BMW R 1200 RT Complaints (2008)

32 consumer complaints on file.

#11460528April 12, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The bike is a 2008 BMW R1200RT. The throttle bodies for each cylinder has a plastic cam that is the point of attachment for the throttle cable. That plastic cam broke and completely detached from the bike. I was accelerating to merge into traffic on Interstate 64E at Corydon, IN. Once established in the right lane, the bike suddenly lost power and slowed rapidly while I was approached from the rear by a tractor trailer that had to apply brakes and continuously sounded his horn while abruptly maneuvering to the left lane to avoid me while I was attempting to assess what had just happened. This is a critical safety component and its failure has been documented countless number of times on various owner's group forums for this type of bike. One of which is linked here: https://www.bmwsporttouring.com/topic/91897-throttle-body-more-cracked-cable-camspulleys/ Another: https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?76036-Broken-Throttle-Body-Pulleys-2009-R1200RT/page5 It is apparent the plastic that this throttle body cam is made from deteriorates rapidly causing a significant safety risk. There are aftermarket replacements that are made from aluminum, but they are very expensive. I am asking for a safety recall and that BMW be made to replace these parts with a metal or a material that is less prone to failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430262August 24, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My forth vehicle with throttle body cams that are cracked and broken on both sides. No symptoms or warning lights of a problem that could have lead to a catastrophic failure, total engine propulsion failure, breakdown. My safety and others were in danger of injury or death. Dealer has confirmed and repaired all vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423380July 4, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This is a two-cylinder engine with an independent throttle body for each cylinder. The throttle is actuated by a cable and pulley which rotate the throttle plate on a shaft. The pulley is attached to the shaft with molded plastic. Upon inspection during service, both plastic moldings (both cylinders) were discovered to be cracked and near failure. Failure of this part will cause that cylinder to go to idle power. If the vehicle is in motion, there will be a sudden loss of power, and high vibration until the throttle is closed. Until repair, the motorcycle will be inoperable. This has become a known defect with this series of motorcycles. I repaired mine using an aftermarket aluminum part created to address this problem. Parts cost was $458.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11202929April 22, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS SERIES OF MOTORCYCLES HAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CRACKS IN THE THROTTLE PULLEYS ON THE THROTTLE BODY. FAILURE OF THIS PLASTIC PART WILL RESULT IN INSTANT LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND DECIDED TO INSPECT THE TWO THROTTLE BODIES ON MY MOTORCYCLE AS A PRECAUTION. BOTH OF MINE WERE CRACKED. ONE OF THE PULLEYS HAS THREE CRACKS IN IT, AND WOULD LIKELY HAVE FAILED WITHIN A SHORT TIME. SEE PHOTOS INCLUDED WITH THIS REPORT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11131018September 24, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS PUMP MOTOR IS FAILING ON MANY OF THE SAME MODEL BIKES AND SOME OTHER 2006-2008 MODEL BMW BIKES WITH LOW MILEAGE, BECAUSE THE BRUSH HOLDERS IN THE ABS ELECTRICAL MOTOR ARE TOO TIGHT AND BRUSHES GET STUCK IN THEM - BAD DESIGN OF THE ABS PUMP MOTOR. BMW WILL ASK YOU LOADS OF MONIES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PUMP, EVEN THO THEY ARE FULLY AWARE IT'S A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE BIKES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11013884August 9, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP LEAKING FROM A CRACK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE OUTPUT LINE SPRAYED GASOLINE ON THE INSIDE OF THE FAIRING, MOTOR AND MY LEG. THE PUMP SPRAYS GASOLINE ANYTIME THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10968858March 27, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE BEGAN EXHIBITING ENGINE STALLING SYMPTOMS FOR ABOUT A MONTH (ENGINE DIES WITHOUT WARNING AS IF IGNITION HAD BEEN CUT) DURING CITY DRIVING, WHILE TURNING AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT ABOUT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENGINE QUIT ALONG WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL GOING BLANK. ELECTRICAL SMOKE BEGAN TO BILLOW BETWEEN THE FRONT FORKS. THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME, I DISCOVERED THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE FRONT FORKS. THE HARNESS WRAP APPEARS TO HAVE FRICTION WEAR INDICATIONS EXPOSING BARE WIRING. THE FAULTY WIRE MELTED THE INSULATION ALL THE WAY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH DOWN INTO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT IS ROUTED UNDER THE FUEL TANK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10944497January 12, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON, BMW SHOP SAID ABS UNIT IS BAD $2000 FIX. ON MANY BMW MOTORCYCLE FORUMS THERE ARE MANY ABS UNIT FAILURES. BMW KNOWS ABOUT THESE FAILURES BUT DOES NOTHING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10915462October 12, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAS 6000 MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS OWNER HAD A RECEIPT FROM THE DEALER SHOWING THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HAD BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. FUEL INDICATOR SHOWS 1/4 TANK OF FUEL, AND ENGINE COMPUTER SHOWS 92 MILES RANGE. VEHICLE STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION, OUT OF FUEL. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE MOTORCYCLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10897994August 23, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE ABS PUMP AT 29K MILES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. BRAKES STILL FUNCTION BUT WITHOUT ABS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10896509August 17, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE RIDING. INVESTIGATION BY MECHANIC SHOWS ABS HAS FAILED. BIKE ONLY HAS 26,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BASED ON INFORMATION AND REPORTS ON THE VARIOUS LISTS AND BOARDS I PARTICIPATE ON. FAULT CODES 24048 (ABS PUMP MOTOR DEFECTIVE) AND 24049 (POWER SUPPLY TO PUMP MOTOR FAULTY). THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND BASED ON IT BEING AN INTEGRAL BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY MANUFACTURER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860628April 20, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
THE ABS MODULE FAILED WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND BMW ASKED IF IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND IT WAS FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY. THEY SAID THE MODULE CORRODED. IT IS A SEALED MODULE AND IF IT CORRODED IT MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE IN ORDER TO ALL THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY IN FOR IT TO CORRODE. FORTUNATELY I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED RIDER AND QUICKLY RELEASED THE BRAKE AS IT LOCKED UP (WHAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS TO PREVENT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN ABS MODULE FAILING LIKE THIS. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE DEALER AND BMW AND BOTH DECLINED TO HELP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781671October 13, 2015
POWER TRAIN
WITH JUST 16124 MILES, MY MOTORCYCLE HAS A FINAL DRIVE RING BEARING FAILURE. THE BMW DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WHEN CONDUCTING THE REAR FLANGE RECALL REPAIR. THIS FAILURE IS SO COMMON THAT IT HAS BECOME ENDEMIC. BMW OFFERS NO HELP WITH THE REPAIR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN ERROR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10717107May 18, 2015
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R 1200 RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V141000 (WHEELS); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE REMEDY WHICH MENTIONED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALUMINUM REAR WHEEL FLANGE WITH A STEEL ONE. THE DEALER ONLY WANTED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10621168August 9, 2014
POWER TRAIN
I WAS RIDING ALONG AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING A LACK OF STABILITY AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. IT FELT LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS LOUD RUMBLING AND A VIBRATION FELT THROUGHOUT THE BIKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558201January 2, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
THE ABS AND REAR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THIS WAS INDICATED BY AN INSTRUMENT PANEL RED WARNING LIGHT, "BRAKE FAILURE". AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE, THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DID NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED (INTEGRAL BRAKES) AND THE ABS SYSTEM WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE SCANNED CODES STATE THAT THE POWER SUPPLY TO PUMP MOTOR IS FAULTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543467September 13, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 1/4 TANK OF FUEL, BUT THE MOTORCYCLE HAD ACTUALLY RUN OUT OF FUEL ON A VERY BUSY SECTION OF INTERSTATE 95 IN DELAWARE JUST BEFORE THE I 95 / I 295-I 495 SPLIT. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT HAND TRAVEL LANE AND WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF ONTO A WIDENED LEFTHAND SECTION OF BREAKDOWN LANE THAT WAS LED INTO THE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT DELAWARE DOT SALT/SAND BARN. THE SUDDEN DECELERATION WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED, AND I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST JUST AS I WAS MOVING INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE, IN SPITE OF PULLING IN THE CLUTCH TO COAST SO AS NOT TO CONTINUE WITH THE STRONG ENGINE BREAKING THAT RESULTED. HAD TO CALL AAA SERVICES TO GET FUEL ENOUGH TO GET TO A REFUELING STATION. FUEL TANK SENSOR WAS ULTIMATELY REPLACED BY LOCAL BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALER A MONTH AND A HALF AGO, BUT FAILED AGAIN LAST WEEK!!! THIS SENSOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR BMW, AND CONTINUES TO BE, AS SEVERAL OF MY FRIENDS HAVE HAD THEIRS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES EACH. IF I WERE TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY, OR IN A REMOTE LOCATION - IN EITHER EXTREME COLD OR HOT, WITHOUT A WAY TO CONTACT HELP, IT COULD PROVE TO BE DANGEROUS. THE SUDDEN DECELERATION ALONE ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE REAR-ENDED, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535457August 15, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL STRIP INDICATOR HAS NOW FAILED 3 TIMES, TWICE LEAVING ME STRANDED WITH AN EMPTY FUEL TANK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534997August 12, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ON TO THE ROAD SHOULDER BUT SUFFERED SCRAPES AND BRUISES WHILE DOING SO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 09-18-13 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10499756February 23, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE FAILED, AGAIN, CAUSING POTENTIAL STALLING IN TRAFFIC CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to BMW R 1200 RT