BMW Scooter Stalling Problem

From "R.M." (May 2013): "I'm writing about the stalling problem with the BMW C650 GT scooter. Mine has started doing it yesterday it has about 850 miles on it. It had hiccupped a couple of times before, but now it's stalling frequently at low RPM's.

Often when stopping at stop lights, it stalls now. It's always at about the idle speed. It always starts right back up though. I'm afraid it's going to happen in the middle of a turn now.

I had disconnected the battery to install the harness for the battery tender. It seems to have started after that. Do you think removing battery power would start this? I wanted to let you know so that possibly you could post it on your site . I'll try to remember to report it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (here) as well."

Editor's Note: Disconnecting the battery should have nothing to do with this problem.

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From "J.J.K." (May 2013): "I’ve been following these stalling reports but thought what were the chances it would happen to me.

Picked up my bike three weeks ago and I have 250 miles on it. This morning I the power cut out when I was turning in my driveway at low speed and so couldn’t power out of the turn. Bike fell as a result but luckily I managed to jump off safely.

Very sad that this brand new extremely high-end bike would have such a glaring issue. Will contact the dealer but based on all of your reports I’m not confident any solution will be available. Now I’m left with a three week old scratched up bike that I’m worried will continue to stall.

Any thoughts on possible remedies? Please keep up the good work covering this issue."

Editor's Reply: I suggest that you report this to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here, it may be a safety issue. If enough owners report it, something will have to be done. It hasn't happened to me (yet).

Also, be sure to join the BMW Scooter community on Google+, there are many owners who are discussing this and some have reported a resolution.

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From "S.T." (Mary 2013): "Thought I would add my issues as well. First 200 miles ran without problems. 500 miles now and beginning to experience the stalling issues I've been reading about. Had one miss-fire and half a dozen stalls at lower speeds. In addition, does not seem as responsive on the throttle in general. Taking it in for first service and trouble shooting, but have heard from those techs that this issues has not been resolved by BMW yet."

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UPDATE From "C.D." (below) (February 2013): "I hope all is well and your Scooter is performing fantastically. I wanted to report on the stalling issue and give you an update. I haven't seen too many updates lately and I hope this issue is being resolved.

I have gone 1800 miles + since I had it in the shop for the would not start/spontaneous cut off - stalling issue. I had only 1 incident since then that mimicked the previous stalling incidents. This time I am pretty certain the stall was not related to the vapor recovery system since I had followed all or the protocols of the last email and not had a problem since.

This time it seemed like the idle dropped a little too low and it cut off. Was getting ready to exit a parking lot again as with the previous stalls that happened. That was about 300 miles ago and no stalling since, had a half tank of fuel as well. I did have a stumbling problem driving on a straight flat road at a very consistent 45 MPH but it resolved itself with a charge to the throttle a couple of times and hasn't happen since. Almost like it got out of timing.

Anyway I have really loved this Scooter and use it almost exclusively for getting around now leave the car parked in the driveway when conditions are good.

By the way have the BMW Top Case, A new set of Vendramini Dakar Boots (I love) got them on sale via the Vedramini Website have big feet had to order direct from the factory and the Battery Doc (review)...

Thanks for the reviews all have been spot on. I am thinking about the throttle lock tonight."

UPDATE From "C.D." (March 10, 2013): "Just wanted to let you know my scooter hasn't experienced any stalling issues since I had it in for service back in December 2,800 miles since. The blog seems to be silent I hope this has been resolved."

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From "L.B.F." (January 2013): "Same stalling issue as others have reported. 1000 miles. Once the starter engaged and restarted (the) engine!"

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From "J.K.." (January 11, 2013): "Hi, stalling issue happened here in Singapore. Scooter is 2 weeks old with mileage of 1050 km+. Fuel gauge shows 2 bars left with "low fuel" light ON. Meter displayed 2.7 km travelled (after fuel down to reserve).

Travelled on highway (80 km/h), exit small road and stalled without any error or warning "triangle" sign appeared. Bike can turn over but engine won't start. Tow back to agent."

