2000 BMW K1200LT

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Power train40
2. Service brakes, hydraulic5
3. Suspension3
4. Tires2
5. Wheels1

Latest complaints

• Jun 23, 2019NY111,500 mi
  Tires

  Avon storm 3 motorcycle front tire developed a flat area after only 1500 miles. Tire IS out of round.

• Dec 31, 2015NY74,000 mi
  Power train

  Dp12001 the final drive failed at 74,000 miles with the bearing failing and the seal leaking oil onto the rear wheel. After repair at an authorize BMW motorcycle dealer the final drive failed a second time at 91,000 miles.

• Feb 10, 2015TX57,800 mi
  Power train
  While traveling on interstate highway I noticed a new rhythmic vibration transmitted through footpegs, varied speed & vibration rate also varied. Stopped, checked wheels & tires, no defects noted, continued to destination. Parked motorcycle on it's center stand, removed helmet, gloves, jacket &…

  While traveling on interstate highway I noticed a new rhythmic vibration transmitted through footpegs, varied speed & vibration rate also varied. Stopped, checked wheels & tires, no defects noted, continued to destination. Parked motorcycle on it's center stand, removed helmet, gloves, jacket & stowed. Visually inspected motorcycle approximately 15 minutes later & found final drive lube dripping from final drive, rear brake caliper onto rear wheel, running down rh side of rear tire and dripping on the floor. Fluid loss at that point estimated to be aprox. 1 teaspoon. Rotating rear wheel found rotation "notchy"/not smooth, turning faster by hand could hear rumble. Suspect crown bearing cage failure, further damaging seal. Drained final drive, found fluid very dark with metal particles suspended in fluid. Magnetic drain plug coated with flakes & sludge over 1/4 inch thick. Examined drained fluid & found pieces of seal material. Photographed all findings. Final drive has been removed for repairs. Final drive has had regular, scheduled fluid changes with no abnormalities noted, last change at 52K miles, next change would have been 60K miles. A catastrophic failure of the crown bearing could cause loss of control of the motorcycle, and potentially serious injury to a rider &/or passenger. suspect that the preload on the bearing was set too high from the factory & that the damage progression caused by this error was exponential over time. *tr

• Sep 18, 2013NY74,870 mi
  Power train

  The final drive failed and the bearing seal leaked oil on the rear tire. *jb

• Jul 23, 2013ID25,035 mi
  Power train
  TL* the contact owns a 2000 BMW k1200 LT motorcycle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the rear of the vehicle began to wobble as if there was a flat tire. The contact merged to the shoulder and inspected the vehicle but there was no visible failure. The vehicle was towed…

  TL* the contact owns a 2000 BMW k1200 LT motorcycle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the rear of the vehicle began to wobble as if there was a flat tire. The contact merged to the shoulder and inspected the vehicle but there was no visible failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the final drive ball bearing needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 25,035 and the current mileage was 31,500.

• Apr 7, 2013MD42,537 mi
  Power train

  I had taken a trip to atlanta, ga 700 miles one way and the following week was riding to and from work. There was a noise that I could no identify. I took it to the dealer and they told me that I had a rear bearing problem. This was the second rear bearing to go out on me. *tr

• Apr 7, 2013MD15,378 mi
  Power train

  I was traveling with friends back home from a 200 mile trip. The bike started making noise in the rear and one of the riders with me said that my bike was not acting wright. We stopped looked at my rearend and oil was leaking. I got back on bike to make it home and the longer I rode the more noise it made. Took it to the dealer and was told that my rearend bearings had gone out. *tr

• Nov 3, 2012KS46,300 mi
  Power train
  My final drive main bearing failed as I was traveling on the turnpike. Fortunately, I was aware of this potential and had installed a chip detector in the final drive unit. That alerted me of the failure before it became an immediate danger to me. Subsequent rebuild of the unit showed that the…

  My final drive main bearing failed as I was traveling on the turnpike. Fortunately, I was aware of this potential and had installed a chip detector in the final drive unit. That alerted me of the failure before it became an immediate danger to me. Subsequent rebuild of the unit showed that the original bearing had been over-shimmied to .30MM when the factory specification calls for .05MM to .10MM. As far as I am aware, this was done at the factory. This measured over-shim IS also consistent with the galling of the inner race which was visibly off center and at about 45 degrees to the axis of the bearing where the load should have been on the race. I have retained the race if you would like to see it. *tr

