NHTSA Complaint #10173805 — 1999 BMW R1200C

WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH, A HIGH FREQUENCY "BUZZ" WAS FELT IN THE MOTORCYCLE. AS WE WERE ON A CAUSE WAY COMING NORTH FROM KEY WEST, FL I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OVER TO INVESTIGATE. AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY, I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE WHEELS/TIRES ETC. NOTHING WAS NOTED. AFTER A FURTHER TWENTY MILES, WITH NO CHANGE IN THE VIBRATION, I WENT TO PULL OVER AGAIN, THIS TIME WHILE STOPPING, THE REAR BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE. LOOKING AT THE REAR WHEEL, OIL WAS OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE BRAKE DISC AND THE TIRE WAS SPLATTERED WITH OIL. THE BIKE WAS PUT IN A TRUCK AND TAKEN TO MY DESTINATION, 2500 MILES AWAY. UPON ARRIVAL AT MY HOME, THE REAR WHEEL, AND FINAL DRIVE WERE REMOVED. THE FINAL DRIVE WAS DISASSEMBLED AND THE CROWN GEAR BEARING WAS FOUND FAILED. *JB