2005 BMW R1200 RT problems
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW R1200 RT. Fuel system is the most reported problem area, at 61% of complaints. After that come drivetrain & axles (11%) and brakes (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 36 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 61% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 34,000 miles 32 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 12 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 32 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 34,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 42,000 miles (21 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 82% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the BMW R1200 RT with enough data (10 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Final drive failures are becoming all too common on BMW motorcycles manufactured from 2005 on. BMW is taking a nonchalant attitude in its replacement of these units. Although I have not had a failure, if you will look to any of the forums you will find numerous incidents.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 BMW r1200 rt. While the vehicle was stopped, the contact smelled gas. He noticed gasoline dripping from the tail pipe and his pants. The contact replaced the fuel check valve cover himself. The dealer stated that the fuel valve cover failing due to the defective plastic was a common issue. The current and failure mileages were 11,750.
Upon returning home from a ride on my 2005 BMW r1200rt motorcycle, I attempted to lower my side stand and noticed that the center stand assembly was dangling by merely a retraction spring. Fortunately, it had not come completely undone and become entangled in the rear wheel, which would most certainly have caused an immediate crash. Both bolts that hold this item to the bike's undercarriage has sheared off mid-way.
While pulling away from a stop sign the motorcycle increased speed and rpm's in excess of the amount of throttle I was twisting. I immediately pulled in the clutch and released the throttle. The rpm's continued to climb over 4000 and the engine sustained this level. The motorcycle would only return to a normal idle level (1100 RPM) if I forced the throttle closed (forward twisting motion). This matter could have been very dangerous and life threatening.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW r1200. When the contact attempted to start the cycle, it failed and fuel was leaking from the front. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact took the fuel pump apart and confirmed through the phone with the dealer that the coupling to the fuel pump of the flanged had fractured and needed to be replaced. The cycle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the cycle.