Rear drive failure.

[fjones]

Sorry in advance if this is a simple simon question. I'm a HD rider who has just started the BMW shopping process. I want to talk myself into a 1200RT. To that end I've been reading all the BMW forums I can find. On the LT forum I've gotten the impression that a lot of the riders over there have suffered a rear drive failure. Is this a problem peculiar to the LT or does the RT also suffer from this problem. Thanks.

[dshealey]

Sorry in advance if this is a simple simon question. I'm a HD rider who has just started the BMW shopping process. I want to talk myself into a 1200RT. To that end I've been reading all the BMW forums I can find. On the LT forum I've gotten the impression that a lot of the riders over there have suffered a rear drive failure. Is this a problem peculiar to the LT or does the RT also suffer from this problem. Thanks.

It happens some on the "R" bikes, but far less than on the LT. Even the LT failure rate is extremely small from mid 2003 on though. About 4% failure rate on pre '03 LTs, which is awfully high as automotive failure rates go, but even though very aggravating you still have a basically 96% chance that it WON'T happen to you. RT's have a minimal failure rate, probably due to the much lighter load.

We think you will really enjoy the BMWs over the Harley, no matter which model you get. Performance in all areas is considerably better.

[Ruben]

Sorry in advance if this is a simple simon question. I'm a HD rider who has just started the BMW shopping process. I want to talk myself into a 1200RT. To that end I've been reading all the BMW forums I can find. On the LT forum I've gotten the impression that a lot of the riders over there have suffered a rear drive failure. Is this a problem peculiar to the LT or does the RT also suffer from this problem. Thanks.I've heard about the occasional rear drive failure on RT's and GS's, but they're rare. If it's going to happen, it seems most likely around the 30,000 mile mark. I'd not let that stop me from owning one, just buy the extended warranty, and you're covered for a long time, unless you really pile on the miles.

Go for a test ride, and see if the bike "speaks" to you. If so, go for it :D

[Randy]

Sorry in advance if this is a simple simon question. I'm a HD rider who has just started the BMW shopping process. I want to talk myself into a 1200RT. To that end I've been reading all the BMW forums I can find. On the LT forum I've gotten the impression that a lot of the riders over there have suffered a rear drive failure. Is this a problem peculiar to the LT or does the RT also suffer from this problem. Thanks.The drive on the R1200RT is a completely different unit than the one on the K1200LT. There have been very few failures of the new design - the statistical chance of failure on the new drive is (so far) extremely low. The R1150RT and earlier used the same drive as the LT, but as was said above, experienced far fewer failures - probably due to the lower weight.

[dshealey]

The drive on the R1200RT is a completely different unit than the one on the K1200LT. There have been very few failures of the new design - the statistical chance of failure on the new drive is (so far) extremely low. The R1150RT and earlier used the same drive as the LT, but as was said above, experienced far fewer failures - probably due to the lower weight.

Correct! I missed that he was looking at a NEWER RT. Still thinking of the ones with the same drive as the LT.

There have been no bearing failures of the new type drive. When they first came out there were a few non bearing failures, but BMW found something assembled wrong, so they should be pretty reliable drives now.