K1300GT Switchgear fault

[chasbite]

Alert to all:

at 1 month / 2500 miles the main left bar switchgear [horn, indicators, hazards, ESA, ESC and BC Info] failed

The word is [ uncorroborated by BMW ] that there is a problem in this switchgear being addressed by BMW UK and BMW Motorrad FRG which may result in a redesign

My dealer [CW Motorcycles, UK] have had a similar failure on their K1300GT demo bike

Mention was made that the switching cassette internally is...er, not waterproof.

[caratz]

Chasbite, there are many posts here describing the fault on all K 1300's. I guess it's a general problem. Sorry that you're one of that club. There definitely IS a recall and the dealers -except mine of course, who'll not admit knowing about any problems- are aware of it.

[1bmwfan]

Yep. My bike died this weekend. Cause? Failure of the switch cluster.

Bike was ridden to the 1st Aid course I was teaching with no problems. Came out in the afternoon after the bike sat all day and the bike would not start. Turns out that the kill/start switch failed. Fortunately, I was teaching the class at the dealership and my wife had driven the car as we needed it for all the supplies so I had no need for a tow or a call for a ride.

Per my dealer, it is a known issue and there are new parts being manufactured and put in the system. The bad news is that it will be approximately 2 weeks until the bike is fixed due to no parts availability at this time.

Oh well, guess I'll have to ride the GS.

[caratz]

Yep. My bike died this weekend. Cause? Failure of the switch cluster.

Bike was ridden to the 1st Aid course I was teaching with no problems. Came out in the afternoon after the bike sat all day and the bike would not start. Turns out that the kill/start switch failed. Fortunately, I was teaching the class at the dealership and my wife had driven the car as we needed it for all the supplies so I had no need for a tow or a call for a ride.

Per my dealer, it is a known issue and there are new parts being manufactured and put in the system. The bad news is that it will be approximately 2 weeks until the bike is fixed due to no parts availability at this time.

Oh well, guess I'll have to ride the GS.

You poor you .

[1bmwfan]

Just got the call this afternoon. Bike is repaired and ready to be picked up.

I endured the wait! My wife and I went camping in Joshua Tree National Park.



Oh, and my wife rocks in the dirt!!



I'm just sayin!

[Jamie (RIP)]

uber cool

.........Oh, and my wife rocks in the dirt!!.........I'm just sayin!

tell her I say the same

[Bernardo]

NIce pics!!

Thanks fan!

[troutmill]

I picked my K1300GT up on 4 May having traded in my RT. 10 days later I was touring Ireland with some mates - weather was atrocious (same w/end as NW200). 2nd day all electrics failed on l/h switch. Most worrying was that l/h indicator kept switching itself on and would only switch off after the 10 sec delay - very scary on left hand drive roads! Reported it to dealer and 4 days later was in getting it sorted - they changed the whole unit and wires back to main loom (BMW had instructed them to do this) but they also were very careful to show me the part and explain it may not be 100% waterproof. The problem seems to be the bus system they use to connect the switches to the main electical system relies on plugs and sockets housed in a plastic box with a simple slide-on cover held in place with 2 clips. This cover is on the front of the main box which gets all the direct wind and therefore water. Watertightness comes from the slide mechanism - there are no rubber or sealing strips. What's more the main wire enters the box through a rubber grommet - this is not completely encased as it enters the main box and again on most bikes I have looked at you can see exposed wiring.

Now I don't choose to ride in torrential rain but it is a fact of life and if this £14k bike can't cope then I am seriously wondering if it is 'fit for purpose'. Reading the various comments below it seems this is not an isolated case. Any ideas on how we bring to BM's attention?

[motorbikez]

BMW are well aware of the problem I am awaiting my 2 replacement of left hand indicator cluster.The word is BMW are doing a complete redesign of both left and right clusters.By the way I was in Ireland for the Northwest 200 and agree the weather was awful and I also agree an expensive bike should cope in all weathers, my mates 8 year old busa had no problems.

Welcome to the forum mate.

[caratz]

I picked my K1300GT up on 4 May having traded in my RT. 10 days later I was touring Ireland with some mates - weather was atrocious (same w/end as NW200). 2nd day all electrics failed on l/h switch. Most worrying was that l/h indicator kept switching itself on and would only switch off after the 10 sec delay - very scary on left hand drive roads! Reported it to dealer and 4 days later was in getting it sorted - they changed the whole unit and wires back to main loom (BMW had instructed them to do this) but they also were very careful to show me the part and explain it may not be 100% waterproof. The problem seems to be the bus system they use to connect the switches to the main electical system relies on plugs and sockets housed in a plastic box with a simple slide-on cover held in place with 2 clips. This cover is on the front of the main box which gets all the direct wind and therefore water. Watertightness comes from the slide mechanism - there are no rubber or sealing strips. What's more the main wire enters the box through a rubber grommet - this is not completely encased as it enters the main box and again on most bikes I have looked at you can see exposed wiring.

Now I don't choose to ride in torrential rain but it is a fact of life and if this £14k bike can't cope then I am seriously wondering if it is 'fit for purpose'. Reading the various comments below it seems this is not an isolated case. Any ideas on how we bring to BM's attention?

Ciao Troutmill, and welcome. As stated, BMW has had problems with the new switchgear, and are aware the a problem exists. I don't know what they are doing exactly, but I know they are doing something about it.

Me, I'm partial to the three button switchgear, and I can't quite comprehend why they changed it. It worked fine, and had some logic to it.

[shumifan50]

Well this is an old thread, but I have just had my 3rd switchgear replacement in 2000 miles and I am at the point of insisting for my money back as 700 miles per switch is unacceptable. The replacements have had different part numbers in each case, but the last one lasted about 10 switches to high beam and that was the end of it. It is sad that this turns, what is a great bike, into a piece of rubbish as I cannot risk going out after dark if the destination involves anywhere that is not lit.