Has anybody actually?

[xprof]

Has anybody actually installed traction control (ASC) on an R that came without it? If so, how easy was it to get the dealer to do it, and what was the total cost? Just wondering...

[dbrick]

Mike,

I don't know. Don E reported here:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=21285&p=187365&hil ... SC#p187365

that it was possible if the bike's Motronic was sufficient recent. Pricey, 'tho.

[xprof]

Thanks David; I remember that discussion. I was just wondering if anyone had gone ahead and done it. It seems a little crazy, but a recent quite exciting "loss of traction" experience makes me think about it again...

[xcell1600]

I did it last year. The dealer had to replace the left grip that included the ASC button/Switch. I also had to pay for a computer unlocking code to activate the functinality in the computer.

My R is a 2009 with ABS. Earlier bikes may not be eligable (serial number will verify). Non ABS bikes are not upgradeable.

The cost was approx. $650.

[xprof]

Thanks xcell, that's just what I wanted to know. Mine's a 2009 with ABS, so probably qualifies, and $650 is a lot, but a lot less than the $1000 some folks had speculated about. I'll ask my wife if she wants to "invest" $650 into keeping me safer, or if she would rather go with the life insurance...

Anybody else do it, or is xcell the only brave pioneer?

[deilenberger]

Mike,

I tried - but my bike is too old. If you can get it done for $650 - that's a bargain. You can lookup the prices for the left switch assembly, and for the enabling code - I suspect they list price for about $650.. so that would mean labor was free, which is unlikely.

Doesn't really matter though - one experience where you really need ASC makes every penny worthwhile. Wives rarely object to protecting the breadwinner..

[creamora]

Hey Mike, I'd be interested in that upgrade next year. Please report back if you get a quote.

For my own info Mike, what was the event experience like that got you thinking about ASC?

For the elders a/o those with ASC, what are the real benefits? I know what the ads say, but would like to hear some real experiences.

[xprof]

Thanks Don, and I will ask a couple of dealers. They have both been quite negative about even trying, in the past.

Creamora: I was riding gently along under some Coast Live Oaks, and in one of the patches of shadow were wet oak leaves. I gently accelerated to climb a little hill, and suddenly was in a left-right "tankslapper" as the torque broke loose my rear tire. Only long-honed reflexes or some unknown deity kept me from going down; it was over in a second, and all I had to show for it was a heart rate of 200 or so... I confess it did get me thinking of ASC/traction control! Then there were the recently-posted skid-pan videos of ABS and ASC versus not.

Yeah, I'll look into it, and will report back if I strike gold. Or spend gold, whatever.

Thanks for all your help, everyone.

[creamora]

Freaking Oak Leaves! I had a single wet Maple leaf yank my Yamaha out from under me years ago. I have yet to forgive the offending tree.

Glad your still with us Mike.

Wishing you safe roads, again....

[jess]

I did it on my 2009 w/ABS. The dealer hadn't done it before, and was a bit... not wary, exactly, but the service manager wanted to really understand the process completely before he would commit to doing what essentially amounts to a firmware upgrade on my bike. He did in fact do his research, and a few weeks later agreed to book the appointment. It all went very smoothly -- a new switch cluster on the clutch side (for the added ASC button) was added, and the rest of the hardware was already present on the bike.

Cost was more than the $650 that's been quoted online, but not by a lot. The bulk of the cost goes to BMW for the unlock code (and it's unique to the vin of each bike) and the rest being the cost of the switch pod and the labor.

Very happy I did it. Press your dealer on the subject, and indicate that other dealers around the country have successfully managed the upgrade.

[xprof]

Yeah, the cost of the unlock code is $421 (just for stinking software!!!), and the switch is another $226, so that's $650 for "parts" alone. One dealer, who has done a lot of them on RTs, quoted "about" $800. The other dealer suggested that I just buy the code, they would install the software, and bag the switch, giving me permanent ASC for a significant savings. Outside of spinning my way out of a sand trap (and I try to stay out of them), I can't see a downside to that approach.

Advice on that?

[mogu83]

I wonder why they would put a switch on the ASC and not the ABS? I can think of a few situations where it would be nice to turn the ABS off but only in deep sand where it would be nice to turn ASC off. I think they (BMW) only put the switch on to indicate that the bike has ASC on it. You can tell it has ABS by looking at the wheels.

It would be nice to have on wet grass, I've almost dumped it twice on uphill grass in the rain. Those fat 180s kick sideways in a big hurry when they break loose.

[dbrick]

The other dealer suggested that I just buy the code, they would install the software, and bag the switch, giving me permanent ASC for a significant savings. Outside of spinning my way out of a sand trap (and I try to stay out of them), I can't see a downside to that approach.

Advice on that?

For the owner: no problem - I see no reason to turn it off. But how will you convince a hypothetical buyer he should pay more because the bike has it?

(Maybe it'd show up on a GS-911 scan, I dunno.)

[xprof]

Never gonna sell it, Dave. Never! This one will see me through.

[creamora]

The other dealer suggested that I just buy the code, they would install the software, and bag the switch, giving me permanent ASC for a significant savings. Outside of spinning my way out of a sand trap (and I try to stay out of them), I can't see a downside to that approach.?

Wow, for my conservative style of riding I might go with the 'permanent ASC' option.

Here's a nice article on BMW ASC.
http://www.ashonbikes.com/bmw_asc

[jess]

Outside of spinning my way out of a sand trap (and I try to stay out of them), I can't see a downside to that approach. Advice on that?

Well, the ASC will effectively prevent you from popping a wheelie.

But outside of that, I can't think of a reason either. And I'm not nearly daring enough to try to wheelie it in the first place.