Bmw R 1200 R problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
5,643 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 to 2014 model years. Data snapshot: . 32 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 38 complaints (73.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 17 | 44.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.3% |
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 | 28 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 28; Electrical System: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Power Train: 2; Engine: 1; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 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 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (25). 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 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 10; 2014: 8; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10499319 · 2013-02-19 (February 19, 2013)
FUEL GAUGE STOPPED RESPONDING, LEADING TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE MOVING. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON MANY BIKE MODELS FROM BMW FROM 2005-2013. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 5 TIMES SO FAR, AND EACH TIME THE FUEL LEVEL MEASURING STRIP IN THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION SINCE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM RUNNING OUT OF FUEL CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10587386 · 2014-05-09 (May 9, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD CONSTANTLY DISPLAY ERRONEOUS FUEL READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURED FUEL PUMP WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000. KMJ
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471511 · 2012-08-20 (August 20, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,100. ...UPDATED 10/10/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS LOSS OF BRAKING, WHEN THE ABS PUMP FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10598304 · 2014-06-14 (June 14, 2014)
ABS MODULE SUDDENLY QUIT, RENDERING THE ABS FUNCTION INOPERABLE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10598304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119404 · 2018-08-12 (August 12, 2018)
STALLING ENGINE. I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE NEW AND IT HAS HAD A STALLING PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW AND CONTINUES UNTIL TODAY. THE ENGINE WILL STALL AT IDLE OR ON DECELERATION. AT ITS WORST IT WILL HESITATE AND SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AS WELL. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO BMW CORPORATE REGARDING THE UNRESOLVED ISSUE AND PRESSURE WAS PLACED ON THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE DEALER EXPRESSED THEIR DISMAY WITH MY CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11439839 · 2021-11-09 (November 9, 2021)
The component that fails is called the Fuel Strip (BMW part number 16147697815) and is used for measuring the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. This component is historically known to fail often and this problem is well known by BMW motorcycle dealers and motorcyclists that use this fuel strip. The failure of these Fuel Strips is a safety issue because it can cause loss of power, by running out of fuel, in traffic and/or at speed. Additionally it is a safety issue because it can leave the driver stranded in an unsafe location. The failure ca…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439839 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1