SB-10043822-7299

GL1800 #21
REVISED: March 13, 2012

Service Bulletin
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
2012 GL1800/A Navigation System Software
PRODUCT UPDATE CAMPAIGN
Campaign End Date:
Last Day of March, 2017
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is conducting a Product
Update Campaign to update the navigation
unit software on certain 2012 model year
GL1800/A motorcycles. When using the navigation system within certain geographic
regions, the system may fail to properly recalculate after deviating from a programmed
route, and may hang or shut down. A software update is available that corrects this
condition.

AFFECTED UNITS
2012 GL1800/A Navi equipped types
within the following VIN ranges
Type

VIN Range

VA

JH2SC68H*CK000001 thru

JH2SC68H*CK001721

VIIA

JH2SC68L*CK000001 thru

JH2SC68L*CK001255

VIIIA

JH2SC68M*CK000001 thru

JH2SC68M*CK000154

The UPDATE PROCEDURE outlined in this
Service Bulletin will update the navigation
unit software only; maps, saved routes, and
other data will not be affected.

DEALER INVENTORY

The update procedure will require a laptop PC
and a USB to USB Mini-B cable. Thoroughly
read through this bulletin and prepare your
work area before performing the update procedure.

All affected units in your inventory must be
repaired with the updated navigation unit software before delivery to the customer. Refer to
the PARTS INFORMATION and the UPDATE
PROCEDURE sections of this Service Bulletin.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
REPAIR VERIFICATION
American Honda is sending a letter to owners
of Navi equipped 2012 GL1800/A models
informing them they are entitled to receive
this Product Update at no charge. They will be
instructed to call their dealer to make an
appointment. For your reference, a copy of
the Customer Letter is reproduced on page 6
of this Service Bulletin.

Before you begin the repair procedure, check
if the update has been performed on the unit.
1. Turn the ignition switch to ACC and let the
Navigation System boot up.
2. Press the Menu key on the navigation
switch panel.
3. Use the arrow key and select Setup/Info.
4. Use the arrow key and select System Info.
• An updated unit will have Software
Version 2.50
1 of 6

©2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

MTB 13916 (1111)

CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools,
equipment, and training to correctly and safely maintain your Honda. These procedures should not be attempted by "do-it-yourselfers," and
you should not assume this bulletin applies to your Honda, or that your Honda has the condition described. To determine whether
this information applies, contact an authorized Honda dealer.

NEW

GL1800 #21
REVISED: March 13, 2012
• If the Software Version is less than 2.50,
proceed with the UPDATE PROCEDURE.
ARROW KEY

2. Click the link named 2012 GL1800 Navi
System Software Update.
The File Download dialogue box will open,
click on the Save button as shown.
Save the file to the desktop on the PC.

MENU KEY

5. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.

UPDATE PROCEDURE

3. Right click on the Zip folder and choose
Extract to here.

PREPARING THE COMPUTER
• Confirm the laptop PC to be used is running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7.
• Confirm that a file compression utility such
as WinZip is installed on the computer.
• Use a USB 2.0A to USB Mini-B cable (typically provided with many digital cameras
or tablet computers), and plug it into a
USB port.
USB 2.0 A
Connects to computer.

There should now be a folder named 2012
GL1800 Navi System Software Update on
your desktop. Open the folder and confirm
its contents.
• 095602000250_bbsys.rgn
USB Mini B
Connects to Navi circuit board.

• CommunicatorPlugin_401
• Updater

Cable is available from Radio Shack:
Model: 27329 | Catalog #: 55010682

DOWNLOADING THE UPDATE
SOFTWARE
1. Log on to iN and navigate to the TechLine
Technical Reference page by following
this path:
Service > TechLine > Technical Reference

2 of 6

©2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

GL1800 #21
REVISED: March 13, 2012
4. Launch the Communicator Plugin_401 software by double clicking the icon as shown.
Follow the on-screen instructions in the Garmin dialogue box. There will be several
steps until the Communicator Plugin is fully
installed.

2. Remove the six screws and cover from the
navigation unit.

SCREWS

5. Once the Garmin Communicator Plugin is
fully installed, close the internet browser
window and open Software Update folder
on the desktop.

3. Re-connect the 24P (Gray), GPS antenna,
and XM antenna connectors to the navigation unit as shown.

UPDATING THE NAVIGATION UNIT
SOFTWARE
Before proceeding, click the link below for a
video demonstration of the software update
procedure.

