Diagnostics on Your Phone: Built for BMW, Useful Beyond It

If you own a BMW motorcycle and do any of your own maintenance, eventually you run into something that requires a computer.

Maybe you changed the oil and want to reset the service reminder. Maybe an ABS or engine warning suddenly appeared. Maybe you replaced a TPMS sensor. Or maybe, like me you simply want to know what the motorcycle is telling you without making a trip to the dealer.

For years, the obvious answer has been the GS-911.

The GS-911 is a great tool and has built a well-deserved reputation in the BMW community. The problem is price. The current GS-911 WiFi Enthusiast version is around $399, and while basic emergency functions can be used on unlimited motorcycles, service functions on the Enthusiast version are limited to 10 motorcycle VINs.

I've owned quite a few BMW motorcycles over the years, and the idea of spending several hundred dollars on another dedicated tool made me wonder if there was another way.

Turns out there is.

And today there are actually two very good phone-based alternatives.

The Basic Idea

Instead of buying a BMW-specific diagnostic computer, you use a high-quality Bluetooth OBD adapter and let an app do the BMW-specific work.

For my R1200R, the setup looks like this:

BMW R1200R → BMW 10-pin adapter cable → OBD adapter → Bluetooth → phone

The 10-pin cable is necessary because BMW motorcycles through the 2016 model year commonly use BMW's round diagnostic connector. From model year 2017, BMW moved to the standardized 16-pin OBD connector like my K1600B, so newer bikes generally don't need the extra cable.

From there, you have two main choices.

Option 1: iPhone or Android With Biketune

This was the option that surprised me.

Biketune is a relatively new motorcycle diagnostic app that works on both iPhone and Android. It has especially deep support for BMW motorcycles.

The app itself is free for scanning and live data. A one-time $14.99 Pro purchase unlocks write functions such as service resets, coding, adaptations and actuator testing. There is no subscription. One purchase covers the bikes in your garage on that platform, although iOS and Android purchases are separate if you want Pro on both.

For my R1200R K53 specifically, Biketune lists support for the engine, ABS, instrument cluster, chassis electronics, RDC/TPMS, ESA and other control units. It supports functions including fault codes, live data, service reset, adaptations, coding, actuator testing, TPMS functions and ABS data.

That's a lot of capability from an app that costs less than dinner.

The Adapter I Would Use: OBDLink CX

For Biketune, I would pair it with theOBDLink CX.

The CX uses Bluetooth Low Energy, which means it works properly with both iPhone and Android. Biketune classifies it as a coding-grade adapter and lists support for coding, service resets, fault codes and live data.

For BMW owners, there's another bonus. OBDLink specifically optimized the CX for BMW vehicles, so the same adapter can also be useful with BMW car software (I'm sorry to say I owned one in the past) such as BimmerCode.

For my bike, I would then add the inexpensive BMW motorcycle10-pin to 16-pin OBD cable.

So my iPhone setup would be:

BMW R1200R
→BMW 10-pin to 16-pin cable
→OBDLink CX
→ Bluetooth
→iPhone running Biketune

That's roughly a $100 to $120 diagnostic setup before tax, depending on current hardware pricing.

Option 2: Android With MotoScan

MotoScan is the more established alternative and has been around much longer.

It is specifically designed for BMW motorcycles and supports BMW bikes from roughly 1998 through current models, with a few limitations on certain older ABS systems.

MotoScan has multiple license levels, but if I'm building this as a long-term BMW diagnostic tool, I would buyMotoScan Ultimate, currently €49.99. Ultimate includes fault reading and clearing, live data, actuator control, adaptations, service functions and ECU coding.

The downside is simple:

MotoScan is Android only.

There is no iPhone, Windows or Mac version.

If you're an iPhone user but want MotoScan, the solution is easy enough. Buy a cheap Android phone or tablet and leave it in your toolbox. It doesn't need cellular service or a SIM card.

MotoScan licenses are tied to your Google account, so if the Android device dies or you replace it later, you can reinstall MotoScan under the same Google account without buying the license again.

The Adapter I Would Use With MotoScan

For MotoScan, I would use theOBDLink LXor the UniCarScan UCSI-2100.

MotoScan specifically lists the OBDLink LX, MX+ and UniCarScan adapters among its recommended interfaces for full functionality.

The LX uses classic Bluetooth, so it works well with Android butnot iPhone. That matters when choosing which ecosystem you want.

So the Android setup becomes:

BMW R1200R
→BMW 10-pin to 16-pin cable
→OBDLink LX
→ Bluetooth
→Android running MotoScan Ultimate

Biketune vs. MotoScan vs. GS-911

Here's how I look at the three options:

One thing worth pointing out is that all of these capabilities depend on the motorcycle, ECU and adapter. Just because an app has an ABS or coding menu doesn't mean every BMW from every generation supports every function.

Why I Like the OBD Approach

The price is obviously attractive, but that's actually not the only reason I like this setup.

The Hardware Isn't BMW-Only

An OBDLink adapter isn't a single-purpose BMW motorcycle tool.

Depending on which adapter you choose, it can potentially be used with cars, other diagnostic apps, performance monitoring software and manufacturer-specific applications.

That means the hardware still has value even if you stop using Biketune or MotoScan.

No 10-Motorcycle Service Limit

This matters to me because I've owned multiple BMW motorcycles and probably won't stop buying them.

The GS-911 Enthusiast version allows unlimited basic emergency diagnostics, but its service functions are limited to 10 motorcycle VINs.

Neither MotoScan nor Biketune publishes an equivalent 10-bike service restriction.

For someone who owns one BMW for 20 years, that might not matter.

For someone who tends to buy, sell and work on different BMWs, it definitely does.

Your Phone Becomes the Display

There's nothing else to carry.

The OBD adapter, BMW cable and an old phone could easily live in a small pouch in the garage or even travel with the motorcycle.

If a fault appears while I'm on a trip, I can potentially pull over, connect the adapter and at least understand what the bike is complaining about.

Live Data Is Actually Useful

These apps aren't just code readers.

They can expose live information such as engine RPM, temperature, battery voltage, throttle position, wheel and ABS information, tyre pressure and other ECU-specific values depending on the bike.

That can make troubleshooting significantly easier than simply receiving a generic fault number.

Avoid the $12 ELM327 Special

Amazon is full of extremely cheap OBD adapters.

I wouldn't use one for this.

Reading basic information is one thing. Coding, adaptations and service functions can require longer multi-frame messages, and cheap clone adapters frequently have limitations.

Biketune specifically recommends coding-grade adapters such as the OBDLink CX or UniCarScan UCSI-2100 for those functions.

MotoScan similarly recommends higher-quality adapters such as UniCarScan, OBDLink LX and OBDLink MX+.

This is one of those places where saving $50 doesn't make much sense.

If I'm going to send commands that change something inside a motorcycle ECU, I want a reliable connection.

What About My 2015 R1200R?

This is where I'll actually be testing everything.

My R1200R currently has a dead front TPMS sensor, so RDC/TPMS functionality is already something I need.

Biketune has a dedicated R1200R K53 profile and lists access to the RDC/TPMS system, ESA, ABS, chassis electronics, engine management and instrument cluster.

MotoScan also specifically lists the K53 R1200R and its individual BMW control modules.

So this isn't just theoretical for me.

I'll be able to use the setup for things I actually need to do on the bike, including diagnosing the TPMS problem, clearing faults and handling future maintenance.

So, Do You Still Need a GS-911?

Maybe.

If I were running a BMW motorcycle shop every day, I'd probably still lean toward the GS-911 Professional. It's a mature, purpose-built BMW Motorrad platform with years of field experience behind it.

The GS-911 is also a much more integrated solution. You aren't combining a third-party Bluetooth adapter, phone and another developer's application.

There's value in that.

But for someone working on his own motorcycles?

I'm having a much harder time justifying $399.

For an iPhone owner,Biketune + OBDLink CXis now an extremely interesting option.

For an Android owner who wants a more established BMW-specific application,MotoScan + OBDLink LXis still an excellent combination.

And if you're already carrying an iPhone, Biketune removes what used to be MotoScan's biggest inconvenience: needing a separate Android device.

What I Would Buy Today

For my 2015 R1200R and an iPhone:

OBDLink CX

BMW 10-pin to 16-pin OBD adapter cable
Biketune Pro

That's probably where I would start today.

If I already had an Android phone and wanted the longer-established software ecosystem:

OBDLink LX

BMW 10-pin to 16-pin OBD adapter cable

MotoScan Ultimate

Either way, we're talking about a fraction of the cost of a GS-911 and a piece of OBD hardware that isn't permanently locked into one application.

I'll follow this up once I've actually used the setup on the R1200R, especially when I replace the front TPMS sensor.

At the end of the day, I don't mind buying specialized tools when they're necessary.

I just don't like spending $400 when a Bluetooth adapter, a cable and an app might accomplish almost everything I actually need.

OBDLink CX Bimmercode Bluetooth 5.1 OBD2 Adapter for BMW -Link

OBDLink LX Bluetooth 3.0 OBD2 Adapter for Motoscan, Torque, Hybrid Assistant (Android Only) -Link
BMW 10-pin to 16-pin cable, Amazon, ASIN B0CB86PNWZ (Depending on your Model) -Link

• Biketune for iPhone/iPad:Biketune on the App Store

• Biketune for Android:Biketune on Google Play

• MotoScan for Android:MotoScan on Google Play

• Biketune compatibility checker:Check your bike and adapter compatibility

Affiliate Disclosure

Some product links associated with this article may be Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links, MotoGrounds may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, I only recommend products that I would consider using myself.