IllustrationWHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-79 NEAR PITTSBURGH AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT LET GO. THIS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE REAR WHEEL TO INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP AND RELEASE. THE UNIVERSAL HAS NO MEANS TO LUBRICATE IT AND NO NOISE OR VIBRATION WAS HEARD OR FELT BEFORE FAILURE.
2006 BMW R1200 Rt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all R1200 Rt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
825–50K
650–75K
175–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
34 reports with mileage · 3 unknown
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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 6 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
Power Train complaints
13 reportsAS I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I FELT MY MOTORCYCLE ALL OF A SUDDEN WOBBLE AND LOST CONTROL. I STRUGGLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO A STOP BY THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT APPEARED MY FINAL DRIVE (TRANSMISSION ) HAD FAILED PREMATURELY. THERE WERE OIL FROM THE FINAL DRIV…
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AS I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I FELT MY MOTORCYCLE ALL OF A SUDDEN WOBBLE AND LOST CONTROL. I STRUGGLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO A STOP BY THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT APPEARED MY FINAL DRIVE (TRANSMISSION ) HAD FAILED PREMATURELY. THERE WERE OIL FROM THE FINAL DRIVE SPLATTERED ALL OVER MY REAR WHEEL. THIS WAS A FREIGHTING EXPERIENCE AND COULD HAVE RESULTANT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO ME BECAUSE OF A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FINAL DRIVE. *TR
DURING REAR WHEEL BRAKE REPLACEMENT, FOUND CRACK IN ONE BOLT HOLE THAT SECURES REAR WHEEL TO DRIVE FLANGE. CRACK COULD ALLOW BOLT SECURING THE REAR WHEEL TO LOOSEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE IN 2009, REPLACED BEARING THEN HAD FINAL DRIVE HUB FAILURE AT APPROX12K MILES IN 2011, MAY OF 2012 AGAIN HAVE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE AT JUST OVER 13K MILES. EACH TIME WAS CAUGHT EARLY AND HAD NO OIL LEAKAGE. *TR
REAR WHEEL FLANGE CRACKS AROUND LUG BOLT HOLES. *KB
I WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS. I TOOK OF THE REAR TIRE OFF TO CHANGE THE REAR ROTOR. I NOTICED CRACKS ON THE FLANGE. THE FLANGE HOLDS ON THE REAR TIRE. WOW IM GLAD I SAW THE CRACKS. TWO OF THE FIVE BOLTS WERE VERY LOOSE DUE TO THE CRACKS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BMW R1200. AND YET BMW WILL NOT RECOGNIZED IT!…
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I WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS. I TOOK OF THE REAR TIRE OFF TO CHANGE THE REAR ROTOR. I NOTICED CRACKS ON THE FLANGE. THE FLANGE HOLDS ON THE REAR TIRE. WOW IM GLAD I SAW THE CRACKS. TWO OF THE FIVE BOLTS WERE VERY LOOSE DUE TO THE CRACKS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BMW R1200. AND YET BMW WILL NOT RECOGNIZED IT! THERE ARE PHOTO ON THE INTERNET WERE THE BOLT HAVE COME OFF AND THE FLANGE FAILS. I AM VERY LUCK I CAUGHT THIS. IF THE TIRE CAME OF WHILE I WAS MOVING I WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILL !!!! THE BMW DEALER ACTED AS IF IT WAS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL BMW R1200 FLANGE. IT ONLY A MATTER OF TIME FOR SOMEONE TO DIES. NO FAULTIES HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED. BUT WHO WOULD KNOW TO LOOK AT THE FLANGE TO SEE IF IT FAILED WHEN THERE IS DEATH ON A BMW. THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY!! I AM WAITING ON THE PART. I WILL COST $265.00 AND $80.00 FOR LABOR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW R1200 RT. APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR WOULD DISPLAY NEUTRAL WHEN IN FACT IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE'S REAR WHEEL WOULD TURN AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER ST…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW R1200 RT. APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR WOULD DISPLAY NEUTRAL WHEN IN FACT IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE'S REAR WHEEL WOULD TURN AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED COSMETIC DAMAGE AND THE PASSENGER WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC LATER STATED THAT THE POTENTIOMETER WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN PERSISTENT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800.
