RoadVitals

2011 BMW F 650 Gs

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Jan 9, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 28, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 BMW F 650 Gs, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 9 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)240.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Exterior lighting120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V481000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 28, 2017
47,775 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 9, 2018

THE SILVER REFLECTING COATING BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT BULB IS BURNING OFF. THIS REDUCES MY LIGHT VISIBILITY TO ME AND ONCOMING VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
11061386
Incident
Jan 1, 2012
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2011

DATE AND MILEAGE ARE VERY APPROXIMATE. IT WAS SOMETIME DURING SUMMER 2011. CLUTCH CABLE END APPARENTLY SLIPPED OUT OF THE LEVER END ON THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN ENGAGED TO ENGINE. I STOPPED THE BIKE BY STALLING IT, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY LOCK TO PREVENT A CLUTCH CABLE END FROM COMING OUT OF THE CLUTCH ACTUATION LEVER THAT IS LOCATED ON THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438682
Incident
Jun 15, 2011
Mileage
2,500 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2011

THE MAY 18TH DATE IS A ROUGH GUESS. THE ENGINE HAS DIED TWO TIMES BETWEEN SHIFTS FROM SECOND TO FIRST, VERY SLOW SPEED, COMING TO STOPS. ONE TIME WAS IN LIGHT RAIN. MOST RECENT WAS NOVEMBER 29, 2011 AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES OF RIDING IN LIGHT RAIN. *TR IN MEDIUM TO HEAVY RAIN, ENGINE BEGINS TO SPUTTER WHILE RIDING (UNDER POWER) AND FREQUENTLY ALMOST STALLS AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MILES. SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP ENGINE GOING. THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THE 2008-2010 F650GS (TWIN-CYLINDER ENGINE). IT APPEARS TO STILL BE A PROBLEM. IT IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. NOT SURE IF THIS RELATED, BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH RECENTLY SHORTED OUT, COMPLETELY DISABLING THE MOTORCYCLE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10438680
Incident
May 18, 2011
Mileage
1,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

MC610321

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

The motorcycle will not start. The vehicle battery is empty even though the battery charger was permanently connected to the 12V power socket.

MC460521

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; STRUCTURE

Stress corrosion cracks may occur on the studs of certain milled footrests from the BMW Motorrad special accessories catalog for the GS models.

MC55297495

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle battery not charged despite the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket (manufactured before 2009)Headlights and rear lights light up intermittently despite the ignition being switched off and the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket.

MC210221

POWER TRAIN

The clutch plates do not tolerate frequent and prolonged operation at the clutch friction zone, causing a shorter service life in motorcycles that see intensive use

MC610208

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The wiring harness of the F 650 GS and F 650 GS Dakar (R13) models is routed along the right-hand top rail of the frame. Weld spatter on the frame and/or adverse routing in the vicinity of the banjo bolt of the hydraulic spring base adjuster can result in the chafing of the wiring harness.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW F 650 Gs by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012210—
2011Viewing310—
2010330—
2009114145.7
2008060—
2007220—
2006110—
2005200—
2004000—
2003301—
2002401—
2001141149.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.