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Recall? On all models with Reverse

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Hi everybody.
I had my R18 100 Years serviced 10 days ago. They ordered the cable with the relais (they had to figure out which one of two kind was) and scheduled the operation for that day. When I tried the motorbike again I noticed a noticeable loss in power in the reverse gear so I was hoping to find informations here. I red instead that many of you are upset that the reverse has too much power... So I'm a little bit concerned. Mine had maybe too much power too but before. Now it seems that the power is just enough to move the bike in plain terrain. I wonder what will happen with an inclined terrain. I think I have to try but it is very disappointing because the official dealer / service is very far and leaving the bike is a problem every single time. As someone wrote the mod is only a relais so this should not effect power in any way. I'm pretty sure they made some sort of mistake ... It should not be the first time... :( I can post pics of my R1200C and maybe some of you would vomit...
 
I'm sure it's all in your head... It's supposed to be slow moving and it's not designed for steep inclines...

Go out and try using the Reverse in similar situations where you have used it in the past..

Report back with your findings.. .
 
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Satana said:
Hi everybody.
I had my R18 100 Years serviced 10 days ago. They ordered the cable with the relais (they had to figure out which one of two kind was) and scheduled the operation for that day. When I tried the motorbike again I noticed a noticeable loss in power in the reverse gear so I was hoping to find informations here. I red instead that many of you are upset that the reverse has too much power... So I'm a little bit concerned. Mine had maybe too much power too but before. Now it seems that the power is just enough to move the bike in plain terrain. I wonder what will happen with an inclined terrain. I think I have to try but it is very disappointing because the official dealer / service is very far and leaving the bike is a problem every single time. As someone wrote the mod is only a relais so this should not effect power in any way. I'm pretty sure they made some sort of mistake ... It should not be the first time... :( I can post pics of my R1200C and maybe some of you would vomit...
Click to expand...
I'd be somewhat concerned.

Now assuming firstly, others have not experienced this and secondly you observations of less reverse power now on your bike is correct, then I would suspect that some "extra resistance" has now found it's way into your reversing circuitry. In the simple world of DC, resistance and current flow equals heat and less "power" remaining for the rest of the circuit to do the real work (moving the bike). This extra resistance could find it's way into the reversing circutry via a fault relay (even a new one), faulty new wiring (ie poor terminal crimp etc) or maybe a poor/loose wiring connection etc.

Also, even with motor running, a near failure battery could also be a contributer. But like most things, what was recently played with, that is relevant to the problem at hand, is a good place to start.

I'd take it back to be looked at.... I'd do that and it is a one day round trip for me..... I also would not use reverse once I was comfortable it is faulty until it is looked at.

And as a final fwiw... I'd suspect the motor running contributes little to the reverse energy requirements (900 rpm idle, headlight on, motor current needs etc).... and having the motor running is more about not looking for the battery to start the bike immediately after reversing battery "drain" that would also require bike ignition on anyhow.... so maybe check battery health afterall!
 
Last edited:
Satana said:
Hi everybody.
I had my R18 100 Years serviced 10 days ago. They ordered the cable with the relais (they had to figure out which one of two kind was) and scheduled the operation for that day. When I tried the motorbike again I noticed a noticeable loss in power in the reverse gear so I was hoping to find informations here. I red instead that many of you are upset that the reverse has too much power... So I'm a little bit concerned. Mine had maybe too much power too but before. Now it seems that the power is just enough to move the bike in plain terrain. I wonder what will happen with an inclined terrain. I think I have to try but it is very disappointing because the official dealer / service is very far and leaving the bike is a problem every single time. As someone wrote the mod is only a relais so this should not effect power in any way. I'm pretty sure they made some sort of mistake ... It should not be the first time... :( I can post pics of my R1200C and maybe some of you would vomit...
Click to expand...
Can you post a video of you using the reverse gear? Ideally, you could show the use of the reverse gear on flat ground and on an incline. That would help us compare.

I just got my recall done not too long ago and they installed the relay. My bike came with the reverse gear disabled but I had tried it out previously while test ridding a '21. I did notice a subtle difference (nothing big enough to say for certain) but my bike has no problem reversing up inclines. I think that's probably the test. If it works well in the conditions it was designed for that's what matters IMO but the video would help us for comparison and ultimately you paid for your bike so you should do what you think makes sense for you.
 