CONNECTORS

Click here to play video

GL1800 Navigation Unit Software Update

1. Using the procedure on page 23-45 of the
Service Manual, remove the navigation
unit from the motorcycle.
TRUNK:

4. Connect the navigation unit to the PC with
the USB cable as shown.
Insert the mini-USB connector into the
socket on the navigation unit circuit board.
Confirm the other end of the cable is connected to a USB port on the PC.
MINI-USB
CONNECTOR

NAVIGATION UNIT

©2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

3 of 6

GL1800 #21
REVISED: March 13, 2012
5. Press and hold the boot block button on
the circuit board as shown. Continue to
hold down the boot block button through
Step 9.

8. The Updater dialog box will open. Select
USB Device and then click OK as shown.
Keep holding the boot block button down
during the navigation software update.

BOOT BLOCK BUTTON

9. Wait for the Update Complete message to
be displayed on the computer, then
release the boot block button.
6. While holding the boot block button down,
turn the ignition switch to the ACC position.
Holding should be shown on the navi display.
Keep holding the boot block button down.

HOLDING

7. On the PC, drag and drop the file icon for
095602000250_bbsys.rgn onto the file icon
for Updater.

10. Disconnect the USB Mini B connector
from the navigation unit. Then press and
release the boot block button after the
navigation system has started.
• If the navigation system fails to start
(black screen), press the Map key on the
navigation switch panel, let the system
boot up, then press the boot block button.
BOOT BLOCK BUTTON

Continue to Step 11 on the next page.

4 of 6

©2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

GL1800 #21
REVISED: March 13, 2012
11. The General screen should be displayed
in the navigation display.
Press the Menu key on the navigation
switch panel to get to the Inventory
screen.
Press the down arrow key to underline the
Boot Block row and verify the boot block
number:
Boot Block 006-B0956-00 2.50 B
•

If the boot block number is different
than above, turn the ignition switch to
OFF and repeat Steps 4 through 11.

IDENTIFICATION
Updated units can be identified by looking up
the System Info screen on the Navigation system display. Updated units will have Software
Version 2.50. See REPAIR VERIFICATION for
instructions.

CLAIM INFORMATION
This Product Update Campaign ends the last
day of March, 2017. Normal claim submission
requirements apply.
After completing the update procedure, submit one warranty claim per unit with the following information:
WARRANTY CLAIM TEMPLATE
Template: S29A
Flat Rate Time: 0.3 hrs

MENU KEY

DOWN ARROW
KEY

PARTS INFORMATION
Navigation System Update Software
The update software is only available for
download from the TechLine section of iN by
clicking on or following this path:
Service > TechLine > Technical Reference

Click on 2012 GL1800 Navi System Software
Update to download the update software.

12. Turn the ignition switch to OFF and reinstall the navigation unit cover and six
screws.
13. Reinstall the navigation unit and all other
removed parts.

©2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

5 of 6

GL1800 #21
REVISED: March 13, 2012
TEXT OF CUSTOMER LETTER
March 2012
IMPORTANT NOTICE OF PRODUCT UPDATE CAMPAIGN
Dear GL1800/A Owner:
What is the reason for this notice?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is conducting a Product Update Campaign to update the navigation unit software on certain
2012 model year GL1800/A motorcycles. Our records indicate that you own one of these motorcycles.
What is the problem?
When using the navigation system within certain geographic regions, the system may fail to properly recalculate
after deviating from a programmed route, and may hang or shut down. Because your satisfaction with your
GL1800/A is important to us, Honda will update the navigation unit software at no cost to you.
What should you do?
A software update is available to correct the above described condition. Only the navigation unit software will be
updated; maps, saved routes, and other data will not be affected. Please schedule a repair appointment with a
Honda motorcycle dealer. The dealer will update the navigation unit software at no cost to you. While this Product
Update Campaign will remain active until the last day of March, 2017, we encourage you to have this repair
completed as soon as possible.
Who to contact for help:
Contact your Honda motorcycle dealer for help. Should you need assistance in locating a Honda dealer, please
visit our website at http://powersports.honda.com
Who to contact if you experience a problem:
If you are not satisfied with the service you receive from your Honda dealer, you may write to:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Motorcycle Customer Support
Mail Stop 100-4C-7B
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
(866) 784-1870
What to do if you feel this notice is in error:
This notice was mailed to you according to the most current information we have available. If you no longer own
this GL1800/A or some information in this notice is incorrect, please fill out and return the included, postage-paid
Information Change Card. This will help us to update our records.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Thank you for your GL1800/A purchase and your
cooperation.
Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Motorcycle Division

6 of 6

©2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved