1996 BMW R1100RSL

COMPLAINT REGARDING IGNITION SWITCH HARNESS RECALL.*MR THE PRIMARY OWNER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE SERVICED FOR WIRING HARNESS PER SERVICE BULLETINE #23815. THE RECALL WAS DESIGNED TO CORRECT PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH HARNESS WHERE THE IGNITION WIRES COULD BECOME DAMAGED AND/OR DISCONNECTED AND WAS CONSIDERED SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT RIDING THE VEHICLE TO A BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL REPAIRS WAS TO BE AVOIDED IF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, A SHEET METAL PLATE MOUNTED TO THE FRONT OF THE FRAME BELOW THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAN CAUSE THE WIRING HARNESS TO BE STRETCHED TOO TIGHT, WHERE IT PASSES OVER THE PLATE, AS THE HANDLEBARS ARE TURNED FULLY TO ONE SIDE, SUCH AS WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND LOCKING THE STEERING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE DEALERSHIP CLOSED DOWN AND CONSUMER FEELS BMW SHOULD COVER ALL EXPENSES FOR THE RECALL WORK SINCE IT DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *PH

WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT CAUSING A FAILURE TO CONTINUE OPERATING. OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL BMW MOTORCYCLE (R1100GS AND R1150GS, 1995-2001) HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURES, INCLUDING A RECENT NEAR FATALITY WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ALL LIGHTS FAILED AT NIGHT. THE OWNER WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A TRUCK. THE PROBLEM RESULTS FROM CRACKED INSULATION IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITING AND VARYING DEGREES OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE. PROPERTY DAMAGE UP TO $2000 HAS BEEN REPORTED; IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING TO LEARN THAT A MAJOR INJURY ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED FOLLOWING ONE OF THESE FAILURES. SINCE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS ARE OFTEN FATAL, THE OPERATOR WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAVE REPORTED THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE.