Has BMW fixed the final drives in the 2011 r1200RT?

[bigwaves]

I am thinking about getting a new 1200rt and have been reading about the FD issues.  If they are resolved in the newer version of the bike i will take the plunge.

[D-Mac]

I am thinking about getting a new 1200rt and have been reading about the FD issues.  If they are resolved in the newer version of the bike i will take the plunge.

Impossible to say, but here's what I know (not all dealers know this stuff.....which makes the confusion worse, along with the fact that BMW has been less than forthcoming about the FD issue).

There have been some minor improvements in recent years that have helped, but the basic design is still the some. I've had blown TWO final drive seals on my '10RT in 24K (at 20K and 21K - the second failure likely resulted from improper replacement of the first seal). No issues with the drive itself, but if I hadn't noticed the leaks it would have been bad. Seal replacement is very easy, but it still resulted in a tow on the second failure because I was many miles from a dealer and I didn't want to risk a complete failure by riding it out without enough lube in there. The problem I suffered seems to stem from the fact that pressure build up and blows out the seal. A search on the BMW forums shows that this is not rare.

Apparently the '11s have a vent on the drive that will prevent overpressure from blowing the FD seal. In the past BMW dealt with this problem by reducing the amount of oil that should be added to the FD at each 12K FD oil change (and in my case it was overfilled when they replaced my seal, and might have been overfilled as 12K as well.....a lot of dealers never got the memo about reducing the amount of FD oil). So in that sense BMW has likely solved one major indirect cause of failure with a little vent (old R bikes actually had a vent as well, so why they got rid of it is beyond me). Otherwise, the '11 FD is pretty much the same as the '10s, which do seem to be very good other than the seal issue.

My advice is not to worry about it. It's such a comfortable, capable bike and it's quite different from the other sport-tourers out there. If you really like it, go ahead and take the plunge. You've got a 3-year warranty to sort things out and it'll hold it's value enough that you can always dump it if you find it doesn't work out for you. The RT is VERY easy to work on too.

[Roadscum]

I am thinking about getting a new 1200rt and have been reading about the FD issues.  If they are resolved in the newer version of the bike i will take the plunge.

According to BMW there was no problem with the final drives.... so no fix is required!  

[Kraz]

Seal replacement is very easy, but it still resulted in a tow on the second failure because I was many miles from a dealer and I didn't want to risk a complete failure by riding it out without enough lube in there.

On my GSA (different FD) I rode with a spare seal, bearing, and fluid.  Cheap insurance for the long trips.  You could skip the bearing for the newer FD methinks, but a seal and fluid can't be a bad idea.  Like D-mac said, it's not hard to do, and fluid is half the battle, it's just the lack of parts is what will kill you.

[Lawn Dart]

I am thinking about getting a new 1200rt and have been reading about the FD issues.  If they are resolved in the newer version of the bike i will take the plunge.

I'm on my third BMW.  

Bike #1:  K100RS:  88,000 miles, no FD issues.
Bike #2:  R1100RS:  blew the FD at 70,000 miles.  I forgot to refill the damn fluid after a change and rode off for a 200 mile ride.    FD failed about 2 miles from my home on the return trip.      Yeah, I ran 198 miles on an empty FD.  
Bike #3:  R1200GS:  47,000 miles, no FD issues.

From what I've seen, failure rates appear to be less than 5%.  

Honda can't build a reg-rectifier without them blowing.  Yamaha built tickers.  Ducati's are a failure waiting to happen with anything on the bike.  Doesn't matter what maker it is, every bike has some potential to leave you stranded.  

For that matter, so do cars...passed four newer cars on the road today coming back from a client.  Each had a breakdown of some sort...

[Scratch33]

On my GSA (different FD) I rode with a spare seal, bearing, and fluid.  Cheap insurance for the long trips.

Can you help point out the Part #'s on BikeBandit for the seal & bearing?

[swimmer]

I'm on my third BMW.  

