NHTSA Complaint #11479890 — 2015 BMW R 1200 RT

When starting my BMW motorcycle it normally can be started in two modes: (1) in neutral or (2) In gear with the clutch handle pulled back to the handlebar and the clutch disengaged. However, my BMW 2015 BMW R1200RT motorcycle will NOT engage the starter motor to start the engine with the Clutch handled pulled back to the handlebar which disengages the clutch. The problem was noticed at 17,500 miles and several others have reported the same issues. BMW Motorcycles refuses to repair this latent/systemic safety defect in the BMW dual microswitches (actually two are contained within one physical unit), BMW part number 32728537609. This failure puts a rider at severe risk when the BMW motorcycles that have this switch and it is in a failed state when the motorcycle stalls in traffic. The rider must quickly shift the transmission into neutral to enable the starter motor to engage and restart the engine. This is difficult to do as one attempts to quickly shift the transmission into neutral, restart the engine, shift the transmission into gear, and move forward with traffic. BMW is aware of this critical safety issue that affects several years and models of their motorcycles but instead either sells a new dual microswitch for $103.86 or installs it with labor for a total charge of $246.36 (Cal-Moto, Livermore, CA). There was no warning this dual microswitch was beginning to fail, only total failure. BMW motorcycle dealers are well aware of this issue and many are out of stock given the demand for the replacement dual microswitch, p/n 32 72 8 537 609.