Yes, my 2015 was recently in the shop and the drive shaft was replaced FOC under a similar Bulletin.

 

@Fast1 :

Do you happen to know whether that bulletin (or one like it) applies to a 2012 R1200RT? Asking for a friend (really).

 

if I was a betting man I'd place my money on these variants being covered within the USA

 

The website below seems to had a couple of well informed commentors.
FREE Lifetime Driveshaft Replacement by BMW

 

And for the bikes in question you will also get your rear shafts greased under warranty every 12K miles and yes replaced at 36K. Customers will start getting letters soon which will have all of your answers so PLEASE read the letters FIRST before calling your local dealer.

 

There is no need to wait for a letter before calling the dealer. All the dealers should know right now about this replacement (and or greasing) since they have the BMW bulletin in hand. Remember this is instant revenue for the dealers service department. I obtained a copy of the exact bulletin mentioned and know for fact it is legit. Most importanly, within the USA, the dealer can easily run the VIN and if at or beyond the 36K can get a replacement installed asap for you. This would be contingent upon their parts department having the drive shaft and/or having access to stock.

 

So... before all of this.... how many R1250RTs have ever had a drive shaft issue?

I'd also be curious what the TEST PROCEDURE is so I can test myself at some point...

I'm one of the very few that had a u-joint fail on an ST1300 at 50,000 miles and luckily I noticed it in my garage - the wheel wheel would spin on the center stand but when stopped would go the other direction for a few millimeters and also had some slight soft thumping noise when spinning. But, many riders have put 150,000 to 200,000 miles or more before preemptively replacing the u-joint.

Also, the Honda driveshaft uses 1 u-joint at the transmission output shaft to the drive shaft whereas the BMW appears to be welded onto each end, just a different way to do the same thing.

In both cases there's no way to lube the u-joint sections so lubing the splines, while good to do, probably does nothing with the u-joint longevity itself.

 

Free or not, this all still sounds like a PITA to me as an owner of an RT. I can certainly appreciate fixing something when (and if,) an issue arises, but servicing every 12,000 and replacing every 36,000? I avoid dealerships anyway as I do all my own maintenance, but I recall the last service writer I dealt with on a car a while back, "Hey while we had it up on the life we noticed another problem......"
(At the very least, a wasted afternoon 75 miles from the house.)

 

Free or not, this all still sounds like a PITA to me as an owner of an RT. I can certainly appreciate fixing something when (and if,) an issue arises, but servicing every 12,000 and replacing every 36,000? I avoid dealerships anyway as I do all my own maintenance, but I recall the last service writer I dealt with on a car a while back, "Hey while we had it up on the life we noticed another problem......"
(At the very least, a wasted afternoon 75 miles from the house.)

I agree, I don't want my bike at a dealer except when I pick it up the first time and I'd like a drive shaft to last longer than an air filter which I know could go past 36k.

 

Has anyone in Aus received anything from BMW Motorrad Australia or their dealership in relation to this?

 

Free or not, this all still sounds like a PITA to me as an owner of an RT. I can certainly appreciate fixing something when (and if,) an issue arises, but servicing every 12,000 and replacing every 36,000? I avoid dealerships anyway as I do all my own maintenance

You guys not wanting to bring your RT to the dealership for any service... how are you doing valve lash checks yourself without the required BMW tools that seem non-existant to the general public?

I'm all for avoiding moto service shops but this is the first moto that I've owned and am unable to get the required tools and workshop manual to do a simple valve lash check/adjustment. As for recalls or service bulletins to replace a part that could prevent personal injury, I don't see a way around it.

Has anyone in Aus received anything from BMW Motorrad Australia or their dealership in relation to this?

The bulletin I mention in this thread is specific for just North America.. Your dealership might lend some detail about your specific location.

 

The bulletin I mention in this thread is specific for just North America.. Your dealership might lend some detail about your specific location.

Thanks, I was aware of that.
I drafted an email today and sent it to the Australian Motorrad HQ here in Melbourne to try and determine what the latest was for our little island downunder. Often our Dealerships are a little behind in receiving their information and it's not always their fault...

 

I have 'Boxflyers' special tools for service on my 2017 R1200RT (lash and cam timing,) along with Motoscan to read the ECM.
There are no special tools to check valve lash on the K1600b (that I can determine.)
I couldn't afford (or at least justify,) the 2 motorcycles if I had to have them professionally serviced

 

I have 'Boxflyers' special tools for service on my 2017 R1200RT (lash and cam timing,) along with Motoscan to read the ECM.

Those tools could be a huge asset for those with a mechanical skillset.

How many times have you checked the valve lash on the MY17 and at what mileage did the engine require a lash adjustment?

Here is mine from my most recent at 34,275 miles done by the local BMW service center and the 3 rd time they have been checked. Each check has cost me approximately ~$150.

