NHTSA Complaint #10446392 — 2009 BMW R1200 RT

IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO REPORT THESE TO THE NHTSA, I AM ADDING MY OWN INFORMATION: DURING A TIRE-CHANGE SERVICE, THE DEALER'S MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE BEARING IN THE REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE HAD BECOME "CRUNCHY" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON POINTING OUT THE PROBLEM, I WAS ABLE TO DETECT THE RESISTANCE IN THE WHEEL MYSELF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BEARING UNDER WARRANTY AND ON COMPARISON WITH A NEW BEARING, THERE WAS DEFINITELY RESISTANCE AND A LACK OF SMOOTH FUNCTION IN THE ORIGINAL BEARING. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PARALEVER FINAL DRIVES HAVE ENCOUNTERED SERIOUS BEARING FAILURE RENDERING THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY UNABLE TO PROCEED NORMALLY, SOMETIMES WITH A MAJOR LEAKAGE OF THE FINAL DRIVE LUBRICANT. I BELIEVE MINE WAS SIMPLY CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO AVOID A MORE DRAMATIC FAILURE. *KB