2003 BMW R 1150 RS

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE 3RD AND 4TH TRANSMISSION GEAR (SHIFT) WHEELS MAY NOT BE SECURELY SEATED ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 5TH TO 6TH GEAR, ENGAGEMENT OF THE TWO GEARS MAY OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE GEAR WHEELS COULD CRACK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION CAPABILITY, OR, A LOCK OF TRANSMISSION COULD OCCUR. THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK WHICH, DEPENDING UPON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE RIDER'S REACTION, COULD AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLES AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

MY MOTORCYLE HAD A GUSHING FUEL LEAK OVER THE ENGINE FROM A BROKEN "FUEL LINE QUICK RELEASE COUPLING" MADE FROM A PLASTIC MATERIAL. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM...THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE/DEFECT IN THE COUPLING. BMW HAS RECENTLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND IS CHANGING TO A METAL COUPLING. I CORRECTED THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE BROKEN-PLASTIC COUPLING TO A METAL COUPLING. BMW RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINT BY SAYING THE NEW MODELS HAVE THE METAL COUPLING AND MY MODEL IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE - I THINK THIS IS A "RECALL" ISSUE. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WITH A FUEL LEAK OVER THE ENGINE DURING OPERATION.