Bike #1:  K100RS:  88,000 miles, no FD issues.
Bike #2:  R1100RS:  blew the FD at 70,000 miles.  I forgot to refill the damn fluid after a change and rode off for a 200 mile ride.    FD failed about 2 miles from my home on the return trip.      Yeah, I ran 198 miles on an empty FD.  
Bike #3:  R1200GS:  47,000 miles, no FD issues.

From what I've seen, failure rates appear to be less than 5%.  

Honda can't build a reg-rectifier without them blowing.  Yamaha built tickers.  Ducati's are a failure waiting to happen with anything on the bike.  Doesn't matter what maker it is, every bike has some potential to leave you stranded.  

For that matter, so do cars...passed four newer cars on the road today coming back from a client.  Each had a breakdown of some sort...

It's no accident you didn't mention Kawasaki.

[miles]

It's no accident you didn't mention Kawasaki.

He had a Kawasaki.  He had an accident with it.

[swimmer]

He had a Kawasaki.  He had an accident with it.

but it didn't break down

[Major 662]

but it didn't break down

Here's the list of Kawi recalls: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle_recalls/01/kawasaki/index.html

To Lawn Dart's point, it's about the same length as the list from BMW, Honda, etc.  The C-14 isn't on it yet, though.

[Roadscum]

Here's the list of Kawi recalls: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle_recalls/01/kawasaki/index.html

To Lawn Dart's point, it's about the same length as the list from BMW, Honda, etc.  The C-14 isn't on it yet, though.

The difference is that BMW seems not to recognize a problem when they see it. Hell, if there isn't a problem why all the improvements over the last few years???? BMW is a company that likes to think of it self as offering a primium product at a primium price...... well you decide.

My experience with my Yamaha was that they were proactive and offered a voluntary recall on my FJR. I've had a similar experience with my Triumph. Good on them.

Regards, Paul

[ConPilot1]

I'm no BMW head by any means but I had a lengthy discussion with a 1200 GSA owner a couple weeks ago, picking his brain about the bike.
According to him BMW has addressed the FD issues and it's no longer a problem.

[Orson]

we'll never make it to page 5 if y'all insist on posting positive posts.

the key to a bashing thread is to create momentum.

[ConPilot1]

we'll never make it to page 5 if y'all insist on posting positive posts.

the key to a bashing thread is to create momentum.

The Roundel inspires us all to be a little more sophisticated.  

[radon222]

Can you help point out the Part #'s on BikeBandit for the seal & bearing?

Scratch you can get the BWM part #'s  here:  http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51558&rnd=03252011

I think what you're looking for is in "Rear Axle Drive Parts"

[Scratch33]

Yeah, that's kinda the same fiche as PartsBandit - I'm trying to find out which specific parts I'd need.

[swimmer]

From what I've seen, failure rates appear to be less than 5%.  

.

Not many companies would be satisfied or happy with ~5% failure rate.

I'm not a BMW hater just stating what I think is obvious.  I've longed for the F800ST but every time I take a look at the F800 forum its seems about half the threads on the first page are about issues people are having.  

[dduelin]

Gawd that's amazing. BMW has had 88 years to sort out getting the power from the crank to the rear wheel and some folks are happy with "about a 5% failure rate". "No problem, I just pack spare parts like crown and pinion gears and bearings when I go riding". "No problem, I have a complete $2000 final drive boxed up in the garage so my wife can UPS it to me when I'm on the road somewhere". Common comments in these never ending Break My Wallet threads. Gawd.

For you guys that don't read Owners News, the glossy magazine of the BMW Owners of America, you can hardly pick up an issue without an article or reference in passing to the high failure rate of final drives.

No, BMW has not sorted out the problem with new models. The failures generally happen out of warranty and many 2008 and newer bikes are still under warranty. If you are loud enough BMW may repair out a few thousand miles out of warranty however. That is some comfort.

[Roadscum]

The Roundel inspires us all to be a little more sophisticated.  

      Just the other day I heard the same comment............. about the bar and shield!  

Regards, Paul

[Lawn Dart]

Not many companies would be satisfied or happy with ~5% failure rate.

Not sure I can agree or disagree with that.  I mean, these are INTERNET failure rates...you all know what that means!  

I have no idea what the ACTUAL number is...and I'm pretty sure I'll never know actually.  

What I do know is that people seem to break out the worry beads needlessly when it comes to FD's, exposed cylinder heads, throttle body syncs, valve adjusts, (what) oil, (what) gas, did I buy the right tires, what's the perfect inflation level.

I have to laugh when I see people with totally tight chains not worrying about blown output seals on J4 bikes.  

More to the point:  just ride the dang thing.  If your bike breaks down due to some completely unknown mechanical/electrical issue, just roll with it and move on.  Heck, I had a rear subframe snap on my RSL...such is life.  Bought a new one, replaced it, moved on.

[mcrider007]

Not sure I can agree or disagree with that.  I mean, these are INTERNET failure rates...you all know what that means!  

I have no idea what the ACTUAL number is...and I'm pretty sure I'll never know actually.  

I saw some data that looked like it was a pretty good source (don't ask, I don't remember) that said the BMW FD failure rate was about 2 percent, except for the 1200LT which was about 4 percent.  I could certainly live with the 2 percent failure rate when you are talking about the entire ownership experience but I would sure be nervous about taking one of BMW's Adventure Touring Bikes on a real adventure.  Losing a final drive hundreds of miles from a dealer or having to wait 1-2 weeks for parts in the middle of a vacation is not an adventure that I would want on my resume.

[swimmer]

 If your bike breaks down due to some completely unknown mechanical/electrical issue, just roll with it and move on.  

How much would it cost and how long would it take to get towed from lets say Many Farms, AZ to the nearest dealer and have a repair done?   I can tell you that is BFE reservation land and when you are riding through there in the middle of summer you seriously are not wanting a break down.  I understand and appreciate your comments about the paranoia that some people have but just rolling with it is not always an option and to not consider the reliability record of a particular motorcycle when shopping for one would be foolish IMO if you are planning to put any real miles on it.

Despite all the known electrical problems on the 6th gen VFR I still bought one.  I sold it because of all the other problems I was having and in the end I just didn't trust it  but I am not beyond overlooking certain problems to get a motorcycle that I think I would really enjoy.

My step-father has put 100's of thousands of miles on BMW K bikes.  Never been stranded as far as I know.

[Major 662]

My experience with my Yamaha was that they were proactive and offered a voluntary recall on my FJR. I've had a similar experience with my Triumph. Good on them.

That's been my experience with BMW.  I got some letter about a bearing that could corrode if I rode in the rain 24/7, took the bike in, they adjusted something, I drank a cup of coffee and looked at new helmets, everything's good.

On the ride from Boise to Laguna Seca, I'm happy to report that my final drive passed both long distance and high speed tests.  I plan to conduct further tests using both measures.  XLR8's VFR had no rectifier problems.  Flips21's Ducati had no flaking rocker arm problems.  MisterSmooth's Guzzi had no problem with paint delamination on the fuel petcock valve.  OK, I made that last one up.

[Lawn Dart]

How much would it cost and how long would it take to get towed from lets say Many Farms, AZ to the nearest dealer and have a repair done?   I can tell you that is BFE reservation land and when you are riding through there in the middle of summer you seriously are not wanting a break down.

60 miles out of Panguich Utah on 4th of July weekend...on a Sunday.  I fragged the clutch on my R1100RSL.  Took the tow truck guy four hours to get out there and tow my wife and I to town.  

Ended up renting the worlds worst U-Haul truck where we loaded up the bike, tied it down and drove 900 miles home.  

It was still a great vacation!~  

I don't limit myself on vacations.  If the bike breaks, the bike breaks.  If I have to trailer it home, so be it.  Nothing says the bike has to be repaired on the road.  The important things are to have a good time above all else.