Getting my first KLT in morning...and have q's

[Toolman]

Well folks, I'm off to pickup my first KLT tomorrow morning. I've got a couple of quick questions I'm hoping somebody can help me with.

1) While talking to the existing owner, he mentioned that I will need to always having a battery tender hooked up to the bike (which I do anyway to all my bikes)....but he mentioned it because he said the alarm drains the battery since it activates itself...and this is a draw on the battery. So, I'm assuming the bike still has the default/factory alarm settings and that is auto-arms auto-immobilizers itself. The question is....is this something I need to be concerned about... considering that I will be trailering the bike home? I'd ride it home...but they're calling for snow showers tomorrow....so I'm forced to trailer. Anyway, if the alarm auto-activates itself, won't it be alarming while the bike bounces around on the trailer?

2) Second question is regarding tie-ing it down. I have a copy of the BMW k1200lt tie-down supplement, and plan to tie it down accordingly. Anything else I'll need to know?....or does the supplement pretty much cover it?

Thanks, Toolman

[surfran]

I can't help you with the alarm, but if your trailer has a wooden deck like mine, I took a (4) 2' long 2x4's with me and my cordless drill and once I had the bike on the trailer and straps on I screwed in the 2x4's along each tire so that it wouldn't jump or slide out.

I trailered mine about 4 1/2 hours and had no issues following the BMW tie points and having the 2x4's. And that was roads in NJ, PA and NY and that = bumps and potholes! I did double up on straps just to be safe in case one broke, and I used soft ties as well.

Of course you can use (2) 8' 2x4's even easier, but I didn't have any of those laying around.

Don't forget the 3" screws either ;)

Good luck and enjoy the new ride :D

[Ranger6]

Congratulations on your new ride and welcome to the forum. Personally, if you are concerned about the alarm going off on the ride home on the trailer, I would simply disconnect the battery at the negative post, and reprogram it after you get it home to another alarm option. That auto alarm is a pain, IMHO.

Here is the tie down recommendation from the FAQ section:


What is the best way to tie down my LT on a trailer?This method assumes you have a helper, a trailer, and the helper is sitting on your bike already parked on the trailer.

Securing the Front.

1. Get a couple soft ties for your tie down straps
2. Wrap them around the fork on each side ABOVE the fork bridge - Note: make sure to avoid any stress on the steering dampener
3. Connect your tie downs to the soft ties
4. Connect the other end of your tie downs to the tie down points on the trailer - Note: before you tighten the straps, make sure everything clears the plastic panels
5. Tighten the straps to compress the shock and forks - Note: do not over tighten or use the ratchet type of tie downs as you could damage the front suspension. Make sure you don't compress the shocks and forks too much, or you could damage these components. You still want the suspension to do it's job while on the trailer.

WARNING: Do not use the tipover bars -- they won't take the downward force.
WARNING: Do not use handlebar straps (i.e., Canyon Dancer) on the K1200LT -- the handlebars WILL NOT take the downward force.

Securing the Rear

1. Get another soft tie
2. Wrap it around the lift handle you use when placing the bike on the center stand - WARNING: DO NOT USE THE SIDE CASE HANDLES
3. Connect your tie down to the soft tie
4. Connect the other end of your tie down to the tie down points on the trailer - Note: before you tighten the strap, make sure it clears the left side case
5. tighten the strap to compress the rear suspension - Note: do not over tighten or use the ratchet type of tie downs as you could damage the rear suspension. Make sure you don't compress the shocks and forks too much, or you could damage these components. You still want the suspension to do it's job while on the trailer.

If you feel like you need to secure the right side of the bike, we've thought of a couple ideas:

- take another tie down (longer one), secure it to another soft tie wrapped around the lift handle, go over the seat, and secure to the tie down points on the trailer.

- secure a tie down to each of the side case mounts on the lower rear of the bike and secure to the tie down points on the trailer.

One Additional Note: We do not know much about this solution; however it looks like it offers a quite interesting answer to the problem of how to secure the rear of the motorcycle. If you haven't seen it take a look at http://home.new.rr.com/strongback/ , you can find the Strongback tiedown for K1200LTs and other BMW's.
NOTE: There are many opinions on this topic. Some great discussion can be found here (http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=k1200lt&Number=26936&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=).

[BillCav]

1) While talking to the existing owner, he mentioned that I will need to always having a battery tender hooked up to the bike (which I do anyway to all my bikes)....but he mentioned it because he said the alarm drains the battery since it activates itself...and this is a draw on the battery. So, I'm assuming the bike still has the default/factory alarm settings and that is auto-arms auto-immobilizers itself. The question is....is this something I need to be concerned about... considering that I will be trailering the bike home? I'd ride it home...but they're calling for snow showers tomorrow....so I'm forced to trailer. Anyway, if the alarm auto-activates itself, won't it be alarming while the bike bounces around on the trailer? Thanks, Toolman

Congrats on the LT. Maybe I'm not understanding you properly but on my 05 LT you just turn the alarm off with the key fob and if you have to stop to go to a store or somewhere else turn your alarm on with the key fob. The fob is programmable, you should get a book with the LT that tells you about your alarm. With my fob the first click sets the locks and the second click sets the alarm. Hope this helps. As far as the battery tender I have mine hooked in all the time I'm not riding.

