My First Complaint About the CE-04

[rongrimes]

In exploring all the options on my new bike, I noticed the owner's manual has a section on activating the alarm system. I also saw a video on YouTube

where the guy shows how to get to the alarm settings menu. BUT, in spite of paying nearly $15K for the AvantGarde model with all available packages, mine doesn't come with an alarm system. Oddly though, it does have handlebar locking. It's just that if someone decides to roll my bike onto the back of a truck, there will be no alarm or notification.

I asked my dealer about it and he responded, "They are what is known as 'DFS' bikes - standing for Dealer First Supply - in where I get whatever they send me. Usually, they are sent optioned to the fullest for the market they are released in. And, this is the case here as well!"

Great decision, idiots at BMW, because who in the USA would actually want an alarm to prevent the theft of the most expensive scooter on the market?

 

[Ceesie76]

Maybe the alarm is 'there' but needs to be activated through a software adjustment? Agree it's odd that full options for the US would not include an alarm feature.

 

[rongrimes]

Maybe the alarm is 'there' but needs to be activated through a software adjustment? Agree it's odd that full options for the US would not include an alarm feature.

I wish, but confirmed with the dealer that the USA models don't have the alarm feature, nor the SOS button that the European models have.

 

[SeaE04]

I was wondering the same thing which led me to this forum and your post. Thank you for posting, as unfortunate as the answer is.

 

[Low On Cash]

I wish, but confirmed with the dealer that the USA models don't have the alarm feature, nor the SOS button that the European models have.

Ouch bad new on the alarm and SOS I was bragging what a great feature SOS was iif you're pushed off the road with a cage cell phone user. - Oh well who cares about us US riders anyhow LOL.

 

[Fullum]

Hello in my case when I've order mine the alarm was a option if I wanted it, I didn't go for it because of the price, I instead install a AirTag hidden inside and don't forget with the BMW App you can locate your scooter easily.
Yves

 

[rongrimes]

Hello in my case when I've order mine the alarm was a option if I wanted it, I didn't go for it because of the price, I instead install a AirTag hidden inside and don't forget with the BMW App you can locate your scooter easily.
Yves

First, how can you track your scooter with the BMW app? There is nothing built into the bike that would allow a self-initiated connection to a cell network or satellite. I don't see anything in the app that allows for such a capability.

Second, AirTags are a terrible solution. They have three flaws:
1) If the thief has an iPhone, it will notify him that there is an Apple AirTag not associated with their account.
2) After the above, the AirTag will begin to emit a sound so the thief can find it and throw it away.
3) AirTags depend on a nearby iPhone to report its location. If the bike is taken to some rural location, good luck in finding the bike. Since the AirTag has a maximum range of 33 feet, someone with an iPhone needs to be within that distance to report its location.

 

[Fullum]

First, how can you track your scooter with the BMW app? There is nothing built into the bike that would allow a self-initiated connection to a cell network or satellite. I don't see anything in the app that allows for such a capability.

Second, AirTags are a terrible solution. They have three flaws:
1) If the thief has an iPhone, it will notify him that there is an Apple AirTag not associated with their account.
2) After the above, the AirTag will begin to emit a sound so the thief can find it and throw it away.
3) AirTags depend on a nearby iPhone to report its location. If the bike is taken to some rural location, good luck in finding the bike. Since the AirTag has a maximum range of 33 feet, someone with an iPhone needs to be within that distance to report its location.

Hi I see your point, my point is that if someone want to steel it they will, even if you have an alarm, here in Montreal there may be 20 CE04 sold up to date. So the resale market for parts do not exist yet and for a long time, Now if you are in Montreal and you leave your bicycle outside well good luck, same for Harley's with a lot of chrome.
If I would leave in Paris or London my story would be different, in a post on Facebook I saw a guy who got stollen his TFC screen on his CE04, one day later he found it on Marketplace for sale.
Cheer!
Yves

 

[Mr EZ]

I was surprised to see that the alarm didn't 't come installed, even though, the manual says it does.

Mine doesn't even lock he fork.

 

[rongrimes]

I was surprised to see that the alarm didn't 't come installed, even though, the manual says it does.

I did get an OEM DWA alarm installed by the dealer after-the-fact, but it cost me about $650. A bit ridiculous.

 

[Low On Cash]

I did get an OEM DWA alarm installed by the dealer after-the-fact, but it cost me about $650. A bit ridiculous.

Ouch - I only paid $650 for an entire used Vespa scooter.That is outrageous for an alarm when there are so many other choices with more features. While I like BMW products I don't like their pricing and maintenance cost.

Just like the first service warning - on every car and bike I was always able to remove the warning that is unless its a BMW.

Has anyone found a way to remove the warning without investing in a OBD scanner for a BMW- this is crazy

Mike