NHTSA Complaint #10375760 — 2000 BMW R1200C

I WAS PROCEEDING SOUTHBOUND ON US HWY 17 SOUTH OF ORANGE PARK, FL, WHEN I OBSERVED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE BLINKING, INDICATING A BRAKE FAILURE. AS I SLOWED DOWN FOR AN UPCOMING TRAFFIC LIGHT AT CLAY COUNTY ROAD 209, I COULD HEAR A CRUNCH-CRUNCH-CRUNCH GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE AT THE REAR, AND I NOTICED THAT I HAD NO BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AT THE REAR WHEEL. I PULLED INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT AND EXAMINED THE REAR WHEEL, BRAKES, AND FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. THERE HAD BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT, WHICH COATED THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR, WHEEL, AND TIRE WITH THE FINAL DRIVE FLUID. I ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE WOBBLING OF THE ASSEMBLY HAD DAMAGED THE ABS SENSOR. HAD IT BEEN AN EMERGENCY STOP, ABS WAS RENDERED INOPERATIVE. THIS IS THE THIRD FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE.