Technology vs Reliability?

[Adventurer]

No,1200 GSA has got to be the best just ask Charlie and Ewan.....

How would they know? They never touched anything beyond footpegs, seat and handlebars

No, they also changed quite a few rear shocks....

[michnus]

One of the many reasons for me going accross to the 990 KTM instead of the 1200GS was the complexity of the 1200. Nothing against the bikes, they are very good, but the fact that it needed a laptop to repair critical issues did not work for me.
The 990 is quite complex, but I can replace any electrical/electronic item in the bundu, (when I get it via courier..... ) and it will run again. There are a few items on the 1200GS that need to be 'introduced' with a laptop (BMW Dealers only) before it will run. The invention of the '911' has gone a long way to resolve some of these issues far from a dealer, but it cannot fix everything.
In many ways the 990 is just as complex as the 1150 GS/GSA, but neither of them need a BMW computer.

GS911, is no computer and the GS1150 also uses it, infact the whole BMW range can be fix with this thingamajick. 

[Adventurer]

Not everything, but it can fix a few issues that could leave you stranded, ie the ignition key code.
It will mostly diagnose the problem and establish just how much kark you are in....

[michnus]

And then reset the code for you, and voila,.. you're of again. In Plotties, wire pinching Namib case it would have told him where the problem was. 

[Adventure MX]

And then reset the code for you, and voila,.. you're of again. In Plotties, wire pinching Namib case it would have told him where the problem was. 

Only if you remember to carry a list of codes with you and you know which wires to bridge.

[LuckyStriker]

the codes are stored on your cellphone
if you have bluetooth activated you will see an English readout of what is wrong

[michnus]

And then reset the code for you, and voila,.. you're of again. In Plotties, wire pinching Namib case it would have told him where the problem was. 

Only if you remember to carry a list of codes with you and you know which wires to bridge.

Nope, like LS said and no, it's not like a the standard old wiring looms on your bike, no need to cut wires and stuff. 

[sidetrack]

And then reset the code for you, and voila,.. you're of again. In Plotties, wire pinching Namib case it would have told him where the problem was. 

Only if you remember to carry a list of codes with you and you know which wires to bridge.

Nope, like LS said and no, it's not like a the standard old wiring looms on your bike, no need to cut wires and stuff. 

Why would it give error codes in the first place and why would it not happen again ? If the battery is flat can you still read the codes ?

[michnus]

error code will tell you what's wrong, with FI, ABS, whatever is connected to the bikes brain. If something goes wrong, that you dont' know what the fault is as obvious, then you can plug this thing in and it will tell you what's wrong, if you can get it fix it you can reset the code and ride.
Most of the times if you know whats wrong you can fix it and still go on riding you don't need to reset the code. Its just a tool to tell what's wrong with the bike, without trying for hours to try and isolate or found the problem.

Ya well a flat battery is a flat battery, don't need no tool to tell you that. 

[plonker]

No, Charlie and Ewan still the best................They had a truck full of spares wiff a techie just incase somefing broke.That is the way to cross Africa.