UPDATE From "J.K." (January 12, 2013): "Got back my bike this morning, according to the chief mechanic it ran out-of-petrol. Was told not to rely on the "low fuel" light ON signal and fuel gauge, most important is to pump-up when reaching 280 km to 300 km (my trip metering reading 352 km).

All BMW bikes have this problem is what I heard from him...not sure how true was it. So conclusion, bike OK but on-board electronic not reliable."

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From "J.G." (January 2013): "Hi, I have a new BMW C 650 GT, under 240 miles. It stalls and the dealer can't fix it. Three times at the shop!

December 14, 2012: Bike stalled numerous times at low speeds and was taken by flat bed to shop. Roadside assistance worked perfectly. Some adjustments were made by dealer. @ 141 miles.

December 18, 2012: Bike taken in to shop because tire pressure monitor not working. Fixed and works now. @ 225 miles.

January 5, 2013: Bike stalled numerous times at low speeds and was taken in by flat bed to shop. Roadside assistance worked perfectly. Replacement of Idle control by dealer. @ 263miles.

January 8, 2013: Bike taken for 1st ride since picked up (on my trailer) and stalled numerous times again. I spoke to BMW customer service and asked for a replacement of the bike or a refund. Roadside assistance is picking up the bike again tomorrow. Customer service is looking into my request. The dealer is very cooperative and understanding. This is the fourth time its headed back to the shop.

Fuel and weather conditions are not an issue. I am sure many others are having the same problem but have not located your site.

I really love the bike and don't want to part with it, but at the same time, I don't want a constant headache. I will keep you posted with any updates."

UPDATE From "J.G." (January 25, 2013): "Bike still in the shop and cannot be fixed! The dealer tried numerous ways to no avail. BMW customer service denied my request for a refund or replacement. I am pissed!"

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From "S.D." (January 2013): "I own a new C650GT. I took delivery about 3 months ago and it has been in for the 600 mile service. It currently has approx. 1,200 miles and I have noticed it began stalling sometime ago, shortly after the check-up.

Have not yet had the opportunity to return to the dealer for this issue. It seem to occur most frequently when slowing in the 15-30 mph range. Other than that I have been fairly happy with the scooter."

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Another Update From "C.D." (below) (January 2013): "I wanted to report that since the visit to the shop and countermeasures put in place regarding the fueling levels and putting it up on the center stand, I have not had a single event. Have ridden roughly 450 miles just filled up for the third time. No misfires, stalls or stumbles."

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Another Update From "J.W." (Below) (December 27, 2012): "Further update: Whatever they did to my bike, it does not seem to have cured the underlying condition, at least not fully. The bike has not stalled on me in motion yet since I got it back, but today, after stopping briefly for lunch (so, again, bike warmed up, stopped for a while, then started again), at 1/4 tank of gas, the bucking and surging happened again, and shortly thereafter, when coming nearly to a stop, then giving it gas at 15mph or under, then chopping the throttle, the revs dropped below idle to where the engine nearly died, several times. Darn it..."

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UPDATE From "G.G." (see post below) (December 26, 2012): "During my second ride the bike stalled again, but this time it was followed by a non-specific check engine light. Problem progressed to another episode of stalling, this time accompanied by incorrect temperature reading on outside temperature gauge and second non-specific solid yellow triangle error, soon followed by EWS!

Despite the dreaded EWS! error I was able to uneventfully ride home without further stall episode (3 times in 45 miles). After turning off the engine by kill switch but with the key in the on position, the radiator fan ran continuously for about 10 minutes (despite cold outside temperature and cool to touch engine) before it stopped, the EWS! light returned and the bike could not be restarted.

Tried restarting over the next 4 days without change. EWS! error, no way to energize ignition.

Bike returned to dealer via tow truck via very poor experience with Roadside Assistance. More info to follow... Not having a great new owner experience thus far.

Note to the comment from Texas owner, my stall issues all occurred on dry roads with temperature 38-44 F. Bike is stored in heated garage and has not yet been one drop wet..."

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UPDATE From "C.D." (December 26, 2012): "I got the Scooter back from the dealer and they could not identify any anomalies in the system through the diagnostics they performed. They kept the bike and rode it several times to try to replicated the issue but to no avail.

In the meantime, I was reading on the BMWMOA site the Scooter thread and one of the posters put up an issue that was common with the Vespa Scoots. Paraphrasing, he indicated that if the Scooters were fueled and were parked and left out in the sun sometimes fuel would expand into the vent hose for the vapor recovery system and this could lead to stalling or stumbling in these scooters.

I thought about my last issue with the bike turning over but would not firing and remembered that I had fueled it prior to putting in the garage before my trip and drove it roughly 21 miles before it wouldn't start. I found it interesting that the bike wouldn't fire for me, after 5-6 attempts, but when it arrived at the dealership it fired right up.

Then I thought about this bike going down the highway at 60+ MPH and the vapor recovery system being able to exhaust vapor or fuel trapped in the system.

I also remembered that after several times I have parked it after fueling I would get a strong gas smell in the garage after filling it up.

So what I think might be going on is that I was fueling the bike and driving it home because the gas station is near my house and parking it. Texas of course has been warm and the fuel tank must pick up heat from the engine compartment possibly causing pressure and expansion of the fuel into the vapor recovery system which might be causing the issue the blogger indicated about the Vespa.

I did speak to the techs and they thought it was an interesting idea and they were going to create a internal ticket within the BMW system about the issue.

I have since made sure that the fuel nozzle is seated all the way in the fuel tank and let the trigger shut off the nozzle (not even draining the fuel hose as I do to get every last cent out of the hose). I also have the Scooter on the center-stand when fueling as well per the manual.

No problems to report since I got it back have ridden about 125 miles and 50 since refueling with no stalling."

But J.W. responds: "If it's the vapor recovery system, I don't think it's quite the same as C.D. speculates, as some of my malfunctions occurred with a tank that had not been recently filled (and in fact, I had it occur both when full and in low fuel/fuel light on conditions).

That said, the hose routing to my vapor recovery canister was incorrect when my bike was built (it was visibly in the wrong place - you could see it behind the left side glove box), and they had to reroute it to eliminate contact with the glove box hinge when I brought it in.

Stalling an other issues related to the vapor recovery canister are a well known problem on Vespas. My dealer didn't think this was likely it for the BMW, as the canister is located so high in the fairing, but I wonder if it could be a pinched hose problem…?"

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From "G.G." (December 18, 2012): "I have a brand spanking new C650GT. On the first ride, with less than 20 miles, the bike stalled once at est. 10-15 mph for no reason, with no warning, no error lights and no loss of dash board lighting of controls. It immediately restarted and ran for rest of the ride.

Unfortunately the weather here is currently terrible and I suffer from PMS (parked motorscooter syndrome). I will write back if the issue recurs. I am grateful for this forum as I would have just ignored this single event had I not read the other comments."

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From "J.P." (December 17, 2012): "J.W. (below) hit the nail on the head when he said it could stall while looking for a parking spot. My scoot stalled 3 times in a row while looking for a place to park.

While moving slowly the bike stopped like someone turned off the key, it starts right up, then 5 feet later, then again and again. this happen 2 weeks ago and has not happen again. I have 2,878 miles on it now. I just hope this does not happen on the freeway stop & go traffic in SoCal, I'll get rear ended for sure."

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From "C.D." (December 17, 2012): "First want to say thanks for all of the information you have provided as I am a novice rider and haven't ridden in a long time and wanted to get back into riding and thought this Scooter would be the ideal opportunity for someone who just turned 52. This Scooter has been so much fun and is so easy to ride I have really loved every moment I have had riding.

I hope this issue can be resolved and I am glad you have this project going on the BMW Scooter. I have been having the stalling issue as well with my Scooter. It seems to be an electrical phantom to me.

My Scooter is in the shop right now as when I came home from a trip out of town and went to start it up for a ride it would not start. It would turn over but would not fire. I even demonstrated the problem to the wrecker driver before we loaded up to haul it off. I thought this might have come to a point where the service people could diagnose the problem but of course when it was delivered to the shop it started right up.

