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2020 BMW R 1250 RT problems

The most common problem on the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT is brakes, typically around 6,300 miles. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical R 1250 RT model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
13
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2020 BMW R 1250 RT problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    5
  • Transmission
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    5
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 4

Power train: manual transmission: internal: shaft: inputReported January 18, 2023 · 18,534 vehicles affected
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 brakesReported August 13, 2020 · 9,392 vehicles affected
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: drivelineReported March 19, 2020 · 4 vehicles affected
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: fluidReported March 19, 2020 · 365 vehicles affected
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

See all 4 recalls for the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT 13

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 13 bulletins for the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT

What 2020 BMW R 1250 RT owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 5, 2024 · Transmission · SC

BMW Motorrad had a safety check on the driveshafts/ u joints for R1200 and R 1250 GS and RT motos. I had mine checked at D2 Powersports in Q3 or Q4, 2023 and it passed. No paperwork was given. On 3/28/24 the driveshaft / U joint failed on NC 178 south of Rosman, NC. Had this locked up in a corner it could have cause a wreck. The R1250RT was towed to D2 Powersports 10 hours later. D2 submitted a request for warranty repair or some financial help to BMW Motorrad. Request denied. I paid the entire $2677.96. BMW has SIB 33 04 23 out for K5X driveshaft maintenance schedule change published 12/12/23 and includes K52 R1250RT. My question, which BMW will not answer: Why was my 2020 R1250 RT (K52) denied? This is a very dangerous situation.

Filed Nov 5, 2020 · Brakes · 6,600 miles · AZ

After numerous times to the dealer to fix the leaking hayes calipers on my 2020 bmw r1250rt motorcycle there was a recall and I did receive a second set of hayes calipers because of the recall. In a matter of days the replacement recalled hayes calipers were also leaking bmw sent out two engineers to remove and inspect my second set that were then sent back to germany and a third set of hayes calipers were installed on my bike. After a few days again they were leaking also, now I'll need my fourth set of calipers on my bike that I've owned for 7 months and two of those months it has been parked because of this ongoing safety issue as it is now. See my last three videos from the third set of leaking hayes calipers. #1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqvfhtkucnw #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igqoron2cae #3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o4_pqq5g_y bmw has been removing defective brake parts and replacing them with new defective brake parts. Steve

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Brakes · 6,300 miles · AZ

Two videos of my leaking brakes after getting them replaced from the recall. Still a problem as their fix is leaking like the original. Two videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h3htjt6nm4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inyt6spuyya

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Brakes · 6,300 miles · AZ

Since day one this bike has had leaking front brakes. Today, I go out in my garage and see my brakes are leaking again for the umpteenth time. This is beyond a dealership fix. Both dealers I've taken the bike to (iron horse bmw in tucson, goaz in peoria) have been great in trying to resolve the issue, but unfortunately have not been successful. The problem remains. I have spent way too many hours scheduling my time and then hanging out at the dealership while they're trying to figure this out. This is from the arizona lemon law: "the same nonconformity has been subject to repair four or more times by the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealers but the nonconformity continues to exist". I'm not sure how to proceed since --- #1 prior to purchase was told the 2020's didn't leak = leaking after first ride home. #2 I've had the rebuild kit installed (600 miles) = still leaking. #3 replaced the calipers (6000 miles) = still leaking. #4 told the fluid leaking was just "residual" under the bleeder caps (6250 miles) = still leaking (even after returning home, days later, still leaking). See attached photos below. I've paid a premium price to purchase a bmw motorcycle, which has been nothing but problems. I've owned japanese bikes for over 35 years and have never had any continuing issues. Beyond frustrated. I would like this problem fixed or a new replacement motorcycle that does not have any problems. This bike is a lemon. See attached video. Thank you, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h3htjt6nm4

Filed Mar 31, 2020 · Brakes · 165 miles · AZ

Took delivery of a new motorcycle on saturday. Upon returning home with the new bike, 160 mile trip home, I noticed brake fluid leaking out of both front brake calipers. Fluid was splattered all over the rim and tire. This has been an ongoing issue with the 2019's of the bmw r1250rt. I was LED to believe the problem was solved for the 2020 bikes, but clearly this is not the case given my experience relayed in this report. The dealership has been fine with trying to resolve this issue, but as of yet, we don't know if this will be resolved and/or if there will be any sort of compensation for the trouble of riding back and forth to the dealership (330 miles round trip). There should be a recall for this ongoing problem that bmw knows about and they just replace bad brakes with the same bad parts.

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Brakes · 7 miles · AZ

I went to test drive a new 2020 bmw r1250 rt motorcycle and the dealership inspected it before the test drive. During the test drive, the brakes started leaking and I noticed a performance drop in the ability to brake. Upon digging into the situation the dealership informed me that there was a service bulletin from bmw. That stated the brakes are known to have issues and they should be inspected for leaks before being sold to a customer or test-driven. Bmw has released a new part number that will fix the critical design flaw that is in the brakes. This part has not been released yet. Bmw needs to put a stop-sale on all bikes because just because the bike does not have the issue initially does not mean it won't have the issue soon after inspection. Ride now a large motorcycle retailer nationally has stopped selling all bmw bikes because of this issue above and beyond what bmw is requiring. I could have been seriously hurt or killed and bmw needs to stop selling the bike immediately until the new brakes are replaced on all models. Simply looking at the bike initially and seeing that it is not leaking does not mean it won't leak in a few days and affect the performance of the breaking.

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Questions about the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT

Is the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT, 1.5 times a typical R 1250 RT model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT?

Brakes, with 5 complaints, typically around 6,300 miles. Next is transmission (1).

How many recalls does the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT have?

4 recalls, covering power train, service brakes and service brakes, hydraulic.

Was there a recall on the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT brakes?

Yes, 2 recalls: 20V476000, 20V166000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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