NHTSA Complaint #10089009 — 2003 BMW R 1150 RT

ACTUAL MODEL IS RT1150P NOT LISTED ON MODEL LIST. ALTENATOR BELT BROKE, CAUSING ALTENATOR FAILURE AND LOW VOLTAGE WHICH NEGATED POWER BRAKES LEAVING ME WITH RESIDUAL BRAKING ABOUT 40% OF NORMAL BREAKING AT BEST. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND ROLLED IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRUCK WHO WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME BY SLOWING AND GOING AROUND. DEALER REPLACED BELT AND ALTENATOR. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN HOWEVER. THE OWNERS MANUAL EVEN EXPLAINS POWER LOSS TO BRAKES CALLING IT RESIDUAL BRAKING. THE MANUAL SAYS APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE LEVER, SET THEM SO YOU HAVE MORE LEVERAGE ON THEM, AND RIDE IN A DEFENSIVE POSITION. A LITTLE TOUGH TO DO WHEN YOU ARE EXITING THE FREEWAY, STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT OR PULLING UP TO A DRIVEWAY TO ENTER TRAFFIC. LOSING YOUR BREAKING EFFECIENCY BECAUSE OF ELECTRONIC FAILURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CIVILIAN USE.*AK