1999 BMW R1100rt-P

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH DUNLOP SPORTMAX A REAR TIRES, SIZE 160/60 ZR18. THESE TIRES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON SOME OF THE VEHICLES AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT. THE CAMPAIGN IS LIMITED TO THOSE SPORTMAX A REAR TIRES HAVING DATE STAMPS OF 189, 199, OR 209. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AREAS OF REDUCED ADHESION ON THE TREAD REINFORCING CUSHION STRIPS MAY HAVE RESULTED DURING PRODUCTION OF THE TIRES. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOCALIZED SEPARATIONS AND BLISTERS WHERE THE TREAD JOINS THE SIDEWALL.

Risk. IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE RIDER MAY NOTICE A VIBRATION OF THE REAR TIRE AND DEPENDING ON THE DEGREE OF BLISTERING, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD LEAD TO FURTHER WEAKENING OF THE SIDEWALL AREA AND CAUSE A FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THE VEHICLE'S HANDLING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR TIRE FOR THE PRODUCTION DATE. IF AN AFFECTED TIRE IS FOUND, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 28, 2001. 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.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN WESTERN NEW YORK DRIVING 72 MPH WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS DRIVING ALL AROUND ME. SUDDENLY THE BIKE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY AND THE REAR BEGAN SWERVING. I CAME TO A STOP AT AN INACCESSIBLE SPOT IN THE ROAD SO I DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT AT 50 MPH. I INSPECTED THE BIKE AND SAW FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE BACK OF THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT BUT THE ENGINE WAS DRY. THE FLUID WAS COVERING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TIRE AND I DID NOT THINK I COULD MAKE TURNS SAFELY EVEN IF THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS. I RENTED A TRUCK AND DROVE THE BIKE HOME IN THE TRUCK BECAUSE I DID NOT FEEL THE BIKE WAS SAFE. I HAD THE BIKE SERVICED THREE MONTHS AGO AND HAD WORK IN THE POWER TRAIN DONE BUT THAT DID NOT HELP ME. I LIKE THE BIKE BUT I THINK BMW IS TURNING A DEAF EYE OR EAR TO WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A REPEATING PROBLEM. *TR

THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. I RODE 75 MILES TO WORK. SMELLED BURNING OIL AT STOP LIGHTS AND WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP, BUT DIDN'T SEE ANY OIL. ARRIVED AT WORK IN WASHINGTON, DC AND FOUND A PARKING SPACE. BACKED INTO THE PARKING SPACE AS REQUIRED BY LAW. I PUT THE KICKSTAND DOWN AND REMOVED MY HELMET AND SMELLED THE STRONG ODOR OF BURNING OIL. WHEN I WALKED AROUND THE BIKE I FOUND A LARGE QUANTITY OF OIL (APPROXIMATELY A QUART) THAT HAD LEAKED OUT OF THE FINAL DRIVE AND DRENCHED THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR AND REAR WHEEL AND TIRE. I CAN PROVIDE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE OIL SPILL IN PLACE. WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL IN THE FINAL DRIVE IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. I OBTAINED SOME OIL AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT ABOUT A CUP OF NEW OIL IN THE DRIVE TO SEE IF THE SEAL HAD BEEN DAMAGED AND THE OIL DRAINED COMPLETELY OUT ONTO THE GROUND OUT OF THE FINAL DRIVE. I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO A SAFE LOCATION FOR REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS, PLUS POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND THE OIL SOAKED TIRE. *JS