NHTSA Complaint #10345022 — 2007 BMW R 1200 RT

2007 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE WITH 34,900 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE REAR WHEEL FLANGE HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE FINAL DRIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL THE ABILITY TO MOVE SIDE TO SIDE APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH WHEN DISCOVERED. THE WHEEL FLANGE HAD EITHER BEEN IMPROPERLY FITTED, OR THE WHEEL FLANGE OR OUTPUT SHAFT HAD BEEN MACHINED INCORRECTLY CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR. IF LEFT UNDETECTED, THE WHEEL FLANGE WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY COME LOOSE FROM THE SHAFT AND THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK, RESULTING IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE SITUATION. ANECDOTAL INFORMATION INDICATES THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON 2005 THROUGH 2007 BMW MOTORCYCLES. BMW REPLACED THE COMPLETE FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY, BUT REQUIRED ME TO PAY 25% OF THE PARTS COST, AND 100% OF THE LABOR. THE NEW ASSEMBLY IS PURPORTED TO BE AN UPDATED PART, ADDRESSING THE FAILURES OF EARLIER UNITS. *TR