Technician found that the engine does not respond to throttle inputs. Discovered left and right throttle body require replacement due to cable cams are broken. Bought this bike for parts. Chose to fix it up given low mileage. Looks like plastic cam fractures frequently. Lucky I found out before I tried riding it. Newer models by manufacturer and aftermarket parts offer metal cam. Even my kids car seats need to be replaced after 10 years because of “plastics fatigue/failure”.
The worst 2009 BMW R1200 RT 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.
- Fuel system20
- Transmission8
- Electrical3
- Acceleration2
- Brakes2
- Engine2
- Wheels2
- Body1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 BMW R1200 RT
Recalls 5
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
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling 1,535 my 2007-2009 r1200rt motorcycles. Due to routing and assembly tolerances of the front brake lines, it is possible for the lines to be under strain. In combination with vibration during riding, the brake lines could develop a leak. The level of fluid in the front brake fluid reservoir could drop rendering the front brakes inoperative.
- Risk
- In the event that only the rear brakes were operational, severe loss of control during hard braking could result. This could result in a serious crash.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners and repair the motorcycles with new front brake lines, with modified routing free of charge. The safety recall began on october 5, 2009. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 09V256000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 BMW R1200 RT 48
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
- Battery empty despite charger.
- BMW Motorrad has ascertained that in isolated cases the fuse for the voltage regulator is not correctly...
- 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 R1200 RT owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On 06-19-2023 i was North bound I275 north of 8 mile about 715pm. I was in the left lane going about 68 mph. All of a sudden my It felt like my throttle cable broke, when I twisted it there was no motor response forward and backward, but my motor was red lining against the Rev limiter, so I pulled in the clutch and it did not slow down at all. Actually I sped up to over 100 mph, thankfully there was noone in front of me, I steadily pulled on the front brake and stepped on the back brake until I came to a stop. The length I went was at least 1 1/2- 2 miles from when I thought the cable broke till I got it stopped. I had it towed to southeast bmw in Plymouth, MI. It's still in the shop as of July 31,2023. So I don't know what exactly went wrong yet. They are waiting on a part and said the throttle cable didn't break. My question is why did I continue to go faster while the clutch was in. Besides what ever went wrong on the bike and heavier pants, myself and the bike were not harmed.
The OEM plastic 90° quick discount fitting on top of the fuel pump started spraying fuel. I started smelling fuel on the interstate highway 10 and by the time I could pull over safely off the interstate I was covered with fuel. The fuel was running down on the hot exhaust pipe’s on the front left side of the motorcycle and spraying all over my face and legs. I could have been set on fire and burnt to death because of where the fuel was spraying from. This also could have cost the lives of the people on the interstate had i burst into flames and lost control of the motorcycle. When I called the BMW dealership in Tucson AZ the service tech told me that they had a medal aftermarket 90° fitting that would fix my problem. I replaced the fitting and the fuel leak was fixed. This motorcycle fuel pump was replaced 07/01/2014 at mileage 12,482 because of a fuel leak recall. I’m filling this report because this fitting fail happened without warning 15,700 miles after the fuel flange recall. This must be a common problem for the service tech to know over the phone the fox and have a aftermarket medal part that fixed the fuel leak. The location of this potential leak makes it extremely dangerous hazard.
2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT LED TO A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. At highway speed, heard clicking noise from rear of bike. While parked on center stand and spinning rear wheel, heard a terrible grinding sound. Who knows what would have happened had I not exited when I did. This left me stranded, requiring a tow; repair took two days and was over $3,000.
Throttle body cams broken, no symtoms, could have caused crash from complete power loss to the engine, could have crashed or been hit. Dealer replaced.
My second motorcycle to have throttle body cam failure. This is becoming an issues as these bike reach higher mileage.
Bmw have recall campaign no. 20v‑471: fuel pump. The dealer in my area (5th gear cycle 1200 w sw expy dr, broken arrow, ok 74012) is not able to schedule service before end of july. Bike currently is unusable as fuel drips over the exhaust.
Throttle body plastic cams broke accelerating into on ramp of i4 in orlando. This caused the vehicle to immediately slow down to idle into rear approaching traffic.
2009 bmw r1200rt motorcycle with 50,482 miles. Throttle cable pulleys/cams both showing signs of multiple cracks. Once they crack completely, the motorcycle becomes unrideable and must be towed. Throttle no longer functions and motorcycle just returns to idle. Must either replace entire throttle body or remove and replace existing plastic cams which have failed.
The throttle bodies on this motorcycle are cable-actuated, with plastic pulleys molded onto the throttle spindles. These plastic pulleys were severely cracked and I have replaced them (I still have the old parts). I'm aware of numerous bmw motorcycles of this vintage that have developed cracks in the throttle pulleys. I discovered my problem via inspection in my garage, but I'm currently aware of two other owners for whom the pulleys detached from the spindles while riding, causing a sudden loss of engine power. This problem has also manifested on other bmw motorcycles that use the same engine (e.g. The r1200gs).
Compare the 2009 BMW R1200 RT
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Questions about the 2009 BMW R1200 RT
Is the 2009 BMW R1200 RT reliable?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2009 BMW R1200 RT, 4.0 times a typical R1200 RT model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 BMW R1200 RT?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 20 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles. Next is transmission (8).
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW R1200 RT have?
5 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, wheels and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2009 BMW R1200 RT 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 R1200 RT have the most fuel system problems?
The BMW R1200 RT model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2007 (37 complaints), 2006 (30 complaints) and 2005 (22 complaints).
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