I know of a couple of owners who have gone down this route

I am considering this solution, my wifi connection stopped working a month ago so the navigation and music have been handled by my phone. I unpaired the bike from my Cardo and iPhone. However my cell service is terrible once I get a few hours from home (regional provider), so I was probably going to need a standalone GPS anyway. Still, a shame not to use the TFT for everything when I'm close to home. I liked it for the first couple of months it worked. Hopefully the software update will fix it.

@@apetsel Lets hope, sounds like you have problems beyond the norm

This is the route I will go when my RT comes in next month. I already have a Zumo XT on my current bike, a Triumph Tiger 900 and will simply buy a mounting setup for the RT and swap the unit between bikes. I have no interest in pairing my phone to a motorcycle or answering calls while I am riding. My Triumph has this connectivity and I have not even attempted it.

All the bikes are under warranty and owners should be contacted by dealers. There will also be an app update direct to your phone via the google or apple delivery systems

Hi Dave, thanks for your comment, hope you are enjoying the bike

I live in hope

Thanks Graham

Hi Shaun. You wouldn't be the first to return your bike, and for those who comment on this site, you would be the second. The dealers don't know very much because BMW don't really talk to them, the only hope I can offer is the upcoming firmware and software updates coming in September. I now use a beta version of the app and while it still isn't perfect, it is much improved. Get your dealer to push for the updates and at first service you should get the new firmware.

I had a 2018 Harley Street Glide and the TFT worked well. The phone connected easily and my iPod was hard wired and I never experienced any TFT issues. This is the way the industry is going so we may as well get used to it

Hi Tim, this is part of the September update. there is a lot being worked on for the September release and it will be a miracle if they get everything right

@@HighlandRider Thanks for the reply and all you and David are doing.

Afraid not, wrong department, but my original email raised both issues, and the Customer Service person did say they were aware and working on it. I see today that a GS1300 is rumoured so maybe that will solve the issue

I understand from others that there is a limit of 50 contacts, which seems idiotic

Just checked, you should be able to have 2000 contacts

I think it worth waiting. yes they are working but this is very complex tech with both Bluetooth and wireless having to work together. When it works it is brilliant, but everything working at the same time, all day, is a rare occurrence and this update has to solve many problems

I don't like the fact I can't program the buttons so if the update does deliver that feature I will be delighted

On my fourth rt and the tft just sucks, my nav 6 had problems but not as many as the tft . I only bought this 2021 r1250rt for the MOTER and tft screen. MOTER is awesome but tft just SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS wish I just kept my 2018 r1200rt.

That's good to hear

Thank you Dan

I was offered a 2020 bike at a hefty discount, but I like living on the edge!

Your experiences reflect what most of us go through. I have had music and route instructions working at the same time, then it doesn't. The beta app I use is better so hopefully when that goes live there will be big improvements for everyone. It will not solve all the problems though as I still lose connectivity mid ride.

Hello Georg, and thank you for your comments. This video sits in isolation among about 20 others on the channel, the latest being my 2000 mile review. The fact is I love the bike and the TFT, it is bold, clear and while I am riding gives me the info I want. It is also brilliant that you have no problems, but many people have, regardless of the phone they use. My belief from comments is that Apple seems to generate more problems than Android but not having an iPhone I have no direct evidence either way. I don't know how many owners are affected, but talking to BMW they are well aware of the problems and that too many customers are affected. They do care, and they are working hard to resolve the issues and that the September release should make a big difference to those of us who do have problems. With all that, the fact remains that for me this is a brilliant bike, that gives me enormous pleasure and I have no regrets.

I decided to take the chance on the new RT knowing problems would occur, and I was right. However, the trade of is a fantastic bike

Your experience is very common Gregg, fantastic bike with tech frustrations

FYI. I just received a response back from BMW, was stated that it’s an iOS issue , and they are working to correct

@@greggwilliams9934 That is the value of feeding back, keeping them aware of the problems they have to solve

Hi Ian - I had a serious look at the Goldwing Bagger after getting some very strong reviews. It was price that put me off, as well as the very bland colours available. Despite the problems I really like my RT, it rides beautifully, is comfortable and I think looks good, and I am shallow enough to be swayed by colour.

@@HighlandRider I was considering giving BMW another go but as a vertically challenged individual I found the ergonimcs of the Wing suited me better and becuase of that, despite the extra weight, found the Wing generally easier to manage. I have to agree that colour choices are and were a bit limited. That is not because of Honda but just that Honda UK don't import all of the colours Honda actually produce the bike in. I ended up with a black one but really wanted a plain red one. The red was only available here as a manual whereas I wanted the DCT which we could only have in black or red/black. I preferred the black. Another gripe I had was that if you want the DCT Honda only import the airbag model whereas in other markets you can have DCT without the airbag so that you get the useful storage compartment in the dummy tank which I would have preferred. Overall though I'm happy with what I ended up with and glad that you are as well. I hope you get the teething problems sorted out sooner rather than later.

Every time someone emails Markus it applies a little bit more pressure. This team is under a lot of pressure to deliver so we just have to keep squeezing them until they get this right. Hope you enjoyed the NC

The app update will come direct to your phone in the usual way, and the software update your dealer should make contact. Once I know for sure I will post again

Nothing like that so far, but I live in hope

The update is being rolled out but it does depend on your dealer as not all know about it. I would wait to the New Year when bikes built now with the new software start to filter through. For those that have it the reports are very positive

Hi David, that is very common globally. You are riding along with everything working then it just stops. BMW are working on both firmware and software so hopefully it will improve. I do have a beta version of the app and it is much better.

