Suspected electrical fire LED to the motorcycle being engulfed in flames shortly after startup.
The worst 2002 BMW R1150GS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes12
- Fuel system4
- Transmission4
- Electrical1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 BMW R1150GS
Recalls 1
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. The distance between the brake line and the speedometer drive cable could be too small. Due to compression and rebound of the fork, the speedometer cable could contact and chafe the brake line.
- Risk
- Brake fluid leakage could occur, resulting in a loss of front braking capability. If this happened, depending on traffic conditions and the rider's reactions, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will measure the distance between the front brake line and speedometer cable. The brake line will be replaced if the distance to the speedometer cable is found to be too small or if it is damaged. A new protective sleeve will be installed in the speedometer cable near the front fender. Owner notification began december 18, 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 01V246000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2002 BMW R1150GS
Defect investigations
Fuel line leakage
Bmw is conducting a recall (04v‑028).an information request(ir)response was not received. Upon bmw's receipt of the ir, and after discussions with odi, bmwdetermined that a recall was necessary. On certain motorcycles, the o-ring contained within the fuel line quick-disconnect coupling could become damaged.further, there is also a problem involving crimp-type hose clamps, which can also result in a small fuel leak.dealers will inspect, and if necessary, adjust all crimp-type hose clamps.also all fuel line quick-disconnect couplings will be inspected.if a leak is detected, the quick-disconnect o-ring will be replaced.if damaged, the coupling will be replaced.owner notification is expected to begin during february 2004.
PE03054
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 BMW R1150GS 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2002 BMW R1150GS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2002 bmw 1150gs motorcycle has only just over 41k miles on the odometer. These motorcycles are advertised to the public as able to drive forever across continents, but that is not the case. I was very surprised when it lost some internal gears last weekend and something let go in the gearbox when shifting between 5th and 6th under normal operating conditions. After regular maintenance, the transmission is no longer operational. Metal fragments came out of the transmission when drained of fluid. This is a total transmission failure and will need to be replaced. I was traveling at near 65 miles per hour on a vehicle with only two wheels and was very fortunate that I was not in heavy traffic and that the bike's rear wheel did not lock up. This could have resulted in a fatality if I were to have been thrown from the bike and / or rear ended by other vehicles upon my rapid deceleration. There was a the federal safety agency recall of similar bikes built around the same time (see number: 02v319000). Although my motorcycle was manufactured and assembled at or near the same time, my local bmw dealer or bmw of north america will not provide any repairs. I believe that my bmw motorcycle has severe design, manufacturing, and or material defects that should be examined in more detail. This is a serious safety issue. A cursory review of the internet reveals similar problems of related motorcycles built by bmw. I urge the national highway traffic safety association to fully investigate this matter and provide notice to other consumers that may be unaware of this potentially fatal design defect.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 bmw r1150ra (na). While driving 50-55 MPH, the contact smelled gas fumes and then noticed fuel leaking from the quick release mechanism. As of september 27, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they would replace the quick release mechanism for free. The current and failure mileages were 8,000.
In april 2005, I experienced a final drive failure on my 2002 bmw r1150gs. During a 36,000 mile service, I reported a slight oil leak around the rubber boot on the final drive shaft. Bmw replaced the final drive bearing that was still under warranty. The entire final drive was replaced during the service at no charge. The final drive failure problem is a major issue and I am aware of six local bmw motorcycles, both r and k series that have experienced final drive failures in the past three years.
2002 bmw r1150gs motorcycle suffered a failure of the final drive assembly in the shaft drive mechanism. There was no warning. The seal blew out and the shaft bearings disintegrated causing the wheel to hop up and down severely at about 70 MPH. I was able to pull the bike over safely without a crash. The entire final drive will have to be replaced. Fortunately, it is still under warranty. Had it failed literally 30 seconds earlier, I would have been leaned way over in a very tight corner and the likelihood of a serious accident would have been extremely high. The leaking gear oil coated the rear tire causing it to become very slick. It also coated the rear brake pads causing them to become ineffective. The bike is now at the dealership awaiting repairs.
This motorcycle is equipped with a linked ABS brake system. The rear wheel and front wheel work together. The motorcycle was without brakes for an undetermined period of time. *ak
Gas leak
Final drive failure on bmw r1150gs motorcycle at 28,200 miles resulting in loss of oil and requiring complete final drive and ABS sensor replacement.
The brakes failed on the motorcycle.*ak
Bmwna has issued a tsb. They have made a correction for models after a certain VIN. They are not repairing earlier models affected by the part. This is a dangerous situation.no safety defect mentioned.
Compare the 2002 BMW R1150GS
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Questions about the 2002 BMW R1150GS
Is the 2002 BMW R1150GS reliable?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2002 BMW R1150GS, 7.0 times a typical R1150GS model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 BMW R1150GS?
Brakes, with 12 complaints. Next is fuel system (4).
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW R1150GS have?
1 recall, covering service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2002 BMW R1150GS brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 01V246000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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