Sent a letter to BMW, NA about my concerns

[bakernks]

Please feel free to read my latest post to the thread wherein another forum member is having downshift problems, and was told his bike with only 5,000 miles had dry clutch splines, rusted, DRY clutch splines, and is getting a new clutch hub which was damaged because of the situation.
I emailed a copy, with additions, to BMW,N.A., asking them to address what are clearly Quality Control Issues at the assembly area in the Berlin bike manufacturing facility.

FWIW

[Guest]

Good for you! I believe BMW motorcycles are not what they used to be 20 years ago. Quality control is not consistant with most vehicles made today. The buyer is left to prove a new design and fixes for genuine problems are slow to surface or non existent. I just bought a 2005 R1150GS ADV. So far it is outstanding! But, with all the final drive and input shaft issues I see I am concerned about long term reliability. I would never own an Oilhead or Hex Head without a warranty to back it up. The company has lost many long time beemer riders I know due to quality issues. I wonder if they'll answer your letter. I wonder if they ever check out some of the sites on the internet to see what owners are saying.

[FGanger]

I think you guys are missing a very important plus to all of this. Think of your resume; there are lots of people who would love to be a test driver for BMW.

Of course, it is an unpaid position. Oh yea, and you use your own machine.

Besides that, it’s a great job.

Frank

[RandyRandy]

Are those problems common? If so, it's a bummer.

At 5K miles on my bike, downshifting became almost impossible once the clutch warmed up and it cost me about 400 bucks -- diagnosed as dry clutch splines, rusted, DRY clutch splines by the dealer.

Yea, I was kinda suprised that this happed at just 5K miles. The bike is 4 years old so it just sat mostly for the first 3 years... should that rust the clutch splines? Doesn't seem like it...

Cheers.

[boxermania]

I call it Teutonic Arrogance.....BMW praises their product as the best money can buy, when with some exceptions is a dated product. They have ignored many issues that have been documented over the years such as:

ABS issues
Spline greasing
Rear end seal leaks
Fuel line clamps issues
Tranny issues

I have owned many bikes and they all had their issues, but never as many and without the empathy of the manufacturer.

[darthrider]

Don't forget rear drive failures (I'm lucky - I had 2!)
Some might want to add surging to your list.

BMW...the German Harley Davidson?

[Kevin Markwell]

Frank,

I enjoy your sense of humor. When I lay on the sarcasm I get nasty looks from wife and blank stares from most. I guess it works much better on line. Or is it just a BMW rider thing?

Kevin

[big papa]

From MCUSA's test ride of RT, commenting on ABS:

In one disturbing instance, the ABS malfunction light glowed back at me as I began to ride off from a stop, and I noticed the brakes' power assist wasn't functioning. I kept grabbing the brake lever to activate it, but it wouldn't respond to repeated attempts. I pulled the brake lever once more and the power brakes had suddenly and magically turned on, nearly catapulting my body through the windscreen! I'd much prefer having a direct connection to the bike, but Kenny had some different thoughts.

Nice...