BMW R 1200 RT Complaints (2006)

54 consumer complaints on file.

#11267990October 11, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW R1200 RT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED BMW MOTORCYCLES MCDONOUGH (LOCATED AT 755 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253, (770) 957-7404) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,109. *LN CONSUMER STATED THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED ONCE IN RECALL 13V617 IN 2014. REPAIR HISTORY INDICATES MY BIKE WAS CHECKED FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON WHETHER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. GIVEN THE INFORMATION IN THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENT, EITHER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY OR THERE WAS NOTHING DONE. NO METAL REINFORCING RING WAS PLACED ON THE FUEL PUMP, SO EITHER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FAULTY PUMP OR NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THIS RECALL WAS NOT ADDRESSED ON MY BIKE EVEN THOUGH THE BIKE WAS CHECKED. I AM HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE MENTIONED FOR SIEMENS FUEL PUMPS IN BMW MOTORCYCLES UNDER THE RECALL. PHOTOS, FUEL LEAK NHTSA INVESTIGATION, AND 2006 BMW REPAIR HISTORY ATTACHED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11001490June 26, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FUEL STRIP THAT READS GASOLINE LEVEL IS DEFECTIVE. FIRST REPAIR LASTED LESS THAN 200 MILES. RECENT REPLACEMENT FAILED AS I MADE THE TURN OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FROM THE LAST REPAIR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10885480July 18, 2016
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-79 NEAR PITTSBURGH AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT LET GO. THIS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE REAR WHEEL TO INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP AND RELEASE. THE UNIVERSAL HAS NO MEANS TO LUBRICATE IT AND NO NOISE OR VIBRATION WAS HEARD OR FELT BEFORE FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10672199January 13, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
AS I WAS DECELERATING FOR A TURN I FELT A SHUDDER AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND LOST REAR WHEEL BRAKING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND UPON EXAMINATION OF THE REAR WHEEL DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE DISC WAS SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE MOUNTING FLANGE. EACH OF THE FIVE MOUNTING HOLES HAD FAILED AND ALLOWED THE DISC TO SEPARATE. THE REAR WHEEL IS ALSO BOLTED TO THIS FLANGE. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. MY FEELING IS THAT THIS TYPE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SINCE IT INVOLVES A FAILURE AT SPEED AND RELATES TO THE REAR WHEEL AND REAR BRAKE MOUNTING FLANGE. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639539September 27, 2014
WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE CHANGING MY REAR BRAKES, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR SPACER FLANGE THAT ATTACHES THE WHEEL TO THE ROTOR IS CRACKED IN 3 DIFFERENT MOUNTING AREAS. I DO NOT RIDE OFF ROAD OR OTHERWISE ABUSE THE BIKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637145September 17, 2014
POWER TRAIN
AS I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I FELT MY MOTORCYCLE ALL OF A SUDDEN WOBBLE AND LOST CONTROL. I STRUGGLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO A STOP BY THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT APPEARED MY FINAL DRIVE (TRANSMISSION ) HAD FAILED PREMATURELY. THERE WERE OIL FROM THE FINAL DRIVE SPLATTERED ALL OVER MY REAR WHEEL. THIS WAS A FREIGHTING EXPERIENCE AND COULD HAVE RESULTANT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO ME BECAUSE OF A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FINAL DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10625854August 17, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LEAK: THE PLASTIC AROUND THE FUEL PUMP OUTPUT FITTING IS CRACKED AND LEAKING. MY LEFT LEG WAS COVERED IN GASOLINE AS WELL AS MY LEFT FAIRING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10618002July 31, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS CRUISING ALONG ON MY BMW R1200 RT AT THE 70MPH SPEED LIMIT WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A RED WARNING TRIANGLE. I IMMEDIATELY LOOK FOR THE NEXT EXIT, BUT BEFORE I GET TO THE EXIT, I ENCOUNTER A HEAVY RAIN. WHEN I TRY TO SLOW THE BIKE, THE BRAKES ARE NUMB, AND VERY DIFFICULT TO PRESS. THIS CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE PANIC, BUT I'M ABLE TO SLOW THE BIKE AFTER A VERY LONG INTERVAL. I PARK THE BIKE AND READ THE OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT THE FAILURE. IT IS DESCRIBED AS A SERIOUS FAILURE WHICH WILL CAUSE THE SERVO ASSIST TO BE DEACTIVATED, BUT THE BIKE IS STILL RIDEABLE. SINCE I WAS OVER 300 MILES FROM HOME, I ATTEMPTED TO MANAGE THE PROBLEM AS THE MANUAL RECOMMENDED. THE BIKE IS BASICALLY UNRIDEABLE AND NOT CONTROLLABLE WHEN THIS ERROR APPEARS. THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL YOUR STOP, AND THIS IS NOTHING LIKE JUST LOSING YOUR ABS, AND HAVING TO RESORT TO REGULAR BRAKES. THIS IS LIKE HAVING ABOUT 30% OF YOUR BRAKES AVAILABLE! WHICH IS TERRIFYING. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS SYSTEM IS DESIGNED THIS WAY,OR WHY BMW WOULD SUGGEST IT'S OKAY TO CONTINUE TO RIDE IN THIS MANNER. I FELT LIKE MY CHANCES OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT WERE INCREASED BY 120%. THIS BRAKING SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS. SO MUCH SO, THAT I FOUND OUT THAT BMW DISCONTINUED ITS USE AFTER THE 2006 PRODUCTION AND WENT WITH A TOTALLY NEW SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM WAS ONLY USED FOR 2 YEARS ON THE R1200RT. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHY THIS SYSTEM WASN'T RECALLED, AND WHAT BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE FAILURE POTENTIAL. MAYBE THAT'S WHY THEY DISCONTINUED IT. I FELT MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER BY RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10617031July 28, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE RIDING MY BIKE ON 280 SOUTH, I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP. THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, & THE BIKE'S REAR SLID OUT. THE ABS WAS INOPERATIVE, DUE TO A FAULTY ABS MODULATOR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHICH BMW IS WELL AWARE OF. THEY REFUSE TO HAVE A FACTORY RECALL ON THIS PART. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606706June 28, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS CRUISING ALONG ON MY BMW R1200 RT AT THE 70MPH SPEED LIMIT WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A RED WARNING TRIANGLE. I IMMEDIATELY LOOK FOR THE NEXT EXIT, BUT BEFORE I GET TO THE EXIT, I ENCOUNTER A HEAVY RAIN. WHEN I TRY TO SLOW THE BIKE, THE BRAKES ARE NUMB, AND VERY DIFFICULT TO PRESS. THIS CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE PANIC, BUT I'M ABLE TO SLOW THE BIKE AFTER A VERY LONG INTERVAL. I PARK THE BIKE AND READ THE OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT THE FAILURE. IT IS DESCRIBED AS A SERIOUS FAILURE WHICH WILL CAUSE THE SERVO ASSIST TO BE DEACTIVATED, BUT THE BIKE IS STILL RIDEABLE. SINCE I WAS OVER 300 MILES FROM HOME, I ATTEMPTED TO MANAGE THE PROBLEM AS THE MANUAL RECOMMENDED. THE BIKE IS BASICALLY UNRIDEABLE AND NOT CONTROLLABLE WHEN THIS ERROR APPEARS. THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL YOUR STOP, AND THIS IS NOTHING LIKE JUST LOSING YOUR ABS, AND HAVING TO RESORT TO REGULAR BRAKES. THIS IS LIKE HAVING ABOUT 30% OF YOUR BRAKES AVAILABLE! WHICH IS TERRIFYING. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS SYSTEM IS DESIGNED THIS WAY,OR WHY BMW WOULD SUGGEST IT'S OKAY TO CONTINUE TO RIDE IN THIS MANNER. I FELT LIKE MY CHANCES OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT WERE INCREASED BY 120%. THIS BRAKING SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS. SO MUCH SO, THAT I FOUND OUT THAT BMW DISCONTINUED ITS USE AFTER THE 2006 PRODUCTION AND WENT WITH A TOTALLY NEW SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM WAS ONLY USED FOR 2 YEARS ON THE R1200RT. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHY THIS SYSTEM WASN'T RECALLED, AND WHAT BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE FAILURE POTENTIAL. MAYBE THAT'S WHY THEY DISCONTINUED IT. I FELT MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER BY RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583586April 18, 2014
POWER TRAIN
THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 29,000 MILES. THE REPAIR IS OVER $2,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10550651November 3, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
SOMETIME BEFORE 04/23/09 (MAYBE A MONTH) THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD STAY ON UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON THE BRAKES WORKED BUT IT WAS ALL OR NOTHING. JUST TOUCHING THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK THEM UP, BOTH FRONT AND REAR SINCE THE HAND BRAKE OPERATES BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. SINCE MY COMMUTE RIDES WERE 12 MILES, I ONLY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM 2 OR 3 TIMES PRIOR TO TAKING THE MOTORCYCLE INTO BMW MOTORCYCLES OF VENTURA COUNTY FOR SERVICE. ON 04/23/09 I TOOK THE BIKE IN FOR SERVICE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WAS LOW AND SHOWED 12.52 VDC AND SHOULD BE MINIMUM OF 12.6 VDC. THE DEALER CHARGED THE BATTERY. ALSO, THEY BLED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO THE TUNE OF $241.20. THE BRAKE PROBLEM CONTINUED BUT WOULD ONLY RESURFACE ABOUT TWICE A MONTH AND I WAS THINKING THIS WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS RUNNING OUT OF JUICE AND CAUSING THE ABS TO MALFUNCTION. I BOUGHT A DIGITAL BATTERY TENDER AND KEPT THE BATTERY FULLY CHARGED. I STOPPED COMMUTING ON THE BIKE AND ONLY USED IT FOR 30 TO 40 MILE RIDES BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON CONTINUED AND WHEN USING THE HAND BRAKE THE BRAKES WOULD AGAIN LOCK UP, IT WAS ALL OR NOTHING. ALTHOUGH, IF I SIMPLY USED THE FOOT BRAKE THAT ONLY OPERATES THE REAR BRAKE THE BIKE WOULD COME TO A SAFE STOP WITH NO LOCK UP. NOW THE BIKE HAS 20,599 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP, "BMW MOTORCYCLES OF VENTURA COUNTY, 830 TOURMAILINE DRIVE, NEWBURY PARK, CA. 91320...PHONE 805 499-3770 SINCE 10/17/13 AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE/REPAIR THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION. I HAVE PHONED BMW CUSTOMERS RELATIONS BUT WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT PERSONS THAT IT IS REALLY A DEALER PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM SHOWED UP BEFORE THE MOTORCYCLE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE BRAKES AND BMW WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10550550November 1, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IN-TANK FUEL PUMP LEAKS FUEL AT THREADED CONNECTION TO OUTLET QUICK-RELEASE FITTING. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A REINFORCEMENT CLAMP MADE BY A THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIER AND REINSTALLED THE QUICK-RELEASE FITTING WITH A FUEL-RESISTANT THREAD SEALANT, BUT THE FITTING STILL LEAKS. I'LL TRY ADHESIVE INSTEAD, ON THE ADVICE OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FUEL LEAKS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE ON ANY VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY NOT ON A SUPPOSEDLY HIGH-QUALITY MOTORCYCLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10550138October 30, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I SMELLED FUEL (ON AND OFF) ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. WHEN I CAME TO MY PARKING SPACE, THEN I REALLY SMELLED IT. WHEN I LEANED THE BIKE TO PUT IS ON THE SIDE STAND SOME FUEL DRIPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE COWLING, RIGHT BY THE EXHAUST PIPE. AFTER WORK, IN THE PARKING LOT, I DISASSEMBLED THE COWLING AND FOUND THAT THE BASE OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY PACKAGE WHERE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FITTING GOES INTO, WAS CRACKED, (NOT ENOUGH PLASTIC AROUND THE FITTING). I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS REFERRING TO, AND WAS TOLD THE PART WAS $550 BECAUSE IT INCLUDED THE FUEL PUMP (WHICH I DON'T NEED). I DECIDED THAT I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED PIECE, SO I GOT A CLAMP AND PUT IT OVER THE CRACKED PART, AND EPOXIED IT. MAKING IT A BETTER DESIGN. THE NEXT DAY, I ALSO WAS TOLD THAT THE NEW PIECE FROM BMW HAS THE SAME SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, A STEEL BAND. I DON'T KNOW IF THEIRS IS STAINLESS STEEL LIKE MINE. AT FIRST, I WOULD HAVE SETTLED FOR JUST THE PART I NEEDED, BUT TO BE SOLD THE SAME CRAP PLUS A PART I DIDN'T NEED, I WASN'T GOING TO DO IT. AT THE URGING OF ANOTHER DEALER I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT MY PROBLEM, IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY OF COARSE. I TRY NOT TO PANIC ABOUT SAFETY ISSUES (I AM AN INSPECTOR OF EQUIPMENT IN ANOTHER LINE OF WORK). HOWEVER, THEIR LACK OF CORRECTIVE BACKING OF A BADLY DESIGNED PART CAUSED ME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. IT IS AT IT'S CORE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546949October 6, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE NOTED FUEL SMELL AND DISCOVERED LEAKING FUEL FROM CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY TOP PLATE WHERE THE PLASTIC HIGH PRESSURE LINE QUICK DISCONNECT FITTING SCREWS IN TO THE TAPERED PIPE THREADS OF THE PLASTIC PLATE. NOTED EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE POOLING WITH POTENTIAL OF DRIPPING ONTO HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS. IF FUEL WERE TO BE IGNITED THERE WOULD LIKELY BE A CATASTROPHIC FIRE AND POTENTIAL CRASH. THERE IS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF TRACTION FOR THE REAR TIRE DUE TO LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND, ALSO POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN SPECIFICATION FLAW THAT MAY OCCUR ON ALL THE MOTORCYCLES SIMILARLY EQUIPPED. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS WARRANTS IMMEDIATE ACTION BY BMW, BOTH FOR MOTORCYCLES THAT HAVE YET TO FAIL, AND FOR THOSE THAT HAVE FAILED AND HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BY THE OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543576September 14, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CRACKED FUEL PUMP FLANGE,LEAKING GAS AND SPRAYING ON RIDER. THIS IS THE FOURTH BMW BIKE I HAVE OWNED AND HAVE HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534549August 9, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GAS LEAKING FROM LEFT SIDE FAIRING AFTER RIDING WITH SMALL SPILL OF GAS ON GARAGE FLOOR. TAKEN TO MORTONS BMW DEALER TODAY WHERE DEFECTIVE O-RING AND CRACKS IN FUEL PUMP FLANGE WERE NOTED. PRIOR # JBN1-18051. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534389August 8, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL SMELL ON CLOTHING AND LEAKING FUEL FOUND DRIPPING ON HOT EXHAUST DURING STOP AT GAS STATION TO REFUEL. IMMEDIATELY PUSH MOTORCYCLE TO SAFE AREA AWAY FROM GAS STATION TO ASSESS CAUSE OF LEAK. FOUND MULTIPLE CRACKS IN PLASTIC FUEL PUMP HOUSING FLANGE THAT WHICH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT THREADS INTO. FUEL WAS POOLING APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH DEEP ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING AND NEXT TO FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CONTROL RELAY AND WIRING. MOTORCYCLE HAD TO BE TOWED 75 MILES TO NEAREST BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALER FOR FUEL PUMP AND HOUSING REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505404April 2, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 1/3 OF TANK OF FUEL REMAINING AND 110 MILES LEFT BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF GAS. BIKE RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE RIDING DOWN HIGHWAY AS TANK WAS EMPTY. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD SAFELY AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT READ ACCURATELY SINCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504324March 24, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PLASTIC FUEL CONNECTOR BROKE WHILE RIDING ON EXPRESSWAY - FUEL SPEWED WHILE RIDING AT 55 MPH ALL OVER RIDER'S LEG - SOAKED PANTS LEG AND BOOT. ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO MY HOME WITHOUT RUNNING OUT OF FUEL OR CATCHING FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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