• Oct 22, 2012AZ11,500 mi
  Power train

  A low frequency, rumbling noise started slowly at ear of motorcycle. The noise increased in intensity for approximately 500 miles, when at that point it became a full, metal-to-metal grinding noise, at that point, the motorcycle was parked and ridden no further. *tr

• Aug 29, 2012MN37,550 mi
  Power train

  The final drive on the motorcycle failed. It was sudden, started with a vibration coming from the rear end, and the tire then had a slight "wobble". The fluid must have leaked onto the sensors on the rear brakes as the ABS light began to flash. I pulled the bike over and noticed fluid dripping from the final drive. I got the bike off of the freeway and had to trailer it home. *tr

• Aug 24, 2012NJ98,500 mi
  Power train

  While driving I felt repetitive knocking noises coming from the rear of the motorcycle, which shook the frame and got worse and worse the more I drove, until I could drive no further. *Tr

• May 9, 2012WI87,822 mi
  Power train

  The final drive bearing and shims and seals failed, requiring expensive repairs, and two weeks without riding. *tr

• Feb 29, 2012NC78,500 mi
  Power train
  2000 k1200lt BMW motorcycle final drive failure. When attempted to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop, discovered the rear brake did not work, which forced to use the front brakes only, which extended his stopping distance. Was able to bring the bike to a safe stop without incident. Upon…

  2000 k1200lt BMW motorcycle final drive failure. When attempted to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop, discovered the rear brake did not work, which forced to use the front brakes only, which extended his stopping distance. Was able to bring the bike to a safe stop without incident. Upon inspection, realized the rear brakes failed because they were saturated in gear oil, that leaked from the final drive unit after the final drive bearing seal failed. The final gear crown gear bearing failed, allowing the oil to leak. The consumer stated it was the third time the final drive bearing failed on his bike. *Tr

• Feb 29, 2012NC72,000 mi
  Power train
  2000 k1200lt BMW motorcycle final drive failure. When attempted to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop, discovered the rear brake did not work, which forced to use the front brakes only, which extended his stopping distance. Was able to bring the bike to a safe stop without incident. Upon…

  2000 k1200lt BMW motorcycle final drive failure. When attempted to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop, discovered the rear brake did not work, which forced to use the front brakes only, which extended his stopping distance. Was able to bring the bike to a safe stop without incident. Upon inspection, realized the rear brakes failed because they were saturated in gear oil, that leaked from the final drive unit after the final drive bearing seal failed. The final gear crown gear bearing failed, allowing the oil to leak. The consumer stated it was the second time the final drive bearing failed on his bike.*tr

• Feb 29, 2012NC36,000 mi
  Power train
  2000 k1200lt BMW motorcycle final drive failure. When attempted to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop, discovered the rear brake did not work, which forced to use the front brakes only, which extended his stopping distance. Was able to bring the bike to a safe stop without incident. Upon…

  2000 k1200lt BMW motorcycle final drive failure. When attempted to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop, discovered the rear brake did not work, which forced to use the front brakes only, which extended his stopping distance. Was able to bring the bike to a safe stop without incident. Upon inspection, realized the rear brakes failed because they were saturated in gear oil, that leaked from the final drive unit after the final drive bearing seal failed. The final gear crown gear bearing failed, allowing the oil to leak. The consumer stated it was the first time the final drive bearing failed on his bike. *tr

• Feb 8, 2012MN38,696 mi
  Power train

  Rear drive failure occuring on interstate highway. *tr

• Oct 22, 2010MD25,500 mi
  Service brakes, hydraulic

  2000 BMW k1200lt motorcycle - ABS system if prone to failure. mine failed. the fix costs $3,000. this IS a very common problem on many BMW motorcycles. the modulator has many failure modes and can occur even if the unit IS bled frequently. *Tr

• Aug 14, 2009VA64,500 mi
  Power train › Driveline
  Final drive bearing failure. this initially caused an unstable side to side motion of the vehicle. before being able to stop the vehicle the rear wheel intermittently locked up. then gear oil leaked onto the brake pads and disc rendering them ineffective. this IS the second occurrence of final…

  Final drive bearing failure. this initially caused an unstable side to side motion of the vehicle. before being able to stop the vehicle the rear wheel intermittently locked up. then gear oil leaked onto the brake pads and disc rendering them ineffective. this IS the second occurrence of final drive bearing failure in this vehicle. the vehicle has been maintained to the manufacturers specifications. this bearing had only 26,000 miles on it. *Tr

• Aug 14, 2009VA38,491 mi
  Power train › Driveline

  Final drive bearing failure resulting in gear oil leaking onto brake pads and disc. thus rendering the rear brake ineffective. *Tr

