I started my bike up at 8:00 am on a warm morning in my garage as I always do, and backed it out while it was idling perfectly. Suddenly smoke began to rise up from the left fairing vent. I shut the engine down and jumped off the bike to determine the source of the smoke. To my surprise, the engine bay was engulfed in flames. I grabbed my garden hose and managed to put out the fire. The whole event lasted about a minute or two. The damage was done, I removed the fairing covers to examine the extent of the damage. It appeared to be a fuel rail failure. I found what looks like a "t" shaped fracture near the high pressure input side of the fuel rail. The damage was mostly confined to this high pressure side of the fuel rail area. I searched the bmw luxury touring site to see if there may be a pattern of these "k" model bikes catching on fire. To my surprise there were many, describing my experience exactly as mine had occurred. The plastic gas tank is mounted directly above the area that was on fire. I had a 1/4 tank of gas. This could have become explosive. This could have happened during my ride that morning. I have been riding bikes most of my life. I'm 62 years old and I have never experienced a bike fire on any bike that I have owned. What struck me in the other accounts of other owners of these bikes was the exactness of the description and that the fire was spontaneous.
The worst 2002 BMW K1200LT problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission23
- Brakes7
- Fuel system5
- Body1
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission23
- Brakes7
- Fuel system5
- Body1
- Engine1
- Steering1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
M/C final drive ball bearing failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation into model year (MY) 1998-2009 BMW KLT series motorcycles for final drive bearing failures.The petitioner asked the federal safety agency to issue an order that [BMW] be required to recall the affected models for inspection ofcomponent wear and proper assembly of the [final drive] bearing.ODI has reviewed the petition, assessed relevant consumer complaints, and gathered other data in the course of investigating this issue.Based on its review, ODI does not believe that a safety-related defect trend currently exists for final drive bearing failures in the subject motorcycles.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.However, the agency will continue to monitor information related to this issue and will take further action if warranted.For detailed information, see the Federal Register notice: https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-13779.
DP12001
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 BMW K1200LT 6
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- With the introduction of the new watertight fuse box a change was made from large type fuses to mini fuses
- Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card
- Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. rm
- Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel...
- Bmw motorcycle: wheel speed dependent, clearly audible clanking noise occurs when braking to adjust speed....
- Bmw motorcycle: engine fuels containing ethanol. bmw motorrad has no objection to the use of si engine...
What 2002 BMW K1200LT owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Riding on relatively straight, two lane state road in rural georgia ( without having any previous issues). Riding approximately 45-50 miles per hour. Bike suddenly began making a clanking noise from the rear wheel. Rode approximately 20 MPH for approximately one-tenth mile to store parking lot. Shut down bike and transported to my residence on trailer.
I can't get the brake warning failure light to stop blinking. The brakes work great07
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw k1200lt. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the brakes failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with brake failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 220,197. The VIN was not available.
I was riding down the interstate at 75 MPH. I started smelling a strong odor of gas. When I got home I had fuel dripping on the ground underneath the bike. It was on my boots, pants leg and all over the side of my bike. It messed up my paint in some areas and will need to be repainted. I took the side cover off and was able to see the fuel dripping from the quick disconnect on the lower fuel line. I am not a happy camper and I think there should be a recall on this problem.
Abs pump failed on bmw k1200lt 2002, bike was in storage for a year and a half, took out of storage and no servo assisted brakes?
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw k1200lt motorcycle. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated randomly. The dealer performed a diagnostic and advised that the ABS system could lock while driving. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The motorcycle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 6,500 and the current mileage was 11,000. The VIN was not available.
Odi no. [xxx], and currently being investigated under campaign dp12001. Oil leaked over tire and brakes. Noticed the leak when tried to stop and didn't stop as it normally did. Bmw dealer replaced final drive. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Same failure as described in odi no. 10439549, and currently being investigated under campaign dp12001.
Final drive required replacement for grinding, clunking and vibration. Dealer found oil loaded with bearing material and signs of an oil leak.
Compare the 2002 BMW K1200LT
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Questions about the 2002 BMW K1200LT
Is the 2002 BMW K1200LT reliable?
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 2002 BMW K1200LT, 1.9 times a typical K1200LT model year.
What is the 2002 BMW K1200LT year score?
The 2002 BMW K1200LT scores 51 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW K1200LT: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 BMW K1200LT?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 23 complaints, typically around 28,300 miles. Next is brakes (7).
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW K1200LT have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the BMW K1200LT have bad transmission?
The BMW K1200LT model years with the most transmission complaints are 2000 (40 complaints), 1999 (37 complaints) and 2002 (23 complaints).
VIN decoder
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