(note that the incident date and failure mileage reported are approximate.) when the failure occurred, the two ABS warning lights on the dash panel flashed alternately as they normally do upon engine start-up, but did not stop flashing once the motorcycle was underway as they normally should do, which indicated a problem with the anti-lock brake system. At the bmw dealership where I have my motorcycle serviced, a technician ran a diagnostic check and identified the cause of the problem as a failed ABS modulator. I was quoted $2200 for a replacement ABS modulator and about $2300 in labor for the repair, together totaling the approximate current value of the motorcycle! Via hard application of the brakes I found that I could lock either the front or back wheel, thus confirming that the ABS system was inoperative. Since the onset of the ABS failure I've been riding the motorcycle but I'm mindful that the brakes no longer have the antilock function. Several bmw motorcycle-related online forums report instances of ABS modulator failures occurring on the same model and on different models of bmw motorcycles. I'm filing this report because apparently mine is not an isolated problem and because the cost to the owner of repairing an important safety-related system is unreasonable.
The worst 1998 BMW K1200RS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Fuel system4
- Brakes1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system4
- Brakes1
- Transmission1
Recalls 4
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. A spring-loaded thermostatic element in the oil thermostat housing is held in place by a cover that is retained by a snap ring. The snap ring may not have been properly installed during production. During vehicle operation, the snap ring could unseat, allowing the cover to loosen or detach, resulting in loss of the entire oil volume.
- Risk
- Engine damage could occur if the engine is not immediately switched off. In addition, oil could travel along the engine cover and ultimately contact the rear tire, reducing its traction and affecting the stability of the motorcycle, possibly resulting in a crash and personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the snap ring installation and if the snap ring is not fully seated, the complete oil pump intermediate flange will be replaced.
Recall number 00V264000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. The cylinder head contains two sealing plugs covering holes in the area near the spark plugs. One or both plugs may not have been fully seated during vehicle assembly. Either or both of the sealing plugs could loosen or completely detach from their mounting point during vehicle operation.
- Risk
- This condition could allow coolant to escape, travel along the engine cover, and contact the rear tire, reducing its traction and affecting the stability of the motorcycle. In addition, the loss of coolant could lead to increased engine operating temperature and possible overheating.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the sealing plugs with a stainless steel plug design.
Recall number 00V266000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. During extended operation in high ambient temperature conditions, the area of the pump mounting surface of the fuel tank can deform, forming a gap between the tank mounting surface and the gasket, allowing fuel to escape from the tank at that area.
- Risk
- If an ignition source was present, a fire could occur resulting in personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump-to-tank gasket.
Recall number 98V258000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. The adjusting screw for the pressure point of either the brake or clutch levers may not be sufficiently tight, due to grease contamination of the threads.
- Risk
- The screw(s) can back out over time while the vehicle is being operated causing a change in the pressure point of the master cylinder for the clutch and/or front brake increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will check the adjustment screws of the front brake and clutch levers for movement. If the screws are tight, no further action will be taken. If a screw is found to be loose, it will be removed, cleaned and reinstalled with new loctite.
Recall number 97V134000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1998 BMW K1200RS
Defect investigations
Fuel tank leak
Alleged that the fuel leaks at the interface between the fuel tank and fuel pump assembly
PE98047
Reduced clutch and brake effectiveness
In august 1997, bmw conducted a safety recall to correct a condition of thread contamination on the brake and clutch levers adjusting screws.this grease contamination negates the effectiveness of loctite and this can segnificantly reduce brake effectiveness.due to this investigation, bmw has increased the population to include all the 1988 motorcycles.no further action is necesary.this investigation is closed.recall number assigned is 97v‑134.02.
SQ97023
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 BMW K1200RS 6
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- IT is no longer necessary to place a PMP coded part order to obtain a Repair Enabling code
- Pre-delivery Intervention Check List.
- Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card
- Leaks have been reported in fork legs
- Bmw motorcycle: engine fuels containing ethanol. bmw motorrad has no objection to the use of si engine...
- Information on new clutch parts
What 1998 BMW K1200RS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Recall 14401 from oct. 14, 1988. This vehicle was fixed under warranty in 2001 under this recall. It failed again recently and fuel started leaking. The parts to do the remedy are no longer available per my dealer. The only alternative is to replace the fuel tank and related components with a style that bmw developed to solve this safety issue. My dealer called bmw na service twice and was told there is no longer support for solving this problem. I called customer service and got the same reply...no current recall. Bmw na is not willing to assist in any way to solve a known safety issue.
Vehicle was delivered with a transmission that refused, at times to shift upwards to higher gears. Usually this occured in colder weather and after being ridden for some distance before a brief period of cooling occurred triggering the problem. Warrantee replacement was denied because dealership stated they couldn't cause it to happen as I've described. Conversations with other owners convinces me this has been common and likewise denied to these other owners. Momentary loss of attention during a sticking episode could prove fatal, and I would like to point out fran crane andrews who died earlier this year in salt lake city may have experienced such a problem causing her to run off the road and receive injuries leading to her death. I have replaced the transmission at the cost stated above but believe reimbursement is warranted.
Motorcycle parked in 90 degree garare after ride. One half hour later gas puddle 3' in diameter under bike dripping from tank onto hot engine then hot exhaust and garage filled with vapors. No smell of fuel when parking, sudden failure.
Massive leaking of gasoline from tank appears to be related to hot weather and expansion of gasket interface between tank bladder and fuel pump, repair work on tank
Motorcycle had the original and replaced gas tanks develop leaks. About one gallon per hour. No accident, but close. Almost caught fire.
Compare the 1998 BMW K1200RS
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Questions about the 1998 BMW K1200RS
Is the 1998 BMW K1200RS reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 1998 BMW K1200RS, close to a typical K1200RS model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 BMW K1200RS?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 4 complaints. Next is brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 1998 BMW K1200RS have?
4 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 1998 BMW K1200RS fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 98V258000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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