I'm a little worried

[rkdrmr1]

I am new to this site as well as new to the LT. I just purchased an 02LT last month with 2,600 miles on it. It now has 4,800 miles on it. I've owned several bikes in my thirty-nine years and I have to admit, this is by far the best riding motorcycle out there.

I work for a Tier1 automotive stamping plant with our biggest customer being BMW out of Spartanburg s.c. Probably the biggest reason for my purchase was the fact that I have worked very closely with the engineers in Spartanburg and the quality of their automobiles is second to none.

Just recently, I stepped away from the Harley brand, vowing to NEVER push another Harley, I figured that BMW was probably the best choice out there. Then, I stumbled onto this site. The lump in my throat just kept growing as I read article after article about ABS failure, final drive failure, head shake, clutch failure, shift linkage breakage. Did I just purchase anther Harley in BMW clothing? Please, someone out there, tell me I'm wrong. I ride every weekend with anywhere from five to ten guys, ALL on Harleys. I don't have a problem with the little digs here and there about my new purchase. Most of these guys know of the problems I've had in the past with my Harleys but, I hate to think of the beating I will take if this thing dies on me one of these weekends. Any reassurance would be appreciated.

[Daman858]

I know how you feel but you will find that there are many LT owners who have ridden many thousands of trouble free miles. It seems like any forum you go....cars, airplanes, boats, motorcycles...you will find horror stories. I am on a Ford 7.3 power-stroke diesel board and you should read what they have to say about their trucks....unbelievable!!! I have many trouble free miles on my 99 Ford F-350 PSD and my '02 LT!

[Dean_BMW]

I feel a responsibility to jump in. I see that some of my ranting in another post has caught your attention, and I will re-post some of the info I posted there.

It's not as bad of a bike as you would think by reading the posts here. Like any enthusiast site, your going to hear all of the bad stuff, just because people do not go looking for a forum to tell the world how happy they are with their new bike. Yes, it has some weak spots, and yes, it's a little hard to maintain because BMW didn't spend one second trying to make it easy to maintain. It has some good points too... the best damn brakes I have ever seen on ANY bike... one of the things I really like about the bike. And it handles like a dream compared to other bikes I have owned.

First, make sure you do the maintenance. If your handy, and you like to mess with the bike, there is a few things you can do to improve your chances of having a major repair and to lower your costs. After that, just ride it!

I too have pushed a lot of Harleys, even though I have never owned one. If it makes you feel any better, I have never pushed a BMW, and mine has never left me on the side of the road. In the last three or four years, I probably have logged about 50K miles on a motorcycle... about half of that has been on a BMW.

For now, I like my BMW enough to put up with the extra maintenance costs. I will admit that is is the first motorcycle that I have ever owned that I felt like I "worked on". I have always ridden Japanese bikes, and the reliability was very high, but none of them were as exciting to ride as the LT.

[Seattle]

I have an 06', and it's been a superb bike. Given its size I don't think it's a bike for everyone, but for those that can handle it, it delivers in spades.

As for all things mechanical, it's not "if" it will break down, but "when". Regular preventive maintainance should keep you from any unexpected problems. Each bike may have its quirks, but it's all in all a great bike. I have posted on the "wobble" you mentioned, so I felt I should respond. That said I am a perfectionist and if I notice something out of spec then I am quick to try and fix it or I'm going to loose sleep.

Even my favorite car in the stable, my 2003 M5 has had a clutch replaced or something else tweeked on from time to time, but I've never been stranded by it or my 06' LT. Of course if you suspect a problem my suggestion is to stay on top of it and don't ignore it like some of these biscuits do with their tires!

Congrats on a great bike. Take care of it and it'll take care of you. On another note I see you're 30 min south of me. let me know when you wanna go riding!

[rjhammetter]

Kinda what Seattle said... My A4 has never stranded me, but it has needed wheel bearings and tie rods in the last 3 years... not bad.