Pleased for you John. We have to enjoy our ride and you seem to have the set up that is best for you. For me, at least we rare making progress and today I have ridden 400 miles and everything worked as it should. A first.

The roll out is happening but it is patchy, so it seems a bit like how switched on is your dealer. I have had no contact from mine and have started to chase them.

Thanks, we keep pushing

I picked up my R1250RT from Harry Fairbairns a couple of weeks ago, love it! I’ve not got my head around the connectivity yet though, need an afternoon free to crack it 👍

@@Richard-il3lv we share a dealer. If you fancy a coffee let me know and I will show you what I know

Not good is it selling a bike that is not fit for purpose . Then pressure from the owners may make BMW sort out the problem. Then of course there is the flapper valve issue. And this is a premium make?

2020 GS1250 iPhone 11Pro and Connected App, both latest versions. Zero connectivity issues. I know that the RT has a newer an much larger TFT than the GS. I bought it two weeks ago where the bike was updated from v19.x to 22.x (the latest version)

Do you rely on voice directions? Do they resume after you stop the bike (e.g. for petrol) and start again? If they do, please let us know your secret.

I have people on here who have had no problems and I think that is what makes life more difficult for the engineers trying to solve the problems, they are not consistent

BMW are too tight to pay Apple or Google, even though it is a ready made system. The new Indian Chief has a touch screen with sat nav built in, but BMW have gone the most complex route possible. The new software release solves many of the problems but it should have ben sorted before they released the bike.

To be honest Kim I don't know, mainly because I have never used the call function. I find my sena quiet, and I have to have the volume on the phone up full to hear anything, then use the control on the bike to fine tune according to the volume of each song. Sorry I can't be more helpful

@@HighlandRider i cant use the wonder wheel to control the volume of mine. DO you have the radio? I just have the prep package. no radios availble in the US yet.

@@KimMoonbmwmoonie The radio wasn't an option here so not prepped. Controlling volume with the wheel, like everything else, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't

@@HighlandRider I Just did a video about the issue and how I am connecting, If you have time come over to my channel and see if this is the same as yours. Thx kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rLmgosiqqbbbgI0.html

It seems to be an assumption they jump to, that all bikes have radios. It is worth responding asking them how that advice applies to non-radio bikes

@@HighlandRider I did reply. My dealer in York got the same email as I did. Their response to Germany was the same as mine.

@@guyholt3757 I will add that to the regular feedback I provide

@@HighlandRider An email today.....Dear Guy, Thank you for your e-mail. We appreciate your efforts to direct your request to us. Finally please check that starting from >Media< on the Connectivity/TFT display press the menu button (downwards) on the multi controller and select >Settings

@@guyholt3757 Hi Guy. This is a common response and the reason lies behind what BMW didn't do on launch, which is provide any sort of user guide to customers or dealers. This is one of the things they are trying to sort out. I have had these responses and it creates doubt in my mind so I go to the garage and check. This has helped me learn more about the system, but also about how these guys think, which is rarely from the customer point of view. I do know people who have responded with videos, but I don't have that level of patience. One problem I fed back in my call is that they tend to answer from the perspective of radio equipped bikes, and there are not many of them around, so ask what type of bike before answering questions. That message doesn't seem to have got through.

Agree with that, Peter. I keep coming back but this time rather than sell I am battling. It helps that I really like the bike

@@HighlandRider I respect that but I do feel they are taking the p*ss.

@@peterdane9138 They are absolutely taking the piss, and until sales are hit they will continue to take the piss

@@HighlandRider unfortunately people, I’m not referring to you, believe the hype that BMW create and think they are buying a superior product. Unfortunately, as I have found out, it is not true. It’s the same in the car world people seem to prefer driving a second hand BMW car to say a new Ford which will be cheaper to run and more reliable. These days image is everything.

They certainly made life more difficult for themselves. Considering ACP is standard in the cars it is baffling why they didn't share the technology

At my stage of life that is not what I expected. I have faith they will sort it, lets hope it is not faith misplaced!

@@HighlandRider my general observations as a GSA who has stuck to the Nav5 arrangements, are that the system architecture is too ambitious. The elephant in the room is the lack of stability in the operating systems I would imagine. Keep up the good work!

@@nikoscosmos Using both WiFi and Bluetooth is very ambitious, and the fact that pretty much all the testing was done on a bench rather than riding, because of COVID, was always going to be a problem. The tech just was not ready.

I like the latest RE's, and have my eye on the GT Continental. Each to their own, as despite the problems I really like my RT as it is practical and a lot of fun. I also have a Triumph Thruxton which is brilliant but different to the RT

Doing 250 miles up the Motorway on a RE is not really practical though. Most people buy and RT (or similar) to crush big mileage in comfort. I don't mind tech if it is reliable but I don't feel the neeed for active cruise and all the connectivity. You can pair your phone to your headset now and it is easy, why complicate things and include the bike?

@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff The appeal is having everything on one system. Active cruise control I don't get and I think it solves a problem no one has.