the right wiring harness and switch out the controller. All in it looks like it's in the $3k range (after recoding, etc. by dealer). Makes me an even bigger fan of the Koso, assuming they address the kombi fault.

As for the RX-5, I really do like it a lot, and it might be a lesson re limits on model year compatibility if they aren't able to address the issues @vagamundovalencia is having. Though that could be an issue/damage particular to his harness as well. Once again . . . hard tellin'.

So I wonder about that too,, But I did have BMW diagnose and test the bike they came back with a solid diagnostic telling me the harness is testing A OK and the display is showing a fault. So It is definitely my OEM display that fails sometimes.. Regardles.. Even when my OEM display is flickering or acting up my Cruise control still works, but not so with the KOSO. Anyoo.. I hope I just got a dud or its something my dumb a$$ did wrong because all in all the display is a cool upgrade ..

 

[zeusjuice70]

I don't think there is a way (or at least I haven't found it yet) to "switch" the wonderwheel between the two devices so it solely operates one of them. As of now, I'm using the wonderwheel left and right clicks for the Koso, and on the Nav VI I use the wheel to zoom in and out (or other features using the wheel's spin; spinning has no utility or effect on the Koso). When my use on the Koso changes the screen on the Nav VI, I just use the Nav VI's touchscreen to go back to the screen I want. It hasn't been annoying for me. General update:

• I like the visual aspect of the Koso better than the stock instrument cluster - not surprisingly, it's just easier to see the information and I can have all of the relevant information on one screen.
• The layout of information is good and the look is easy on the eyes - i.e., I feel like the colors are comfortable and the switch from day to night colors is effective.
• I find it much easier to access my music and phone calls through the Koso unit (vs. the Nav VI as I was doing without the Koso).
• I don't care for the nav feature in the Koso. It only provides the next turn info. I prefer the full map and traffic information from the Nav VI. Also, it's pulling from the phone, so it is another draw on the phone battery.
• At the end of the day, my initial opinion hasn't changed after a few days'/rides' use: it is an excellent unit that doesn't add a lot of functionality (except the nav); it just does everything better and is a better user interface for those functions/features (other than nav).
• I wouldn't get the Koso to eliminate use of the Nav VI, but others might be fine with the limited nature of its nav function. I think it's a no-brainer as a replacement if you have to replace your stock non-TFT instrument cluster. Whether it's worth the money if you just want to switch is obviously a personal decision. As I've said, it's worth it to me.

If I discover anything amazing or problematic, I'll post, but otherwise I think this is my final word on the Koso RX-5: Better than Cats - I'd see it again and again!😉 Edit: I lied - I'll check for faults today and update with that info.

The RX-5 arrived today! Here are my initial thoughts: Install - 10/10 --Install took less than 10 minutes (including removal of stock cluster). Couldn't be easier (and my skills are average at best). --Installation is solid - no less solid than stock (you screw a mounting plate onto the unit and then that mounts to the bike exactly as the stock unit does). --Also includes a cover for the tunnel where the cable/connector comes from the bike (this is usually filled by a piece of the stock cluster). --Automatically caught the mileage - no need to enter that manually. --I haven't run a scan with the GS-911 yet to see if it caused any faults. First Impressions - 8/10 (but should improve) --Looks great (see pic). Very clean and other than the KOSO logo on the unit, I would not know it wasn't stock. I haven't seen the stock TFT, so I can't say how the look compares to that. --Powered up it gives me everything I had on the stock cluster, but easier to see. --Control is not too difficult (Wonderwheel click is back and forward (enter); trip/info toggle is up/down), but I'm getting used to it. Still have to think about it a good bit, but I expect this will get easier. Tends to knock me out of my Nav VI screen, so I have to use the touchscreen to go back to what I was knocked out of. Again, I think I'll learn the nuances and this shouldn't be a big issue. --Music is very easy to use. --Nav is easy to use, but just gives you the next instruction (no map, no traffic, etc.) Finally, here's a link to the full instruction manual, which will tell you a lot more about the features and how they work than I can at this point. At the end of the day, I think it's a great option for those who have to replace their cluster, or just want one that looks much more modern. Functionally, I think it's superior to the stock cluster, but is it worth the money? For me it is. YMMV. I'm keeping it for now, and likely won't switch it back until I'm selling the bike. I'll come comment again after a few hundred miles with it. View attachment 35134 View attachment 35135 View attachment 35136 View attachment 35137

Thank you for sharing… 🤟🏻👍🏻🫶🏻

 

[TSConver]

ANy updates on the software fix?

 

[DucRider]

ANy updates on the software fix?

Still working on it.

 

[Ron from BC]

EDIT UPDATE BELOW

The rider in Frisco whose dealer was working with KOSO to resolve the fault codes has had enough and is sending his unit back.

So at this point we're led to believe that KOSO only tested the unit on Asian and Euro bikes and assumed, incorrectly, that they should work fine on the US models. Should they be able to resolve the issue on the US models will any update just apply to those sold to the US market? If they applied the patch to all models could the US update cause problems with the Asian/Euro models? It would be nice to hear from an owner who has an Asian or Euro model who has scanned post install to confirm there are no issues with theirs.

Further, the BMWs sold in Canada are Euro models so if that original release works fine why has the unit been withdrawn from sale in all of North America instead of just the lower 48. No offence to those in the US.

March 6th

I spoke with a KOSO tech this morning in Quebec and put the above question to him. He said that all global sales for the RX-5 have stopped until such times as a universal software patch can be developed and applied to the RX-5 regardless of the BMW model region. As there 'appears' to be no issues with the Asian/Euro models they are perplexed as to what code has been included in the US models by BMW which has caused the fault codes.

He's hopeful by the end of the month it will be fixed......or at least before summer. LOL

 

[DucRider]

Well, I'm throwing in the towel. Koso has been very responsive, and they are working on the fix, but I'm selling my GS so I want to return the RX-5 for full value. As predicted, the reinstalled OEM cluster is now throwing a fault because the mileage at the cluster doesn't match the mileage at the ECM. It would be nice if the bike just defaulted to the higher number between the two and synched, but alas. And the GS-911 can't remedy that - requires a trip to the dealer.

I really liked the Koso unit - when they get that worked out, I'd say it's a very viable option for pre-TFT bikes. Great display.

And with my flamesuit on and zipped, I'll disclose that I'm selling the GS to go to a (brand new) 2021 R NineT Urban G/S 40 Years! I just wasn't hitting anything off road other than pretty tame fire roads and gravel, and also wasn't doing as much long distance as I thought I would. The GS, while an amazing bike, just didn't give me enough grins per mile and I wasn't using its potential. I rode the G/S and couldn't stop giggling. Not nearly the marvel of the GS, but really good fun! And I'm putting my money where my mouth is re Koso - I'm adding their unit for this bike (otherwise I wouldn't have a tach or a gear indicator).

At any rate, farewell, and thanks for all the fish!

P.S. - Thanks to everyone and the mods! I can only hope the ninetowners.com forums community is half as helpful and congenial as this one!

 

[Ron from BC]

Thanks for the valued input during the RX-5 journey! Your new ride is very hot! It sort of reminds me of my 02 1150GSA Bumble Bee. Safe Riding!

 

[DucRider]

. . . reminds me of my 02 1150GSA Bumble Bee.

Thanks! That's a beautiful lineup!!