2003 BMW R1150 RT

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.

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY, LEAVING ONLY THE FOG LIGHTS TO GET ME HOME. DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY.

ACTUAL MODEL IS RT1150P NOT LISTED ON MODEL LIST. ALTENATOR BELT BROKE, CAUSING ALTENATOR FAILURE AND LOW VOLTAGE WHICH NEGATED POWER BRAKES LEAVING ME WITH RESIDUAL BRAKING ABOUT 40% OF NORMAL BREAKING AT BEST. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND ROLLED IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRUCK WHO WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME BY SLOWING AND GOING AROUND. DEALER REPLACED BELT AND ALTENATOR. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN HOWEVER. THE OWNERS MANUAL EVEN EXPLAINS POWER LOSS TO BRAKES CALLING IT RESIDUAL BRAKING. THE MANUAL SAYS APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE LEVER, SET THEM SO YOU HAVE MORE LEVERAGE ON THEM, AND RIDE IN A DEFENSIVE POSITION. A LITTLE TOUGH TO DO WHEN YOU ARE EXITING THE FREEWAY, STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT OR PULLING UP TO A DRIVEWAY TO ENTER TRAFFIC. LOSING YOUR BREAKING EFFECIENCY BECAUSE OF ELECTRONIC FAILURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CIVILIAN USE.*AK

STALLING WHILE RIDING IN THE RAIN. WOULD RESTART AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. HAPPENED AT LEAST 8 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. THEN, WHILE RIDING IN TRAFFIC DURING DRY WEATHER STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER. IGNITION COIL REPLACED.*AK

RECALL REMEDY FAILURE. 04V-028. DEALER RE-CRIMPED THE CRIMP CLAMPS PER BMW'S INSTRUCTIONS. STILL LEAKED SUBSTANTIALLY AT 4.2 BAR WHEN SYSTEM PRESSURE-CHECKED. SOME CONCERN THAT PLASTIC COMPONENTS DEFORM PREVENTING FULL CRIMP CLAMP LOAD. REPLACED OE CRIMP CLAMPS WITH EALIER VERSION, OE, SCREW CLAMPS.*AK

2003 BMW R 1150 RT MOTORCYCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU DO NOT KEEP PRESSURE TO THE LEFT ON THE HANDLE BARS IT WILL LEAN ITSELF TO THE RIGHT AND RUN OFF THE ROAD. ALSO IT HAS EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. I SPOKE WITH BMW AND THEY SAID THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THESE BIKES.*AK