THE MOTORCYCLE WAS IN NORMAL USE. I WAS ACTUALLY RETURNING HOME FROM A 3300 MILE TRIP WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AT FIRST I DETECTED A REAR WHEEL "WOBBLE" WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO A TIRE PROBLEM. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND INSPECTING THE REAR WHEEL I DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE WAS FINE BUT THE WHEEL ITSELF WAS LOOSE AND COULD …
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THE MOTORCYCLE WAS IN NORMAL USE. I WAS ACTUALLY RETURNING HOME FROM A 3300 MILE TRIP WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AT FIRST I DETECTED A REAR WHEEL "WOBBLE" WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO A TIRE PROBLEM. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND INSPECTING THE REAR WHEEL I DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE WAS FINE BUT THE WHEEL ITSELF WAS LOOSE AND COULD BE MOVED NEARLY AN INCH SIDE TO SIDE. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY ON THIS BIKE. I REPORTED THE FIRST OCCURRENCE IN 2006 AS WELL. AT THE SHOP THE MECHANICS WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL BY SIMPLY PULLING ON IT. AT THAT TIME I REALIZED HOW LUCK I WAS TO HAVE PULLED OFF BEFORE THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER, BMW NA, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE BRAKES (WHICH WERE DAMAGED BY THE WHEEL MOVEMENT). *TR
IN JULY 2007 I EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT PLAY IN THE REAR WHEEL OF MY 2006 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE REAR WHEEL BOLTS TO A FLANGE WHICH IS PRESSED ONTO THE AXLE TUBE OF THE FINAL DRIVE. THIS IS A COMPRESSION FIT, TOGETHER WITH A CIRCLIP. WHEN I DETECTED THE PROBLEM, AFTER REMOVING THE CIRCLIP, I COULD REMOVE THE REAR WHEEL WI…
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IN JULY 2007 I EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT PLAY IN THE REAR WHEEL OF MY 2006 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE REAR WHEEL BOLTS TO A FLANGE WHICH IS PRESSED ONTO THE AXLE TUBE OF THE FINAL DRIVE. THIS IS A COMPRESSION FIT, TOGETHER WITH A CIRCLIP. WHEN I DETECTED THE PROBLEM, AFTER REMOVING THE CIRCLIP, I COULD REMOVE THE REAR WHEEL WITH NO RESISTANCE WHATSOEVER, I.E., THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE AS THE SPLINED SURFACE OF THE FLANGE, AND THE SPLINED SURFACE OF THE AXLE TUBE, HAD WORN AWAY TO SUCH AN EXTENT. I TRUCKED THE BIKE TO SALT LAKE CITY WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY (REPLACEMENT OF THE FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE FLANGE), REAR BRAKE ROTOR AND ALL LUG NUTS. I CHECK THE PLAY IN THE REAR WHEEL REGULARLY, AND IT DETERIORATED TO THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION IN VERY SHORT ORDER. FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE WAS A BLACK METALLIC RESIDUE ON THE REAR WHEEL,AND THE PLAY IN THE REAR WHEEL. *TR
2006 BMW R1200RT WITH REAR END FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT BMW WON'T GIVE HIM ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HE STATES THAT THE SEALS ARE LEAKING CAUSING THE FINAL DRIVE TO FAIL. CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN BMW INTRODUCED A NEW MAINTENANCE FREE FINAL DRIVE. WHICH MEA…
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2006 BMW R1200RT WITH REAR END FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT BMW WON'T GIVE HIM ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HE STATES THAT THE SEALS ARE LEAKING CAUSING THE FINAL DRIVE TO FAIL. CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN BMW INTRODUCED A NEW MAINTENANCE FREE FINAL DRIVE. WHICH MEANT THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL DIDN'T NOT NEED TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE REAR END WAS SEALED. YET, A NUMBER OF REAR ENDS HAVE LEAKED AND CAUSED DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. *JB
Official recalls
420V471000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Aug 10, 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
06V164000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
May 15, 2006
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, UNDER RAPID, REPEATED, AND UNUSUALLY HARSH BRAKING, LOSS OF ABS CAPABILITY COULD TEMPORARILY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: TEMPORARY LOSS OF ABS BRAKING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A PHYSICAL RESTRICTION, IN THE FORM OF A BANJO BOLT WITH A FLOW RESTRICTOR TO THE BRAKE LINE, AND ON CERTAIN MODELS DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT BRAKE DISCS OF A SLIGHTLY LARGER THICKNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006, AND WILL BE A PHASED MAILING THROUGH OCTOBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
06V134000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Apr 24, 2006
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IF CERTAIN PROCEDURES ARE PERFORMED THAT INVOLVES REMOVAL OF THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER, THE ABS SENSOR CABLE CAN BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND WHEN THE CALIPER IS REINSTALLED, THE SENSOR CABLE CAN COME INTO CONTACT AND RUB AGAINST THE FRONT BRAKE DISC. OVERTIME, IF THE CHAFING BECOMES SEVERE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE THE ABS FUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH DURING CERTAIN RIDING CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE TO THE ABS SENSOR CABLE, WHICH WILL PROVIDE A MORE SECURE CONNECTION TO THE WHEEL CARRIER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006, AND WILL BE A PHASED MAILING THROUGH OCTOBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
06V104000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly
Apr 4, 2006
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CLUTCH COMPONENTS COULD BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING OPERATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENED, THE COMPONENTS COULD EXIT THROUGH THE ENGINE CASTING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CLUTCH COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. ALL MOTORCYCLES ARE LOCATED AT DEALERS. NO MOTORCYCLES HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CUSTOMERS.
