2017 BMW R 1200 Gs Adventure

It is not clear which rear brake component is failing. It seems to be either the master cylinder or the ABS control module, but nothing seems to be conclusive. The failure alters the power of, and force required to apply, the rear brakes, changing the riding characteristics of the motorcycle that could lead to serious injury or miscalculations in application of the rear brake to minimize stopping distance. Apparently the component has been inspected by the manufacturer, however there has been no concrete solution that would guarantee a permanent fix. There are no warning lamps or visual indicators to prepare riders that the rear brakes may be compromised or dysfunctional. There have been multiple incidents of this failure from new. After 7 years and over 800 posts (in this thread alone), owners and BMW dealers have not been able correct the defects with 100% certainty. [XXX] This impacts owners of this motorcycle with a Production Date Range of Sept 1, 2012 through to Aug 31, 2020. BMW knows of the problem and released a Technical Service Bulletin SIB 34 01 21 to Dealers [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11662904

Incident

May 1, 2025

I bought a 2017 BMW R 1200 GS used from a dealer with 554 miles on it. Basically new. I put 1100 miles on the bike before I had a work related accident. The Bike has 1687 miles on it now. Bike has been sitting for 3+ years in a garage. The rear brake goes all the way to the bump stop with no resistance. With the bike on the center stand and the rear brake lever all the way down to the bump stop, the rear wheel spins freely. I rode this bike 2 days before my accident in July of 2020 and the rear brake worked fine. I have not rode the bike in 3+ years and the rear brake went flat. This is unacceptable. I think BMW knows there is a problem. I want you to know there is a problem so maybe the problem get fixed. I've read post on BMW forums, explaining the rear master cylinder sucks in air. Air in brake lines is no good. That means the rear brake master cylinder could suck in air and render the rear brake useless. I think Brakes are an especially important part of vehicle safety.

NHTSA ID

11550245

Incident

Oct 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 BMW R1200 GS Adventure. The contact stated while riding at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal "clunking" sound coming from the rear of the motorcycle. The contact stated that immediately the motorcycle started to lose motive power. While attempting to accelerate, the motorcycle started to vibrate without accelerating properly. The contact stated there was no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he coasted to the side of the road and turned off the motorcycle. The contact noticed that a rubber grommet that covered the universal joint connection to the final drive was torn. The contact had the motorcycle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the universal joint and driveshaft needed to be replaced. The motorcycle had been repaired. The contact also noticed an oil leak and had to return the motorcycle to the same dealer to have additional bearings and seals replaced. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10218351 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11511858

Incident

Jul 4, 2021

Mileage

40,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 65 MPH, while attempting to stop the motorcycle, the brakes failed to operate properly causing a delay in stopping the motorcycle. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that they aware of the failure. The mechanic bled the brake lines and the motorcycle remained at the dealer overnight; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 3,400.

NHTSA ID

11491067

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

3,400 mi

I EXPERIENCED THREE INSTANCES OF THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON AND THE ENGINE LOSING POWER AND THROTTLE CONTROL. THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN BUT WAS RESTRICTED TO A FAST IDLE OF APPROX. 2000RPM AND NO THROTTLE. SPEED WAS THEREFORE RESTRICTED TO 2000 RPM DEPENDING ON WHAT GEAR WHICH WAS ABOUT 5-10 MPH.. ONE EVENT HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEED AND TWO WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH ALL HAPPENING IN A SPAN OF ABOUT 30 MILES. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ON A RURAL HIGHWAY WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC AS THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO POSSIBILITY TO LOOK FOR A SAFE PULL OFF SPOT. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE MOTOR AND RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION FOR A SHORT TIME AND RESTARTING, MOTOR RAN FINE WITH WARNING LIGHTS. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A BMW REPAIR FACILITY AND HAD THE ENGINE CODES DOWNLOADED BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A CAUSE. I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE RIDING IT AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO NOT START IT BUT HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. I FEEL THIS IS A BIT DANGEROUS AS IF IT WAS TO HAPPEN IN THE CENTER LANE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RIDE IT SINCE RETURNING FROM THE REPAIR FACILITY BUT THE DEALER PUT ABOUT 50 MILES ON IT WITHOUT IT REOCCURRING. I DON'T FEEL REAL CONFIDENT OR SAFE AS NOTHING WAS DONE TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11280930

Incident

Oct 19, 2019

Mileage

8,450 mi

I HAD LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON MY BMW R1200GS ADVENTURE AND NOTICED THAT I HAD NO REAR BAKE AT ALL WHEN I WAS RIDING OFF ROAD WITH MY "ENDURO PRO" MODE ENGAGED. THIS ALLOWS ME TO USE THE REAR BRAKE IN AN OFF ROAD MODE AND SHUTS DOWN ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL.. I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE. SEE ADVRIDER.COM AND SEARCH REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON BMW R1200GS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY BLED THE BRAKES. THEY NOW WORK FINE. IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED BY OTHERS THAT THE BREMBO REAR MASTER CYLINDER IS TO BLAME. IT ALLEGEDLY ALLOWS AIR INTO THE SYSTEM.SOME DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THIS AND IT HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE SHOES WERE IN GOOD SHAPE AND WERE NOT REPLACED. I AM ASKING THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS AS FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY ESPECIALLY OFF ROAD AND GOING DOWNHILL. THIS IS WHERE THE REAR BRAKE IS VERY IMPORTANT. VERY RESPECTFULLY,

NHTSA ID

11097641

Incident

May 5, 2018

Mileage

5,800 mi

REAR REFLECTOR RECALL. THE DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL THE MOUNTING RACK FOR THE REAR SIDES LUGGAGE OR THE LUGGAGE WITH MY NEW BIKE. THEY ARE WAITING ON THE FIX BEFORE THEY WILL RELEASE THESE PARTS. BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS????

NHTSA ID

11042277

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Driveshaft Maintenance Schedule Change

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.

Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1. The new maintenance schedule is not limited to vehicles affected by the SI 33 02 22 (SERVICE ACTION: Swingarm Drain retrofit and Driveshaft Check), but is valid for all K5x models - including retroactively. In case of retroactive validity (model year 2023 and older), affected customers will be informed about the change. This will be in the form of a direct-to-customer letter with a description of the new maintenance schedule, specific owner’s manual insert, and consumer warranty book insert. 1. For vehicles affected by SI 33 02 22 (SERVICE ACTION: Swingarm Drain retrofit and Driveshaft Check), this service action must be performed first. All conditions described in this bulletin apply after the open Service Action has been completed. No additional communication is required for K5x models model year 2024 and onwards. Those models have the new maintenance schedule in their owner’s manual.

Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.

BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.

According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code "930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. Or 2. ACSM fault code "930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault(moisture)" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present.