# BMW R 1200 GS, R 1250 GS and R 1300 GS Key Replacement

Every R 1200 GS, R 1250 GS and R 1300 GS has BMW's EWS immobilizer, so a replacement has to be programmed to the bike as well as cut.

Source: https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200gs-r1250gs-r1300gs/

Business: The Motorcycle Locksmith, mobile motorcycle locksmith. Phone and text: (619) 775-1858 (San Diego side).

> Every R 1200 GS, R 1250 GS and R 1300 GS has BMW's EWS immobilizer, so a replacement has to be programmed to the bike as well as cut. Keyed bikes use a transponder key, and Keyless Ride bikes use a radio-operated key with an emergency key as backup. If you still have the emergency key, BMW's manual shows where to hold it to start the bike: the rear wheel cover on the R 1200 and R 1250, and under the seat on the R 1300.

**BMW R 1200 GS, R 1250 GS and R 1300 GS key quick facts**

- On keyed R 1200 GS and R 1250 GS bikes, one key fits the steering and ignition lock, the fuel filler cap and the seat lock.
- BMW's manual says the cases and top case can be ordered with locks for the same key on request.
- Early R 1200 GS manuals list two ignition keys plus a small wallet emergency key.
- Keyless Ride became an option on the R 1200 GS and GS Adventure for the 2015 model year.
- On the R 1250 GS the emergency key is held against the rear wheel cover; on the R 1300 GS it goes into a ring antenna under the rider's seat.
- The R 1300 GS offers optional central locking for Vario cases and the top case.

## BMW R 1200 GS, R 1250 GS and R 1300 GS key types by year

| Years | Models | Key type | Chip | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2004 to about 2012 | R 1200 GS and GS Adventure (air and oil cooled) | transponder key (EWS), keyed ignition | yes | An early manual lists two different ignition keys and one wallet emergency key that is not meant for constant use. |
| About 2013-2018 | R 1200 GS and GS Adventure (liquid cooled) | transponder key, or Keyless Ride fob plus emergency key | yes | Keyless Ride was optional from model year 2015. The 2016 US manual covers both versions. |
| From 2019 | R 1250 GS and GS Adventure | transponder key, or Keyless Ride fob plus emergency key | yes | Two ignition keys on keyed bikes. One radio-operated key and one emergency key with Keyless Ride. |
| 2024-present | R 1300 GS | Keyless Ride fob plus wallet key | yes | The US manual describes only the radio-operated key and a wallet key. |

## Keyed or keyless: work out which GS you have

Look at the top of the steering head. A key slot means a keyed EWS bike. A round button with no slot means Keyless Ride. It matters because the parts, the programming and the backup options are different, and both versions were sold side by side from 2015 through the R 1250 years.

On keyed bikes a ring antenna in the ignition lock reads the key. If the dash shows a key symbol with the general warning light, BMW's manual says to take other keys off the ring and try the spare before anything else. On Keyless Ride bikes the fob has to be within about 3 feet, and the ignition switches itself off after roughly a minute and a half if the fob goes missing.

**Need a key for your R 1200 GS?** Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked. Call or text (619) 775-1858.

## Which locks share the key

BMW's US manuals for the R 1200 GS and R 1250 GS say a single key fits the steering and ignition lock, the fuel filler cap and the seat lock. Luggage is the part that varies. The manual says the cases and top case can be ordered with locks for the same key on request, and BMW's Vario and aluminum case locks are sold as cylinder kits that are set up to match a key. So a GS bought used may have luggage on the bike key, or on a second key from a previous owner.

On Keyless Ride bikes the ignition, fuel filler cap and alarm work from the fob, while the seat lock, cases and top case are still opened by hand with the fold-out key blade. The R 1300 GS adds optional central locking for Vario cases and the Vario or aluminum top case, with a manual release using the key if the system will not open.

## If the fob is flat or lost

A flat fob does not strand an R 1200 GS or R 1250 GS. The manual says to hold the emergency key, or the dead fob, against the rear wheel cover level with the antenna, touching the cover, and then start within 30 seconds. On the R 1300 GS you take off the rider's seat and insert the wallet key or folded fob into the ring antenna underneath. The fob takes a CR 2032 battery.

The R 1300 GS can also show a Keyless Ride failure message that tells you not to stop the engine because a restart may not be possible. That is a fault in the bike's Keyless Ride control unit, not in the key, and BMW sends you to a workshop for it.

## All keys lost on a GS

With no working key, the dealer route is proof of ownership, a key ordered for your VIN, a wait, and transport for a bike that may be sitting with the steering locked. We come to the bike instead. Tell us the year, whether it is keyed or Keyless Ride, and whether the luggage is on the bike key, and have photo ID and the registration or title ready. If any key survives, including the wallet key, keep it for the visit.

## What to have ready

**Have this ready when you call or text**

- Year, make and model of the bike
- Where the bike is parked
- Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code
- Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key)

## BMW R 1200 GS, R 1250 GS and R 1300 GS key FAQ

### Where do I hold the emergency key on an R 1250 GS?

BMW's manual says to hold it against the rear wheel cover at the height of the antenna, with the key touching the cover, then start the engine within 30 seconds. The R 1200 GS with Keyless Ride works the same way.

### Does the R 1300 GS still have an emergency key?

Yes. The US manual says the bike is shipped with one radio-operated key and one wallet key. To use it, you remove the rider's seat and insert the key into the ring antenna under the seat.

### Do my GS panniers use the ignition key?

Sometimes. BMW says cases and the top case can be ordered with locks for the same key, and the lock cylinders can be matched to a key later. On a used bike, try the ignition key in the luggage before assuming either way.

### Can I ride my Keyless Ride GS on the emergency key alone?

Yes, it starts the bike, and BMW suggests carrying it as an alternative to the fob. With only one key left, though, you have no backup, so it is the right time to get a second one made.

## The immobilizer system on this bike

- [BMW Motorcycle EWS Immobilizer: Keys and the EWS Warning](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/immobilizer-systems/bmw-ews-immobilizer/): EWS is BMW Motorrad's electronic immobilizer.
- [BMW Keyless Ride: Lost Fob, Flat Battery and Emergency Key](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/immobilizer-systems/bmw-keyless-ride/): Keyless Ride replaces the ignition lock on many BMW motorcycles with a button and a radio-operated key that only has to be within about 3 feet of the bike.

## More BMW models

[airheads and K 75, K 100, K 1100](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/airheads-k75-k100-k1100/), [C 400 GT and C 650 GT scooters](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/c400gt-c650gt/), [C 400 X and C 600 Sport scooters](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/c400x-c600sport/), [CE 04, CE 02 and C evolution](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/ce04-ce02-c-evolution/), [F 650 CS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f650cs/), [F 650 GS single and G 650 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f650gs-single-g650gs/), [F 650 GS twin and F 700 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f650gs-twin-f700gs/), [F 750 GS, F 850 GS and F 800 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f750gs-f850gs-f800gs/), [F 800 S, F 800 ST, F 800 GT, F 800 R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f800s-f800st-f800gt-f800r/), [F 900 R, F 900 XR and F 900 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f900r-f900xr-f900gs/), [G 310 R and G 310 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/g310r-g310gs/), [G 650 Xcountry, Xchallenge, Xmoto](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/g650x/), [HP2 Enduro, Megamoto and Sport](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/hp2/), [K 1200 LT and early K 1200 GT](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/k1200lt/), [K 1200 RS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/k1200rs/), [K 1200 S, R, GT and K 1300 S, R, GT](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/k1200s-k1200r-k1200gt-k1300/), [K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL and K 1600 B](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/k1600gt-k1600gtl-k1600b/), [M 1000 RR and M 1000 R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/m1000rr-m1000r/), [R 1100 and R 1150 oilhead boxers](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1100-r1150/), [R 12 nineT, R 12 and R 12 G/S](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r12-ninet-r12/), [R 1200 C and R 1200 CL cruisers](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200c-r1200cl/), [R 1200 R, R 1200 RS, R 1250 R and RS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200r-r1200rs-r1250r-r1250rs/), [R 1200 RT and R 1250 RT](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200rt-r1250rt/), [R 1200 S and R 1200 ST](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200s-r1200st/), [R 18](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r18/), [R nineT](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r-ninet/), [S 1000 RR, S 1000 R and S 1000 XR](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/s1000rr-s1000r-s1000xr/), [All BMW keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/)

## Services for this bike

- [Lost Motorcycle Key, No Spare](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/lost-motorcycle-key/): No key at all? We make a working key at the bike.
- [Motorcycle Key Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-replacement/): New keys cut by code or from the lock, for all major makes.
- [Transponder and Immobilizer Key Programming](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-programming/): Chip keys and fobs programmed to your immobilizer.
- [Motorcycle Key Duplication and Spare Keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-duplication/): A spare now costs far less than a lost only-key later.
- [Motorcycle Ignition Repair and Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-ignition-repair/): Sticking, worn or damaged ignitions repaired or replaced.
- [Broken Motorcycle Key Extraction](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/broken-key-extraction/): Snapped key removed and a new one cut from the pieces.
- [Gas Cap, Seat, Steering and Saddlebag Locks](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-lock-repair/): Gas cap, seat, steering, helmet and saddlebag locks.

## Related guides

- [Motorcycle Key Fob and Keyless Ignition Problems](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/motorcycle-key-fob-and-keyless-problems/): Most keyless motorcycle problems come down to a weak fob battery, a fob the bike is not reading, a damaged fob or a lost one.
- [Lost Your Only Motorcycle Key? What to Do Next](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/lost-motorcycle-key-no-spare/): If you lost the only key to your motorcycle, a new one can almost always be made, but the route depends on whether your bike uses a plain metal key, a chipped transponder key, or a keyless fob.
- [When to Get a Spare Motorcycle Key, and Why Now](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/when-to-get-a-spare-motorcycle-key/): Get a spare motorcycle key as soon as you are down to one working key.
- [Motorcycle Immobilizers Explained: HISS, KIPASS and More](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/motorcycle-immobilizer-explained/): A motorcycle immobilizer is an anti-theft system that only lets the engine start when it recognizes a coded chip in the key or a paired fob.

## Where we come to you

[San Diego County](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/), [San Diego](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/san-diego/), [Chula Vista](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/chula-vista/), [Oceanside](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/oceanside/), [Escondido](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/escondido/), [Carlsbad](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/carlsbad/), [El Cajon](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/el-cajon/), [All service areas](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/)