2009 BMW F800 GS

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."

Risk. If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Defect. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 F650 GS AND F 800 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 THROUGH MARCH 30, 2009. THE DRIVE CHAINS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, OVER TIME THE DRIVE CHAIN COULD BREAK.

Risk. IF THE BROKEN CHAIN BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE REAR WHEEL AND THE FRAME, THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK UP, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy. BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE CHAIN AND SPROCKETS ON THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Defect. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 F650 GS AND F800 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2008 AND DECEMBER 2009. DURING ENGINE OPERATION, A VACUUM IS CREATED IN ORDER TO DRAW FRESH AIR INTO THE CANISTER. THIS AIR THEN MIXES WITH THE FUEL VAPORS CAPTURED BY THE CANISTER, AND IS SUBSEQUENTLY COMBUSTED. DUE TO THE ROUTING OF THE VENTILATION HOSE, WATER NEAR THE END OF THE HOSE COULD BE DRAWN INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER.

Risk. WATER COULD FLOW INTO THE CANISTER CAUSING A STALLING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADD AN ADDITIONAL HOSE AND ROUTE IT SUCH THAT THE PRESENT DEFECT IS PREVENTED. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Defect. BMW IS RECALLING 754 MY 2009 F800 GS VEHICLES. THE AXLE SHAFT WALL THICKNESS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Risk. IF THE WALL THICKNESS WAS NOT SUFFICIENT, THE AXLE SHAFT COULD DEFORM AND COULD BREAK INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT WHEEL QUICK-RELEASE AXLE AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

The contact owns a 2009 BMW F800 GS. The contact stated while riding 70 MPH, the motorcycle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the motorcycle. After restarting the motorcycle, the motorcycle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Engine Control Unit (ECU). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was not available.

THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK ON THIS MOTORCYCLE IS KNOWN TO HAVE A MATERIAL OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE FORM OF A LATERAL CRACK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TANK. THE FUEL TANK IS POSITIONED DIRECTLY OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM UNDER THE SEAT. I DISCOVERED THIS DEFECT ON MY MACHINE AFTER SMELLING GAS DURING A CASUAL RIDE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE FOR "F800GS FUEL TANK CRACK" IMMEDIATELY RETURNED SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS AND OWNERS' DOCUMENTATION OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, INCLUDING SOME DISCOVERED BIKES STILL ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN RIDERS BEING BURNED AND POSSIBLY KILLED. I ALSO HAVE A WALK AROUND VIDEO THAT SHOWS THE PROBLEM VERY WELL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN GET THAT TO YOU. THANK YOU

HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR HAS BURNED CAUSING DIMINISHED NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY. OEM STYLE BULBS HAVE BEEN THE ONLY EQUIPMENT USED. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. AS I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE TO SLOW DOWN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. I HAD TO COAST THROUGH MULTIPLE LANES OF HIGH SPEED FREEWAY TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I SAW THAT NO WARNING/ CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS HAD COME ON, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF A TANK, THE KILL SWITCH WAS IN THE RUN POSITION, AND THE KICK STAND WAS SECURELY UP. WHILE COASTING TO THE SHOULDER I NOTICED THAT THE TACHOMETER SHOWED ABOUT 1,000 RPM EVEN THOUGH THE CLUTCH WAS IN AND THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THE TACHOMETER JUMPED TO ZERO ONCE I INCREASED THE THROTTLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD TO BE FULLY CYCLED FROM OFF TO ON USING THE KEY BEFORE IT WOULD START. AFTER RESTARTING IT IN FIRST GEAR, I BEGAN ACCELERATING, WHEN I REACHED APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN. I NOTICED THAT THE LONGER I KEPT THE BIKE OFF THE LONGER IT WOULD LET ME RIDE BEFORE DYING. THE INFO DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE AS WELL AS ON OWNER WEBSITES, THAT MULTIPLE OTHER RIDERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT SAME SCENARIO. I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE USED WITH APPROXIMATELY 9,600 MILES. I CONTACTED BMW WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME SCENARIO, AT 108 MILES AND 8,995 MILES. BOTH TIMES BMW REPORTED REPAIRING AND/OR REPLACING COMPONENTS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SITU

STATOR / FLYWHEEL NO LONGER CHARGING BATTERY. RAN ON BATTERY POWER UNTIL ENGINE QUIT ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH. COASTED TO SHOULDER AND WAITED FOR TOW. 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME AT 28,000 MILES. *TR

THE GAS TANK IS CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BIKE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING ON MANY BMW F800'S. *TR

WHILE CLEANING THE MOTORCYCLE YESTERDAY, I NOTICED THE FUEL TANK IS BREAKING AT ITS SEAM ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE TANK. THE CRACK IN THE TANK IS WELL OVER 12 INCHES ON EACH SIDE. I ALSO NOTICED TODAY THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS IN THE PAST AND EVEN AFTER HAVING THE FUEL TANK REPLACED, THE CRACKS TO THE PLASTIC DEVELOP ONCE AGAIN. THE CRACKS ARE LINEAR AND ALONG THE SEAM OF THE TANK. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO.

EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE CHARGING SYSTEM RESULTING IN STALLING THE INABILITY TO RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A MULTILANE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE BIKE STARTED AFTER JUMP STARTING, BUT A TEST WITH A MULTIMETER SHOWED NO INCREASE IN SYSTEM VOLTAGE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, RESULTING IN NO CHARGE BEING APPLIED TO THE BATTERY, PREVENTING THE EFI AND IGNITION SYSTEMS FROM FUNCTIONING. IN THE WEEK LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT I EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT SURGING, SPUTTERING, AND STALLING, ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE INCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE TO START THE BIKE. THIS FAILURE LEFT ME STRANDED IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC, REQUIRING ME TO PUSH THE BIKE ACROSS MULTIPLE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND DOWN THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY TO GET ASSISTANCE. *TR

RIDING HOME AT NIGHT IN TRAFFIC, MY MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND DIED LOCKING UP ALL SYSTEMS INCLUDING LIGHTS. I FOUND MYSELF AT A DEAD STOP IN TRAFFIC WITH NO LIGHTS FOR VISIBILITY. IT WAS QUITE DANGEROUS. *TR

THE STATOR OF THE ALTERNATOR FRIED, SO THE BATTERY STARTED DISCHARGING AND WHEN EMPTY THE COMPUTER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. I HAD THE STATOR REWINDED AND THE SAME PROBLEM REPEATED 5000 MILES LATER. I HAD IT REWINDED A SENCOND TIME AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I AM INTO MY 3RD REWIND AND JUST EXPECTING THE PROBLEM TO REAPPEAR...

REAR WHEEL BEARING IN EARLY STAGES OF FAILURE. NOTICED ROUGH ROTATION DURING TIRE CHANGE. BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *JS

THROTTLE RESPONSE IS TOO SHARP AND TAKES YOU BY SURPRISE WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THIS RESPONSE CAN BE RAPID ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION WHEN A DEFORMITY IN THE ROAD IS DRIVEN OVER. THE RAPID RESPONSE IS EVEN MORE EXACERBATED AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN TRYING TO MANEUVER RESIDENTIAL SURFACE ROADS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WITH NO KNOWN REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE SEARCHED MANY ADVENTURE TYPE FORUMS WHERE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NO KNOWN REPAIR FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE HAD ONE CLOSE CALL WHERE THE VEHICLE THROTTLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED WHILE COMMITTED IN A TURN WHERE I LOST MY LINE AND WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW F800 GS MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT FROM SIXTH TO FIFTH GEAR AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOLLOWING REPAIRS. THE DEALER THEN PERFORMED A SECOND COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPDATE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,200.

WHEEL BEARING ON CHAINRING SIDE OF REAR HUB WORE OUT PREMATURELY AT 9,000 MILES. OTHER BEARINGS ON FRONT AND REAR HUBS WERE FUNCTIONING WELL. HAD I NOT CHECKED THIS BEARING, AFTER READING ABOUT MULTIPLE SUCH INCIDENTS, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED LEADING TO PERSONAL INJURY AND POTENTIALLY INJURY TO OTHERS. *TR

AFTER 9000 MILES THE CLUTCH ON MY 2009 F800GS SUDDENLY STARTED TO SLIP ON THE FREEWAY WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AND ACCELERATING. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS OF ANY PROBLEMS IN THE DRIVE TRAIN/CLUTCH APART THAT THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CLUTCH WAS TO THE LAST LIMIT (ALL SERVICE DONE BY BMW DEALER). SINCE THEN ANY ACCELERATION MAKES THE RPM JUMP 1000+ RPM BEFORE GRADUALLY COMING DOWN AND ACTUAL ACCELERATION OCCURRING. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY PROBLEM AS A LOSS OF ACCELERATION CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH ON A MOTORCYCLE. *TR

I HAD THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 2009 BMW F800GS MOTORCYCLE CHECKED DURING ITS ROUTINE 6,000 MILE SERVICE. THE BEARINGS ON MY BIKE SHOWED EVIDENCE OF ACCELERATED WEAR. THEY WERE REPLACED BY THE BMW SHOP, UNDER WARRANTY. ONE WOULD EXPECT SUCH BEARINGS TO LAST A _MINIMUM_ OF 50,000 MILES, AND SO FAILURE WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE WAS UTTERLY UNEXPECTED. ON A MOTORCYCLE, REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT SPEED COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OPERATOR. *TR

REAR WHEEL BEARING DETERIORATION AT 12,000 MILES ON A BMW F800GS. RIDING UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. CHECK THE BEARING AFTER READING AN INTERNET POST ABOUT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVING BEARING FAILURES. THE BEARING FELT PITTED AND GRITTY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEAL AND THEY REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY WITH FACTORY PARTS. UNCHECKED THIS WOULD HAVE MOST LIKELY LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR