2001 BMW K1200LT Suspension Problems

VIBRATION IN FOOTPEGS AND RUMBLING NOISE FROM REAR DRIVE UNIT. CROWN WHEEL BEARING FAILED. CAUGHT IN TIME BEFORE SERIOUS DAMAGE WAS DONE. THIS BEARING IS THE MAIN SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR THE REAR WHEEL ON THIS MOTORCYCLE. PARTS FROM DAMAGED BEARING HAVE TAKEN OUT OIL SEAL WHICH LEADS TO REAR BRAKE AND WHEEL BEING COVERED IN GEAR LUBE. BROKEN BEARING COULD LEAD TO LOCK UP OF REAR WHEEL. GEAR LUBE ON THE REAR BRAKE DISC WOULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING. GEAR LUBE ON REAR WHEEL WOULD LEAD TO LOSS OF TRACTION. ALL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITH SUBSEQUENT PROPERTY AND BODILY DAMAGE. BEARING AND SEAL WHERE REPLACED. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *NM

STARTED HEARING A GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR OF MOTORCYCLE AND FELT SOME REAR WHEEL WOOBLE. ROAD WITH THE SYMPTOM FOR ABOUT 15 MILES UNTIL I COULD GET TO A TELEPHONE TO CALL CLOSEST DEALER. DEALER SAID TO RIDE IN. TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AND SYMPTOMS GOT MUCH WORSE. CALLED A TOWING SERVICE AND HAD BIKE TRANSPORTED TO BRATTIN'S BMW IN SAN DIEGO. AFTER INSPECTING REAR WHEEL THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE REAR DRIVE BEARING HAD DISINTEGRATED CAUSE UNKNOWN. REPAIR TOOK APPROX 2 WEEKS DUE TO PARTS. DT