OBD options

[maxredline]

Relatively new to BMW motorcycles.
I have been looking into onboard diagnostics for the RS.

I have found;
Hex code GS-911, that looks like the top end $ option with a couple of degrees of software
https://www.hexcode.co.za/

Cell phone software, link option, Moto Scan + OBD link
https://www.motoscan.de/
Can not find a company link to the MX+ link so amazon will have to do
https://www.amazon.ca/OBDLink-Bluetooth-...B07JFRFJG6

In my garage I have;
an Innova OBD 2&1 reader I have had for awhile with many adaptors but not a ten pin


USB interface cable from Lonelec (should not need)


ELM 327 wifi adaptor


3 pin adaptor (Ducati, can not use)


I assume I will only need a 10 pin adaptor for my 2016RS and I should be in business using the OBD reader or Moto Scan & cell phone.

[MrVvrroomm]

Your '19 or newer RS will have OBD2 connector, no need to adapt to OBD1

[maxredline]

Good Point, I should have mentioned I have a 2016 RS
The Innova unit reads 1 & 2

[gc141x]

I just reset the service interval light on my 2021 R1250Rs using an OBD-LX (Model LX 101) and Motoscan for Android with a Professional License. Took less than 10 minutes.

Minor observations: I had to start the engine to establish a link. I used a small flatblade screwdriver to dislodge the OBD. Once out, you press on either side with your fingers and the cover slips off. Ordinarily, I would have waited till my service appointment on Sep 6 but the service warning indicator is really obnoxious.

OBDLink LX OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner for Android and Windows on Amazon: $89.95
Motoscan Professional: $27.95
Feeling good about sticking it to the man: Priceless

[Pyrrho]

Relatively new to BMW motorcycles.
I have been looking into onboard diagnostics for the RS.

I have found;
Hex code GS-911, that looks like the top end $ option with a couple of degrees of software
https://www.hexcode.co.za/

Cell phone software, link option, Moto Scan + OBD link
https://www.motoscan.de/

I looked at both and didn't find anything the MotoScan solution offered that Hexcode didn't, and some diagnostic tools the GS-911 offered that MotosScan didn't. Also, this is Hexcode's new website  https://www.hexgs911.com/

[Grumpy Goat]

...
OBDLink LX OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner for Android and Windows on Amazon: $89.95
Motoscan Professional: $27.95
Feeling good about sticking it to the man: Priceless

Good price if the main focus is resetting the service reminder.

[TriangleRider]

Exhaustive (exhausting?) comparison between the two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYx0wYnmBOQ

[gc141x]

...
OBDLink LX OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner for Android and Windows on Amazon: $89.95
Motoscan Professional: $27.95
Feeling good about sticking it to the man: Priceless

Good price if the main focus is resetting the service reminder.

Yep, I tend to have modest ambitions when it comes to maintaining motorcycles. Even so, this one (resetting the service indicator) felt really good.

[Pyrrho]

Exhaustive (exhausting?) comparison between the two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYx0wYnmBOQ

Old Mechanic seems to know his stuff, and I realize English isn't his 1st language, but his presentation style is so slow and plodding it puts me to sleep. I watched this video as part of my research but found the comparison both belabored and lacking important context. If I'm buying a $20K+ bike I'm not really going to care if an important diagnostics tool is $125 or $400. $400 is BTW what I paid for a GS-911wifi (Enthusiast).

He didn't mention The GS-911's different operation modes, only one of them requiring a Windows PC. If Internet is available, all service functions are available online and can be performed on a smartphone. It also has an emergency mode that's hosted completely on the unit itself and allows for a phone to be paired to it via BT and do things like read/clear fault codes and realtime sensor data with no Internet needed.

Perhaps most importantly, and the main reason I chose the GS-911 over the MotoScan app was because the MotoScan app provides a very minimalist interface that doesn't provide additional instruction, warnings, or explanation of what's going on. As an aspiring BMW mechanic that will be performing many procedures for the first time, I want that additional hand-holding and was willing to pay for it.