For the past year, I hoped I was on an unbreakable machine. I've read about the final drive, clutch, and ABS woes and just rode as if my bike weren't just another one of the susceptible ones.

A few days back I inquired about a recent gremlin that arose with my clutch. Apparently, it has all the makings of the last days of a clutch (worn plate or slave cylinder). I thought the same thing as you - 24k and a failure? Dealer instilled a bunch of hope when I went in and heard it might be temporary... but worse case, we fix it at the next 6k service when the tupperware is off.

I really don't want to contemplate a RD or ABS failure and spending $4k on those repairs... but after hitting this possible clutch issue at 24k, I know my LT isn't bulletproof like I previously hoped.

Will I ever consider taking the car instead of the bike because of this little gremlin? Absolutely not.

[jsr]

My 05 has surely had some parts replaced, but never left me on the roadside. I have trailered it once to the shop in February due to snow/ice and wanting to get the service's done prior to the riding season. It is the most reliable bike I have ever owned and the most enjoyable I've ridden.

[jers99lt]

The first time I went more than 10 miles from home I broke down and had to be towed 90+ miles. I bought a used '99 with 44K on it. The clutch didn't feel right, but the service manager didn't think it was a problem so I went with it. The owner told me he wouldn't have sold me a bike if he thought it had a problem. It's a highly engineered system. Many things, large or small, could have been an issue. That was last Saturday, the first nice weekend day I was able to ride it. I'm pretty pissed at the dealer, but they've been great with my car. I'm just gonna plug away and add it to the cost of the enjoyment that I've gotten so far. Maybe over time it will average out. Being stranded is a lonesome feeling that the tower nor the dealer really gives a s**t about. They get paid regardless. Another nit that I have is the lack of service options out there. HD and Honda have many, many more to choose from.

In the really short time that I've ridden the LT I've really, really fallen for it. I can't see having anything else. Maybe a newer version should be what I look for next season.

Jer (feeling a bit better now)

[sanjaun2]

I have put 50k on my 2000 LT in the last 2 years and have taken a 8k coast to coast with detours last year as well as many 2-4k rides and have never had a problem on the road other than a flat tire. I like you have read the horror stories and went thru a paranoid phase as well. I did wear out lots of tires and one set of brake pads. One failure I did have was a $30 bearing that cost me about a hundred bucks to have the dealer fix. Now I just ride and do not worry about it at all. I have a few phone numbers of some knowledgeable people from this site and the BMWmoa book of peoples names and numbers from all across the country just in case I am riding solo in who knows where 2k miles away. My Harley buddies will not even get on my bike because they know how they will feel about there bikes afterward.

[Tallyho]

The final drive, main seal, and ABS sensor on my 2002 with 46K miles have all run trouble free but there is that one issue no one wants to mention. Eyes are averted and conversation stops anytime anyone is foolish enough to bring it up in LT company....

You mean to tell me no one has told you about the vanity mirror problem? No? My gawd! Well, there you have it! I've replaced mine three times. Once under warranty. Pops open when you hit a big bump then snaps right off into the topcase. $30 bucks every time it happens! I was so pissed I damn near went back to a Goldwing but then, I put Wilbers on the bike at 22K miles and decided to store my manuals and Anonymous book in the side compartment. Hasn't happened since. Whew! That was close. :rolleyes:

[Dean_BMW]

Ok... this is getting funny.

I hit a bad spot in the road at 65 MPH yesterday. It was so bad, that both of my rear view mirrors popped off (for you newbies, learn about tethers).

But I am glad to report that my vanity mirror is in tact and doing fine!

Thank God for tethers!

[jzeiler]

I went over some inclined railroad tracks a little too fast and actually got airborne. The vanity mirror opened up, spit out the contents of the compartment and then closed itself!! No damage.

[Montycs]

Why wasn't I aware of the vanity mirror issues? I have an 03 and other then squashing a vacuum hose and collapsing the fuel sender tube, nary a thing has gone wrong, until I read about the vanity mirror. If my wife discovers there is an issue she may never ride again!

