Bmw R1100 RT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
48,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2001 model years. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train:Manual Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 20 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
Power Train:Manual Transmission: 4; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Driveline: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
2000: 2; 2001: 4; 2002: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10278451 · 2009-07-27 (July 27, 2009)
I OWN A 1999 BMW R1100RT MOTORCYCLE. I WAS RIDING HOME AND NOTICE THAT MY REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK, AS I TURNED ONTO MY HOME STREET. WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICE A PUDDLE OF OIL QUICKLY FORMING UNDER THE SHAFT DRIVE AND ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. THIS LEAK STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. UPON FURTHER DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION I FOUND THE OIL SEAL HAD BEEN DAMAGED AND RIPPED BY A BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW MOTORCYCLES, AND CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448035 · 2012-02-15 (February 15, 2012)
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA MY EXPERIENCE WITH A DEFECTIVE FINAL DRIVE ON MY BMW MOTORCYCLE. INVESTIGATION DP12001 WAS OPENED ON 01/20/12, AND I REALIZE THAT FOR NOW, ITS SCOPE IS BEING CONFINED TO 1999-2005 K1200LT MODELS OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE LINE. HOWEVER MY BIKE, A 1999 R1100RT, HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ON THE 11TH OF OCTOBER 2011 I WAS RIDING WITH MY WIFE WHEN WE NOTICED A RUMBLING AND THE BIKE WAS SEVERELY SHAKING. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE BUT MY REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK AND WHEN I FINA…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001384 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
WHEN SHIFTING DOWN INTO SECOND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP OUT OF GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING, CAUSING THE BIKE TO LURCH AND DISTRACT THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. TS SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127387 · 2005-07-04 (July 4, 2005)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE -- 2ND GEAR WILL NO LONGER STAY ENGAGED UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION. BIKE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. UNTIL REBUILD, AVOIDING 2ND GEAR USE
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 759371 · 2002-03-14 (March 14, 2002)
THERE IS PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) WHICH CONTROLS THE FUEL, AIR, IGNITION MIXTURE AND TIMING ON THE BMW R1100RT MOTORCYCLE. THIS ISSUE CAUSESTHE ENGINE TO SURGE IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVING BETWEEN 2500 AND 4000 RPM'S. THE ECU ALSO CAUSES INTERMITTENT ENGINE CYLINDER FIRING MISSES AND THE ENGINE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS CONSTITUTES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN CORNERING AS A LOSS OF POWER DURING CORNERING CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO CRASHING ON TWO OR THREE OCCASSIONS BECAUSE OF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 759371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741264 · 2001-02-21 (February 21, 2001)
I HAD STARTED UP MOTORCYCLE TO TAKE OUT FOR A RIDE, IT WAS COLD, I HAD WALKED TO MY OFFICE AND PICKED UP HELMUT, LEATHERS AND CAME BACK THE MOTORCYLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE MANUFACURER STATES DO NOT RUN MOTORCYCLE IDLING, WITH THE SIDE STAND THERE IS AN ENGINE CUT OFF, WITH THE CENTER STAND IT WILL RUN. I DO NOT SEE ANY DIFFERENCE IN IDLING/ MOTORCYCLE STANDING STILL AND IDLING INCHING FORWARD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I CAN SEE IS THAT THERE WAS NOT A SERIOUS INJURY BECAUSE I WAS NOT SITTING ON THE BIKE, AND THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED BE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741264 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
1996: 1; 1997: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0