Author Topic: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS  (Read 6531 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline donmoe

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 175
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Enjoying retirement by traveling by motorcycle!
    • Don Moe's Travel Website
  • Lifetime Mileage: 301,174
  • Primary Motorcycle: 2015 BMW R1200GSA, 2013 Triumph Trophy SE
BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« on: July 19, 2017, 12:12:36 PM »
Did you guys hear about the recall issue on '13-'17 BMW R1200GS(A) bikes?  Here's a link to a webpage with more detail. There has also been discussion on the BMWMOA.org and R1200GS.info forums.

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/recall/bmw-motorrad-usa-stop-sale-recall-bmw-r1200gs-adventure/

After putting 56K on my '15 GSA, I haven't yet seen any problem, but I'll be taking my bike in for the 6K service and inspection soon.

  ---  Don
2015 BMW R1200GSA                  2004 BWM R1150RT (sold)
2013 Triumph Trophy SE               1981 KZ1000 (sold)
2010 Concours 14 ABS (wrecked)  1974 Z1 (sold)
2008 Concours 14 ABS (traded)     1973 H1 (traded)

Offline HawkGTRider

  • MSTA Executive Committee
  • *****
  • Posts: 1150
  • Karma: +38/-1
  • Lifetime Mileage: 860,000
  • Primary Motorcycle: 2007 BMW F650GS thumper
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2017, 04:04:04 PM »
A fellow in the recent Iron Butt Rally crashed out only about 100 miles from me, so I retrieved his bike and brought it home while he made arrangements to get it later (he's actually coming with a trailer to pick it up tonight). He was contacted by BMW to stop riding the bike and bring it in for a recall shortly after he got home to go through the necessary surgery for fixing his broken shoulder blade. He didn't give me any details about the recall, but what you're talking about sounds like a good explanation.
Geoffrey Greene
MSTA Ride For Kids Coordinator, MSTA Secretary (retired), TN-STAR and Tri-STAR Coordinator (retired)
Difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations.

Offline donmoe

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 175
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Enjoying retirement by traveling by motorcycle!
    • Don Moe's Travel Website
  • Lifetime Mileage: 301,174
  • Primary Motorcycle: 2015 BMW R1200GSA, 2013 Triumph Trophy SE
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2017, 11:11:45 AM »
On the BMW Safety Recall website, you can verify if your bike is recalled using the link below. However, it shows that my 2015 R1200GSA is not under recall. Perhaps the website database is not yet up-to-date.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en/virtualcenter/index_recall.html

   --- Don
2015 BMW R1200GSA                  2004 BWM R1150RT (sold)
2013 Triumph Trophy SE               1981 KZ1000 (sold)
2010 Concours 14 ABS (wrecked)  1974 Z1 (sold)
2008 Concours 14 ABS (traded)     1973 H1 (traded)

Offline STLTHMSTA

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 451
  • Karma: +18/-0
  • Lifetime Mileage: 350,000+
  • Primary Motorcycle: ST1100abs
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2017, 11:17:38 AM »
From a technical aspect, I don't understand the "gap between the fork tube and the seal plug" description but there it is. I agree with the comments on the link that it's unfathomable that this could happen unnoticed. So is this a tele lever bike or have they switched this back to "conventional" forks as on some models?  TM

Offline stevegrab

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1331
  • Karma: +36/-3
  • Lifetime Mileage: 130,000+
  • Primary Motorcycle: 2014 VFR
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2017, 11:48:09 AM »
From a technical aspect, I don't understand the "gap between the fork tube and the seal plug" description but there it is. I agree with the comments on the link that it's unfathomable that this could happen unnoticed. So is this a tele lever bike or have they switched this back to "conventional" forks as on some models?  TM
Telever suspension on the R1200GS, which does use telescopic forks, difference appears (based on some online info) to be the forks only have oil, the springing and damping are done by the shock in the wishbone unit.
Steve Grabowski
2014 Interceptor, 98 VFR, 99 Triumph Sprint ST, 06 Ninja 650

