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: 2 of 3 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
56,000 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW R1100 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND HE NOTICED A LEAK OF UNKNOWN FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VUE PORT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A REDESIG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW R1100 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND HE NOTICED A LEAK OF UNKNOWN FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VUE PORT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A REDESIGNED VUE PORT OF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10376685
36,000 miles · Sep 5, 2007
Power Train
I HAVE HAD 2 FAILURES OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING ON MY 1997 BMW R100RT. FIRST WAS AT 36K MILES,BEARING FAILED AND POURED OIL ALL OVER REAR WHEEL WHEN SEAL DESTRUCTED BECAUSE PIECES OF THE BEARING ATE IT UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AS WHEEL WAS COVERED WITH 80W90 GEAR OIL,ALSO WHEEL WAS WOBBLY. I HAD A SECOND FAILURE AT 60K MI…
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I HAVE HAD 2 FAILURES OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING ON MY 1997 BMW R100RT. FIRST WAS AT 36K MILES,BEARING FAILED AND POURED OIL ALL OVER REAR WHEEL WHEN SEAL DESTRUCTED BECAUSE PIECES OF THE BEARING ATE IT UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AS WHEEL WAS COVERED WITH 80W90 GEAR OIL,ALSO WHEEL WAS WOBBLY. I HAD A SECOND FAILURE AT 60K MILES. O WAS RIDING THE BIKE AND FELT A VIBRATION. I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A FLAT TIRE,SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. I COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG SO I KEPT RIDING. THE VIBRAATION KEPT GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD NO LONGER RIDE THE BIKE,FEARING FOR MY SAFETY.I CALLED FOR A TOW,BROUGHT THE BIKE HOME WHERE I FOUND THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILED,BUT DIDN`T HARM THE SEAL YRT. BOTH TIMES I REPLACED THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING AND OIL SEAL.IF I WAS A LESS EXPERIENCED RIDER,I FEEL THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH WITH SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10201908
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSES DANGEROUS SURGING OF SPEED WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM RELATED TO THIS MODEL AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. UNANTICIPATED CHANGES IN SPEED CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #740881
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.
1997 BMW R1100 Rt Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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