Bmw R 1200 GS ADVENTURE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
18,246 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 32 complaints (34.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 34.4% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 21.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Fuel System, Gasoline: 8; Service Brakes: 4; Power Train: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2010: 3; 2011: 6; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 5; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10575852 · 2014-03-31 (March 31, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW ADVENTURE 1200GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10575852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10354202 · 2010-09-07 (September 7, 2010)
PLASTIC QUICK CONNECT ON TOP OF GAS TANK FUEL PUMP PLATE CRACKED. FUEL UNDER PRESSURE SPRAYED OUT, RUNNING ONTO HOT EXHAUST PIPE. COULD RESULT IN MAJOR FIRE. PLASTIC SEEMS NOT SUITABLE FOR ETHANOL BLENDED FUEL WHICH CAUSES IT TO GET BRITTLE AND CRACK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10354202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10622155 · 2014-08-13 (August 13, 2014)
REAR BRAKE DISC ROTOR CARRIER FAILED LETTING THE REAR ROTOR FALL AND LOCK UP THE REAR WHEEL AND LOST ALL BRAKING CONTROL . I REPLACED THE FAILED PART NEW ONE WAS MADE OUT OF STEAL OLD PART WAS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUN THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY QUITE A FEW RIDERS . I AM STILL IN POCESSION OF OLD CARRIER IF YOU NEED TO EXAMINE IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10622155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10547946 · 2013-10-15 (October 15, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONICS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561438 · 2014-01-25 (January 25, 2014)
THE GAS TANK HAS QUICK DISCONNECT FITTINGS THAT SCREW INTO A PLASTIC FLANGE ON EACH SIDE OF THE TANK. THE FITTING THREADS ARE SIMILAR TO NPT PIPE THREADS WHICH OVER STRESS THE PLASTIC AND RESULT IN CRACKING, FUEL THEN LEAKS FROM THE TANK UNDER THE FAIRING ASSEMBLY ON TO ELECTRICAL WIRING, ENGINE PARTS AND HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS. THIS COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR UNEXPECTED STOPPAGE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR FATALITY FROM A WRECK IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 42,567 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567602 · 2014-03-06 (March 6, 2014)
I HAVE HAD ISSUE WITH A LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE (LIFEPO4) BATTERY FROM BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE COMPONENTS (MODEL - 16 CELL HD BALLISTIC BATTERY) IN A MOTORCYCLE. THE DESIGN OF THE BATTERY CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THROUGH THE TOP OF THE BATTERY THUS RESULTING IN THE BATTERY SHORTING OUT. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCURRENCE SIMPLY BY RIDING THE BIKE IN THE RAIN. WITH THE BATTERY LOCATION DIRECTLY BELOW THE BACK OF THE FUEL TANK AND UNDER THE RIDER'S CROTCH, THE INHERENT SAFETY OF A BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE COMPONENTS BATTERY IS QUESTIONABLE. I WAS LUCKY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10567602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10396903 · 2011-04-20 (April 20, 2011)
FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR EXTREMELY INACCURATE LEADING TO EXHAUSTION OF FUEL SUPPLY CAUSING STALL IN TRAFFIC. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,985 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396903 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2017 | 0 |
2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2017: 0