Can someone esplain the immobilizer thingy?

[atadaskew]

My Griso.
Everytime I turn it on it asks for a code.  It starts anyway if I ignore it .
The dealer seems, umm, not of much help and the owner's manual is a bit confusing.

It is meant to be used in case the immobilizer for some reason does not recognize the keys, so how do I initially set it?
I'm ass-uming after the first time it is set I will no longer see that message.

I'm old and the print in the manual is very very small...

Thanks!

[blakebird]

My 1200 Sport always said that at start up, it's not necessary or required at all....and it goes away when the startup light show is over.
I asked the dealer once (a good one who knew) - but forgot what he told me    Whatever it was, it put my mind at ease that I didn't need to enter a code  

[UFO]

Have you set your code/PIN?  Maybe because you haven't set it yet it just ignore it?

I know I can start my Multistrada with no key (or dead key) if I enter my PIN (which I've set during deliver).  But this is different than an immobilizer...I think.

Regardless, it adds Italian character.

[ConPilot1]

I'm sure you will figure it out when you're 200miles from home and the bike is on the side of the road and won't start.

I really dislike these electronic "disable" features on these bikes. Big complaints about them on otherwise superb motorcycles. Get rid of the unnecessary
circuits. More shit to to wrong.  

One of the things that was always appealing to me about Guzzi's was their simplicity.

[FiremanBob]

Typical Italian engineering. They give you a whiz-bang gizmo, don't provide instructions for how to use it, and it doesn't work anyway.

[atadaskew]

Typical Italian engineering. They give you a whiz-bang gizmo, don't provide instructions for how to use it, and it doesn't work anyway.

I'm not sure about that yet.

You are meant to set a code in case the immobilizer for some reason stops recognizing the key.  It allows you to then over-ride that and start the bike, with key, anyway.

I'm just trying to figure out how to initially set it!

My Harley was similar, you set a code that you used in case the alarm fob's battery failed.  But it was very simple to do, and decently explained.  At least the print was larger...

[Mike-H]

The quality goes in before the name goes on .....typical just typical

[Pete Roper]

(Cough!) Well, actually, it is all explained in the owner's handbook but......

The 'User Code' is not the same as the 'Service Code'.

The User Code is a security device so that if someone tries to force the lock the bike won't start because the antenna can't find the key chip. I know of two people who's bikes were prevented from being stolen by this little safeguard. I'm glad its there.

Put the toggle switch to 'Mode'

Sellect 'Menu' and hold the button down.

Scroll down to 'Change the code' and hold the button down.

The dash will say 'Insert the Code'.

Press the button and the first of five digits will appear. Press it repeatedly until you get the number you want then hold the button down. The next digit will appear. This can be repeated for the five digits of the code of your choice.

Choose the code CAREFULLY and make sure you note it down. I suggest to my customers they use the first five numbers of their numerical birth date for instance, (If you were born today in 1967 for instance your code, in the UK or Oz, would be 29026. In the USA the day and month would be reversed.).

When the last number is inserted it will go back to the menu. Next time you turn the bike on the 'Don't Forget' message will no longer appear.

Thing is if the antenna is damaged or for some other reason the dashboard can't read the chip the bike won't start. BUT if you have the code the dash will ask you to insert it. When you do the bike can be started again and you can ride home or to your dealer or whoever. You will also need the code to programme more keys or to change the code if required.

I'm sorry your dealer wasn't able to walk you through this simple proceedure. It's something I do with all customers as part of the delivery and set-up. Obviously I'm an idiot.

Pete

[spd2918]

I really dislike these electronic "disable" features on these bikes.

That shouldn't be a problem for you since your bike was designed during the Reagan Presidency.

Oh yes.  I went there.  

[radlefty]

What Pete said. Simple process. Really sad there are  so few quality dealers for these awesome bikes.

[atadaskew]

(Cough!) Well, actually, it is all explained in the owner's handbook but......

The 'User Code' is not the same as the 'Service Code'.

The User Code is a security device so that if someone tries to force the lock the bike won't start because the antenna can't find the key chip. I know of two people who's bikes were prevented from being stolen by this little safeguard. I'm glad its there.

Put the toggle switch to 'Mode'

Sellect 'Menu' and hold the button down.

Scroll down to 'Change the code' and hold the button down.

The dash will say 'Insert the Code'.

Press the button and the first of five digits will appear. Press it repeatedly until you get the number you want then hold the button down. The next digit will appear. This can be repeated for the five digits of the code of your choice.

Choose the code CAREFULLY and make sure you note it down. I suggest to my customers they use the first five numbers of their numerical birth date for instance, (If you were born today in 1967 for instance your code, in the UK or Oz, would be 29026. In the USA the day and month would be reversed.).

When the last number is inserted it will go back to the menu. Next time you turn the bike on the 'Don't Forget' message will no longer appear.

Thing is if the antenna is damaged or for some other reason the dashboard can't read the chip the bike won't start. BUT if you have the code the dash will ask you to insert it. When you do the bike can be started again and you can ride home or to your dealer or whoever. You will also need the code to programme more keys or to change the code if required.

I'm sorry your dealer wasn't able to walk you through this simple proceedure. It's something I do with all customers as part of the delivery and set-up. Obviously I'm an idiot.

Pete

Fantastic!  Thank you Pete!

[Orson]

Italian codes are merely suggestions

just like their traffic lights  

[Pete Roper]

3 years for those fob batteries and whammo.

The dude who bought my Sportster emailed me asking what was up. i suggested batteries. Sure enough.  

My brother's 'Glide is doing the same thing...  

There are no batteries. The ignition switch has an inductive coil in it. When the key is turned on the coil produces a magnetic field sufficient to produce an EMF that will cause the chip in the key to broadcast its code. This is detected by the antenna that surrounds the lock barrel and it sends a message to the dash saying go/no-go.

It's very simple, very elegant and virtually foolproof. What's not to like? And no batteries to go flat!!!!!

Pete

[Cablebandit]

That shouldn't be a problem for you since your bike was designed during the Reagan Presidency.

Oh yes.  I went there.  

The color and styling is his immobilizer.

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

Mine does this with the spare key only.

[atadaskew]

Anyway, I set the code using Pete's instructions.
Really simple and cool seeing what the other functions do.

It's a shame really the shop could not show me this stuff.

Also spent some quality time with the hairdrier removing all the stickers.  I have never seen so many warning stickers on a bike.
There's a huge one explaining what spark plugs and oil to use, and another that says not to put stuff on a key chain and dangle it down the steering column!

[Biking Sailor]

Of course there will NO stickers about a man-purse!

[atadaskew]

Of course there will NO stickers about a man-purse!

On my Ducati there's one that sez I need to carry it across my right shoulder, hanging down the left side.

Apparently they take into account the aerodynamics and such in the design.

Ever wondered about those aerodynamic humps on the backs of racing leathers?  Yup, Dainese pioneered that.  After discovering that Ducatisti rode quicker with "European Carry Alls", which once on the move, rotate to the center of the back.
And who makes Ducati's brand leathers?  That's right, Dainese.