Exhausts and Engine » Starting the bike

My RS doesn't like starting first time when cold. And that's engine cold, not atmosphere cold - happens whether its 20C or 35C .. haven't had it long enough to try any colder than that yet ;)

The first time I hit the start button, it doesn't start - just keeps turning over no matter how long I try. But on the second press, it fires up first go.

Even if the first go is only half a second, it fires up straight away on the second go.

There is also no matter how long I wait between turning it on and starting - 3 seconds or 30.

Is this unusual?

I too have only tried starting in those temperature ranges and it has started first go every time.

I remember seeing this as a thread in the old forum but don’t recall what the root cause or remedy was exactly. I do remember that this was unusual with most owners not experiencing that. I have never had that happen.

Zitat von stiebs im Beitrag #1

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The first time I hit the start button, it doesn't start - just keeps turning over no matter how long I try. But on the second press, it fires up first go.

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My RS does the "double start" routine during the summer when California is selling their "summer blend" smog gas that is less volatile, with fewer fumes to pollute the air. But during the winter, when the gasoline blend is changed and contains more of the good stuff, my bike starts right up with just a single push of the button. So I figure that the problem has more to do with BMW's FI programing and the fuel being used than anything that can be fixed by a dealer. I don't think anyone has a solution to this problem, not even BMW. Although it will be interesting to see if the 1150 engine experiences the same issue.

Before you start the bike drop off the silencer and see if the flapper valve is shut, it should be, if its not see if it closes after first cranking.



Ged

Couple of things to try ..
I've been using 98 octane. Next fill I'll try 95 and see if that makes a difference. If not I'll check the valve.
Thanks

Zitat von stiebs im Beitrag #1

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Is this unusual?

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Well after shifting from 98 to 95, seems that the bike starts much easier now. Will run 95 for another tank or two, then maybe back to 98 to test the hypothesis..

My bike has the cat flap removed so always open so to speak, 98 grade of fuel used and first press on the button even after standing for a few weeks.

I had the same problem and the service agent mentioned something about the software, updated it and has not happened since. Perhaps ask about it at your next service?

Yesterday I did an 'auto scan" of my 2016 RS using my GS-911. It printed out 6 pages of technical stuff about my bike. I compared the printout with the 5-page one that I did over a year ago, after I purchased the GS-911. Besides the device uncovering even more random technical stuff that I don't understand, it looks like when I brought my bike in for service last August, my dealer downloaded various program revisions to a couple of the onboard computers. My guess is that every dealer does this automatically when a bike is brought in for servicing. While my RS still struggles to start with California's "summer-blend" smog gas, it is doing better than in previous years and now will start without having to try twice. It just takes a few seconds longer to start than when using "winter-blend" fuel. So BMW seems to be aware of the "double-start" issue and it only took them two years to come up with a fix. Better late than never, I always say.