Exhaust getting tight and near need for an adjustment. If I was doing the valve lash check I would have changed the pads on the exhaust to get them near .37/.38mm

 

For those of us Downunder in relation to the thread topic.

According to BMW Motorrad Australia, the recent maintenance plan change for the cardan shaft on the R1200 & R1250 has been communicated to BMW Motorrad dealers in Australia through the official bulletin.
As per the bulletin and new maintenance plan issued from BMW Motorrad HQ in Munich, the cardan shaft is to be replaced at no cost every 60,000kms.

I'll book mine in for Jan 2024 and see how this goes. According to information from Germany, they must complete the rubber drain valve installation first. Hopefully they can complete both requirements in the one visit.

 

What’s the advantage of shaft drive if it has the same lifespan as a chain and sprockets?

 

It's cleaner? LOL

I guess my only comment on that is they don't all fail at 36k... but sounds like BMW thinks they will or it's a ticking timebomb after that point... That's why I asked earlier how many RTs driveshafts have failed in the past...Lubing the splines isn't going to make the u-joint portion of the shaft last longer... I guess I'll check mine every 12k service I do and see if it's motion is sticky and not as smooth as it should be... but it could last over 100k miles.

Do the K1600s w/tons more HP and torque have a similar issue????

 

As this was initially in response to GS bikes (with considerably greater arc of the suspension because of their off road use,) the service bulletins only covered those units plus the RT units on police duty (because they might jump curbs in pursuit situations.)
It sounds like BMW later just threw in the towel and extended the service to include all the 1200's/1250's.
I'm not near 36,000 yet but the next time I'm near a dealer, I'll stop in and ask. (2017 RT)

 

So is my 2014 R1200RT (2nd owner, 55Kish miles) eligible for a new drive shaft?

 

If it fits this category, I'd bet it is covered. Best to contact your dealer with the VIN and let them run it.

 

Sounds like a plan for tomorrow. Thanks!

 

I just called BMW Motorcycles of Greensboro, where I purchased my 2017 RT back in Sept ' 22. He does not need to see the bike for anything drive shaft related (but there is a download which changes one of my warning lights from yellow to red if it should ever come on if I want it.)

Kevin (Service Manager) said the recall applies to GS bikes and RT POLICE bikes only.

Good enough for me. Merry Christmas!

 

Called my local dealer today. ONLY ITEM he had for my 2014 R1200 RT is a software update to address Dynamic ESA issue I think I have noticed - harsh ride when it should be smoother. He thought it might add 2 rider modes (at first) but then seemed to think it was just more-or-less what I stated first. NOTHING ON THE SHAFT, not check, not weep hole/valve, not re-lube - NADA, NOTHING ZIP!

Told him it reminded me of my former Toyota Sequoia frame "recall" nightmare.

First it was Tundras of my model year (and others) but not my Sequoia. At that point they were doing COMPLETELY FREE FRAME REPLACEMENTS. Even for people who just wanted them to buy the vehicle back, they were rebuilding them!

Then it became inspect - "Yours if fine!" Beemer service guy I talk to today said they rinsed and undercoated his Tundra! Then I was told to get it inspected again, and they found full rust-through in 5 places. By then they were only providing the frame, a couple of fuel lines and brake lines. Every other part (and there are many) would be at my expense. ONLY upside was they would replace any removed part with new at my expense - actual cost for the part only. When I bought the SUV it was 7 years old and had 120,000 miles. At this point it was 10 years old, had 135,000 and all original suspension. Would have cost me $3,500 to $5,000! Had them order the frame anyway. (Didn't drive it a lot as my daily driver was.... (drumroll please)... a VW Sport Wagon TDI!) Yep, the not-so-clean turbo diesel I wound up selling back to VW! Now the Sequoia with the rotten frame was my daily driver!

Service guy said he took his Tundra in for an oil change and they told him his steering rack was falling off the frame. He threw truck away and bought a Ford!

The day they called to tell me my frame was in I was drivng back from Maryland with my new-to-me Nissan Frontier SV 4WD Crew Cab. (Best deal in the country on that vehicle in about a 2-week period). Drove it for 3.5 years, put 70,000 miles on it, only doing brakes, tires and battery, and only "lost" $3,500! Sold the Sequoia personally with full disclosure.

Traded Nissan for new Ford F-250 (new-to-me plow truck and daily driver now) last year.

Why does this feel like another similar FU (sorry F ME) scenario?!? At least there is, again, a considerable chain of documented issues and admissions by the manufacturer. I can only hope BMW will step up, do the right thing, and make EVERYONE whole - not just pick and choose whom they take care of. I can tell you with 100% certainty at least two people who will never buy a Toyota again!

But BMW must know what my former boat dealer clearly knew and even stated... "We get it! NO ONE NEEDS TO BUY A BOAT!" I said "Yes, we're not in Venice!" ("Huh?") I explained...

