2009 BMW R 1200 RT problems

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”.

NHTSA complaint #11612140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #11535570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #11495808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #11492222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #11430264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY SECOND MOTORCYCLE TO HAVE THROTTLE BODY CAM FAILURE. THIS IS BECOMING AN ISSUES AS THESE BIKE REACH HIGHER MILEAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11416743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #11414608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #11414511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #11414323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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).

NHTSA complaint #11407363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #11325984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10924600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10777761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10777761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10734932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

BMW MODEL R1200RT YEARS 2005 - 2013 MAY BE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM ON THE 2009 YEAR MODEL IS ASSEMBLED BY BING POWER IN NUREMBERG, GERMANY AND UTILIZED BY BMW IN MOTORCYCLES WITH THE 1170 CC BOXER MOTOR. (BING IS A LONGSTANDING COMPANY WHICH IN GENERAL MANUFACTURES FIRST-RATE PRODUCTS.)THE PRIMARY THROTTLE CABLE EXTENDS FROM THE HANDLE BAR TO A SPLITTER FROM WHICH TWO SEPARATE THROTTLE CABLES EXTEND TO LEFT AND RIGHT HAND THROTTLE BODIES WHICH HOUSE THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THOSE TWO CABLES ARE ROUTED OVER AND ANCHORED TO A CABLE PULLEY MADE OF MOLDED PLASTIC. THIS ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. 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. (SEE THIS BLOG FOR DISCUSSION POSTED BY ANOTHER RIDER, AMONG MANY, WITH THE SAME FAILURE ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.ASVRIDER.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=967780&PAGE=3 ) BMW DOES NOT MAKE THE PLASTIC PART AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THUS, A PLASTIC PART COSTING BUT A FEW DOLLARS RESULTS IN THE RIDER HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT COMPLETE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLIES AT A COST OF MORE THAN $1,000. THE UNDER-DESIGNED PLASTIC CABLE PULLEY IS NOTHING LESS THAN A HAZARD AND CREATES A RISK TO ONE'S LIFE. A POLICE MOTORCYCLE COP RIDING HIS PATROL R1200RT LOOKED AT THE FAILED PART I SHOWED HIM AND HIS FIRST WORDS WERE, "THAT COULD GET YOU KILLED." I HAVE MADE BING AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AWARE OF MY EXPERIENCE VIA EMAIL BUT I CONTINUE TO WAIT FOR THEIR REPLY.

NHTSA complaint #10609639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BMW MODEL R1200RT YEARS 2005 - 2013 MAY BE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM ON THE 2009 YEAR MODEL IS ASSEMBLED BY BING POWER IN NUREMBERG, GERMANY AND UTILIZED BY BMW IN MOTORCYCLES WITH THE 1170 CC BOXER MOTOR. (BING IS A LONGSTANDING COMPANY WHICH IN GENERAL MANUFACTURES FIRST-RATE PRODUCTS.)THE PRIMARY THROTTLE CABLE EXTENDS FROM THE HANDLE BAR TO A SPLITTER FROM WHICH TWO SEPARATE THROTTLE CABLES EXTEND TO LEFT AND RIGHT HAND THROTTLE BODIES WHICH HOUSE THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THOSE TWO CABLES ARE ROUTED OVER AND ANCHORED TO A CABLE PULLEY MADE OF MOLDED PLASTIC. THIS ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. 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. (SEE THIS BLOG FOR DISCUSSION POSTED BY ANOTHER RIDER, AMONG MANY, WITH THE SAME FAILURE ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.ASVRIDER.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=967780&PAGE=3 ) BMW DOES NOT MAKE THE PLASTIC PART AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THUS, A PLASTIC PART COSTING BUT A FEW DOLLARS RESULTS IN THE RIDER HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT COMPLETE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLIES AT A COST OF MORE THAN $1,000. THE UNDER-DESIGNED PLASTIC CABLE PULLEY IS NOTHING LESS THAN A HAZARD AND CREATES A RISK TO ONE'S LIFE. A POLICE MOTORCYCLE COP RIDING HIS PATROL R1200RT LOOKED AT THE FAILED PART I SHOWED HIM AND HIS FIRST WORDS WERE, "THAT COULD GET YOU KILLED." I HAVE MADE BING AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AWARE OF MY EXPERIENCE VIA EMAIL BUT I CONTINUE TO WAIT FOR THEIR REPLY.

