I've been interested in a new (now a 2011) R1200RT. I like the machine a lot but have concerns about two on-going reliability issues: final drive failures and fuel level strips. From what I see on the BMWMOA and BMWsporttouring sites, these are not trivial concerns. One could leave you stranded far, far away from a BMW dealer (who won't have the parts in stock anyway). The other could leave you on the roadside with and empty tank.
Someone there estimates final drive failures at between 1% and 5% and a couple of guys have reported failures of their replacement units! BMW's weird fuel level strip (they don't use a float system - instead it is some kind of resistance-measuring strip inside the gas tank) also is prone to failure and is not a simple DIY job to replace. Propietary electonics needed to calibrate it. No guesses on a failure % for these.
I won't express my opinion on such common failures on a $20,000 motorcycle or BMW's refusal or inability to fix the designs. Instead, I'm asking the resident BMW riders their opinion on the failures. Are they frequent enough to nix the purchase? Apparently lots of folks are not worried about it since RT sales have been brisk. Are they risk-takers or do they just not know the history?
Help! I need a second opinion. And where's that new Honda sport-tourer when I need (OK, want) one?
pete
Someone there estimates final drive failures at between 1% and 5% and a couple of guys have reported failures of their replacement units! BMW's weird fuel level strip (they don't use a float system - instead it is some kind of resistance-measuring strip inside the gas tank) also is prone to failure and is not a simple DIY job to replace. Propietary electonics needed to calibrate it. No guesses on a failure % for these.
I won't express my opinion on such common failures on a $20,000 motorcycle or BMW's refusal or inability to fix the designs. Instead, I'm asking the resident BMW riders their opinion on the failures. Are they frequent enough to nix the purchase? Apparently lots of folks are not worried about it since RT sales have been brisk. Are they risk-takers or do they just not know the history?
Help! I need a second opinion. And where's that new Honda sport-tourer when I need (OK, want) one?
pete