1998 BMW BMW Motorcycle

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Power train2
2. Electrical system1
3. Service brakes, hydraulic1
4. Steering1
5. Suspension1

Latest complaints

• Sep 7, 2013CA83,000 mi
  Steering · Suspension
  Struck a large pot hole on a city street. as expected the front suspension compressed but the front fender (trailing section) caught in the engine cowling as the suspension decompressed. this makes the steering restricted to movements of about +/- 10 degrees with significant friction in the…

  Struck a large pot hole on a city street. as expected the front suspension compressed but the front fender (trailing section) caught in the engine cowling as the suspension decompressed. this makes the steering restricted to movements of about +/- 10 degrees with significant friction in the steering over this range. this makes the bike very unstable on turns! the repair IS to stop and remove the front trailing fender from the cowling by removing the bolts holding it to the front fork and then reattaching fender in the correct position. typically the top screw hole in the fender IS badly deformed from pressure on the fender. the long term solution IS to remove the fender and saw off approximately 2 inches of material from the bottom edge. BMW 1998 k1200rs

• Feb 4, 2012NY25,876 mi
  Power train

  The final drive on the motorcycle leaked oil out of ring gear seal, and bike suddenly made grinding noise. after tear down and inspection it was found that the large radial bearing had failed causing the seal to fail, replacement of bearing and seal was done. Same failure as described in odi no. 10439549, and currently being investigated under campaign dp12001. *kb

• Nov 6, 2007OH26,897 mi
  Power train › Driveline › Differential unit · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  Three hundred miles from home a grinding sound started being audible from the rear of the bike. I stopped after it continued and failed to see anything wrong. The wheel and tire were dry and no apparent leaks anywhere. I continued and the grinding became louder. I stopped and looked and this time…

  Three hundred miles from home a grinding sound started being audible from the rear of the bike. I stopped after it continued and failed to see anything wrong. The wheel and tire were dry and no apparent leaks anywhere. I continued and the grinding became louder. I stopped and looked and this time seen a few spots of oil on the rear wheel. Continued investigation showed gear oil was leaking from the rear differential. I checked the fluid level and it was still visible. I continued a short way and the sound became much louder and the rear of the bike began to sway side to side. I managed to stop just as the rear wheel locked up. I dismounted and looked at the rear wheel. It was now covered in oil. I unloaded the luggage from the cycle and placed the cycle on the center stand. The rear wheel was so loose that the rear brake rotor gouged the brake caliper from the sideways movement of the wheel. At this point I was stranded. I called the nearest BMW dealer and he stated he had no time to help me. It was friday and he told me to call him tuesday if I was still around. I called an independent shop. After some hours he arrived and we had the rear differential apart. The crown bearing cage had completely, and totally failed. The races were damaged, the rear brake rotor, caliper and pads and ABS sensor were destroyed. The independent shop had parts in stock, except the ABS sensor, as he had replaced/repaired many of these. He rebuilt my rear differential over night and the next noon I was on my way. Although my cycle only had 27,000 miles on it at the time of the rear differential failure, the bike was out of warranty time wise. The cost of the parts and labor were paid by me. It has been awhile but, I think I have some of the damaged parts. *tr

• Sep 16, 2003MN
  Electrical system › Ignition

  Electrical component (hall ignitions sensor assembly) failure. *jb

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10030825BMW motorcycle: engine fuels containing ethanol. BMW motorrad has no objection to the use of si engine fuels containing up to a maximum of 10% ethanol and imposes no warranty restrictions. Ethanol mixtures in proportions higher than 10% can have an adverse effect on performance and can result in damage to components that come into contract with fuel. No warranty claims whatsoever for damage caused in this way will be accepted. No model years listed.
• 603971Problem concerning poor clutch disengagement; gearshift difficulties.
• 602619Subject on sj engine oil - not approved.
• 602618Subject on tampering / non-bmw approved modifications.
• 602614Information regarding reusable valve cover gaskets.
• 602607Information on modification to front brake and clutch systems.
• 602488Manufacturing defect on replacement big end bearing shell.
• 602487Service bulletin on extension power cable for three-pin diagnostic cable.
• 602469Information on a new special tool for M44.
• 602466Complaints of convertible top jams against storage lid when opening.
• 600545New boxer gearbox repairs.

Every BMW BMW Motorcycle model year

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