Thank you to everyone who answered. To answer the first comment: Yes, I'm 100% sure that there is less power. Before the recall when I pushed the button there was a strong pull, now it is like that for less than a second and then the power is reduced a lot. The bike still moves and maybe it is more usable because is slower but it is not the same. I'm totally sure of this. Reality is I really don't trust the service in my town and I tried to go 100 kilometers from here to avoid it but all the others said to me to go in September because they were full of scheduled services.
I'll try to do a video soon and I'll try to post it here, for sure. To check the bike before start using the reverse is a problem because I'd have to go to another city... as I said I don't trust the local service and if I go there and say that I feel this thing different they simply will say that it is in my head. To be clear, I have (I planned to sell it but I still have it... ) a R1200C and some years ago I asked them to put a 12v socket so I can maintain the battery. Well they installed (and I paid) with the polarity inverted. They crimped the plug that goes in the bike with the polarity inverted.. They are 2 cables, 50% o possibilities to make it right if you go blind... Then I went back and who installed the socket didn't find where the cables go.. so I took back the bike and did it myself... Ok now I watch the video posted and I'll make a video as soon as possible
I was wondering, maybe there is something wrong with the firmware update? Do you know which version should I have now (Europe/Italy) for the R18? How it is visible which version I have? There is a sequence in the menu?
 
Star-Lord said:
I posted an R18 Bobber YT video, where I demonstrate the Reverse function on the R18 First Edition (Fast Forward 5:18)

Click to expand...
My God, your bike is FANTASTIC! I took the 100 Years because it had a good price and I know have problems to to the bobber conversion because I should took of the fender and the passenger kit. I wish I took the standard version or a used first edition and now I surely would have something like yours. It's really beautiful!
 
Satana said:
Thank you to everyone who answered. To answer the first comment: Yes, I'm 100% sure that there is less power. Before the recall when I pushed the button there was a strong pull, now it is like that for less than a second and then the power is reduced a lot. The bike still moves and maybe it is more usable because is slower but it is not the same. I'm totally sure of this. Reality is I really don't trust the service in my town and I tried to go 100 kilometers from here to avoid it but all the others said to me to go in September because they were full of scheduled services.
I'll try to do a video soon and I'll try to post it here, for sure. To check the bike before start using the reverse is a problem because I'd have to go to another city... as I said I don't trust the local service and if I go there and say that I feel this thing different they simply will say that it is in my head. To be clear, I have (I planned to sell it but I still have it... ) a R1200C and some years ago I asked them to put a 12v socket so I can maintain the battery. Well they installed (and I paid) with the polarity inverted. They crimped the plug that goes in the bike with the polarity inverted.. They are 2 cables, 50% o possibilities to make it right if you go blind... Then I went back and who installed the socket didn't find where the cables go.. so I took back the bike and did it myself... Ok now I watch the video posted and I'll make a video as soon as possible
I was wondering, maybe there is something wrong with the firmware update? Do you know which version should I have now (Europe/Italy) for the R18? How it is visible which version I have? There is a sequence in the menu?
Click to expand...
To be clear, I wouldn't expect you to try to get the bike back to original to record a 'before and after'. I think just a video of you backing the bike up on a flat and/or inclined surface with the bike as is would be plenty useful.

I highly doubt there is anything that firmware would do to affect this. Like Noelpolar was saying, extra resistance in series with the motor along the reverse relay circuit would reduce the current flow through the motor thus reducing the power output.
 
Being pretty familiar with this update; there's nothing that would change the motor speed (I understand Ohm's Law), as the installed relay takes the place of the relay that was integrated within the Reverse module..

I use the Reverse on my Model B after each ride due to parking situation and had this fix applied to two R18 without a single issue...

Keep using it and take it from there..... Provide some pictures and compare them to what others have posted...
 
I think I need to jump on Santana’s defence here because I did also noticed a marginal decrease in speed after the recall was done on mine and I think at the time I posted a comment on it.
The difference is marginal but definitely there and to be honest I much prefer it that way as before it was a bit too fast for my comfort.
 
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