The gas tank has quick disconnect fittings that screw into a plastic flange on each side of the tank. The fitting threads are similar to npt pipe threads which over stress the plastic and result in cracking, fuel then leaks from the tank under the fairing assembly on to electrical wiring, engine parts and hot exhaust components. This could result in fire or unexpected stoppage causing an accident or fatality from a wreck in traffic.
The worst 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Fuel system5
- Brakes1
- Tires1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system5
- Brakes1
- Tires1
Recalls 4
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 20V471000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.
- Risk
- If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 15V141000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Recall number 13V617000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 r 1200 and k 1200 series motorcycles manufactured from august 2006 through may 2009. Due to the current routing of the front brake lines, it is possible that during riding, and therefore associated vibration. The brake lines could be under strain. If the vibration/strain is significant, the brake line could split and start to develop a leak.
- Risk
- If this goes unnoticed, and the brake fluid reservoir runs empty, the front brakes could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners and dealers will install new brake lines, containing a "sleeve" along a portion of the lines free of charge. The safety recall began on september 20, 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 10V276000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 29
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models
- BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender...
- Multiple factors may
- BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the...
- Multiple factors may
- Stress corrosion cracks may occur on the studs of certain milled footrests from the BMW Motorrad special...
- One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control...
- When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle...
- The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button
What 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fuel gauge not working. Have had several fuel level strips replaced. Bmw dealer tells me there is no fix.
While riding along a twisty rural road with a passenger the engine quit without warning. Due to the rural nature of the roadway and the prevailing terrain, there were few safe places to pull over. Fortunately I was on a downhill slope and was able to quickly regain balance of the machine and coast until a safe pullout could be reached. Upon inspection, it was determined the fuel indicating system was faulty indicating about 1/3 of a tank of fuel remaining when the tank was empty, also, the low fuel light did not illuminate or the range to empty appear, as is the design of the system. The fuel indication system on this machine consists of a fuel gauge, a low fuel light, and a range until empty. The system had worked accurately until the failure, meaning I had no previous indication that the system was failing or about to fail. Since motorcycle stability is frequently dependent on proper application of throttle, the sudden stoppage of the engine could quite easily lead to a crash.
This vehicle has failed to start several times and has had to be towed to dealer and repaired three times for fuel system related problems. Along with the failure to start, while driving engine quits running when clutch is pulled in to slow down for traffic.
Fuel level indicator extremely inaccurate leading to exhaustion of fuel supply causing stall in traffic. Extremely dangerous!!!
I was riding my 2009 bmw r1200gs adventure motorcycle at approximately 60 MPH in the carpool lane. It began to rain so I went to pull onto the shoulder to don my rain gear. I pulled the brake lever to slow, only to find I had no brakes. I was able to safely slow the vehicle using the rear brake. Inspection of the front brakes showed the right front caliper was hanging freely, only connected by the hydraulic line. The two bolts that hold the caliper to the fork mounts were missing. Inspection of the two bolt holes on the fork showed that they were completely stripped. Note the vehicle had both front brake rotors replaced by the dealer two days earlier. This required removal of the brake calipers. The bike had been ridden less than 50 miles since the service. This is the first occurrence of this problem for me on this vehicle. The damage has not been repaired yet.
Shinko e705 rear tire, size 150/70/17,approximately 4k miles (all highway) mounted on oem wheel of a 2009 bmw r1200gs adventure, tire tread blocks are severely cracked and some cracks with noted bulging/swelling while tire is inflated to 33psi as per the sidewall information panel.
Compare the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
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Questions about the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
Is the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, 1.4 times a typical R 1200 GS Adventure model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 5 complaints, typically around 30,985 miles. Next is brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure have?
4 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, wheels and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure fuel system?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V471000, 13V617000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure have the most fuel system problems?
The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2007 (16 complaints) and 2008 (11 complaints).
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