Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 12 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Wheels. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
13 reports
18,600 miles · Nov 12, 2009
WheelsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW K1200LTI. THE REAR WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH. CONSEQUENTLY HE AND THE PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE . BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW K1200LTI. THE REAR WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH. CONSEQUENTLY HE AND THE PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE . BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 18,600.
NHTSA ODI #10291986
63,000 miles · Jul 31, 2009
Power Train
THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED DUE TO THE LARGE CROWN GEAR BALL BEARING BREAKING APART LEAVING ME ON THE ROADSIDE,THIS HAPPENS TO ALOT OF BMW K 1200 LT MOTORCYCLES OWNERS AS BMW USED INFERIOR COMPONENTS AND POOR DESIGNING METHODS FOR THIS HEAVY 860 POUND MOTORCYCLE,IT USES THE SAME TYPE OF FINAL THAT IS USED FOR THE LIGHTER MOTORCYCLES…
Read full complaint
THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED DUE TO THE LARGE CROWN GEAR BALL BEARING BREAKING APART LEAVING ME ON THE ROADSIDE,THIS HAPPENS TO ALOT OF BMW K 1200 LT MOTORCYCLES OWNERS AS BMW USED INFERIOR COMPONENTS AND POOR DESIGNING METHODS FOR THIS HEAVY 860 POUND MOTORCYCLE,IT USES THE SAME TYPE OF FINAL THAT IS USED FOR THE LIGHTER MOTORCYCLES ON THIS HEAVIER ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278887
43,000 miles · Dec 4, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FINAL DRIVE ON A 1999 BMW (NOT LISTED FOR MOTORCYCLES) K1200LT FAILED WITH UNDER 45,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210816
50,000 miles · Nov 7, 2007
Power Train
FAILURE OF FINAL DRIVE ON BMW MOTORCYCLE. BIKE HAD 50,000 MILES. COST $2,000 TO REPAIR, NOT COVERED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208116
68,000 miles · Jul 20, 2007
Power Train
I HAD TWO BEARING FAILURES IN THE FINAL DRIVE OF MY BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. BOTH OF THESE BEARING FAILURES COULD HAVE LED TO A RUPTURE OF THE SEAL WHICH WOULD HAVE LET THE FINAL DRIVE LUBE FLOW OUT OF THE FINAL DRIVE ONTO THE REAR BRAKE AND REAR TIRE WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE THE REAR TIRE LOOSE TRACTION AND THE REAR BRAKE INOPERA…
Read full complaint
I HAD TWO BEARING FAILURES IN THE FINAL DRIVE OF MY BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. BOTH OF THESE BEARING FAILURES COULD HAVE LED TO A RUPTURE OF THE SEAL WHICH WOULD HAVE LET THE FINAL DRIVE LUBE FLOW OUT OF THE FINAL DRIVE ONTO THE REAR BRAKE AND REAR TIRE WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE THE REAR TIRE LOOSE TRACTION AND THE REAR BRAKE INOPERATIVE. THESE FAILURES CAUSED A COMPLETE FINAL DRIVE REBUILD AND REPLACEMENT OF ALL BEARINGS AND SEALS IN THE FINAL DRIVE AT A COST EXCEEDING $800.00 EACH.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10197092
40,810 miles · Oct 4, 2004
Power Train
BEARINGS IN THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF LUBRICATION AND AN UNSTABLE REAR TIRE PREVENTING FURTHER SAFE TRAVEL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093543
51,865 miles · Jun 3, 2004
Power Train
REAR DRIVE FAILURE ON BMW K1200 LT. MOTORCYCLE STARTED VIBRATING AND REAR END STARTED WOBBLING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10074714
30,000 miles · Apr 27, 2004
Power Train
REAR DRIVE BEARING FAILURE, SECOND ONE IN 13,000 MILES. REAR DRIVE WAS NOTICABLY LOUD. HARMONIC GROWLING NOISE. I DISSASEMBLED IT AND THE LARGE BALL BEARING IS PITTED. THIS TIME I CAUGHT IT BEFORE CATASTOPHIC FAILURE. I PURCHASED A USED REAR DRIVE AND WILL REBUILD MY OLD ONE SO I CAN CARRY A SPARE. (PRETTY SAD WHEN A BMW P…
Read full complaint
REAR DRIVE BEARING FAILURE, SECOND ONE IN 13,000 MILES. REAR DRIVE WAS NOTICABLY LOUD. HARMONIC GROWLING NOISE. I DISSASEMBLED IT AND THE LARGE BALL BEARING IS PITTED. THIS TIME I CAUGHT IT BEFORE CATASTOPHIC FAILURE. I PURCHASED A USED REAR DRIVE AND WILL REBUILD MY OLD ONE SO I CAN CARRY A SPARE. (PRETTY SAD WHEN A BMW PILOT HAS TO CARRY A SPARE REAR DRIVE).*AK
NHTSA ODI #10067913
31,049 miles · Sep 29, 2003
Power Train
REAR DRIVE OF MOTORCYCLE HAS FAILED AT 31K MILES
NHTSA ODI #10040932
41,123 miles · Sep 3, 2003
Power Train
SEVERE VIBRATION, NOISE AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO REAR END DRIVE FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037122
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1999 BMW BMW Motorcycle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration