BMW K1200LT grinding brakes problems

Filed Feb 23, 2013 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · KY

The final drive leaked fluid on the rear wheel, the rear drive began to grind and seize. End of ride.

Filed Oct 22, 2012 · Transmission · 11,500 miles · AZ

A low frequency, rumbling noise started slowly at ear of motorcycle. The noise increased in intensity for approximately 500 miles, when at that point it became a full, metal-to-metal grinding noise, at that point, the motorcycle was parked and ridden no further.

Filed Sep 6, 2012 · Transmission · 37,290 miles · TN

This is same failure as described in odi no. 10439549, and currently being investigated under campaign dp12001. My 1999 k1200lt has had the final drive rebuilt twice and replaced totally once at bmw dealerships. The first time was a rebuild on 9/25/2004 at 37290 miles after the final drive started grinding. The next was 9/12/07 at 54929 miles with the same circumstances. The most recent was 8/28/2012 at 73001 miles after the final drive failed completely, leaking drive lubrication all over the rear wheel and disk brake. Rear brakes subsequently failed as well. This happened at interstate speeds of 75mph. Costs for rebuilds run $400-600 and the last repair/ replacement of final drive and brakes was $2023.00. My experience indicates that the drives only last 20-30,000 miles. I bought the bike with 11,000 miles on it and I do not know if the final drive had been replaced prior to my purchase. These failures have all been attributed to the faulty assembly of the final drives, which require a very careful measurement of a tapered wheel bearing preload. Most rebuilds blame the failure on too much preload. Newer designs by bmw have replaced the tapered bearing with a better design that does not require the exacting standards for preload. Failures on these units have been drastically reduced.

Filed Feb 4, 2012 · Transmission · 76,244 miles · NY

Final drive required replacement for grinding, clunking and vibration. Dealer found oil loaded with bearing material and signs of an oil leak.

Filed Sep 3, 2007 · Brakes · 41,487 miles · NJ

Bmw k1200lt-c motorcycle: heard some grinding from final drive, then felt the vibration and about 10 miles later the rear wheel was wobbling uncontrollably. The final drive completely failed which damages the ABS speed sensor and had to be u-hauled as I was 900 miles from home at the time. My dealer replaced the final drive and ABS speed sensor free of charge as I was still covered under my extended warranty.

Filed Oct 10, 2005 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · TN

Rear end final drive failed on my '99 bmw k1200lt motorcycle. There was no real warning other than a severe grinding noise. I was able to ride home (slowly) and then noted the rear tire was no longer straight up but had a severe wobble. I then had it towed to the dealer who fixed it. Bob, pls note, the incident date below is an approximation - it's been a while. (I heard you speak at the ra rally in shelbyville - very good job!)

Filed Sep 8, 2005 · Transmission · 46,573 miles · CA

The first 100 miles leading to the failure, there was a winding noise that sound like it's going over the grooved pavement. The last 50 miles felt like there was something grinding in the chassis, wasn't sure it was the front or rear. Once I got home, there was a leakage in the rear wheel drive. The seal was shredded. Once opened up inside, the bearing was shredded and tore up the seal. They were replace with dealer parts.

Filed Jun 2, 2005 · Transmission · 37,000 miles · IL

Wife and I going home from weekend trip when our motorcycle started making a grinding sound from the rear wheel. After getting bike to side of the road I noticed oil covering wheel, brake and tire. Had bike towed to dealer, they said it was the rear drive bearing. They said that they had a few of them go bad. With 37,000 miles out of warranty. Still at dealer waiting repair.

Filed Jun 27, 2004 · Transmission · 25,658 miles · WA

I have a 2000 bmw k1200ltc motorcycle. While riding yesterday, a loud grinding noise was noticed and caused the rear of the bike to wobble. I immediately pulled over and inspected it. The rear drive unit has failed and could have resulted in serious injury if it had happened at speed on an interstate hwy. I am going to contact the dealer for out-of-warranty replacement of the drive since this is apparently a common failure on this model. I am informing the federal safety agency to provide further evidence of the magnitude of the problem.

Filed Mar 1, 2004 · Transmission · 26,000 miles · CA

The rear drive assembly on my bmw k1200lt motorcycle started vibrating and making grinding noises. It then dumped drive oil all over the rear wheel and tire, causing the rear brakes to become inoperative and the rear tire to slip on the road. I was fortunately able to bring the bike under control and to a complete stop thus avoiding a serious crash.