[Grumpy Goat]

Old Mechanic seems to know his stuff, and I realize English isn't his 1st language, but his presentation style is so slow and plodding it puts me to sleep.

I like the Old Mechanic's videos, and I agree that his style is very deliberate, but as a content creator myself I understand where he is coming from and appreciate what he does and how he does it. I will admit I have never fallen asleep during one of his videos, although the can't be said for Formula 1 and MotoGP both of which are a bit faster paced and both of which have had me drift off occasionally (albeit rarely). That said, I have not watched his comparison video, and would probably have found it harder to watch in real time since when it comes to computer stuff I tend to go into geek mode and my brain speeds up and patience goes down. 

I watched this video as part of my research but found the comparison both belabored and lacking important context. If I'm buying a $20K+ bike I'm not really going to care if an important diagnostics tool is $125 or $400. $400 is BTW what I paid for a GS-911wifi (Enthusiast).

I agree 100% on the approach to paying for the diagnostic tool given the cost of the bike(s) on which you will apply it. My reasoning was a bit more fundamental, having to do with deciding on whether to spend any money at all on a diagnostic tool - cheap or otherwise. Once that decision was made, I wanted the best value for money all features considered, which is why I decided to not buy the wifi version of the GS-911, but to get the USB Enthusiast version for $299. Works the same and I have a laptop and a tablet (both Windows) that I use to connect to it and the Internet. Should be good for any and all BMWs I'm likely to get (probably not exceeding the 10 licenses, two of which are used.

[TriangleRider]

2x playback speed on YouTube is a life saver.

I went for the App because it does everything I need for less. I can also use the OBD reader for my cars.

[Grumpy Goat]

2x playback speed on YouTube is a life saver.

I went for the App because it does everything I need for less.  I can also use the OBD reader for my cars.

Sometimes even faster playback speed is needed for me. 

Yes to the OBD use on cars - I liked that aspect.

[gc141x]

Following up on this...I just had an annual service done at the local dealer (Sep 6) and I was told that their BMW software was trapped in some updating process that they hadn't been able to fix so I had to come back when they did. As far as I know, it still hasn't been fixed so the problem may exceed a Ctrl-Alt-Del level of complexity. So I zapped the service indicator with my Motoscan app and I'll go back in and have them check for fault codes etc. when they get operational. The weather is too good over here not to be riding. Apart from being annoying, the service indicator is a safety hazard of sorts- you can't use the TFT.

[Lee]

Following up on this...I just had an annual service done at the local dealer (Sep 6) and I was told that their BMW software was trapped in some updating process that they hadn't been able to fix so I had to come back when they did. As far as I know, it still hasn't been fixed so the problem may exceed a Ctrl-Alt-Del level of complexity. So I zapped the service indicator with my Motoscan app and I'll go back in and have them check for fault codes etc. when they get operational. The weather is too good over here not to be riding. Apart from being annoying, the service indicator is a safety hazard of sorts- you can't use the TFT.

Are you saying you can't shut off the large warning window like you can with the low fuel warning?

[gc141x]

Following up on this...I just had an annual service done at the local dealer (Sep 6) and I was told that their BMW software was trapped in some updating process that they hadn't been able to fix so I had to come back when they did. As far as I know, it still hasn't been fixed so the problem may exceed a Ctrl-Alt-Del level of complexity. So I zapped the service indicator with my Motoscan app and I'll go back in and have them check for fault codes etc. when they get operational. The weather is too good over here not to be riding. Apart from being annoying, the service indicator is a safety hazard of sorts- you can't use the TFT.

Are you saying you can't shut off the large warning window like you can with the low fuel warning?

I can shut off the large warning window by clicking on the service reset option in the Motoscan app. I wasn't able to shut it off using the controls on the bike.