NHTSA Complaint #10446654 — 2003 BMW K1200LT

BMW K1200LT 2003 MOTORCYLE I PURCHASED USED WITH 8700 MILES ON THE BIKE. AT 18646 HAVING ALL THE MAINTENANCE DONE BY THE DEALER, I EXPERIENCED A RUMBLING SOUND TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. I PULLED OVER THINKING IT MIGHT BE A BAD TIRE AND NOTICED OIL DRIPPING ON THE REAR TIRE/RIM. OIL ON THE REAR BRAKES DID HAMPER MY SLOWING DOWN. BMW REPAIRED THE FINAL DRIVE SAYING THE OUTSIDE BEARING FAILED CAUSING THE OIL SEAL TO FAIL. AT 25,423 MILES THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A HIGH PRICED BIKE AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH I BELIEVE NOW THAT IT WASN'T ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND DURING THE REPAIR NO CHANGE ON THE NEW BEARING WAS DONE SO IT FAILED A SECOND TIME. I FINALLY PURCHASED A USED FINAL DRIVE TO CONTINUE RIDING. I NOW HAVE 129,025 ON THE BIKE AND THE USED FINAL DRIVE IS STILL PERFORMING OK SO THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE ORIGINAL DRIVE ON THIS BIKE. A NEW FINAL DRIVE WASN'T IN MY BUDGET. I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I BEEN IN A HARD CURVE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. NOT GOOD, I'D SAY. BMW CAN/SHOULD DO BETTER DURING ASSEMBLY. *KB