Hey BMW! NO ONE N E E D S TO BUY A MOTORCYCLE!

At least not anyone I know. Certainly NOT ME! And CERTAINLY N O T A BMW!

 

you guys are being duped!

Have them run your vin in AIR and give you a copy of the results

 

Kevin (Service Manager) said the recall applies to GS bikes and RT POLICE bikes only.

No, I didn't think to do that. Thought the VIN search was the key. SILLY ME!

My first post in this thread suggested the proper method to follow.

When I post infomation with the thought to help others and then have to post part of the actual bulletin to keep this thread on track and not be labeled as a bull $hitter I feel like just deleting this entire thread.

Today when picking up my 2022 R1250RT after a valve lash check at 34,500 miles, I was advised of a recently released BMW Service Bulletin. This bulletin # 33 04 23 issued 12/12/2023 by BMW NA requires drive shaft replacement every 36,000 miles under warranty or for failure due to defect in materials or workmanship for unlimited miles.



Checking the VIN in AIR (Aftermarket Information Research) is required for applicability. Suggest contacting your dealer to determine if your R1250RT or similar variant is impacted.

My 2022 BMW R1250RT is and the drive shaft will be replaced at 36,000 miles under warranty. Told it would take about an hour.

.

 

You guys are being duped


My first post in this thread suggested the proper method to follow.

When I post infomation with the thought to help others and then have to post part of the actual bulletin to keep this thread on track and not be labeled as a bull $hitter I feel like just deleting this entire thread.

Sorry.

 

I DID offer him the SB #...

Texted dealer. Got this:

I will have to look into this further with our rep. There appears to be a new maintenance based procedure that is based on 12000 mile intervals. Our rep is gone through the first of the year, but I will email him and get back to you after more information is provided by him. Until now we have only been able to inspect or replace under warranty if the bulletin is attached to the vin. In your case, nothing is attached but a software update. I will be in touch with more information when I can

Happy Holidays
Mike

Replied with this:

Cool, thanks. What people are saying online is it is now being treated as a "warranty replacement" at every 36,000 miles. A bit surprised not even an inspection, drain valve, lube service.

Will wait to hear from you!

Happy holidays!

 

Today when picking up my 2022 R1250RT after a valve lash check at 34,500 miles, I was advised of a recently released BMW Service Bulletin. This bulletin # 33 04 23 issued 12/12/2023 by BMW NA requires drive shaft replacement every 36,000 miles under warranty or for failure due to defect in materials or workmanship for unlimited miles.

Checking the VIN in AIR (Aftermarket Information Research) is required for applicability. Suggest contacting your dealer to determine if your R1250RT or similar variant is impacted.

My 2022 BMW R1250RT is and the drive shaft will be replaced at 36,000 miles under warranty. Told it would take about an hour.

 

And mine (2017 RT) won't, according to my dealer. (Go figure.)

 

Have him send you a screen print of the results in the AIR system when he runs your vin or call another dealership and have them run it

 

I can't seem to find a link to 'AIR', so Is this something only a dealer can access?
I'm planning on a ride into Raleigh this afternoon and coincidentally usually stop by that dealer when I go that way. I'll stop at their service counter while I'm there and advise.
(Strange having to prove to my dealer the he may not know what he's talking about.)

I do appreciate your attempt to help us out Fast1 regardless

 

Just an FYI - this shows more info on the TSB for the original TSB regarding the GSA/RTP models - including some testing procedure.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10218351-9999.pdf

 

What is important in this document is the testing procedure for the drive shaft. Thanks for posting this.

There is notation for this particular subject (drain retrofit) within bulletin #33 04 23

 

The 2nd dealer in Raleigh didn't know much about it either today. There was only the Service Writer and a mechanic on duty this morning. The mechanic ran with it though and suggested that it will probably be the same as what they are doing to the GS' models, an Inspection with a tapped drain hole and a new driveshaft when I get near 36,000.
He didn't know whether the next 36,000 would include another drive shaft after that or just an inspection. I was told to wait for my letter from Motorad.

 

The 2nd dealer in Raleigh didn't know much about it either today. There was only the Service Writer and a mechanic on duty this morning. The mechanic ran with it though and suggested that it will probably be the same as what they are doing to the GS' models, an Inspection with a tapped drain hole and a new driveshaft when I get near 36,000.
He didn't know whether the next 36,000 would include another drive shaft after that or just an inspection. I was told to wait for my letter from Motorad.

Where is the screen print or cell photo of the AIR vin search results?

 

I do like the proposed follow up documentation with the change to the maintenance plan, including owner's manual inserts.
Let's see if that occurs in all countries.

 

AIR is only available to Authorized BMW Dealerships, so you are correct.

 

https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/public-pool/content-pool/dealerlocator.html