BMW Fork/stanchion tube failures

[Rambler]

BMW is by far the go-to choice of the most riders in the 2017 rally. One would rather not go there, but past results beg the questions to be asked. Has BMW gotten past the FD monkey on their back? Will the all encompassing Beemer integrated electronic CANBUS computer system snatch another finish from a disappointed rider? Or will the blue Kool-Aid be flowing to the tune of “Happy Days are Here Again” at the Finisher’s banquet? The thirty-seven Beemers include seventeen of the GS adventure bike variety, ten of the various years of RT’s, three versions of the K-bikes, and a few additional R variants (some oil cooled, some airheads).

Meanwhile,

http://www.bikesa.net/2017/06/25/r1200gs-gsa-owners-safety-check/

 

[Checkswrecks]

Split this off as its own subject, not to bash the brand, but as it is a significant issue for BMW and possibly more hazardous to riders than the final drives were. The current talk is about the R1200GS bikes, but the early 650 twins also had some failures. NHTSA is already involved and there have been recalls in more than one country. BMW has stated that the problems were limited to a specific range of years/serials, but now there appear to have some outside of that range.


More info here:


https://www.facebook.com/GS1200ForkIssue/
and discussion here:
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/upper-stanchion-crimping-failure.1184877/page-52#post-32593867



As somebody who has looked at more tube and thin metal failures than most, I'll just say that I could see a couple of different potential causes for the type of failure the tube.
http://bmwfatalflaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BMW-Report-Back.pdf
Further, the video only shows crossing two ruts, it does not show whether the wheel was bent and tube compromised thousands of miles before, so that these ruts were the "straw that broke the camel's back." Why this tube failed at this time is speculation without better detailed information, ao I'd like to just skip to what a concerned owner (friends) or occasional renter (me) can do, beyond just hoping for news?


My suggestion to anybody on a 1200GS is to occasionally do a close visual inspection of the upper areas. Examine for any deformation and follow the BMW instructions to check that the plugs are seated in the tubes. Any gap of .005" or more is cause to consider reject the tube and not ride the bike. How to check:


https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm437931/rcrit-13v154-6790.pdf

 

[Rambler]

Stop Sale Issued | BMW R1200GS

BMW Motorrad USA has issued a “stop sale” to BMW dealers, as documents for a recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are being readied for release.
The recall sees BMW Motorrad dealers inspecting the fixed fork tube on R1200GS models produced between November 2013 and June 2017. If the inspected motorcycle has an excessively large gap between the fork pipe and the seal plug, then the fork cannot be repaired by the dealer, and must be replaced.
If no gap is present (or if the gap is of an acceptable distance), BMW dealers must still press in a sleeve on the fork, before returning the bike back to the owner. With over 150,000 motorcycles potentially affected worldwide, this recall will be a massive undertaking for BMW Motorrad.

As of right now, BMW Motorrad USA is telling American dealers that they can order only 10 bushings per week. So by our math, that means this recall could take up to 20 weeks to complete (assuming two bushings per bike, and every machine is affected), as BMW Motorrad has roughly 1,500 dealers worldwide.

Of course, BMW Motorrad will likely be able to ramp up its recall efforts as time goes on, and not all models produced will have an excessive fork gap.
These facts will hopefully shorten the amount of time it will take for its dealer network to inspect and repair all the water-cooled BMW R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure models on the road. Still, this news means that BMW is looking again at a major recall for one of its most popular machines.

Next, we expect to see an official announcement from NHTSA about this recall, but affected BMW owners should already be in touch with their local BMW Motorrad USA dealership.

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

 

[klunsford]

Re: Stop Sale Issued | BMW R1200GS

What's new... nothing but recalls......

 

[rid34fun]

Re: Stop Sale Issued | BMW R1200GS

I almost bought the GS...anyone can have a recall...but some MFG's take a long time to admit to an issue...now I have an S10 for all the Yamaha reasons.

 

[Donk]

Re: Stop Sale Issued | BMW R1200GS

Based on my short and unhappy experience with BMW I'm surprised they admitted to a problem. Must be a significant issue.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Re: Stop Sale Issued | BMW R1200GS

The G-Spot thread at ADV is already up to 122 pages on just this. I really do feel for the owners.