Another day.. another recall..

[deilenberger]

HoHum.. Another day.. from another forum:
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More BMW Motorcycle Recalls - F800 S, F800 ST, K1200 GT, K1200 R, K1200 R Sport, K1200 S, R1200 R 2007

August 5, 2008

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BMW / F800 S 2007
BMW / F800 ST 2007
BMW / K1200 GT 2007
BMW / K1200 R 2007
BMW / K1200 R SPORT 2007
BMW / K1200 S 2007
BMW / R1200 R 2007
Manufacturer : BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC Mfr’s Report Date : JUL 14, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V342000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: STEERING
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 428
Summary: BMW IS RECALLING 428 MY 2007 F800 S, F800 ST, R1200 R, K1200 S, K1200 R, K1200 R SPORT, AND K1200 GT MOTORCYCLES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE COATING TO SEPARATE FROM THE INSIDE FACE OF THE STEERING DAMPER HOUSING. IF THIS HAPPENED, THE COATING COULD PARTIALLY CLOG THE OIL BORES WITHIN THE DAMPER.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED, THE STEERING DAMPER COULD BECOME STIFF INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING DAMPER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO 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.
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No VIN# range yet.

Just got the brake recall letter yesterday. Interesting that the letter says "2008 models" when the recall applies to 2007-2008 models. Guess they got it to the right people since I got one (and already had the recall done.)

Since this sort of thing is unlikely to happen suddenly - if you feel it harder to push the bike around corners, you might want to up the front wheel and make sure it the bars move easily. Pisser when BMW's suppliers cause the need for recalls like this (Klaus at HyperPro used my bike to design the mounts needed to put a HyperPro steering damper on an R12R. The HyperPro one is adjustable, although I'm not certain I'd know when it was "right" and when it wasn't so I'll wait for the factory one to start leaking before jumping ship..)

[NCGS]

So.. lessee here.. I have a '02 Harley Road King that I've never had a recall on, yet this makes the second recall on my '07 R1200R which I haven't owned for a year yet.

Yup, that sho' does justify all that Harley bashing that I read about in so many m/c forums..

[WILDPIG]

YEP- 2ND RECALL-- PUT ME DOWN ON THE ANTENNA RING AN JUST GOT THE BRAKE LINE RECALL. 112,000 ON THE CHOPPED SPRINGER,, IT NEVER PUT ME DOWN NEVER HAD A RECALL-- BEGINNIN TO SERIOUSLY THINK BOUT THE NONSENSE IVE HEARD MY BELOVED HARLEYS TAKE IN THE FOREUMS.....

[BigEasy]

Don, Did you get an actual letter re the damper recall? I did not get one on the brake line but my bike was included. The NHTSA announcement says the damper is for 400 some bikes, I'm going out on a limb here but with all of the models affected I'd have to say it was just a select few of those imported, I dunno

[alaskaflyer]

I just took mine in today for the brake line and EWS, a computer update came up too. I asked about the damper and he said nothing official has been released so I guess I'll have to wait and see.

[deilenberger]

Don, Did you get an actual letter re the damper recall? I did not get one on the brake line but my bike was included. The NHTSA announcement says the damper is for 400 some bikes, I'm going out on a limb here but with all of the models affected I'd have to say it was just a select few of those imported, I dunno

No, I haven't received one. That's why I was curious on the VIN#'s included. Out of 400 bikes, spread over that many models, I'm guessing this represents a few days production from BMW.. and since the other models mostly sell more than the Roadster, I'd make a WAG only a few Roadsters are included, and out of those included - how many found their way to the US?

[MJB]

Don

Which web site do you go to get the recalls?
I went too the NHTSA but could only find 2 recalls

1. For the front brakes
2. The new recall for the Steering

Could not find anything for the EWS failures and the software upgrades.

Also, where do you check for the Vin Numbers?

[Caroanbill]

EWS and software upgrade were service bulletins. BMW seems to fix some (mostly non-safety) items that way.

Me, I'd have thought the EWS "failure to proceed" risk warranted a recall or at least a friendly letter to say "if you're worried, take it in". Still, it was replaced without fuss, and the software done, at my 10K (km) service.

Overall, I'm not overly concerned about recalls and service bulletins. BMW do tend to keep a watchful eye over the models, and I find it reassuring. An EWS failure far from help would have given me a less sunny view o' things ...

[mogu83]

So.. lessee here.. I have a '02 Harley Road King that I've never had a recall on, yet this makes the second recall on my '07 R1200R which I haven't owned for a year yet.
Yup, that sho' does justify all that Harley bashing that I read about in so many m/c forums..

