2006 BMW K1200 R Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 BMW K1200 R, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system947.4%
- Brakes421.1%
- Powertrain (other)315.8%
- Electrical210.5%
- Engine15.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
My motorcycle developed a large fuel leak running over the hot engine. i found the leak to be coming from the fitting where the fuel line attaches at the fuel pump. This motorcycle already had a repair several thousand miles ago for the same issue. Apparently it wasn't fixed. correctly because it is leaking pretty bad. Was the improved part installed? If so, Is the improved part also faulty?
I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES TO MULTIPLE BMW DEALERS AND ALL ACT LIKE THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF WHAT I AM DESCRIBING. IT'S ALL OVER THE MESSAGE BOARDS AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ENGINE CUTS OFF WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PULLED IN AND THE IDOL DROPS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTART THE BIKE QUICKLY AS IT SEEMS TO NEED 30 SECONDS TO 2 MINUTES TO "REST" BEFORE PRESSING THE IGNITION BUTTON WILL DO ANYTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGH SPEEDS BUT TYPICALLY UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS. IT OCCURS WHEN THE BIKE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 30 MINUTES PLUS AND IS MORE PROBLEMATIC WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. ON MOST RIDES, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ALL. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO OCCUR RANDOMLY BUT ONCE IT DOES START HAPPENING, IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND BMW IS BASICALLY IGNORING IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AS I COAST INTO A PARKING LOT OR GAS STATION AFTER A LONG RIDE AS WELL AS AT 70 MPH ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY WHEN I PULL IN THE CLUTCH TO DOWNSHIFT. IT HAS OCCURRED IN VERY BUSY NYC TRAFFIC AND ON HIGHWAY EXIT RAMPS. BASICALLY, ANYWHERE WHERE THE CLUTCH MAY BE NEEDED TO DOWNSHIFT OR COAST TO A STOP IS A POTENTIAL AREA FOR THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF. SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WHERE I HAVE HAD TO GET OFF THE BIKE AND PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL I COULD GET IT RESTARTED. MY ONCE BELOVED MOTORCYCLE NOW SITS IN MY GARAGE AND IS ONLY USED AS A BACK UP VEHICLE WHEN MY CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE. BMW NEEDS TO ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW K1200 R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKES THEN RELEASED MOMENTARILY WHILE THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD BEFORE THE MANUAL BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO DRAIN ALL BRAKING FLUID FROM THE MANUAL BRAKES AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE SERVO UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE THE BRAKE FAILURE ON AUGUST 21ST. THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN DRIVING ABOUT 10-15 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES ON BOTH TIRES LOCKED. THE VEHICLE DROPPED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. UPDATED 09/11/2012 *JS
ABS BRAKE MODULATOR UNIT FAILED ON PANIC STOP. STOPPING DISTANCE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED AND NO POWER BRAKING ASSIST WAS AVAILABLE. COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. ABS MODULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST OF PART IN EXCESS OF $2000 AND 6 HOURS OF LABOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW K1200R. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF SECOND GEAR AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW K1200 R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,700. UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES TO MULTIPLE BMW DEALERS AND ALL ACT LIKE THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF WHAT I AM DESCRIBING. IT'S ALL OVER THE MESSAGE BOARDS AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ENGINE CUTS OFF WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PULLED IN AND THE IDOL DROPS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTART THE BIKE QUICKLY AS IT SEEMS TO NEED 30 SECONDS TO 2 MINUTES TO "REST" BEFORE PRESSING THE IGNITION BUTTON WILL DO ANYTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGH SPEEDS BUT TYPICALLY UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS. IT OCCURS WHEN THE BIKE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 30 MINUTES PLUS AND IS MORE PROBLEMATIC WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. ON MOST RIDES, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ALL. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO OCCUR RANDOMLY BUT ONCE IT DOES START HAPPENING, IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND BMW IS BASICALLY IGNORING IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AS I COAST INTO A PARKING LOT OR GAS STATION AFTER A LONG RIDE AS WELL AS AT 70 MPH ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY WHEN I PULL IN THE CLUTCH TO DOWNSHIFT. IT HAS OCCURRED IN VERY BUSY NYC TRAFFIC AND ON HIGHWAY EXIT RAMPS. BASICALLY, ANYWHERE WHERE THE CLUTCH MAY BE NEEDED TO DOWNSHIFT OR COAST TO A STOP IS A POTENTIAL AREA FOR THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF. SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WHERE I HAVE HAD TO GET OFF THE BIKE AND PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL I COULD GET IT RESTARTED. MY ONCE BELOVED MOTORCYCLE NOW SITS IN MY GARAGE AND IS ONLY USED AS A BACK UP VEHICLE WHEN MY CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE. BMW NEEDS TO ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
THERE ARE SEVERAL CRACKS ON THE FLANGE WHERE FUEL LINE HAS A CONNECTION. THESE CRACKS ARE CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE MOTOR AND ALTERNATOR CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. FUEL ALSO POOLS IN AREAS WITH SENSITIVE ELECTRONICS WHERE FUEL WASN'T MEANT TO BE STORED. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE THAT MOST LIKELY WOULD LEAD TO SEVERE BODILY HARM OR DEATH! IT APPEARS BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ALSO AS THEY HAVE UPDATED THIS PART AS WELL BUT HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL YET EVEN THOUGH ITS UNDER INVESTIGATION. ALL EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THESE INHERENT DESIGN FLAWS IN THIS MODEL MOTORCYCLE BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL PUTTING THE PUBLIC AS RISK. I BELIEVE THE NHTSA NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AND FORCE BMW TO RECALL AND REPLACE WITH THE UPDATED FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP CONTROLLER AND FUEL PUMP CONTROLLER GASKET. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES TO MULTIPLE BMW DEALERS AND ALL ACT LIKE THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF WHAT I AM DESCRIBING. IT'S ALL OVER THE MESSAGE BOARDS AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ENGINE CUTS OFF WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PULLED IN AND THE IDOL DROPS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTART THE BIKE QUICKLY AS IT SEEMS TO NEED 30 SECONDS TO 2 MINUTES TO "REST" BEFORE PRESSING THE IGNITION BUTTON WILL DO ANYTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGH SPEEDS BUT TYPICALLY UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS. IT OCCURS WHEN THE BIKE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 30 MINUTES PLUS AND IS MORE PROBLEMATIC WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. ON MOST RIDES, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ALL. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO OCCUR RANDOMLY BUT ONCE IT DOES START HAPPENING, IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND BMW IS BASICALLY IGNORING IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AS I COAST INTO A PARKING LOT OR GAS STATION AFTER A LONG RIDE AS WELL AS AT 70 MPH ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY WHEN I PULL IN THE CLUTCH TO DOWNSHIFT. IT HAS OCCURRED IN VERY BUSY NYC TRAFFIC AND ON HIGHWAY EXIT RAMPS. BASICALLY, ANYWHERE WHERE THE CLUTCH MAY BE NEEDED TO DOWNSHIFT OR COAST TO A STOP IS A POTENTIAL AREA FOR THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF. SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WHERE I HAVE HAD TO GET OFF THE BIKE AND PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL I COULD GET IT RESTARTED. MY ONCE BELOVED MOTORCYCLE NOW SITS IN MY GARAGE AND IS ONLY USED AS A BACK UP VEHICLE WHEN MY CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE. BMW NEEDS TO ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .