[moonw5]

Well I knew my luck was changing for the worse when I went in for a ECU update to enable my seat heat on my comfort seat. I noticed that I could feel a pulsation on my brakes when just lightly loading them when coming to a stop or in rush hour traffic. I had it checked last fall at a different dealership and they just cleaned the brakes, charged me money and let me go. I could feel that they were the same. I decided to let the dealer that I purchased the RT from in August 2010 to have a look at the brakes. They were able to determine that it is the rotors that need to be replaced. Problem is that they state the rotors being a "wear item" only have a 7500km warranty and I currently have just under 13000km on the bike. My brake reservoir cover is also peeling. The dealership reduced the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir as some must have been seeping out.
It is likely the cover will be replaced under warranty, but the rotors are almost $500 a piece for just the parts, let alone the new required pads and labor. In all fairness the dealership is going to try to get the rotors under warranty, but I am not holding my breath. Any one else with the newer generation boxers having this issue, and did they get resolved? I noticed in older threads this was an issue.
I recently had the 4 rotors and pads replaced on my Porsche 911 air/oil cooled boxer and it was cheaper than this estimate!
I guess I need to Bring More Wallet!

 

[Flash62]

I've noticed a little pulsation during slight braking on my 2010 RT with about 13,500 miles. I figured it would be a wear item so I've been living with it. I've also got a little paint peeling on the front brake reservoir but haven't done anything about that either. Figured they wouldn't cover it under warranty. Maybe I'm wrong there. Been busy putting on the miles.

 

[Ozonewanderer]

The paint peeled on my 2010 RT brake reservoir when the bike was just over a year old. I got it replaced under warranty, although i was told that warranty on paint was limited to one year. I would try to get it covered anyway. It is clearly a common problem.

I hope my rotors last longer. I have about 12k miles on them. So far so good.

 

[tvguy]

That funny that you mentioned different mileage for different warranty parts.
Nowhere in any paper work I have for my '11 RT is there any on this bull sh*t mileage.
I think its a make shit up as you go scam... the car dealers do it to. I just got screwed for 4 new rotors and pads that where supposed to be under extended warranty.

The rotors are warrantied for 12k, the paint 12 month, air in the tires 20 minutes.....

 

[moonw5]

I just want to add that I still believe this is an amazing machine with superb all round capabilities. It is by far the best bike I've owned or ridden.
I just had a ride from Calgary to my home 2 hours away in rain, wind and hail and the bike handled it without any issues. Then I checked the news and there just happened to be a tornado in the area that I passed with the hail that was flying sideways and hitting my neck. Sure am glad for having all my gear on!

 

[beech]

Rotors, I too had pulsating rotors on my K bike. Not worn thin either. Not all pulsation is caused by warped rotors, there may be hard spots. I have since learned if you re surface them (remove the pad deposits what make some of the different frictional zones you have fixed them) but I changed the pads. They were due anyway. I thought I would just try it and see without changing the rotors. All is well, no more pulsating and it was starting to get bad. In fact some of the latest articles I have read, a truly warped rotor is rare. Break out the dial indicator and check them yourself. Short of it is,try new pads first. No money lost if you get new rotors later because then go together anyway.
Reservoirs usually leak because of a defect in the rubber bellows/gasket, a kink or trash.

 

[moonw5]

Rotors, I too had pulsating rotors on my K bike. Not worn thin either. Not all pulsation is caused by warped rotors, there may be hard spots. I have since learned if you re surface them (remove the pad deposits what make some of the different frictional zones you have fixed them) but I changed the pads. They were due anyway. I thought I would just try it and see without changing the rotors. All is well, no more pulsating and it was starting to get bad. In fact some of the latest articles I have read, a truly warped rotor is rare. Break out the dial indicator and check them yourself. Short of it is,try new pads first. No money lost if you get new rotors later because then go together anyway.
Reservoirs usually leak because of a defect in the rubber bellows/gasket, a kink or trash.

Thanks Beech for the info. The master BMW tech(30+ years experience) was the one who looked at the bike. If the rotors don't fall under warranty, then I will try changing out the pads first. Did you change out the pads with OEM or did you try an aftermarket brand?

 

[beech]

I know the OEM pads are outragous as far as cost. Way out of bounds, the SBS ones would be my off brand choice. BUT, I use OEM on my beemer. On the DR I use the cheaper ones. Try a set of pads, nothing to loose. They are super easy to install so do it yourself. There is a mounting pin, it has a safety clip that is very small on it,either mid body or on the back side, remove this, unscrew the clip and the rattle clip will start to come out, it hooks under the pin and under the caliper on one end. (do one side at a time and you have a reference.) Pull out the pads, insert new pads, wire brush the pin, put the tinyest, itty bitty rub of never seize on the shaft of the pin so the pad frame will not hang up, replace it and torque to 6 ft/lbs.. Be sure to put the anti rattle clip back in before the pin as the pin holds it in. Put your safety clip back on the pin after you have torqued it and you are done. Also when you pull the old pads out push them (the pucks) into the calipers with the old pads so you have room for the new pads that are thicker. This is why you don't top up your brake fluid as the pads wear or you would over flow at this stage. If you can take some emery cloth fairly fine like 180 grit and buff the disks as evenly as you can.

 

[moonw5]

Okay you guys aren't going to believe this, but my dealer Blackfoot Motorsports in Calgary have gone above and beyond with BMW Motorrad and are going to warranty the the fluid reservoir, rotors, pads and labor to install for my bike. This is incredible in my opinion and I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU! to them(I will also be sending a personal letter). I guess this shows what the difference between a good dealership and a great one is!
Now I can relax knowing everything is going to be taken care of and my confidence in the manufacturer is restored especially when purchasing a premium brand.
Now it's time to get ready for my 3 day road trip thru the Rockies. :bmw:

 

[Gs921441]

My two year warranty expired in March 2012. BMW last week have just replaced the brake reservoir cap due to leakage and also a faulty heated seat switch for free.

 

[reddingrdr]

beech;

Thanx for taking the time to post the description of the pad replacement. My 12RT is due for front pads. I also have a bit of the light braking pulsing-I'll see if I can deal w/ it.

Ron

 

[LebanonRider]

I also have a 2010 R1200RT which had the paint peel off the cover on the brake reservoir. The dealer replaced the cover under warranty during the 12K service. No problems with brakes or rotors that I've seen so far.