NHTSA Complaint #10460089 — 2007 BMW F800 ST

DURING USE LAST WEEKEND I NOTICED THE DRIVE BELT RIDING ABNORMALLY ON THE REAR DRIVE PULLEY. I DISASSEMBLED THE REAR DRIVE ON THE MOTORCYCLE TODAY AND FOUND THE BEARINGS AND REAR WHEEL SUPPORT SHAFT IN NEED OF COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB READILY REVEALS DOZENS OF THREADS ON THIS SUBJECT, WITH RESULTS OF FAILURES INCLUDING COMPLETE WHEEL LOCKUP AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SIMPLY DO A SEARCH USING "BMW F800 BEARING FAILURE" AND PRIMARY RESULTS ENCOUNTERED WILL BE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS - SEVERAL PAGES OF THEM. THE REAR SUPPORT AXLE WAS REDESIGNED WITH NEW SHIPMENTS IN MID 2009, HOWEVER, BMW DESIGNATES THIS AS AN "IMPROVEMENT" NOT A CORRECTION OF DEFECT. THESE FAILURES ARE ALMOST ALL ON PRE 2009 MODELS AND GENERALLY OCCUR AT LOW MILEAGE SUCH AS THIS MACHINE. FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT CAN READILY CAUSE A COMPLETE LOCKUP OF THE REAR WHEEL AS REPORTED BY SEVERAL RIDERS, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. BMW REFUSES TO PROVIDE PARTS OR LABOR FOR CORRECTIVE MEASURES, NOR ADMIT DEFECT. THEY CONTINUOUSLY BLAME THE OWNERS FOR IMPROPER WASHING PROCEDURES AND HAVE REFUSED REPAIRS ON MACHINES WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THEIR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS PERFORMED AT AUTHORIZED DEALERS. REMOVED PARTS ARE BEING RETAINED IN CASE EVALUATION IS NECESSARY AT A LATER DATE. *TR