Surging

[racedogs]

My 2014 650 GT with 450 miles on it will surge at low speeds but not all of the time. It did it for the previous 3 days then yesterday it was fine. It is only at low sustained speeds, about 15mph, Really jerky. If you set it on the center stand and run the speedometer up to 15-20mph while holding the throttle steady it would surge and change speed by up and down by 5mph. It is the same tank of fuel over this time, 90 octane non ethanol. I did install the K&N air filter but it was during the time it was surging. Riding in to work this morning it seemed to run fine. Anyone experience this? I have an appointment at the dealer in Orlando tomorrow but I don't want to go all of the way there thru traffic if it's not going to act up for the technician.

 

[JaimeC]

Have them check to make sure none of the vent hoses are pinched or constricted. I had a similar issue for a long time with my K1200LT when I first got it. They kept putting it on the computer diagnostic tool and never found anything amiss. Finally, the chief mechanic at the shop went over it with a fine toothed comb and discovered the pinched vent hose. Once he rerouted it, it never surged again.

Of course, I'm talking about an FI system from the late 90s, and I'm sure the GT has a more modern system but some principles remain constant...

 

[FloridianRobert]

That's a new one to me, but I agree with Jaime. It sounds like something simple mechanically involving combustion mix and not a computer issue with the bike. I'm no mechanic, though.

BTW, OP which dealer are you using in Orlando? I'm in Tampa but I am not sure where in Florida you are.

 

[racedogs]

That's a new one to me, but I agree with Jaime. It sounds like something simple mechanically involving combustion mix and not a computer issue with the bike. I'm no mechanic, though.

BTW, OP which dealer are you using in Orlando? I'm in Tampa but I am not sure where in Florida you are.

I'm using Magic City Cycles on John Young Parkway near the 528. I live in Titusville, the Kennedy Space Center is out my back door.

 

[FloridianRobert]

Might try them. The dealership in Tampa is pretty lackluster. Thanks for the heads up! Nice area over there.

 

[Edumakated]

My 2014 650 GT with 450 miles on it will surge at low speeds but not all of the time. It did it for the previous 3 days then yesterday it was fine. It is only at low sustained speeds, about 15mph, Really jerky. If you set it on the center stand and run the speedometer up to 15-20mph while holding the throttle steady it would surge and change speed by up and down by 5mph. It is the same tank of fuel over this time, 90 octane non ethanol. I did install the K&N air filter but it was during the time it was surging. Riding in to work this morning it seemed to run fine. Anyone experience this? I have an appointment at the dealer in Orlando tomorrow but I don't want to go all of the way there thru traffic if it's not going to act up for the technician.

My c600 started doing the same thing. I haven't figured out what it is because as soon as I noticed it, we got 3 feet of snow on the ground so no way to get it to dealer to check it out. When mine is on the center stand, at low throttle it seems like it wants to cut out. At some points, I can give it full throttle and it is like it barely getting any fuel or misfiring - kind of stuttering. I do think it has something to do with a fuel line or computer.

 

[racedogs]

I just brought it home, 18 mile ride from work. Not a hiccup noticed, even put it on the stand and it ran perfect. I never did have a problem with it at the upper RPM's always ran out great. I did go and fill the tank at the same station I used last time, 90 octane non ethanol. I was suspecting a tank vent, possibly from overfill. Pretty sure this has some kind of evaporative emissions system on it since it has a catalytic converter. Now i'm wondering if I should take it in tomorrow, I would have to trailer it, really wet weather and storms moving in tonight and rain tomorrow morning.

 

[SteveADV]

For what its worth (and I am absolutely no mechanic)...I would put a few more miles on it.

Also, my 650GT is fed a diet of 93 octane (I know I know) and suffers no bike envy from any other bike in my garage. It is perfect and I am always stoked to take it out for a ride.

Remember, we are talking about Europeans here. They look classy and can last forever if handled properly.

 

[Dale]

Remember it is a new bike and they can do some strange things. The mixture is set extremely lean from the factory due to the Euro requirements. Sounds as if you need the idle software upgrade, which was the same one that cured the engine out at idle or when coming to a stop.
I had the same problem with my Yamaha it would surge at low RPM. No cure just lean off idle, it would act like a miss but would fire the cylinder with very weak power and feel like the engine was missing.
Adjusted the mixture at each cylinder, helped but did not cur the problem.
My GT after software upgrade will when hot and not started for 30 min or so will hit on one cylinder and not start. Crack the throttle and it will start and idle fine. I consider it as one of the things you need to get used to.