Cheers, Bill

[Dman]

1) While talking to the existing owner, he mentioned that I will need to always having a battery tender hooked up to the bike (which I do anyway to all my bikes)....but he mentioned it because he said the alarm drains the battery since it activates itself...and this is a draw on the battery. So, I'm assuming the bike still has the default/factory alarm settings and that is auto-arms auto-immobilizers itself. The question is....is this something I need to be concerned about... considering that I will be trailering the bike home? I'd ride it home...but they're calling for snow showers tomorrow....so I'm forced to trailer. Anyway, if the alarm auto-activates itself, won't it be alarming while the bike bounces around on the trailer?

If the alarm is still in the "factory default" mode, it shouldn't really cause any grief. The system will only activate the immobilizer (prevents the starter and fuel system from functioning) and not the audible alarm. When you get to your destination, just disarm with the fob and you're good to go. If it turns out that the system has the dreaded "all functions set automatically, just disconnect the battery and transport.

2) Second question is regarding tie-ing it down. I have a copy of the BMW k1200lt tie-down supplement, and plan to tie it down accordingly. Anything else I'll need to know?....or does the supplement pretty much cover it?

Looks as if the previous posts have pretty well covered this question.

Congrats and good luck!

[Dick]

Well folks, I'm off to pickup my first KLT tomorrow morning. I've got a couple of quick questions I'm hoping somebody can help me with.

1) While talking to the existing owner, he mentioned that I will need to always having a battery tender hooked up to the bike (which I do anyway to all my bikes)....but he mentioned it because he said the alarm drains the battery since it activates itself...and this is a draw on the battery. So, I'm assuming the bike still has the default/factory alarm settings and that is auto-arms auto-immobilizers itself. The question is....is this something I need to be concerned about... considering that I will be trailering the bike home? I'd ride it home...but they're calling for snow showers tomorrow....so I'm forced to trailer. Anyway, if the alarm auto-activates itself, won't it be alarming while the bike bounces around on the trailer?

2) Second question is regarding tie-ing it down. I have a copy of the BMW k1200lt tie-down supplement, and plan to tie it down accordingly. Anything else I'll need to know?....or does the supplement pretty much cover it?

Thanks, Toolman

You might find this (http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=K1200LT&Number=189749&page=&view=&sb=&o=) helpful, including the attachment. You didn't say what year model your new-to-you LT is, so be sure and read the differences in model year procedures.

I haven't read the BMW K1200LT tie-down supplement in a while, butt just recently trailered two LTs on three separate runs. Soft ties (at least four) are extremely helpful; I do not put the centerstand NOR the sidestand down while trailering (only while tying or un-tying); I put a folded towel across the rider's seat and ran a ratchet tie-down over that and attached the ends to the trailer side rails - just tugged snug enough to minimize the bounce while going over speed bumps/potholes. Prolly not mandatory, butt I felt better doing that. If you're using an enclosed trailer, you may not have mid-side tie down locations, so ignore this personal preference. And stop and check all tie-downs after the first mile or two; they will invariably acquire some slack somehow and that is not a good thang.

[Toolman]

Thanks for all the quick replies. For the record, it's a 2002 K1200 LTC.
As far as the alarm thing...I guess I was worried that if it auto activates....there would be an audible alarm (siren) going off inside my trailer as I towed. If I disconnect the battery, is there anything special I would need to do when I reconnect? Again, thanks for the help.

I've learned an awful lot lurking on this site for the past couple of months. So much so..that I decided that I just had to have a KLT. Hence my purchase. Can't wait to get her tomorrow. Tonight is going to be a VERY long (and restless) night. Like a kid on Christmas eve!!

Toolman

[messenger13]

If I disconnect the battery, is there anything special I would need to do when I reconnect?After you reconnect the battery....simply turn the ignition to ON (do not start the bike), give the bike full throttle...then no throttle...full throttle...then no throttle. Then, turn the ignition OFF. That's it. You're good to go.

Congrats on the purchase...and welcome to the LOONY BIN!!! :D

[CriticalMass]

Regardless what year model the bike is, it isn't difficult to reprogram the alarm system so that it doesn't automatically arm when the key is removed, assuming you have the documentation that explains how to do it.

I did that the second day I owned my '06 LT.

[Dick]

Regardless what year model the bike is, it isn't difficult to reprogram the alarm system so that it doesn't automatically arm when the key is removed, assuming you have the documentation that explains how to do it.

I did that the second day I owned my '06 LT.
Hi, Dave --- I'm assuming he's already on the road to pick up his new ride; so in the event a change needs to be made in his alarm program, this (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?s=&do=search&q=Alarm+&match=all&titlesonly=0) might help if he doesn't have the documentation.

Gotta feelin' he might be taking the long way home!!! :bmw: