I beg to disagree with your line of thinking.....if you are having problems shifting, and can't find the gears, you should take the bike to the dealer and ask them to check it. Preferably while it is still under warranty.
If they don't find anything and the problem continues take it back and tell them that you are aware that some bikes have had a missalignment problem at the engine/transmission bolted joint which eventually leads to a major failure and you are concerned for your safety. Make sure that the work order reflects the above statement, and get a copy.
That way if they still refuse you can always hold the paper trail to what you suspected and if it takes place you will have proof that they, the OEM, elected to do nothing. From there is up to you as to how you want to make it stick, but rest assured that you have the upper hand. Repairs are to be made with new parts, transmission case......which they will not fool with and replace the whole transmission.
Yes, I agree, not a pretty situation but sometimes little people have to fight fire with fire. There is also a strong possibility that there is nothing wrong with your bike.
On the other hand if you feel it's too much of a hasle and want to return to the pocata, pocata, pocata.....so be it.
Best of luck to you.
Last edited by boxermania on Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Member #312
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
79 CBX
(this ended up being a long post...just a warning!) . . .
Well it's been 3 weeks since I towed my bike to the dealer due to the spline failure. It's now repaired and I'll pick it up on Monday (the 24th).
After a few emails and phone calls this past week, here's the latest.
First off, this will be covered under warranty, parts and labour. My original warranty expired 31 days before this (second) failure. BMW explained that there is a 2 year warranty on OEM parts installed/repaired/replaced by BMW dealers. So I'm covered in that respect.
They could not pinpoint the cause of the failure. In otherwords, so far, they have not said it was mis-alignment or the shaft being slightly short (which I've heard elsewhere).
The explanation was that the first repair was not complete. My dealer stated that the out-of-town dealer who performed the repair last summer only replaced the shaft and clutch plate (plus some bolts, lube, etc). Due to the fact that I was travelling they wanted to get me back on the road asap. The original repair took 2 days.
This repair seemed to be more comprehensive. All bearings were replaced, shaft re-built and new shims (not sure what that means), brand new clutch (friction plate, and everything else to do to with the clutch assembly), and of course everything cleaned, lubed, assembled and a test ride.
I've requested a report on their findings to accompany the work order of parts and service. I expect there to be more parts listed than on the original work order if their statement is true re: the other dealer.
As boxermania mentions above, I want a separate, written report to keep on file if this happens again. I want BMW's explanation of their findings on this failure whether they confirm the cause or list their suspected/probable causes.
I'll post tomorrow once I've picked up the bike and have some paper in my hand.
As a side note:
This BS has not completely tarnished my loyalty to the brand. I think this particular issue is subject to a certain # of bikes or batches. I just got stuck with a bad one. BMW still makes one of the finest bikes on the road.
Over the last 3 weeks, while bikeless, I've been reading about and researching other brands based on getting rid of my R real soon. I even joined other discussion groups just to post some questions.
I'm not interesed in HD or most of the Jap bikes. There's not much out there that can replace the R, except maybe the Guzzi Breva 1100, that satifies what I'm looking for in a bike. I looked at KTM, Suzuki (Vstrom), Ducati, and the Guzzi.
Ya know what folks? There isn't a bike out there without issues. Some remedied by the mfg, some recalls, and some you just deal with as it happens. IMO it boils down to the mfg's willingness to acknowledge there are some issue (some chronic, some intermittent), and communicate that to the dealers so folks like us can get these known manufacturing issues serviced under warranty (obviously not normal wear/tear issues, I'm referring to major failures of components that have a known/recurring issue).
07 R12GS - Granite
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
The idea is that we have a machine, that is reliable within good reason, to carry our asses screamin down the road. If I have it in the back of my mind that I could have a meeting with a tow truck when im out in the boonies, then im not a happy rider. None of the other makes I have had have been as fun to ride as the Beamer, but if they out source there parts, and have bad quality control then my safety really is on the line. It would seem BMW should have a recall on this problem.
Well, it appears that most of the failures are between the years of 2002 and 2004, but more prevalent on the 04 models. The mileage varies from as early as 17K miles to 35K miles with an average of 24.4K miles. Based on the Vin# it appears that there was run of about 30,000 units with potetially the same problem, that is if all the engine/gearboxes were manufactured at the same location.
Marty Wadd, can you provide your info, year and Vin#.
I'll browse the other sites and see if I can find additional information.
Member #312
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
79 CBX
The BMW Sport Touring forum did a similar survey. I seem to recall all years of manufacture were affected, but there were more spline/clutch failures in the 2002 1150RT bikes. However, since this is an RT forum, you expect the RT's to be the model most represented. The fact that the 2002 models had more failures is a little different from this data. Still, it's a very small sample.
Al
Ogden, Utah
2002 R1150RT
2004 R1150R (sold) (sigh...)
2004 R 1150GS
Picked up the bike today. 3 weeks to the day. Put 450 km on it since picking it up this afternoon. Well...rides great. Shifts good (up and down). Went through all the gears taking it up to 5-6k rpm, and took it up to 180 km/h.
All is good. Job was warranty. Work order is detailed, and mentions the previous failure last year. This work order has more parts then the first job. All bearings and shims were replaced, as was the entire clutch (all plates).
So I guess we'll see how the next 30k (+/-) kilometers go.
In the mean time, my R runs like a new R.
Dealer still has damaged parts. If HQ doesn't request them back, they're mine.
Boxermania....I remember one of your replies stating a grinding pattern on part of the front housing. I noticed it on my original post. I went to have a look at it last time I was at the dealer. It was a scuff of grease! Thanks for taking note though.
07 R12GS - Granite
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
