Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

William, I enjoyed 44 000km on my 1150RT and 32 000 on my 2006 R 1200RT and never had a bearing issue at all, nor heard of one. Not even a clunk clunk noise. Can't say I've heard diff talk either so I think it is a rare event. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.

Hi William welcome to the forum It seems you read so much about a final drive bearing failure it finaly happend. Reminds me of a sign I once saw "Ive read so much about the ill effects of drinking ,smoking and sex that I finally took the dicision to stop reading." at times I ride faster than my guardian angle can fly

I have a 2002 R1150GS, bought @ 44oookm. Very good condition at the time (still today!) Within 5000km the rear wheel started to emmit a slight grinding noise. I thought it was the knobblie tread causing it. One day I carried a pillion, who stopped me & said the rear wheel runs wobbly. Sure enough - lots of side-movement & plenty noise. I phoned around (after hours) & was advised that I could ride, slowly, and get the bike to a dealer's workshop. Some 200km later I got the bike at the workshop - terrible noise & no oil left. I still remember the technician's comment "Yes it happens to these bikes, I fixed quite a few so far" Replaced @ some R1200 of (so-iets). Runs well to this day. 80000km on the clock now.

Hi William, Sad to say but YES, I have had a final drive failure on my 1200RT (2006). The colour is not red either. It was on a trip back from Bloemfontein (went to watch a the Springboks beat England by some 50 points) about 2 months ago. I had to get back on the Sunday and was going a bit faster than the cruise control want to know about... It was a bearing that went slowly, I nearly did not notice the grinding noise emanating from the diff. Eventually took it to the closest dealer to Somerset West and it took them 10 sec to give the verdict.... The bearing housing came apart, the chrome was gone on most of the round bearings and the shaft seemed to have been floating all over the show, eating into the crown gear, not even mentioning the small gear (pinion gear?) The whole diff assembly was replaced. Had to wait only about 10 days. When it arrived it was installed while I was having a cup of coffee. Four bolts and bike was ready. Apparently the cost was +- R15 000, under guarantee. I was totally p...ed off when told I have to pay R145 for the diff oil. It was not the amount but the stupid principle of having to pay for consumables on a guarantee claim for a failure on a component that BMW made famous many moons ago?. This whole episode was a guarantee claim, so why do I have to pay for the oil? As I have stated, It has nothing to do with the amount. You shoulsd have seen the poor dealer spokesperson. He did not know how to defend this clanger... My RT had 27000km on the clock when this happened. Since then I have done 5000km with no further problems. Where's the wood.... The dealer did say they have had another 2 similar bearing failures. (2 x 1200GS's) I still enjoy every moment on the 1200RT. I think these bikes are really unbreakable. That's apart from the various bearings which are most probably imported from China or somewhere east.. Don't waste space - live on the edge

Just to let you know a new thread has started discussing the final drive issues on the R series. Your comments would be appreciated there.