Major Engine Management fault on R18 T at 18 months and < 5000 miles

OK team, I am almost done with BMW after 25 years of ownership over 10 bikes. I have suffered 13 major defects/faults total on those bikes (of which only 3 had no defects). In that time I also owned 10 Japanese bikes and have had ZERO major defects with them. 2 weeks ago, I paid £540 for a first annual inspection (6000 mile including valve clearances) and on my FIRST run to work of the UK biking season, the bike throws up a huge red text box stating "Serious engine control malfunction, ride to nearest dealer". The bike got recovered to my dealer (who are excellent people) and they reported a corroded cable/loom to the engine management. Really??? the bike is not ridden in winter and is garaged. 7 to 10 days to get the part from Berlin and a potential 3 week wait to get the bike back. I know she is under warranty but I have lost faith in the brand. I enquired locally for a new Goldwing to be told they will not stock BMWs for this very reason. No doubt it will be "the first time they have seen this fault" Guess I am just lucky

Some comments stateside across the pond about loom issues. I have to say, the tech side of the R18 scares me a bit. I've got about 5 months of warranty left. I've only just got my TC and love it, but I do worry about how it will hold up to the UK weather. I got rid of a 18 month old H-D which was starting to melt in our conditions. I guess all bikes are okay if they are garage queens or live somewhere warm and dry, but I ride 10-12k a year during 10 months of the year and modern bikes are not built to stand up to that anymore.

I used to have a 1990 CBR1000 and an 1995 XJ900S both of which shrugged off the UK conditions. Even my 4 year old Honda NC750S is showing it's contempt for our climate!

Goodbye

Any pictures of the wiring and or loom where the corrosion is taking place? Any chance rodents got up into the bike and chewed the wires..?

Neighbor had a Road King years ago....Rats ate up his wiring. Yes garaged but garage door was up most of the day due to Texas summer heat. Recently ate up the wiring in his late model Toyota which was kept in the drive way. $5000+ in repairs. Mean little buggers.

Scott Semone said:

Any pictures of the wiring and or loom where the corrosion is taking place? Any chance rodents got up into the bike and chewed the wires..?

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the dealer took photos for me as its a BMW warranty claim, they reckon first owner has left her out in weather, unused for long periods. Corrosion is on side stand side of the bike where water could have pooled, when i get the pics I will post. Very unlikely its rodents , 2 natural born killer cats roam our driveway and dealer made no mention. Thanks for the reply man, it helps

I took one look at the uncovered fuse box on my R18 and said to myself WTF?
It seemed to me that electrical component corrosion is only a matter of time on these bikes.

ACF-50 works wonders on all metal parts including electrical components, chips and god knows what else. I have been using this on all my bikes and cars throughout the years and also the boat since it is in salt water all year around. No corrosion to be seen. It neutralise salt and disperse water like crazy and will last up to a year on surfaces not directly exposed to the elements.