BMW R 1200 RT Complaints (2009)

38 consumer complaints on file.

#11612140September 2, 2024
ENGINE
TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUTS. DISCOVERED LEFT AND RIGHT THROTTLE BODY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT DUE TO CABLE CAMS ARE BROKEN. BOUGHT THIS BIKE FOR PARTS. CHOSE TO FIX IT UP GIVEN LOW MILEAGE. LOOKS LIKE PLASTIC CAM FRACTURES FREQUENTLY. LUCKY I FOUND OUT BEFORE I TRIED RIDING IT. NEWER MODELS BY MANUFACTURER AND AFTERMARKET PARTS OFFER METAL CAM. EVEN MY KIDS CAR SEATS NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 10 YEARS BECAUSE OF “PLASTICS FATIGUE/FAILURE”.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535570July 31, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE
On 06-19-2023 i was North bound I275 north of 8 mile about 715pm. I was in the left lane going about 68 mph. All of a sudden my It felt like my throttle cable broke, when I twisted it there was no motor response forward and backward, but my motor was red lining against the Rev limiter, so I pulled in the clutch and it did not slow down at all. Actually I sped up to over 100 mph, thankfully there was noone in front of me, I steadily pulled on the front brake and stepped on the back brake until I came to a stop. The length I went was at least 1 1/2- 2 miles from when I thought the cable broke till I got it stopped. I had it towed to southeast bmw in Plymouth, MI. It's still in the shop as of July 31,2023. So I don't know what exactly went wrong yet. They are waiting on a part and said the throttle cable didn't break. My question is why did I continue to go faster while the clutch was in. Besides what ever went wrong on the bike and heavier pants, myself and the bike were not harmed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495808December 2, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The OEM plastic 90° quick discount fitting on top of the fuel pump started spraying fuel. I started smelling fuel on the interstate highway 10 and by the time I could pull over safely off the interstate I was covered with fuel. The fuel was running down on the hot exhaust pipe’s on the front left side of the motorcycle and spraying all over my face and legs. I could have been set on fire and burnt to death because of where the fuel was spraying from. This also could have cost the lives of the people on the interstate had i burst into flames and lost control of the motorcycle. When I called the BMW dealership in Tucson AZ the service tech told me that they had a medal aftermarket 90° fitting that would fix my problem. I replaced the fitting and the fuel leak was fixed. This motorcycle fuel pump was replaced 07/01/2014 at mileage 12,482 because of a fuel leak recall. I’m filling this report because this fitting fail happened without warning 15,700 miles after the fuel flange recall. This must be a common problem for the service tech to know over the phone the fox and have a aftermarket medal part that fixed the fuel leak. The location of this potential leak makes it extremely dangerous hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492222November 4, 2022
POWER TRAIN
2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT LED TO A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. At highway speed, heard clicking noise from rear of bike. While parked on center stand and spinning rear wheel, heard a terrible grinding sound. Who knows what would have happened had I not exited when I did. This left me stranded, requiring a tow; repair took two days and was over $3,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430264August 24, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Throttle body cams broken, no symtoms, could have caused crash from complete power loss to the engine, could have crashed or been hit. Dealer replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416743May 15, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY SECOND MOTORCYCLE TO HAVE THROTTLE BODY CAM FAILURE. THIS IS BECOMING AN ISSUES AS THESE BIKE REACH HIGHER MILEAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414608April 30, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BMW HAVE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 20V-471: FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER IN MY AREA (5TH GEAR CYCLE 1200 W SW EXPY DR, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012) IS NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE SERVICE BEFORE END OF JULY. BIKE CURRENTLY IS UNUSABLE AS FUEL DRIPS OVER THE EXHAUST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414511April 29, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THROTTLE BODY PLASTIC CAMS BROKE ACCELERATING INTO ON RAMP OF I4 IN ORLANDO. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN TO IDLE INTO REAR APPROACHING TRAFFIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414323April 28, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE WITH 50,482 MILES. THROTTLE CABLE PULLEYS/CAMS BOTH SHOWING SIGNS OF MULTIPLE CRACKS. ONCE THEY CRACK COMPLETELY, THE MOTORCYCLE BECOMES UNRIDEABLE AND MUST BE TOWED. THROTTLE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AND MOTORCYCLE JUST RETURNS TO IDLE. MUST EITHER REPLACE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY OR REMOVE AND REPLACE EXISTING PLASTIC CAMS WHICH HAVE FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11407363April 10, 2021
ENGINE
THE THROTTLE BODIES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE ARE CABLE-ACTUATED, WITH PLASTIC PULLEYS MOLDED ONTO THE THROTTLE SPINDLES. THESE PLASTIC PULLEYS WERE SEVERELY CRACKED AND I HAVE REPLACED THEM (I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS). I'M AWARE OF NUMEROUS BMW MOTORCYCLES OF THIS VINTAGE THAT HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE THROTTLE PULLEYS. I DISCOVERED MY PROBLEM VIA INSPECTION IN MY GARAGE, BUT I'M CURRENTLY AWARE OF TWO OTHER OWNERS FOR WHOM THE PULLEYS DETACHED FROM THE SPINDLES WHILE RIDING, CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO MANIFESTED ON OTHER BMW MOTORCYCLES THAT USE THE SAME ENGINE (E.G. THE R1200GS).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11325984May 26, 2020
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. THE CONTACT STATED UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE HIMSELF. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS THEN RIDDEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11172736January 29, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER ENTERING THE INTERSTATE FUEL BEGAN SPEWING FROM THE UPPER LEFT FAIRING AREA. I PULLED OFF AND SHUT IT DOWN. I COULDN'T TELL WHERE IT ORIGINATED FROM. IT DIDN'T APPEAR ANY LONGER SO I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME, ABOUT 2 MILES. UPON ENTERING THE INTERSTATE AGAIN FUEL SPEWED OUT WITH SUCH FORCE IT COVERED MY ENTIRE LEFT SIDE AND LEG. I PULLED OFF ASAP. A MOTORIST SAW ME AND STOPPED TO HELP. HE WAS AFRAID OF A FIRE, AS I WAS, AND PULLED OUT AN EXTINGUISHER. FUEL WAS EVERYWHERE. HE HELPED ME TOW IT HOME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11092807May 10, 2018
POWER TRAIN
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL (FINAL DRIVE). THE DRIVE BEGAN MAKING GRINDING AND SQUEALING NOISES. I THEN FELT THE REAR WHEEL LOOSING TRACTION. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY. I NOTICED AT THAT TIME A BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MY REAR BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE. UPON EXAMINING THE DRIVE AREA THERE WAS GEAR OIL ALL OVER THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER, DISC AND REAR WHEEL, INCLUDING THE TIRE. THE FINAL DRIVE WAS SERVICED APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, IT HAD BEEN FILLED WITH THE CORRECT VISCOSITY OIL AT THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF 180CC. AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NO METALLIC SHAVING OF ANY KIND VISIBLE IN THE OIL THAT WAS DRAINED FROM THE DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TEXAS STATE HIGHWAY 6 IN A RURAL AREA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11092504May 8, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2014 RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE WAS ISSUED AND IT WAS COMPLETED AT A BMW DEALER IN JUNE OF 2014. NOW MAY 6, 2018 THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE HAS FAILED SPRAYING FUEL OVER THE ENGINE. I CONTACTED THE BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO THE PART BEING OVER 2 YEARS OLD AND THEY NO LONGER RESPONSABLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE 2014 RECALL AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11023849September 17, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE HAS 52500 MILES. AFTER FUELING THE MOTORCYCLE I ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER IN THE NORMAL WAY BY TURNING THE THROTTLE TO MAXIMUM WHILE HOLDING THE BC BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. BIKE WAS ON, ENGINE NOT RUNNING. THE PLASTIC PULLEYS ON BOTH THROTTLE BODIES SNAPPED SUDDENLY, LEAVING THE THROTTLE BODY SET TO FULL THROTTLE. I VERIFIED THIS BY STARTING THE BIKE. IF THIS PULLEY FAILURE HAD HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE THROTTLE BODY PULLEYS ARE NOT REPLACEABLE NOR ARE THE THROTTLE BODIES SERVICEABLE. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE PLASTIC PULLEY DETERIORATES DUE TO HEAT AND LOSES STRENGTH. I REGARD THIS AS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND SAFETY HAZARD. THE PART SHOULD BE METAL AS ON PREVIOUS MODELS. MY R1100RT HAS 150,000 MILES AND NO ISSUES WITH THE TB PULLEYS. I WOULD URGE THAT BMW BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE 2005-2009 MODELS WITH THESE PLASTIC PULLEYS AND REPLACE WITH METAL ONES OR THAT THEY WARRANTY THE REPAIR WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11005469July 15, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
RE: VIN [XXX] DEAR BMW MOTORCYCLES OF AMERICA I DEVELOPED A SERIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK TODAY FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FAIRING/ TANK OF MY R1200RT. THE FUEL ONLY LEAKED WHEN THE KEY WAS ON, OR THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, INDICATING THE FUEL WAS COMING FROM THE PRESSURIZED SIDE OF THE FUEL CIRCUIT, FROM LIKELY THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. THERE IS EVIDENCE IN FORUMS AND THE RESPONSES FROM OWNERS TO DEALERS THAT THIS FUEL PUMP FLANGE CRACKING IS A COMMON ISSUE, AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED (13V617000) FOR REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS BIKE AND I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BMW REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND WHEN I TRY TO ENTER MY VIN WITH THE BMWUSA.COM SITE AS WELL AS WITH NHTSA.GOV (SAFERCAR.GOV), I CANNOT MAKE PROGRESS BECAUSE I AM TOLD MY VIN IS INVALID. THIS IS NOT SO, AS I HAVE HAD OTHER WARRANTY WORK NOTIFIED AND COMPLETED VIA THIS VIN. (REPEATED FUEL STRIP SENSOR FAILURE, AND THE REAR WHEEL FLANGE CRACK RECALL). PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS FUEL LEAK RECALL ISSUE AND HELP ARRANGE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A FAILURE OF A PART THAT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK FOR FIRE. SINCERELY, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10924600November 7, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, A ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM) IN 2014. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10777761September 25, 2015
WHEELS, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROWN BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10734932July 18, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS SERVO FAILED. COMPLETE LOSS OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FEATURE ON MOTORCYCLE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE FAILURE THAT OCCURRED WITH VERY FEW MILES ON THE MACHINE. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP (RECALLED) AND REAR WHEEL HUB (RECALLED). I AM AFRAID OF THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND DOUBT THE ADVERTISED "RELIABILITY" TOUTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, BMW MOTRORAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10671553January 10, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR, THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED TO IDLE AND I LOST ALL POWER AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL ENGINE SPEED. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW AS THE BIKE WOULD ONLY IDLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AFTER I GOT THE BIKE HOME, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC PULLEYS ON THE THROTTLE BODIES HAD SHEARED OFF. THIS REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODIES. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THE PULLEYS ARE PLASTIC. PREVIOUS MODELS WERE METAL AND MOST CARS/BIKES USE METAL, WHICH WOULD BE MORE RESISTANT TO FAILURE. TO QUOTE ANOTHER COMPLAINT: "IF OR WHEN THE PLASTIC FAILS, THERE IS NO THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE GOES TO IDLE, THUS CREATING AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE THE RIDER COULD BE FORTHRIGHTLY IN HARM'S WAY AND ENDANGERED. THIS SHOULD BE AN URGENT RECALL ISSUE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC PART WITH A SOLID CABLE PULLEY WHICH WILL NOT BREAK. PREVIOUS MODELS USED METAL CABLE PULLEYS WHICH DID NOT FAIL." THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGER. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN ACCELERATING BEHIND ME, I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. BMWS INTRANSIGENCE IS MIND BOGGLING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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