Loose connection, spark plug, bad fuel. If it's turning over, then it doesn't sound like a battery or alternator issue, but you could try measuring the voltage or hook it up to another battery.
2018 g310r with 1500 miles died in mid ride, cranks over but no start.
I bought this bike for my grandson last fall with only 1300 miles on it. He is 16 and got his motorcycle permit 2 weeks ago. We we're on our 2nd ride when I looked back after rounding a corner and he was not there. I turned around and found him parked on the side of the road not running. He said it just started slowly down and died. It has a half tank of gas and I can hear the fuel pump pressure up when I turn the key on. It turns over fine but doesn't even try to fire up. He and I had planed to ride all weekend and need less to say he's pretty disappointed. I have owned BMWs for the last 45 years, mostly for their dependability. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could have failed? Since it's out of warranty I dread taking it to a dealer. I usually do all of my maintenance, my current ride is a 2016 R1200R and it's been trouble free. Any help on this would be appreciated.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
My situation could be similar to yours - the bike starts but shuts itself off shortly after (in less than a minute). The first time it happened was on the first time i tried to ride it this year - good thing i didn't get very far. Brought it in for service; old gas (couple of years old!) and spark plug was replaced and now it runs fine.
Lesson learned is I should ride the bike more!
Lesson learned is I should ride the bike more!
Out of warranty does mean you can go to an independent shop. Quite possibly something simple. So far the reading indicates the Dealer Techs are a bit clueless for whatever reason. Maybe they don’t have a service manual either…..same old rules apply. Spark, fuel and compression and it will run. First checks might include cranking battery voltage, fuel pressure, spark.
I had the same thing happen to me. Rode for about 20 min's and died. Started back up after about 10 min's. Then went for about a mile then died. Started again after 10 min's. Then I towed it. It pulled an o2 sensor code .Took it to the dealer and they cleared the code and said it was ok? I changed the plug (it was black as night) and have been putting hi test in. So far so good. Don't know? I hate having to worry if it's gonna die at any minute. Going to ride to Cambria in the am. Wish me luck.I bought this bike for my grandson last fall with only 1300 miles on it. He is 16 and got his motorcycle permit 2 weeks ago. We we're on our 2nd ride when I looked back after rounding a corner and he was not there. I turned around and found him parked on the side of the road not running. He said it just started slowly down and died. It has a half tank of gas and I can hear the fuel pump pressure up when I turn the key on. It turns over fine but doesn't even try to fire up. He and I had planed to ride all weekend and need less to say he's pretty disappointed. I have owned BMWs for the last 45 years, mostly for their dependability. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could have failed? Since it's out of warranty I dread taking it to a dealer. I usually do all of my maintenance, my current ride is a 2016 R1200R and it's been trouble free. Any help on this would be appreciated.
Cambria? Been epic weather if a little cool at Ocean. Do you go out Adalade Klau Mine on the red dirt Road who’s name escapes me? Ends up on Cypress Mountain into Cambria?
Leaving Creston. It home away from.
I had a similar problem to yours. It turned out that an ignition fuse under the seat had blown. Hopefully yours will be a simple fix.
I will go out of Tempelton ,Santa Rita Rd to Cayucos then to Cambria. And back 46. Or head to San Luis To Lopez to high mountain to pozo and take parkhill rod to 58 and head back to la panza.Cambria? Been epic weather if a little cool at Ocean. Do you go out Adalade Klau Mine on the red dirt Road who’s name escapes me? Ends up on Cypress Mountain into Cambria?
Update. I brought the bike to Frank's BMW Sales and Service. They did a preliminary evaluation and without a tear down determined catastrophic internal engine damage. Their go to cause was rider error due to a an over rev. The bike was only used in a closed course MSF class for approximately 1200 miles and 300 miles on the road by a very experienced rider. Rider error is not a possibility. I picked the bike up as is and called Max BMW in Troy NY and their solution after hearing what Franks said was to have their GM call me to see what kind of deal they could offer on another bike. They stated that just the cost of tear down and diagnosis wound exceed the bikes value. In my opinion any engine failure at 1500 miles regardless of the bikes age is unacceptable. I will remove the engine this winter and try determine the cause.