[RiderRay]

Done that vanity mirror thingy. I did what Dick did and used 2 small fixed pin hinges from Home Depot and put it back on. No more problems since and the brass hinges kind of dress up the top case.

[lovetomotor]

On this motorcycle forum you'll see individuals that do have problems taking their frustrations out on the brand. What you have to realize is the fraction of those problems to the number of units sold. The LT does have some common weaknesses like shift linkages, slave cylinders and rear drives. You don't hear much from guys like me for example that purchased an '03 new, have 50,000 flawless miles, have done ALL maintenance myself (with help from this forum) and think th LT is the best motorcycle on the planet. I've ridden from Canada to Mexico and back twice, taken many other long trips, even a 5,000 mile trip by myself all with no problems whatsoever. Maybe I maintain my bike better than the some, maybe I"m just in the lucky percentage either way it's a great motorcycle and if something breaks I'll just fix it and keep riding. This forum is very helpful to me not because of those that complain about their perils, but due to those that contribute technical information that helps all of us maintain our own bikes. For that reason, my hats off to this forum.

[GoldRush]

I'm into my 3rd season and the only warranty issue so far was a busted vanity mirror in the rear case, (probably from too much camping stuff). I always chuckle to myself about that one. Busted vanity mirror!! Ha ha ha....

I'm almost due for my 12k Service but I can't complain. It's definitely not a Harley, which is alright with me most of the time.

Enjoy the ability to ride beyond the limits you felt in the past. It's way different!!

[Tallyho]

Done that vanity mirror thingy. I did what Dick did and used 2 small fixed pin hinges from Home Depot and put it back on. No more problems since and the brass hinges kind of dress up the top case. Sure, now I find out there's way to fix it! Don't underestimate the value of the vanity mirror to the pillion. On the other hand, since I put the Saeng Quick-Scan mirrors on the windshield, those seem to be the preferred primping mirrors. ;)

[UncleMark]

Sure, now I find out there's way to fix it! Don't underestimate the value of the vanity mirror to the pillion. On the other hand, since I put the Saeng Quick-Scan mirrors on the windshield, those seem to be the preferred primping mirrors. ;)
Hey Bob... you were gonna share with us how the mounting of the "Dashboard Hula Girl" went... Did you ever get her put on the farkle shelf on your bike? :rotf:

I almost traded "Blue" in cause the 1500 watt hair dryer attachment would cause the battery to go way down on frequent use... Oh, and the lipstick cooler wouldn't work quite right... :(

[UncleMark]

I have an 06', and it's been a superb bike. Given its size I don't think it's a bike for everyone, but for those that can handle it, it delivers in spades.

Congrats on a great bike. Take care of it and it'll take care of you.
Well said... I have never enjoyed a big bike like this one. And it's actually fun being able to get out of housework by taking care of the ride. Seems the SO doesn't complain when I'm out cleaning, checking and maintaining... :dance:

[Tallyho]

Well said... I have never enjoyed a big bike like this one. And it's actually fun being able to get out of housework by taking care of the ride. Seems the SO doesn't complain when I'm out cleaning, checking and maintaining... :dance:That.....is a very good point, right there.
Never did go for them fancy shelves. Too many dials and knobs reminds me of my old OH-6 but I do like to actually see the gauges I'm interested in. No hula girl but I sure like the way that dog head bobs up and down!

[Steve_R]

Boy I'm glad I read that last line again, I thought you said "pimping" mirrors. :eek: :D

[skaboots]

Man am i glad i read this thread...i purchased my 03' LT about a month ago after selling my totally reliable 03' Yam. MidVen...i have put 1500mi on the beast and have been waiting for something to break, lockup, wobble or shimmy...so far so good. I love the way this bike handles, i am a fairly aggressive rider and though it is lacking in the low end it sure is nice in the twisties...i have been touring a while and have always wanted an LT and hope this doesnt become the love-hate she-devil :eek: ............


03' LT-E
04' Victory T/C