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
2EA13006 · Fuel Leak - Motorycle
Opened Jul 12, 2013 · Closed Jan 31, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the subject motorcycles.In conducting recall 13V-617, BMW voluntarily expanded the scope of affected vehicles from ODI'soriginal scope, MY2005-2008 R-series motorcycles, to include the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps on all MY 2005-2011 R-series, MY 2005-2011 K12&13 models, MY 2010-2011 RR models, and the MY 2012 K1600 motorcycles.The total number of motorcycles subject to this recalled is 50,184.The 55 reports cited in this investigation can be viewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10485789,10449393,10521322,10475150,10435325,10493015,10471642, 10448216,10488899,10356156,10433733,10442023,10492342,10435968, 10492961,10504324,10485882,10433013,10453738,10474390,10417320, 10485276,10444876,10508150,10485807,10492118,10491835,10425962, 10430734,10488652,10485274,10493320,10522421,10399423,10443840, 10448325,10490417,10485452,10433589,10467136,10420291,10503806, 10532145,10523763,10523626,10425514,10354202,10437222,10444742, 10454834,10532172,10487624,10435984,10452476, 10485337
PE12036 · Fuel Leak - Motorcycle
Opened Nov 16, 2012 · Closed Jul 22, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Owners of model year (MY) 2005-2008 R-Series motorcycles report substantial, high pressure fuel loss occurring when the fuel pump is energized.Many times they first become aware of the problem when fuel soaks their pant legs or is puddled under their parked motorcycle.The Office of Defects investigation (ODI) has obtained an owner video illustrating the issue.This video, and other material, may be found in the public file at www.SaferCar.gov. ODI has learned that the subject fuel leak is due to cracks in the fuel outlet quick connector located on the in-tank fuel pump housing.While some owners, reluctant to incur the expense to replace the fuel pump assembly, have undertaken frequently ineffective do-it-yourself repairs primarily involving adhesive patches, two other remedies are available.The first, found in the after-market, is an aluminum clamp designed to reinforce the fuel outlet threaded flange.The second is BMW?s own remedy, appearing in early 2011, following introduction of the aftermarket clamp.It, too, involves a metal collar designed to support the fuel outlet threaded flange.In January 2004 BMW conducted safety recall 04V028 involving 2000 to 2004 Model Year K and R Series motorcycles for a pressurized fuel leak.In this case an O-ring in a fuel line quick connector could become damaged and BMW identified the potential for fire as a consequence of this failure.In its recall, influenced by an ODI investigation (PE03-054), BMW judged the fire risk to be low and the fuel loss to be insignificant -- occurring most often during cold starts -- resulting most often from improper servicing of the fuel line quick connector by its dealers. All of the complaints and warranty claims referenced in this resume involve verified fuel leaks rather than owners simply expressing a concern that a leak may develop in their subject motorcycle. With summer approaching and seasonal motorcycle usage increasing, ODI has upgraded PE12-036 to EA13-006 to further evaluate this issue, monitor fuel leak frequency, and determine the risk associated with the alleged fuel leaks.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers: 540232, 765847, 10074376, 10159252, 10236289, 10339245, 10356156, 10417320, 10425962, 10430734, 10430822, 10432269, 10433589, 10433733, 10436885, 10437222, 10442023, 10443840, 10444670, 10444742, 10444876, 10445888, 10445954, 10448104, 10448104, 10448325, 10448592, 10449393, 10451907, 10452476, 10453738, 10460566, 10463408, 10463946, 10467136, 10470251, 10471518, 10471642, 10474390, 10475150, 10474390, 10475150, 10480052, 10480834, 10485274, 10485276, 10485292, 10485337, 10485348, 10485351, 10485376, 10485434, 10485452, 10485783, 10485789, 10485796, 10485807, 10485882, 10487501, 10487624, 10488652, 10488899, 10490417, 10490868, 10491835, 10492118, 10492342, 10492961, 10493015, 10493320, 10494927, 10494899, 10495307, 10496593, 10503488, 10503806, 10504130, 10504324, 10508135, 10508150