Offline STLTHMSTA

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 451
  • Karma: +18/-0
  • Lifetime Mileage: 350,000+
  • Primary Motorcycle: ST1100abs
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2017, 09:03:36 PM »
Ok, thanks. But I know HOW a tele lever works but can you answer the fork tube/seal plug question? Maybe 'll just go to an online parts fiche and investigate. Inquiring minds want to know.  TM

Offline stevegrab

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1331
  • Karma: +36/-3
  • Lifetime Mileage: 130,000+
  • Primary Motorcycle: 2014 VFR
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2017, 12:55:31 PM »
Ok, thanks. But I know HOW a tele lever works but can you answer the fork tube/seal plug question? Maybe 'll just go to an online parts fiche and investigate. Inquiring minds want to know.  TM
Guess I misunderstood your question, it did seem to be "are these GS telelever bike or conventional forks" which seemed odd since I thought it was common knowledge the GS was telever. I know your level of mechanical aptitude is far above mine, so no offense was intended, just a simple explanaion of telever in case one was not familiar.
Steve Grabowski
2014 Interceptor, 98 VFR, 99 Triumph Sprint ST, 06 Ninja 650

Offline STLTHMSTA

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 451
  • Karma: +18/-0
  • Lifetime Mileage: 350,000+
  • Primary Motorcycle: ST1100abs
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2017, 10:10:19 AM »
None taken nor did I think any was given. Some models in recent years have gone to "normal" forks, I didn't know if the GS was one of them. The original description of the problem wasn't clear to me and the parts fiche didn't clear it up either. No mention of seal plug anywhere that I saw. But being that I'm a deaf, dumb and blind kid I might have missed it.  I happen to like the tele lever set up myself.
I'll just stick to my Hondas and such.   :P   TM

Offline normkern

  • MSTA Executive Committee
  • *****
  • Posts: 325
  • Karma: +24/-0
  • Norm Kern
  • Lifetime Mileage: 900k
  • Primary Motorcycle: '16 Yamaha FJR 1300 ES
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2017, 12:12:34 PM »
The advantages of the BMW telelever fork are experienced during compression. In comparison to a conventional telescopic fork: 1. Wheelbase remains relatively constant- telescopic forks decrease wheelbase. 2. Trail increases at nearly the same rate that it decreases with telescopic forks. 3. Castor angle increases at nearly the same rate that it decreases with telescopic forks.

All three of these characteristics improve handling under deceleration and braking. In order to achieve the needed geometry, the end of the fork tube needs to articulate in the top triple clamp. This is done with a rubber bushing in the top triple tree that permits some angular movement. The problem is that the piece in the end of the tube that goes in the rubber bushing is not pressed tight enough into the fork tube. My guess is that only forks that get hard use and bottoming from riding on unpaved roads, dirt and rocks are actually at risk, but the way these recalls go they have to fix every one regardless.

Here is a youtube video posted by someone who experienced the failure: [youtube]_mXkdr4ZBAs[/youtube]

This is a video of the fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaGaR9Fn4WE#t=125.095853


 Norm Kern
« Last Edit: July 26, 2017, 07:34:08 AM by normkern »

Offline RichGrab

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 592
  • Karma: +18/-3
  • Ride em if you got em.
    • My Facebook Page
  • Lifetime Mileage: 100,000+
  • Primary Motorcycle: 2016 BMW F800GT
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2017, 02:46:56 PM »
But being that I'm a deaf, dumb and blind kid  :P   TM
Well, does that mean you "sure play a mean pinball."   :trink39: ;)
Rich Grabowski;Jackson, MI; MSTA #12038
2016 BMW F800GT (STAR 2016 Raffle Bike)
2001 VFR800 fi

Offline STLTHMSTA

  • MSTA Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 451
  • Karma: +18/-0
  • Lifetime Mileage: 350,000+
  • Primary Motorcycle: ST1100abs
Re: BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2017, 03:56:29 PM »
Thanks for the videos Norm, that explains it. And we can see where it would have catastrophic results.

Rich, I wasn't bad as a youngster but quick lost those skills. I had to endure the reference for years.  :^)   TM