I don't remember seeing any Harley bashing on THIS forum. In fact I think that I once mentioned that IMHO a black Road King with the hard bags and WW Tires on spokes is the prettiest bike on the road.
BUT: First let me say that I also have a cruiser bike and have ridden for a bunch of years (and still do) with a group of Harley riders. It seems to me, that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cuts Harley a lot of slack and lets them correct problems as a customer satisfaction type issue. Fuel lines splitting, brake and tail lights not working, ignition switches going open are issues that could cause a fire, a rear end crash or the machine just stopping in traffic but these items have been handled as a customer satisfaction correction and not safety recalls. The cams eating into the cases on the Twin Cams wasn't a recall either. I could go on but that might be misconstrued as bashing instead of just information.
I did find a recall on your 02 FLHR, the wires to the light on the front fender can come loose, possibly shorting out the entire lighting system and also could become entangled in the front wheel, and I just took a quick look.

[NCGS]

I don't remember seeing any Harley bashing on THIS forum. In fact I think that I once mentioned that IMHO a black Road King with the hard bags and WW Tires on spokes is the prettiest bike on the road.

BUT: First let me say that I also have a cruiser bike and have ridden for a bunch of years (and still do) with a group of Harley riders. It seems to me, that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cuts Harley a lot of slack and lets them correct problems as a customer satisfaction type issue. Fuel lines splitting, brake and tail lights not working, ignition switches going open are issues that could cause a fire, a rear end crash or the machine just stopping in traffic but these items have been handled as a customer satisfaction correction and not safety recalls. The cams eating into the cases on the Twin Cams wasn't a recall either. I could go on but that might be misconstrued as bashing instead of just information.
I did find a recall on your 02 FLHR, the wires to the light on the front fender can come loose, possibly shorting out the entire lighting system and also could become entangled in the front wheel, and I just took a quick look.

I got it.., no foul. If you'll go back and re-read my original post I said, "Yup, that sho' does justify all that Harley bashing that I read about in so many m/c forums.." Not one word was said about HD bashing here (which I find refreshing - must be the maturity of this estemed group of gentlemen). You should read some of the crapola that I read about Milwaukee's best on the Triumph forums.

As far as your comments about the feds giving HD some slack, at this point in my life, nothing the federal gubment does would surprise me.

[BigEasy]

Weeeeellll I had my gas gauge replacement appointment set for this Saturday so when I heard of the steering dampner recall I rang the dealer to see if it applied to my bike. It does in facy apply to mine, no part in stock so we reschedule the appointment, no need to waste 2 Saturday mornings sitting in the dealership. I asked about the BMW stop replacement order for the gas guage and the service dept manager said that they had not heard anything on it at this point. I'll give him a heads up call the Wednesday before to see what's up.

[parkec]

An Ohlins damper is going to look sweet.

[deilenberger]

I think I'll go Hyperpro myself..

[r1200r]

How can you recall a Harley, they have not changed in 40 years.

[Byrdguy]

I just got a recall to replace the fuel filter cannister (which can crack and cause loss of fuel pressure) on my 08 Road King classic. No big deal, I'll just take it down and get it done at my convenience. At least with H D, there is a dealer in dang near every town. My closest BMW dealer is 150 miles away. Heck, BMW has a recall going on now for a bunch of their cars to correct some kind of air bag (potential) malfunction. Most manufacturers have recalls from time to time.

[Skippy]

Got a letter yeaterday about the steering damper recall. I expected mine to be excluded because mine is from the end of 2006 but apperently I also need to have mine replaced.

[NCGS]

How can you recall a Harley, they have not changed in 40 years.

Do some research, you might surprise yourself.. or maybe not. Closed minds normally stay closed.

[Tr250Tom]

I dodged the bullet on the steering damper: no recall on ZS25797, that's the good news.

The bad news is the first service appointment I could get from either Morton's or Bob's was September 19. Goody, I get to ride another month with a bike that might not start when I park it and might crash with a front brake failure if it DOES start.

I LOVE my R1200R, but once in a while I do have pangs of regret that I didn't buy the Ducati Multistrada S instead. The $4000 I'd have saved would buy a lot of replacement chains...

Keeping the faith, barely. Tom

[famousperson]

I just got the brake recall. I am wondering if I want to have the EWS taken care of, too. I haven't have a hint of trouble with it in the 1 1/2 years I've owned the bike. Am I tempting fate if I leave it alone? "They" say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I am intersted in your opinions.

[Skippy]

Have it fixed if your bike is made before march 2008. The number of brakedowns is so high with the faulty antenna's that I wouldn't run the risc. I had mine done before my vacation as I didn't want a antenna failure to ruin it. I never had faults before with the antenna but went ahead anyway. And over here we won't be mutch further then half an hour from a dealer but over there in the USA you could be left stranded in the middle of nowhere.