2011 BMW R 1200 Gs

While under hard acceleration to pass a vehicle on a two-lane highway, the engine power suddenly cut out completely that created a dangerous situation and suddenly put me at risk for a collision. Fortunately, the vehicle I was passing noticed I had a malfunction and reduced speed allowing me to return back into my lane and safely coast to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was able to idle only, but turning the throttle had no effect as if the throttle cable had snapped. I had my vehicle towed back home and after inspection determined that the plastic throttle body cable pulleys on both throttle bodies have split in two pieces disabling the throttle cable's ability to open the butterflies on the throttle bodies. The plastic pulleys are brittle and obviously an inferior material used on a critical safety component. Part numbers 1354 7705239 and 1354 7705240. Online forums revealed that this is a very common failure on BMW motorcycle boxer engines with many owners suggesting preventative maintenance to reinforce the plastic throttle body cable pulleys with metal washers and JB weld or replace with aftermarket custom made alloy machine parts. This is a very common problem and can result in death or injury if the part fails on the wrong time. It blows my mind that BMW is ignoring such a well-known issue and not issuing a recall to replace the throttle bodies with upgraded parts that are safe.

NHTSA ID

11641830

Incident

Feb 6, 2025

Fuel pump flange failure resulting in leaking fuel while I was riding the bike. It is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because the bike could have caught fire while riding and also potentially could have caused me to crash. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The component hasn't been inspected by BMW or any representative. There was no warning or symptom other than I could smell fuel while I was riding. In April 2014 BMW issued recall notice 13V-617 for a potential fuel leak at the fuel pump flange. The remedy by BMW was to place a reinforcing ring around the fuel pump flange or replace the fuel pump with a new pump that had a preinstalled reinforcing ring. My fuel pump was replaced in November 2015 under the recall. At the conclusion of my ride on 11/16/24 my inspection revealed fuel leaking around the fuel pump flange with fuel puddling on top of the fuel pump. Enough fuel leaked and dispersed during my ride that fuel had also collected in between the cylinder cooling fins on one side of the motor which is a potential ignition source. It was also evident that fuel had blown onto the side of the bike. I was extremely fortunate fuel didn't contact the exhaust pipe which is in proximity to where fuel was leaking and ignite. Even though it has been 9 years since my fuel pump was replaced the reinforcing ring remedy for the fuel pump flange does not work as evidenced by the leak on my bike. The leak should have never occurred. The fuel pump flange on these fuel pumps even with a reinforcing ring is still apparently a bad design and still subject to failure and creates a life safety hazard. My bike could have easily caught fire which could have resulted in personal injury or a crash. I consider myself lucky that neither of these hazards occurred. I have contacted BMW Customer Support. A case number was issued and my case was escalated to the next level. Im waiting for their response.

NHTSA ID

11626502

Incident

Nov 16, 2024

Found fuel vapor to be strongly smelled while at a stop light. Upon arrival at home when turning the motorcycle around there were drips coming from the right side of the motorcycle (more specifically the fuel tank). After removing the faring, there was a collection of fuel sitting on top of the fuel tank outlet. Upon closer inspection, the quick disconnect which threads into the fuel tank cap to pull fuel out of the tank has a hairline crack. it continually purges fuel at a trickling pace when the fuel level is above the tank port, there is a steady flow when the bike is in operation. The location of the fuel drip falls directly on the exhaust pipe header on the front right side of the motorcycle which could lead to a fire causing property damage and or bodily harm. The motorcycle has not been inspected by the local dealer as they are backlogged with a summertime influx of customers.

NHTSA ID

11523584

Incident

May 22, 2023

First reported front brake failure to BMW Motorcycle dealer in Chattanooga TN in fall of 2019. Lever went to grip and had to be pumped several times to engage. Dealer could not replicate problem or find anything wrong. June 2022, experienced rear brake failure though several pumps would recover system but only temporarily. Dealer suspected rear master cylinder was culprit but a new one made no difference. Now I’m told it is the ABS servo which is very expensive. Motorcycle has been maintained according to schedule by this dealer. Brakes are a vital part of this motorcycle.

NHTSA ID

11472287

Incident

Jun 17, 2022

RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014. NEW PART FAILED 2020 AND BMW SAYS ONLY 2 YEAR WARRANTY ON RECALL PART. THAT'S ACCORDING TO BMW SERIVICE AS WELL AS BMW OF WESTERN OREGON. THE FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST. FIRE AND LIFE HAZARD!!!! FAILURE LEAKS FUEL ON ENGINE AND EXHAUST. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330893

Incident

Jun 19, 2020

Mileage

5,500 mi

AFTER FEW KM (16.700) A LOT OF NOISE COMES FROM GEAR BOX. I SEARCH ON THE WEB IF SOMEBODY ELSE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FOUND A LOT. MANY CUSTOMER CLAIMS THAT OUT OF WARRANTY THE GEAR FAULT CAUSING SERIOUS NOISE AND IN SOME CASE CRASH AND INJURIES. THE PROBLEM CONSIST IN A FAULT OF THE OF THE SHAFT IN THE GEARBOX THAT CAN CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL LOCKING. IN FACT, THIS MOTORCYCLE HAD A RIGID TRANSMISSION MADE WITH A SHAFT. WHEN THE SHAFT OF THE GEARBOX CRACK, SOME SMALL METAL PARTS CAN SIMPLY LOCK THE TRANSMISSION. BMW WELL KNOW THE PROBLEM DUE TO SEVERAL MAINTENANCE JOB. I'M WRITING FROM ITALY. I KNOW THAT PROBABLY YOU CAN'T DO NOTHING FOR ME, BUT IN ANY CASE, I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUE IN US. THIS IS THE REASON WHY I WANT TO REVEAL THIS BIG UNSOLVED PROBLEM WITH BMW.

NHTSA ID

10916708

Incident

Oct 11, 2016

Mileage

14,000 mi

THE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT EQUIPPED, NON-SERVICEABLE, REAR SHOCK FAILED AT ONLY 15,500 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT UNIT IS $2000. I TAKE THE POSITION THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA'S EXPECTATION THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD BEAR THE BURDEN OF THE FAILURE OF SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS AND 15,500 MILES IS EXCEPTIONALLY UNREASONABLE, AND BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.

NHTSA ID

10746547

Incident

Aug 5, 2015

Mileage

15,500 mi

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.

BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender “Fuel Strip” equipped on certain model year 2005 to 2013 R and K series motorcycles.

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.

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