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Service Information Bulletin - Drive Shaft Replacement Every 36,000 Miles under Warranty

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#21 ·
Fast1 said:
It could be worse.. my MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lucco 800 triple would cost $1200 for a valve lash check at 18,000 miles. I have the work shop manual for this bike. The price is one thing, however finding a competent MV trained mechanic who has some experience in opening up this speciality moto engine is another thing. I consider myself fairly mechanically competent but the MV is like a nightmare vs the easy boxxer twin. Significantly complexity and moto dismantling vs inability to obtain specific tools. Guess it is all relative.

$1200 would buy me 8 valve lash checks on the BMW and run out to 96,000 miles without turning a wrench, assuming the tech knows what they are doing and is honest.
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Hmm, sounds like my son's prior bike, a Ducati. He spent a whole lotta time on it while he was single, but it sure ran smooth. Not nearly as easy as my Beemers. (Now he's married with a career, two kids, a dog, a house he's rebuilding, and no more Ducati's 😁).
 
#22 ·
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.
 
#24 ·
Ultra54 said:
What’s the advantage of shaft drive if it has the same lifespan as a chain and sprockets?
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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????
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
Mellow said:
I guess I'll check mine every 12k service
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The NA Service bulletin includes a service check and spline grease every 12K miles, which is covered under warranty - unlimited miles duration.

If cardan doesn't pass the 12K service check, it is replaced under warranty prior to the 36K mile interval under warranty - unlimited miles duration.
 
#26 ·
Fast1 said:
The NA Service bulletin includes a service check and spline grease every 12K miles, which is covered under warranty - unlimited miles duration.

If cardan doesn't pass the 12K service check, it is replaced under warranty prior to the 36K mile interval under warranty - unlimited miles duration.
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I understand the bulletin... just curious if they are doing that due to a ton of failures that have taken place or a ploy to get you into the service dept... yeah, the shaft is free but we found a few other things and the oil change will cost you $200.
 
#27 ·
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)
 
#31 ·
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!
 
#32 ·
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!
 
#34 ·
Fast1 said:
Did you ask him to look up the service bulletin in the BMW system?
bulletin # 33 04 23 issued 12/12/2023 by BMW NA

View attachment 184550
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No, I didn't think to do that. Thought the VIN search was the key. SILLY ME!

ANYWAY... It's December 22nd... Betty (Beemer) is in tucked in for the season in her new heated Winter home.

Probably best to sit tight, let the dust settle, continue to watch and bitch (OK, MAYBE done bitching) here, and revisit this in the new year / Spring anyway.

Just hope it doesn't become like my Subaru Hatchback reverse-gear detent spring. Or maybe I do! My first plow was a cute as a button 1983 Subaru 4WD Hatchback with an unreliable as all heck "Wisconsin Governor's Innovation Award-Winning" 6' SnowWay plow. Broke down everytime it snowed! Reverse gear detent spring broke so I had to hold it in reverse (while plowing). Warranty / recall. Part ordered. Parts came in. Dealer installed them in other cars. By the time they got one in to install in my tranny the loose parts had destroyed the tranny. (Plowing certainly didn't help). Much to their credit (and my luck), Subaru Zone Rep. took care of me, and she got a brand new tranny after a couple of years of hard use! (Just being fair in my use of bolding RE: Vendors).

Thanks!

Saving images of these documents for future reference.
 
Discussion starter · #35 · (Edited)
Stiggy said:
Kevin (Service Manager) said the recall applies to GS bikes and RT POLICE bikes only.
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MLW said:
No, I didn't think to do that. Thought the VIN search was the key. SILLY ME!
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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.


Fast1 said:
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.

.
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#37 ·
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!
 
Discussion starter · #38 · (Edited)
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.
 
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