2009 Bmw R 1200 RT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 23 complaints (52.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 17.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 17.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
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 | 12 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Power Train:Driveline: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 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 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 6; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10415574 · 2011-07-28 (July 28, 2011)
2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT LED TO A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. BIKE JUST TURNED 14000 MILES WHEN A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE IT CAME FROM. AFTER STOPPING FOR THE DAY, NOTICED REAR WHEEL HAD 3/8 INCH PLAY AND FINAL DRIVE FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER REAR WHEEL CAUSING NO REAR BRAKES. THE BIKE WAS TRAILERED HOME AND THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. LUCKILY NO INJURIES ALTHOUGH NO REAR BRAKES. THIS BIKE IS USED ON THE ROAD FOR COMMUTING AND TOURING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552250 · 2013-11-14 (November 14, 2013)
ABS FAILURE. KNOWN ISSUE IN THE BMW COMMUNITY, GOT THE STEADY BURN "BRAKE FAILURE" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO CAN'T CLEAR. VERIFIED THAT I'VE LOST ALL ABS FRONT AND BACK. ABS MODULATOR FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,543 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10734932 · 2015-07-18 (July 18, 2015)
ABS SERVO FAILED. COMPLETE LOSS OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FEATURE ON MOTORCYCLE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE FAILURE THAT OCCURRED WITH VERY FEW MILES ON THE MACHINE. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP (RECALLED) AND REAR WHEEL HUB (RECALLED). I AM AFRAID OF THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND DOUBT THE ADVERTISED "RELIABILITY" TOUTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, BMW MOTRORAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10734932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10924600 · 2016-11-07 (November 7, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, A ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM) IN 2014. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10924600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415334 · 2011-07-27 (July 27, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R1200 RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD EXPLODED. THE PARA LEVER AND BOOT WERE DESTROYED. BOTH WERE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, SIMILAR TO HOW THE AXLE IS ATTACHED TO A PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE SUCH AS THE ONE THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ON A MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REP…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,838 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415334 at NHTSA ↗