• Feb 22, 2009TX145,000 mi
  Service brakes, hydraulic

  Final drive of BMW motorcycle - 2000 k1200lt failed resulting in failure of ability to drive motorcycle. *Tr

• Sep 3, 2008NY75,000 mi
  Power train › Axle assembly

  Rear drive failure. *tr

• Sep 3, 2008MI13,500 mi
  Power train › Driveline

  Final drive failure resulting in rear wheel seizure and total loss of power to rear wheel. *tr

• Aug 2, 2006GA35,000 mi
  Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
  I purchased my k1200lt last monday (24 july 2006) from a resident in ohio. Drove the bike home to georgia. I felt a slight vibration over the last 100 miles or so. I thought it might be the road. T he next day I took the bike out, vibration and a rubbing sound was coming from the rear end. When I…

  I purchased my k1200lt last monday (24 july 2006) from a resident in ohio. Drove the bike home to georgia. I felt a slight vibration over the last 100 miles or so. I thought it might be the road. T he next day I took the bike out, vibration and a rubbing sound was coming from the rear end. When I got the bike home I notice oil leaking from what I thought was the rear brake. Took bike to BMW they said it was final drive failure. Bike IS still in the shop. I only owned the bike for two days and already a major problem. *Jb

• Jul 11, 2006MI43,064 mi
  Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

  First indication of failure was massive leaking of oil on rear wheel and tire, causing instability and reduced braking power. stopped at gas station and trailered bike to nearest BMW dealer. dealer's analysis: final (rear) drive failure. dealer replaced final (rear) drive and oil-soaked brake pads. *nm

• Jun 30, 2006MN27,500 mi
  Suspension › Rear

  Rear drive bearing failure twice now. 2000 BMW k1200lt reporting second incident below. *jb

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• M/C final drive ball bearing failure

  DP12001Opened Jan 20, 2012Closed Jun 20, 2013
  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation into model year (MY) 1998-2009 BMW KLT series motorcycles for final drive bearing failures.The petitioner asked NHTSA to issue an order that [BMW] be required to recall the affected models for inspection…

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation into model year (MY) 1998-2009 BMW KLT series motorcycles for final drive bearing failures.The petitioner asked NHTSA to issue an order that [BMW] be required to recall the affected models for inspection ofcomponent wear and proper assembly of the [final drive] bearing.ODI has reviewed the petition, assessed relevant consumer complaints, and gathered other data in the course of investigating this issue.Based on its review, ODI does not believe that a safety-related defect trend currently exists for final drive bearing failures in the subject motorcycles.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.However, the agency will continue to monitor information related to this issue and will take further action if warranted.For detailed information, see the Federal Register notice: https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-13779.

• Fuel line leakage

  PE03054Opened Dec 1, 2003Closed Jan 23, 2004Recall 04V028000
  BMW IS conducting a recall (04v-028).an information request(ir)response was not received. Upon bmw's receipt of the ir, and after discussions with odi, bmwdetermined that a recall was necessary. On certain motorcycles, the o-ring contained within the fuel line quick-disconnect coupling could become damaged.further…

  BMW IS conducting a recall (04v-028).an information request(ir)response was not received. Upon bmw's receipt of the ir, and after discussions with odi, bmwdetermined that a recall was necessary. On certain motorcycles, the o-ring contained within the fuel line quick-disconnect coupling could become damaged.further, there IS also a problem involving crimp-type hose clamps, which can also result in a small fuel leak.dealers will inspect, and if necessary, adjust all crimp-type hose clamps.also all fuel line quick-disconnect couplings will be inspected.if a leak IS detected, the quick-disconnect o-ring will be replaced.if damaged, the coupling will be replaced.owner notification IS expected to begin during february 2004.

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.

• 10205114With the introduction of the new watertight fuse box a change was made from large type fuses to mini fuses. While the correct fuses are installed in the fuse box, the older, large type fuses were supplied in the on-board tool kit.
• 10147912Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card. In GARMIN Express the note appears that a maximum of 32 GB is possible.
• 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
• 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
• 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.
• 10029706BMW motorcycle: wheel speed dependent, clearly audible clanking noise occurs when braking to adjust speed. E series (K25; k25/02; k25/03; k25/11; k25/12; k25/hp; K26; K27; K28; K29; k29/hp; K40; K41; K43; k43/hv; K44; k589/03; K71). No model years listed.
• 630857Customers may complain of delayed throttle response during acceleration from low rpm in warm weather. *Slc

Every BMW K1200LT model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.