New recall

[deilenberger]

The bad news is the recall, the good news is - it is very limited in scope (46 bikes, and bet most of them are GS's..)

Recalls Summary

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BMW / R1200 GS 2008

BMW / R1200 GS ADVENTURE 2008

BMW / R1200 R 2008

Recall Number: 08V290000
Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING 46 MY 2008 R1200 R, R1200 GS, AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION, THE SHAFT COULD BREAK. IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE.
Consequence:
IF THIS HAPPENED, LOCK-UP OF THE REAR TIRE COULD OCCUR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING TO BREAK. IF THIS HAPPENED, OIL COULD LEAK ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE RIDER'S REACTIONS, COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARBOX. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2008. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

[Dan-A]

The bad news is the recall, the good news is - it is very limited in scope (46 bikes, and bet most of them are GS's..)

Recalls Summary

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BMW / R1200 GS 2008

BMW / R1200 GS ADVENTURE 2008

BMW / R1200 R 2008

Recall Number: 08V290000
Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING 46 MY 2008 R1200 R, R1200 GS, AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION, THE SHAFT COULD BREAK. IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE.
Consequence:
IF THIS HAPPENED, LOCK-UP OF THE REAR TIRE COULD OCCUR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING TO BREAK. IF THIS HAPPENED, OIL COULD LEAK ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE RIDER'S REACTIONS, COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARBOX. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2008. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Isn't that special.

[Graf]

.....with my luck mine will turn out to be one of the 46........does anybody know what the recall is based on....VIN, month made........???

[NCGS]

Sho' am glad I'm riding a '07...

[NoRRmad]

http://auto-recalls.justia.com/content/ ... -2008.html

Affected build dates are -- apparently:

Build Dates : 20080212 - 20080214 I assume that's February 12th through 14th.

(Do R12R's still have the build date on that placard near the steering head?)
Lock up the rear wheel and spray oil all over it? Certainly could "INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. "

[winkeldc]

according to that safecar.gov website that was on the first post, there is a letter from BMW that states only 4 R1200Rs were affected by the recall. I think most of us are safe. . . knock on wood.

[mtl-R12R]

http://auto-recalls.justia.com/content/ ... -2008.html

Affected build dates are -- apparently:

Build Dates : 20080212 - 20080214 I assume that's February 12th through 14th.

(Do R12R's still have the build date on that placard near the steering head?)
Lock up the rear wheel and spray oil all over it? Certainly could "INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. "

Hmmmm ... I'll have to check this out, mine is a February build !

[Tak]

Mine was one of the four R1200Rs affected. The dealer called me 2 days before I was going to take delivery (in April 08) to say that BMW put a hold on the bike. The transmission needed to be changed before it could be sold. The dealer said the new transmission had a larger diameter output shaft (similar to the GS) and so they needed to install a larger driveshaft as well.

Delivery was delayed 2 weeks because FedEX dropped (and damaged) the first replacement transmission. The dealer talked BMW into giving me the saddlebags for free because of my having to wait. Nice guys at BMW of Milwaukee!

No trouble since then. It seems to shift a little better than my previous 05 R1200GS.

[NeilS]

I know better than to believe everything a dealer tells me, but if that's true, it's pretty disturbing. I see three possibilities:

1. Four bikes were built with the wrong gearbox.
2. BMW changed the gearbox to one with a smaller output shaft, and now they're thinking they shouldn't have done that.
3. All our bikes have gearboxes with too-small output shafts.

I like my bike, but after everything I'm reading about these recalls, I'm starting to wonder if I should have bought a Honda instead.

[deilenberger]

I know better than to believe everything a dealer tells me, but if that's true, it's pretty disturbing. I see three possibilities:

1. Four bikes were built with the wrong gearbox.

Four bikes were built with gearboxes where a shaft probably wasn't heat-treated correctly. Gerbox wasn't wrong - it was defective. And the shaft in question wasn't the output shaft... it was the intermediate shaft inside the gearbox.. (sez so in the recall notice..)

2. BMW changed the gearbox to one with a smaller output shaft, and now they're thinking they shouldn't have done that.

Huh? Can't see where you're getting this from.

3. All our bikes have gearboxes with too-small output shafts.

AFAIK - there have been NO reported failures of output shafts. Do you know of any? I suspect the larger output shaft is the result of wanting to produce one gearbox for multiple models, including the "HP" bikes - which may require a larger output shaft due to more power being transmitted through it.

I like my bike, but after everything I'm reading about these recalls, I'm starting to wonder if I should have bought a Honda instead.

Perhaps. They never have ANY problems (que music on Goldwing cracked frames and the horror stories people experienced getting those fixed..)

[NeilS]

I know better than to believe everything a dealer tells me, but if that's true, it's pretty disturbing. I see three possibilities:

1. Four bikes were built with the wrong gearbox.

Four bikes were built with gearboxes where a shaft probably wasn't heat-treated correctly. Gerbox wasn't wrong - it was defective. And the shaft in question wasn't the output shaft... it was the intermediate shaft inside the gearbox.. (sez so in the recall notice..)