(Report to the BMW Dealer: I have reported a spontaneous low speed engine shut off that occurs usually after I have driven the scooter and shut it down for some period of time. I could be going into a restaurant and eating a meal or filling it up at a gas station or going into a grocery store for just a few minutes. I don’t recall this happening on the initial start of the day when I start riding. It has happened exclusively at low speed usually while working my way through a parking lot or getting ready to get on a road from the parking lot while stopped.)

I am not getting any fault codes when this happens it is like I hit the engine stop button and just dies. I have attached the letter to the service techs at BMW Motorcycles of Fort Worth and picture of my Scooter on the wrecker that BMW sent to pick it up.

By the way it is really important to let the folks handling the warranty call know that this is a scooter not a motorcycle. They had to send two wreckers the first wrecker did not want to haul it because of all of the fiberglass and seeming lack of tie down anchor points.

When the first guy turned it down he indicated there was a specially equipped wrecker that could pick it up. I made sure that I reiterated this when the BMW agent called back about the service. Unfortunately they sent the same style flatbed wrecker back to pick it up. This time I worked with the guy and pulled out the manual to show him the suggested anchor points. He seemed to get it secured well and I haven't heard of any problems with the delivery."

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December 15, 2012:  I had an email conversation with owner "J.W." about a stalling problem he has been experiencing with his C 650 GT. Here's the email thread, I'll update it if anything more is learned. If any readers have more information on this problem, please contact me at

From "J.W." (November 29, 2012): "Up to almost 450 miles now, getting 48-49mpg, and the seat heater definitely works and is not on all the time - it takes a while to heat up but once it's going, even in Auto mode, you can definitely feel the difference.

The engine warms the seat a tad too, but not nearly as much as the heater does once you let it get going. I also managed to refuel the bike without spilling the second time. :-)

I have had one issue, which is that a couple of times at low speed, it seemed to be surging and bucking under very light part throttle (trying to modulate at 5 mph), and once, while taking off after just having started it at the grocery store, it died altogether, which was more concerning.

Not sure if this is ignition, fueling, or what - I fear I might have loosened a wire moving that misplaced hose or something, or maybe it just needs the idle adjusted or something.? Either of you guys experience anything similar? They're going to have a look at my initial service.

From "J.W." (December 5, 2012): "Well, I had to go back to the dealer and get my first service (the first one they're doing to a C bike) a hundred miles early at 500 miles yesterday because the fueling problem suddenly returned and got worse and the bike died on me a dozen times before 1pm, including in their parking lot twice when I got there (once to demonstrate while they watched). It was happening with some consistency when shutting off the throttle immediately after giving it gas at low speed (like 5-15mph). Will let you guys know what they find."

From "J.W." (December 14, 2012): "I got the bike back Wednesday. They had re-adapted the FI programming, rerouted the charcoal canister hose, checked the side stand sensor and idle vent hose, etc., but could find no cause for the stalling, and could no longer replicate it. The bike seemed to be running smoother and maybe even more powerful when I brought it home - fingers crossed it stays that way!

Reply from Rick: "Wow, interesting. Could it have been bad gas, or water in the gas? Maybe a can of gas water remover might be in order."

From "J.W.": "Though this was my first thought too, I now doubt it was bad gas given that other people are experiencing the same - enough that BMW had suggestions and said they'd seen it before to my dealer, and also in the scooter thread on the BMWMOA forum, another one of the half dozen or so owner posters posted today that his bike had died a few times in a row on him."

Also from "J.W.": "BTW, I read the blog, and my experience was consistent with someone else's too -- the first several times something happened with it, each time, I had ridden it for some distance, then turned it off for a bit, then turned it back on (going to get a cup of coffee, breakfast, or the grocery store), as opposed to the first start-up of the day. I can't recall if this was the case for the last and most severe occurrence (happened a dozen times or more that morning before I took it to the dealer), but this may be meaningful."