Rear brake pedal goes soft over time decreasing the effectiveness and usability of the rear brake. Multiple attempts at bleeding per BMW SIB 34 01 21 have not corrected the issue. This is a severe safety issue as the rear brake is all but useless.
The worst 2020 BMW R 1250 GS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes8
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes8
Recalls 5
Power train: manual transmission: internal: shaft: input
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
- Risk
- A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 23V011000 · Recall details
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V476000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 R1250GS and R1250RT motorcycles. The pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosen.
- Risk
- A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the pivot pin, free of charge. The motorcycles are not with owners at this time. The recall began April 28, 2020. Please contact BMW customer service number 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V165000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V166000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emergency braking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V146000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS 14
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Driveshaft Maintenance Schedule Change
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Vehicle goes into emergency operation mode and a warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster.
- Multiple factors may
- LED headlights were temporarily unavailable from the Factory and some R 1250 GS and R 1250 GSAdventure...
- Frame and mounting parts
- BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the...
- Multiple factors may
- Battery empty despite charger.
- The motorcycle will not start
What 2020 BMW R 1250 GS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Rear brake on motorcycle does not stop the motorcycle. After three BMW dealer visits and rear brakes having been bled, the rear brake pedal becomes soft and does not stop the motorcycle. The same problem occurred each time within 2-3 months of the repair. The only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. The BMW service department cannot explain the reason this keeps happening.
Rear brake becomes soft and non operational after a period of 9 months. Once the brake has become "soft" the rear brake fails to apply caliper pressure and will not slow or stop the rear wheel. Additionally, at this point the automatic or manual hill hold also become non operational. Note... wide spread problem on the majority of BMW GS 2009-2021 as seen on the fourms such as "Adventure Rider" and "R1200GS info" search for "bmw gs soft rear brakes." Brake bleeds are a temporary fix. Replacing the rear brake master cylinder is a temporary fix. Computer bleeding the Bosch ABS module is also a temporary fix. Problem always returns. I am a federal Airframe and Powerplant technician and avionics installer i know brake systems. I already know BMW motorrad will bleed, bleed, then replace the master cylinder then will send a ticket to BMW Germany and not come up with an answer just like all the poor owners on the fourms. I personally service "bleed" my brakes every 6,000 miles to ensure "acceptable" operation.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW R 1250 GS. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20V476000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue however, the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that brake fluid was leaking from the caliper. The failure mileage was 3,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Excessive wear on rear braking components (pads). After 3000 miles, pads only had 3mm of material. The is a high degree of discoloration on the brake components. Issue is not attributed to user error (I.e., riding the brakes). Bmw service has refused to address, stating brake components are not covered under warranty. I'm reporting this issue to the federal safety agency as part of 'due diligence' to collect safety related information with the 2020 bmw r1250gsa brake system. There might be a systemic issue with the calipers and possibly the ABS pressure modulator. Non-user attributed excessive wear of the brake pads is indicative of some sort of mechanical issue that could impact the overall safety of the vehicle, such as loss of braking ability, total failure of the braking system with the potentially of wheel lock up should the system apply full braking to the rear wheel.
Front brake calipers are leaking brake fluid. Noticeable drops on wheel rim when parked.
Both front brake calipers are leaking brake fluid. Observed when stationary, dripping from the bottom. Also sweats of brake fluid observed at the seam (it is a two piece brake caliper, manufactured by hayes). Dealer cannot resolve the issue (can't get replacement parts) and bmw customer service offered no other remedy. Essentially I cannot ride a new bike for 3 months now without being afraid for my safety.
Both front calipers are leaking fluid. I took it to the dealer for verification and repair on nov 27 2019. I have been inquiring with them every two weeks since as to when they may be replaced with not even and estimated date. Bmw motorrad customer service has advised there is nothing they can do to escalate the case to any other department to get this issue resolved and that it must be done through the dealer. Fluid has also leaked on the front wheel and tire. At this point, the bike cannot be trusted to stop.
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Questions about the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS
Is the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS, 2.7 times a typical R 1250 GS model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS?
Brakes, with 8 complaints, typically around 3,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS have?
5 recalls, covering power train, service brakes and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V476000, 20V166000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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