 

[racedogs]

Sorry for dropping out of sight for awhile, very busy. Ended up not taking the scoot to the dealer for the surging. Thought I would give it a bit and see if it cleared up. Long story short, no more surging, have put over 1,000 miles on her and hasn't missed a lick. Bad gas, Not completely broke in????

 

[exavid]

I took my GT to the dealer for its break in checkout at 750 miles. I was having a bit of the surging at 25mph problem as well as the near shut offs when closing the throttle. They flashed the ECU with a new map program which so far has eliminated the surge and cut outs. The engine sounds smoother now and definitely seems to have more rapid acceleration between 20-50mph. My mileage had been around 53mpg with no effort on my part to go for the best mileage. I do tend to twist the throttle a bit. I'll be interested to see how it does now. So far my feeling toward this bike is very positive. I hope it proves out over time because it's the best of the three maxi's to handle that I've ridden. I've owned a Silverwing 600, Burgman 650 and now the C650GT. The Burgman was the closest in ride to my Goldwing but much more ponderous in handling than the BMW. The BMW's ride is harder, a bit harsh in fact on a bad piece of road but it's sporty handling makes up for the loss of super cushy ride. So far so good.

 

[yellasei]

all the c600's & c650gt's i have serviced and had on my ramp won't rev properly on the centre stand, mine won't. i would'nt say there is a problem, just how the ECU fuels when not under load. surging on the road is probably variator linked. hope this help's you guy's out.

 

[exavid]

I put another 100 miles on my GT in the past couple of days since I got it back from the dealer's break in check and re-mapping and still no more surging or cutting out. Fingers crossed but it's running smoother and even sounds a bit quieter. It also seems to have a bit more engine braking effort at low speeds when you close the throttle. Unfortunately the dealer had the disk to update the ECU but didn't have any details on what exactly it did.

 

[SteveADV]

....Unfortunately the dealer had the disk to update the ECU but didn't have any details on what exactly it did.

It made it even better

 

[otbiker]

EXAVID, I too am having the surge issue after 4500 miles.

For whats it worth, after contacting my dealer and BMW National, there have been no new ECM updates released for the C Series scooters since mid-2013.

Though I hoped this would be the case and possible fix, I suspect your dealer BS'ed you...

 

[exavid]

I don't think the dealer was blowing smoke, he's got a very good reputation in this area. My bike is a 2113 so perhaps the software update they did was a 2113 change. I bought my bike from the first owner with 69 miles on it so it might not have had any of the recalls (like the top box mount) and any software changes. Whatever they did the bike definitely runs better after the dealer did whatever did, no more surg or cutting out with throttle closure at low speeds. I've got a bit more than 900 miles on the scoot which is a bit over 100 miles since having it at the dealer's. BTW - I was charged $125 for the 600 mile check up which I thought was reasonable. The weather is drying out and warming here now so I'll be putting more miles on it soon. So far, so good.

 

[otbiker]

Mine is also a 2013. I'm going to plug in the GS911 today and check the ECM version and date code.

 

[yellasei]

Today i updated a 2014 GT, must admit i did'nt take note of the build date but it took the update. This does help with the running and helps with low rpm issues.

 

[Tompierce]

Mine is also a 2013. I'm going to plug in the GS911 today and check the ECM version and date code.

otbiker,

I'd like to talk to you about your GS-911 - I'm evaluating buying one. What has your experience been with it on the scooter?

I was going to get one immediately but the website says that the bluetooth version mobile software for the phone DOES NOT have a lot of the information that I would like to see.

Can you post screenshots of what is available?

 

[justscootin]

otbiker,

What has your experience been with it on the scooter?

I was going to get one immediately but the website says that the bluetooth version mobile software for the phone DOES NOT have a lot of the information that I would like to see.

I bought one with the bluetooth feature. At this point of time there is no bluetooth compatability yet. As for usage I have done a scan on the entire bike and reset the service light. I look at how much I save every time I reset the light as I am sure the dealer would charge $50