1250RS Software Version Thread

[TriangleRider]

I haven't seen a list of 1250RS software versions and release dates. Let's start one here. If you have a software version that is newer than the last one in this thread, please post the version number, the date you received the update, and any known new features. I can start:


Version: 022_005_041
Installed: 9/2020
New Features: Sport Screen, connection updates

(If a list like this already exists, please let me know)

[Lee]

Version 022-007-020

Our bikes arrived mid Oct 2021 and I asked the shop to do a software update before we picked them up the last week of Oct 2021.

Unless there's a problem I don't plan to have another update for a few years.
We had two updates on the 2016 bikes in six years.
One to improve the quick shifters and the other to fix the false low oil warning.
No change in the quick shifters and it did not fix my low oil warning.

If a person thinks they need a update do it while the bike is in warranty.

[Lee]

You had fast delivery!

We didn't have any delays. About 7 weeks from production to arriving at the shop.

[Motorhead1977]

So @Lee, I'm not sure, what might make me think I needed an update and how do I get the software version info for my 2020 RS? TIA

[Lee]

We didn't have any delays. About 7 weeks from production to arriving at the shop.

I was kidding..I think you were off a bit with the year you said you got your bikes.

Thanks I went back and corrected the dates.

[Pyrrho]

RSes appear to use the same firmware as GSes, or at least use identical versioning. I'm guessing identical firmware, just that somewhere in there is a file for each bike that it loads that tells it which graphics to use, what options are installed, etc.

Anyway, 022_008_020 was released in March for GSes as reported in this video. Sadly, BMW dealers don't view software updates as necessary unless the owner specifically requests it, it's updated to resolve an issue the bike is experiencing, or it's required to support something being added to the bike like the OEM alarm. Even more sadly, BMW doesn't release patch notes -- probably because their legal department doesn't want them to admit there was an issue they had to address.

   

Whether this update is GS specific I can't say. I'll definitely be asking about it when my bike arrives if it's not already installed, as I specifically requested my firmware be topped off during a brake flush the dealer was offering for free anyway.

[TriangleRider]

RSes appear to use the same firmware as GSes, or at least use identical versioning. I'm guessing identical firmware, just that somewhere in there is a file for each bike that it loads that tells it which graphics to use, what options are installed, etc.

The 1250GS, RS, and R all use the same firmware, but there is no need to waste dealer or RS customer time updating to firmware that is only meaningful for another bike.   Curious to see if your new RS is delivered with this update.

[Lee]

Sadly, BMW dealers don't view software updates as necessary unless the owner specifically requests it, it's updated to resolve an issue the bike is experiencing, or it's required to support something being added to the bike like the OEM alarm.

I'm ok with that policy. Unneeded updates can tie up the shop computer for a long time.

[Pyrrho]

Sadly, BMW dealers don't view software updates as necessary unless the owner specifically requests it, it's updated to resolve an issue the bike is experiencing, or it's required to support something being added to the bike like the OEM alarm.

I'm ok with that policy. Unneeded updates can tie up the shop computer for a long time.

What's unneeded is BMW's laziness. Instead of the updates taking four hours why don't they stop using repurposed automotive ECUs and design or commission a ECU design that has a dedicated firmware data port (USB?) so the process could take minutes instead? Max data rate on ODB2 is 1 Mbps. Max data rate on USB-C is 10 Gbps -- 10,000x faster.

[Pyrrho]

Bike arrived with 022_008_020 as I expected. I discussed this with the heads of two different BMW service departments and they both agreed with my assessment that BMW doesn't publish what firmware updates fix because that'd open them up to both a) potential legal liabilities, and b) more owner requests for firmware updates when their outdated/cheap update-via-OBD2 method would tie up their overpriced shop computers and mess up their repair queues.

We have no way of determining what firmware updates are necessary or not. As someone who's worked in IT for 40 years, that means you update. It's not like the bike is a static thing any more because it has to interoperate with things that aren't -- wireless protocols, headsets, GPSes, and most importantly, your phone. For some people (Paul Glaves most notoriously) they don't even have a smartphone and pride themselves on what a luddite they are. Others, like myself, consider smartphone app functionality and reliability as part of the purchase decision of the bike (one of the things that turned me off initially from a Multistrada -- Ducati's software was at the time quite shit although I heard it's better and they even switched to Google Maps in North America).

[Pyrrho]

My bike's firmware was updated prior to picking it up last week.
Current version is now 023_011_060.

[Paul911]

Any idea what the changes are?

[Pyrrho]

No idea, unfortunately.

[Paul911]

If it helps, mine was in for service a couple of weeks ago and I had them upgrade to the latest firmware (023_011_060 from the _141 version). It starts up *much* faster but I haven't found any other differences.

[Grumpy Goat]

If it helps, mine was in for service a couple of weeks ago and I had them upgrade to the latest firmware (023_011_060 from the _141 version). It starts up *much* faster but I haven't found any other differences.

I dropped by the dealer one day recently after doing my 60k mile service and bumped into their master technician at the parts counter. He offered to check the level of my clutch fluid and top me up if needed saving me the trouble of buying a bottle of mineral oil just to do that. While outside he also offered to check my bike to see if there are any firmware updates. Must have been a slow day. He then came back and said that there were some and that there was a chance that it could be updated in 5 minutes or several hours, but that once started it shouldn't be aborted and they were an hour away from closing. I gave him the go-ahead and went on to test a pre-owned Triumph Tiger 1200 while I waited (it drove like a bus). Anyway, when I came back, he said the update was done and that I was good to go. All of this for no charge! He must have been bored and slow on work but then when I asked him what all the bikes were doing on one half of the yard, he said they were all there for service. So, I figured he must be overwhelmed with the work and mine was a nice and easy fix! 

Bike didn't start or feel any different. It was already running like a top and with the winter gas it was starting easily / immediately and on the first try ... unlike on the summer blend. The colder the better with my RS.

[TriangleRider]

The 2023 models will have an Eco mode (like the GS models).   I wonder if the older 1250RS bikes will get the same software, not that an ECO mode is needed.

[Motorhead1977]

I just looked and my 2020 RS software version is 001_019_180 so I'm wondering if I need/should get it updated. I'm not experiencing any issues that I'm aware of.

[Lee]

I just looked and my 2020 RS software version is 001_019_180 so I'm wondering if I need/should get it updated. I'm not experiencing any issues that I'm aware of.

We never get software updates unless there's a problem.

[Grumpy Goat]

We never get software updates unless there's a problem.

I think I would do the same but only after reading the release notes to see what the software update is supposed to fix / improve / add. If the bike is not having any issues and the update for is something that is not important to me or the bike, then I'd skip it rather than risk introducing new bugs to the ECU.

[Motorhead1977]

Thanks Lee and GG. Not sure if it could be software related but I did notice the last couple of rides that my quick shift pro was reluctant to move on a few down shifts but I'm not sure if it was the bike or just user error. We're going to the BMWST START event in Georgia next week so I'll be riding for a solid week and if it persists then I'll schedule it in for a dealer look/see as I have the extended warranty until 2026.