Transmission input shaft seal failed. Dealer could not find the root cause. Pelican parts r1100s bulletin board suggests this failure is common, and recommended submitting this form.
The worst 1999 BMW R1100 S problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Wheels2
- Body1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Wheels2
- Body1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls 4
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. The flexible fuel hose leading from the fuel distributor can chafe against the rigid lines of the fuel feed and the return lines. Continued chafing of the flexible fuel hose can lead to fuel leakage.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage, in the presence on an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the right side flexible hose with one with a braided cover to prevent chafing. Owner notification began october 16, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117, option #5.
Recall number 01V272000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles equipped with high-mounted handlebars. The high-mounted handlebars are position on top of the upper fork clamp and are clamped to the top of each upper fork tube. It is possible for a handlebar to rotate forward.
- Risk
- If this were to occur while riding, the rider's balance could be upset and a crash and personal injury could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will degrease the clamping connection parts, rework the positioning tab (if necessary) to fit properly in the corresponding gap in the upper fork clamp, and reset the torque of the clamping connections.
Recall number 00V318000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. Due to use of an incorrect thread-locking material in production, it is possible for the rear brake linkage ball end, which is screwed into the rear brake lever, to loosen and eventually detach from the lever.
- Risk
- If this happens, the rear brake could no longer be applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the brake linkage ball end from the brake lever and reinstall it with a different thread-locking compound, to prevent the ball end from loosening.
Recall number 00V144000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. If the engine backfires during the starting process, it is possible for either throttle body to loosen in its mount, or to disconnect from its mount. If this happens, the fuel line could be damaged or the line and injector could separate from each other, causing fuel leakage.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel distribution unit. In addition, the connection between the throttle body and the air inlet tube will be secured with two screws to prevent damage to the hose or injector should a backfire occur.
Recall number 98V294000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 BMW R1100 S 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 1999 BMW R1100 S owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have never crashed my 1999 bmw r1100sa motorcycle and maintained it strictly by bmw suggested schedule. 64k miles on the odo now. Though bike has not left me stranded, it has had endless problems - big problems and been out-of-service for repair in excess of 85 days in 2 years. It had a break in the frame (I could not have broken the frame!); the catalytic converter failed and the new one does not fit correctly and is breaking through a frame brace, perhaps because of another frame problem (presenting safety issue); the engine has been rebuilt twice ~ over heating, improperly cut valves and pitting cylinders, excessive compression blow-by; 3 sets of replaced header pipes due to pitting from excessive heat; 4 sets of failed throttle/choke cables - cables shredded at juncture box; twice replaced rear wheel bearings; replaced clutch and trans. Due to flooding w/oil because of failed rear engine seal the bmw approved dealer ignored; excessive oil consumption still; both throttle body components have failed and been replaced; the engine temp sensor failed and was replaced. Bmw's warrantee fixed most failures however the list is endless and not in line with a high performance machine. Bmw declines to address safety concerns that could be a result of frame/structural problems and instead implies that failures are from high mileage or user.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Front wheel rim is made of aluminum which is too soft and not properly designed for road stress and was bent by mild impact with road debris causing tire to deflate and vehicle to become uncontrollable. Nlm
Compare the 1999 BMW R1100 S
Other model years
Questions about the 1999 BMW R1100 S
Is the 1999 BMW R1100 S reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 1999 BMW R1100 S, 4.0 times a typical R1100 S model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 BMW R1100 S?
Wheels, with 2 complaints. Next is body (1).
How many recalls does the 1999 BMW R1100 S have?
4 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, steering and service brakes, hydraulic.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1999 BMW R1100 S?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history