The CB1100 Community Forum

Below is an excerpt from an Aussie motorcycle magazine (Thanks AMCN). It's a big recall. I guees my point is that perhaps 20 or so years ago it would have been "Keep quiet, it will all go away". I'm not pointing the finger at BMW, they make great bikes. Any issues with your bike, whatever make, put it in the public domain. In this modern world we are very fortunate that we can communicate openly and take some action if need be.

Cheers

Quote:BMW Motorrad Australia has been drawn into the global recall of BMW 1200cc and 1300cc models with the announcement it’s recalling a total of 15 models sold in Australia over an eight-year period.
The decision comes after BMW discovered over-tightening of the rear wheel can lead to fractures in the bolted joint and failure of the rear-wheel flange. Should this occur, the rear wheel can detach itself from the swingarm.
The recall includes the BMW R1200 GS (K25), HP2 Sport (K25), R 1200 RT (K26), R 1200 R (K27), R 1200 ST (K28), R 1200 S (K29), HP2 Sport (K29) K 1200 S (K40), K 1200 R (K43), K 1200 GT (K44), K 1300 S (K40), K 1300 R (K43) and K 1300 GT (K44).
Simon Chiarelli, product communication manager for BMW Group Australia, said the recall is for certain K and R Series models of BMW motorcycles in Australia produced between November 2003 and April 2011.
“The technical campaign impacts 6486 motorcycles locally,” Chiarelli told AMCN.

“BMW Motorrad is in the process of contacting all owners of the motorcycles affected, and will replace the aluminium wheel flange fitted to these bikes with a steel component boasting greater rigidity.”
Anyone with specific enquiries about the recall are advised to contact an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer or call the BMW Group Australia Customer Interaction Centre on 1800 813 299.
The full list of recalled models issued by BMW Motorrad Australia:

K25 (0307/0317), K25/02 (0382/0397), K25/11 (0303/0313), K25/12 (0380/0390), K25/31 (0450/0460), K25/32 (0450/0460), K25MM (0310/0320), K25HP (0369/0389), K26 (0368/0388), K26 (0367/0387), K26/11 (0430/0440), K2611 (0330), K27 (0378/0398), K27/11 (0400/0490), K28 (0328/0338), K29 (0366/0396), K29HP (0458/0468), K40 (0581/0591), K43HV (0585/0595), K43 (0584/0594), K44 (0587/0597), K40/11 (0508/0509), K43/11 (0518/0519) and K44/31 (0538/0539).

The problems BMW has been having kept me from buying a K1600.

What the Italians call character, the Japanese consider design flaws, and the Germans deny till the end

(04-09-2015, 09:58 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]What the Italians call character, the Japanese consider design flaws, and the Germans deny till the end

Spot on!

A friend in Boerne, TX was a BMW devotee for many years and had very good service from the early air head models. He swore off buying another after getting his first oil head. Problems that were costly to repair and which BMW would take no responsibility for drove him away from the brand forever. I'm not bashing BMW for they do make some great bikes. The R1200GS I rented in the Hill Country a few years ago was a very impressive ride and I came close to buying one.

Griso Guy, not my quote but from the late Larry Grodsky of Rider Magazine fame and I almost got it right lol

"What Italians call character, Japanese consider design flaws and Germans deny to their graves".. Larry Grodsky ...

After renting one in Europe I almost came home and bought an R1200R, but weird gearing and BMW's suffering reputation with the rear drive flange stopped me. That was the 3rd out of 4 times I've "almost" bought a BMW. Still love to have a late 70's R100. Beautiful motorcycle. Wouldn't ride it, but would love to walk out to it and look at it.

I too, left BMW not just for the frequency of problems, but the fact that having the dealer fix those problems run in the thousands of dollars. That said, this recall refers to over-tightening after maintenance being performed. So, if a backyard mechanic didn't follow the manufacturers requirement, can we really blame BMW?

Guys, I didn't mean this to be a Beemer bashing thread. More aligned to the fact that we, as consumers, have a better chance now than in my blessed "good old bad old days".

Agreed?

Cheers

I think the internet has been a huge boon to motorcyclists of all brands. Before, your main contact was your dealer (and we all know how savy they are) saying "well, we've never heard of this before, first one we have seen", and as far as you knew that was true (and it may have been). Now we get to see trends sometimes before the manufacturer even knows it's a trend. We as consumers communicating with other consumers of the same product, can find out issues before the dealer or manufacturer does and report them to each other and can inform the dealer who can inform the manufacturer. Any perceived weaknesses are well know these days very early in the production run... which is exactly what scared me away form buying the R1200R.

Very well said ferret, I to had always dreamed of owning a BMW
and in the early 80s bought one of the first K100s to hit the US.
It was very different then all the other bikes I had. It was a real
love hate thing. It was a great ride but broke a lot. I even pushed it
home a couple of times. Kept it 3 seasons and BMW did fix all the
problems but as soon as the warranty ran out I sold it.