Please keep us posted on what you find.
Horrid just horrid. I’d try a different technician (yourself?) before a tear down. That’s an bogus sounding diagnosis. I’ve a hard time thinking how one could even come up with such a diagnosis without doing something like bore scope or compression test. Ignorance.
If anything a used motor install if destroyed. I could see abuse being used as learning bike but unlikely. But perhaps a lack of maintenance?
If anything a used motor install if destroyed. I could see abuse being used as learning bike but unlikely. But perhaps a lack of maintenance?
I know the sound difference between a thumper with compression and one without. This sounds more like the ignition is way off than a compression issue. Its firing when the intake valve is open.
Yeah your discription didn’t sound like a massive failure, no smoke, bangs or such. Start with basics Compression, spark and fuel. You will have to take of plastic to get there though and it’s an odd size plug for most compression gauges. Hopefully you’ll find something simple and be able to broadcast the incompetence of the Dealer over internet. Might be worth taking to technician with experience and scan tool. Max BMW has good reputation and being source may take better care of you, they are not into selling junk knowingly.
I'm not faulting ether shop, it's an entry level bike and with labor rates where they are it doesn't take long to get to 2 grand, throw in a few parts and you have exceeded the bike's value. No repair shop wants to end up there. I just wish they were able to advocate on behalf of their customers and hold BMW to a higher standard. Instead the thought that BMW might back a faulty product despite the status of the warranty is not even a consideration. That's sad for a manufacturer that had a reputation for quality. Sadly it appears that's no longer the case. I have owned and ridden BMWs for over 40 years I currently own a 75 R90S and 16 R1200R and wanted to pass the tradition on to my daughter and grandson. That doesn't seem likely at this point.
Update - Max BMW is discussing options with BMW but doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. I am looking for contact information and a name for someone that I can contact directly at BMW. Any help would be appreciated. Like I said before the absence of any sense that BMW would provide any help is disappointing. 1500 miles and major engine failure is unacceptable and should be taken seriously by a responsible manufacturer. They should be intrested as to why this occurred. I am heading to the RA rally soon and would prefer to have something positive about BMWs response to this situation.
Sorry to hear that news. BMW should definitely want to determine a cause of such a failure.
Update: Brought bike to Max's BMW October 8th for diagnostic and estimate. Keep in mind that bike is several months out of warranty with 1,530 total miles. Found no compression, both camshafts have grooves worn in them, intake valve broken, head and piston in good shape. No cause we're communicated to me. Shop replaced both cams, 4 rocker arms, intake valve, head gasket, oil filter, oil and coolant. No charge, cost and labor covered under goodwill. I picked up bike December 29th and it starts and runs but I won't be able to ride it until spring. My 1st ride will be a 1,000 mile weekend and then pull the valve cover and check cam. I'll provide another update then. Wish me luck!
Update
I trucked the bike to NC for 3 day of riding the twisty roads around the Blue Ridge and the bike ran great, only put 400 miles on it but boy we're they fun miles. The only annoying issue I had was a squawking cluth on take off. It mostly happened when cold or on a hill. Is there a fix for that? At this point the bike has just under 2000 miles on it. I'll provide another update when I reach 2500 miles.
I trucked the bike to NC for 3 day of riding the twisty roads around the Blue Ridge and the bike ran great, only put 400 miles on it but boy we're they fun miles. The only annoying issue I had was a squawking cluth on take off. It mostly happened when cold or on a hill. Is there a fix for that? At this point the bike has just under 2000 miles on it. I'll provide another update when I reach 2500 miles.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
BMW G310 R/GS Forum
A forum community dedicated to BMW G310R and G310GS Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, reviews , touring, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