2. BMW changed the gearbox to one with a smaller output shaft, and now they're thinking they shouldn't have done that.

Huh? Can't see where you're getting this from.

3. All our bikes have gearboxes with too-small output shafts.

AFAIK - there have been NO reported failures of output shafts. Do you know of any? I suspect the larger output shaft is the result of wanting to produce one gearbox for multiple models, including the "HP" bikes - which may require a larger output shaft due to more power being transmitted through it.

I like my bike, but after everything I'm reading about these recalls, I'm starting to wonder if I should have bought a Honda instead.

Perhaps. They never have ANY problems (que music on Goldwing cracked frames and the horror stories people experienced getting those fixed..)

OK, I have to admit I haven't seen the actual recall. My bike is an '07, so once I read it was confined to certain '08s, I didn't pursue it further. I'm going solely on Tak's post, which I assumed was factual to the best of his knowledge.

And maybe I interpreted the post incorrectly. He said he's getting a new gearbox with a larger output shaft, which suggested to me that the problem with his original gearbox was that the shaft was too small. I did not consider the possibility that the change in output shaft size was coincidental and unrelated to the reason for replacing the gearbox.

But even if you're right, that doesn't make me feel much better. Three recalls, within a matter of weeks, on the same model motorcycle. Two of the recall issues can cause crashes; the third just leaves the rider stranded in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention the software update, the fuel gauge, and the funky trip computer. No, Hondas aren't perfect, but they're much closer than this.

[deilenberger]

But even if you're right, that doesn't make me feel much better. Three recalls, within a matter of weeks, on the same model motorcycle. Two of the recall issues can cause crashes; the third just leaves the rider stranded in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention the software update, the fuel gauge, and the funky trip computer. No, Hondas aren't perfect, but they're much closer than this.

Not sure if this is the same Honda you own:
======================================================================
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
HONDA / VF500F 1984

Recall Number: 84V038000
Summary: AN INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR IS INSTALLED IN TANK. WHEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Consequence: There is no summary currently available
Remedy: FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEMS; TANK ASSEMBLY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: SPILLED FUEL MAY RESULT IN A FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY.NOTE: MOTORCYCLE SHOULD NOT BE RIDEEN UNTIL THE DEFECT IS CORRECTED.
======================================================================

And just tracking down bike recalls for the 1984 model year Honda bikes:

======================================================================
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
HONDA / GL1200 1984

Recall Number: 84V067000
Summary: SWITCH COVER WHICH PROVIDES FOR A GOOD WIRE CONNECTION COULD BECOME LOOSE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS.
Consequence: There is no summary currently available
Remedy: THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SWITCH COVER. THE COVER IS INSTALLED TO ENSURE PROPER WIRE CONNECTION.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION,POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

======================================================================
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
HONDA / VF700 1984

Recall Number: 84V041000
Summary: LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR PIPE JOINT WAS IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AT THE BASE OF THE MAIN FUEL TANK. WHEN MAIN FUEL TANK IS FILLED UP TO THE PIPE JOINT, FUEL MAY LEAK INTO THE DRAIN TUBE AND EVENTUALLY TO THE GROUND BELOW THE MOTORCYCLE.
Consequence: There is no summary currently available
Remedy: NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEMS; LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR PIPE JOINT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LEAKING FUEL MAY LEAD TO A FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY.NOTE: THE SUSPECT VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE RIDEN UNTIL THE DEFECT HAS BEENCORRECTED.
======================================================================

I think it proves that nothing built by man is perfect.. some less so than others, but Honda isn't infallible.. I looked through the 2007 database since that's what year BMW most of us own.. and there are 10 different Honda bike models with recalls listed. Looking at them - some are for fuel leaks (I'd consider that a serious one..) and some for trival things like a non-conformance in how they listed the NHTSA hotline phone number in the owner manual.

Like I said - nothing is perfect.. and since I've had zero problems with my Roadster in 17,000 miles, I'm generally quite happy with it.

[Tak]

I would agree with Don. BMW probably wanted to have more parts commonality across the various models. Of course this is purely speculation.

Every manufacturer is going to have some problems due to design flaws, supplier problems, material defects, etc. What matters is how they respond to the problems. My bike had just arrived from Germany (back in April) and they identified the defect and took immediate action. It delayed delivery by 2 weeks (1 week of which was caused by FedEx). BMW gave me the pair of saddlebags (with protectors) for free as compensation for my wait.

I think BMW responded very well. The dealer did the work the same day the parts arrived, and kept me informed as to what was happening along the way.

[lewellen]

Regarding the BMW recall thing, of course it can make you nervous. Mine's an '08 model bought in November '07, so I jump any time I see one for either year. :-)

But the R1200R is a new bike; it's a pretty significant departure from the R1150Rs. So we have a new frame, fairly new powerplant, new electronics, etc. Not surprising there are some bugs there. It's the same thing with cars, in fact.

Not to be too flippant, there are problems and BMW need to deal with them properly; but it's not the end of the world yet.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[r1200rforme]

Can you tell DAY of manufacture from the VIN#? Plate on rear section lists month only.