BMW R 1200 GS Complaints (2017)

10 consumer complaints on file.

#11662904May 24, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
It is not clear which rear brake component is failing. It seems to be either the master cylinder or the ABS control module, but nothing seems to be conclusive. The failure alters the power of, and force required to apply, the rear brakes, changing the riding characteristics of the motorcycle that could lead to serious injury or miscalculations in application of the rear brake to minimize stopping distance. Apparently the component has been inspected by the manufacturer, however there has been no concrete solution that would guarantee a permanent fix. There are no warning lamps or visual indicators to prepare riders that the rear brakes may be compromised or dysfunctional. There have been multiple incidents of this failure from new. After 7 years and over 800 posts (in this thread alone), owners and BMW dealers have not been able correct the defects with 100% certainty. [XXX] This impacts owners of this motorcycle with a Production Date Range of Sept 1, 2012 through to Aug 31, 2020. BMW knows of the problem and released a Technical Service Bulletin SIB 34 01 21 to Dealers [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550245October 16, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
I bought a 2017 BMW R 1200 GS used from a dealer with 554 miles on it. Basically new. I put 1100 miles on the bike before I had a work related accident. The Bike has 1687 miles on it now. Bike has been sitting for 3+ years in a garage. The rear brake goes all the way to the bump stop with no resistance. With the bike on the center stand and the rear brake lever all the way down to the bump stop, the rear wheel spins freely. I rode this bike 2 days before my accident in July of 2020 and the rear brake worked fine. I have not rode the bike in 3+ years and the rear brake went flat. This is unacceptable. I think BMW knows there is a problem. I want you to know there is a problem so maybe the problem get fixed. I've read post on BMW forums, explaining the rear master cylinder sucks in air. Air in brake lines is no good. That means the rear brake master cylinder could suck in air and render the rear brake useless. I think Brakes are an especially important part of vehicle safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511858March 14, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 BMW R1200 GS Adventure. The contact stated while riding at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal "clunking" sound coming from the rear of the motorcycle. The contact stated that immediately the motorcycle started to lose motive power. While attempting to accelerate, the motorcycle started to vibrate without accelerating properly. The contact stated there was no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he coasted to the side of the road and turned off the motorcycle. The contact noticed that a rubber grommet that covered the universal joint connection to the final drive was torn. The contact had the motorcycle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the universal joint and driveshaft needed to be replaced. The motorcycle had been repaired. The contact also noticed an oil leak and had to return the motorcycle to the same dealer to have additional bearings and seals replaced. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10218351 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491067October 26, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING:SWITCH/SENSOR/FLOAT
The contact owns a 2017 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 65 MPH, while attempting to stop the motorcycle, the brakes failed to operate properly causing a delay in stopping the motorcycle. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that they aware of the failure. The mechanic bled the brake lines and the motorcycle remained at the dealer overnight; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 3,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437642October 21, 2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 BMW R1200 GS. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, there was a sudden loss of motive power and the motorcycle was going at a slower speed, After an hour the motorcyclist was informed by another rider that the contact needed to pull over because they noticed smoke coming from motorcycle saddle bag due to the bag being next to the fuel pipe on the motorcycle. When the contact pulled over their saddleback was on fire due to the catalytic converter becoming so hot it started to catch the item in the saddleback on fire and melting. The contact removed the saddlebag off the bike and threw into a nearby puddle to extinguish the fire. The contact was able to place the saddlebag on top of their seat and continue to drive to their destination. The contact took the motorcycle to a local dealer was able to be diagnosed with a fractured valve spring. The motorcycle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11374290November 12, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BMW R1200 GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING 50 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL, THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE FRONT BRAKE TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT CALLED TYTLERS CYCLE (2246 MID VALLEY DR, DE PERE, WI 54115, (920) 347-9144) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11280930November 18, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I EXPERIENCED THREE INSTANCES OF THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON AND THE ENGINE LOSING POWER AND THROTTLE CONTROL. THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN BUT WAS RESTRICTED TO A FAST IDLE OF APPROX. 2000RPM AND NO THROTTLE. SPEED WAS THEREFORE RESTRICTED TO 2000 RPM DEPENDING ON WHAT GEAR WHICH WAS ABOUT 5-10 MPH.. ONE EVENT HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEED AND TWO WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH ALL HAPPENING IN A SPAN OF ABOUT 30 MILES. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ON A RURAL HIGHWAY WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC AS THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO POSSIBILITY TO LOOK FOR A SAFE PULL OFF SPOT. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE MOTOR AND RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION FOR A SHORT TIME AND RESTARTING, MOTOR RAN FINE WITH WARNING LIGHTS. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A BMW REPAIR FACILITY AND HAD THE ENGINE CODES DOWNLOADED BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A CAUSE. I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE RIDING IT AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO NOT START IT BUT HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. I FEEL THIS IS A BIT DANGEROUS AS IF IT WAS TO HAPPEN IN THE CENTER LANE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RIDE IT SINCE RETURNING FROM THE REPAIR FACILITY BUT THE DEALER PUT ABOUT 50 MILES ON IT WITHOUT IT REOCCURRING. I DON'T FEEL REAL CONFIDENT OR SAFE AS NOTHING WAS DONE TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11142408October 24, 2018
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN AT A CONSTANT SPEED ON THE STREET, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE PROBLEM LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD. THE MOTORCYCLE THEN PROCEEDS INTO "EMERGENCY OPERATION MODE" WHERE THE RPMS IMMEDIATELY DROP TO 2000 RPMS OR LOWER CAUSING IMMEDIATE DECELERATION. ON A MOTORCYCLE THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD IN TRAFFIC, IN A TURN, OR PASSING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEPARATE TIMES. EACH TIME THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE BMW SHOP FOR REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE SHOP PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO THE MOTORCYCLE COMPUTER. THIS REPAIR DID NOT FIX THE RECURRING PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11097641May 23, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAD LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON MY BMW R1200GS ADVENTURE AND NOTICED THAT I HAD NO REAR BAKE AT ALL WHEN I WAS RIDING OFF ROAD WITH MY "ENDURO PRO" MODE ENGAGED. THIS ALLOWS ME TO USE THE REAR BRAKE IN AN OFF ROAD MODE AND SHUTS DOWN ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL.. I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE. SEE ADVRIDER.COM AND SEARCH REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON BMW R1200GS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY BLED THE BRAKES. THEY NOW WORK FINE. IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED BY OTHERS THAT THE BREMBO REAR MASTER CYLINDER IS TO BLAME. IT ALLEGEDLY ALLOWS AIR INTO THE SYSTEM.SOME DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THIS AND IT HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE SHOES WERE IN GOOD SHAPE AND WERE NOT REPLACED. I AM ASKING THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS AS FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY ESPECIALLY OFF ROAD AND GOING DOWNHILL. THIS IS WHERE THE REAR BRAKE IS VERY IMPORTANT. VERY RESPECTFULLY,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11042277November 2, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REAR REFLECTOR RECALL. THE DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL THE MOUNTING RACK FOR THE REAR SIDES LUGGAGE OR THE LUGGAGE WITH MY NEW BIKE. THEY ARE WAITING ON THE FIX BEFORE THEY WILL RELEASE THESE PARTS. BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS????
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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