NHTSA complaint #10609639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS FAILURE. KNOWN ISSUE IN THE BMW COMMUNITY, GOT THE STEADY BURN "BRAKE FAILURE" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO CAN'T CLEAR. VERIFIED THAT I'VE LOST ALL ABS FRONT AND BACK. ABS MODULATOR FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10552250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL STRIP FAILED, GOING FROM APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES TO EMPTY TO --- MILES TO EMPTY IMMEDIATELY. FUEL STRIP WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN TOTAL BEFORE I SOLD THE MOTORCYCLE 6/15/13 WITH ~7,500 MILES ON THE BIKE.

NHTSA complaint #10543839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER STARTING THE MOTORCYLE AND ALLOWING FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF WARMING UP, I HEADED TO THE GAS STATION TO FUEL UP IN PREPARATION FOR A LONG RIDE THE NEXT DAY. AS A FORCE OF HABIT I CHECKED MY RANGE AND ODOMETER READINGS AND FOUND THE RANGE WAS NOTICEABLY LOWER THAN IT SHOULD BE DISPLAYING FOR THE MILES USED ON THE TANK. AS I RODE THE COUPLE OF MILES TO THE GAS STATION THE RANGE CONTINUED TO DROP PRECIPITOUSLY, 5-20 MILES AT A TIME EVERY FEW SECONDS UNTIL IT REACHED ZERO AND DISPLAYED "---" FOR A RANGE TO EMPTY AFTER RIDING JUST OVER ONE MILE. AFTER FILLING THE TANK FULLY, THE GAUGE DID NOT RESET OR CHANGE IN ANY WAY. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FUEL STRIP, AKA FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, GONE BAD. I AM NOW AWAITING THE PART TO ARRIVE SO MY 3RD FUEL STRIP REPLACEMENT CAN GO AHEAD. (MY SECOND OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2012, THE THIRD IN AUGUST 2013.) MY MOTORCYCLE HAS JUST 24,000 MILES AND IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD (BY 3 MONTHS). I FIND IT ALMOST UNFATHOMABLE THAT SUCH AN ESSENTIAL PART AS THE FUEL GAUGE CAN CEASE TO FUNCTION FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WITH NO WARNING ON A MODERN VEHICLE. ADD IN THE DENIALS FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT A PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS AND IT GETS TOTALLY MADDENING.

NHTSA complaint #10538096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH TRAFFIC, THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY, SHOWING MORE FUEL, THEN LESS FUEL FOR A FEW MILES BEFORE THE MOTORCYCLE RAN OUT OF FUEL, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH AS THE ENGINE QUIT. WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES AND GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT A CRASH. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE FUEL GAUGE (WHICH IS FED DATA FROM A FAULTY FUEL STRIP) READS MORE FUEL THAN THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY HAS, IF THE ENGINE RUNS OUT OF FUEL AND STOPS, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN PLACES WITH HIGH TRAFFIC COUNTS AND SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10499353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DIGITAL STRIP FUEL GAUGE SIMPLY FROZE IN THE FULL POSITION, IT NO LONGER REGISTERS NOR DOES THE MILES REMAINING DIGITAL READOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10485317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE DIGITAL STRIP FUEL GAUGE SIMPLY FROZE IN THE FULL POSITION, IT NO LONGER REGISTERS NOR DOES THE MILES REMAINING DIGITAL READOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10485317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT LED TO A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. BIKE JUST TURNED 14000 MILES WHEN A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE IT CAME FROM. AFTER STOPPING FOR THE DAY, NOTICED REAR WHEEL HAD 3/8 INCH PLAY AND FINAL DRIVE FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER REAR WHEEL CAUSING NO REAR BRAKES. THE BIKE WAS TRAILERED HOME AND THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. LUCKILY NO INJURIES ALTHOUGH NO REAR BRAKES. THIS BIKE IS USED ON THE ROAD FOR COMMUTING AND TOURING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10415574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R1200 RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD EXPLODED. THE PARA LEVER AND BOOT WERE DESTROYED. BOTH WERE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, SIMILAR TO HOW THE AXLE IS ATTACHED TO A PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE SUCH AS THE ONE THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ON A MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,838. UPDATED 08/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION AT 75MPH FOR 1-2 SECONDS. A FEW MILES LATER THERE WAS VIBRATION AND LOSS OF POWER. UPDATED 06/15/2012

NHTSA complaint #10415334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.