2009 Bmw R 1200 RT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10360679 · 2010-10-15 (October 15, 2010)
SIDE STAND INTERLOCK SWITCH FAILURE ON A 2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE SWITCH IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FROM BEING DRIVEN WITH THE SIDE STAND IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE SWITCH ON MY MACHINE FAILED WITH THE SIDE STAND IN THE UP POSITION AND THE MOTORCYCLE BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILED THE MOTOR STOPPED RUNNING, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL TO SKID. I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN THE CLUTCH TO GET OUT OF THE REAR WHEEL SKID AND STEER THE MACHINE OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO BY-PASS THE INTERLOCK S…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,257 miles reported. Look up ODI 10360679 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 ↗
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 10485317 · 2012-11-20 (November 20, 2012)
THE DIGITAL STRIP FUEL GAUGE SIMPLY FROZE IN THE FULL POSITION, IT NO LONGER REGISTERS NOR DOES THE MILES REMAINING DIGITAL READOUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499353 · 2013-02-19 (February 19, 2013)
RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH TRAFFIC, THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY, SHOWING MORE FUEL, THEN LESS FUEL FOR A FEW MILES BEFORE THE MOTORCYCLE RAN OUT OF FUEL, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH AS THE ENGINE QUIT. WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES AND GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT A CRASH. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE FUEL GAUGE (WHICH IS FED DATA FROM A FAULTY FUEL STRIP) READS MORE FUEL THAN THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY HAS, IF THE ENGINE RUNS OUT OF FUEL AND STOPS, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN PLACES WITH HIGH TRAFFIC COUNTS AND SPEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10538096 · 2013-08-30 (August 30, 2013)
AFTER STARTING THE MOTORCYLE AND ALLOWING FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF WARMING UP, I HEADED TO THE GAS STATION TO FUEL UP IN PREPARATION FOR A LONG RIDE THE NEXT DAY. AS A FORCE OF HABIT I CHECKED MY RANGE AND ODOMETER READINGS AND FOUND THE RANGE WAS NOTICEABLY LOWER THAN IT SHOULD BE DISPLAYING FOR THE MILES USED ON THE TANK. AS I RODE THE COUPLE OF MILES TO THE GAS STATION THE RANGE CONTINUED TO DROP PRECIPITOUSLY, 5-20 MILES AT A TIME EVERY FEW SECONDS UNTIL IT REACHED ZERO AND DISPLAYED "---" FOR A RANGE TO EMPTY AFTER RIDING JUST OVER ONE MILE. …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10538096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10543839 · 2013-09-16 (September 16, 2013)
FUEL STRIP FAILED, GOING FROM APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES TO EMPTY TO --- MILES TO EMPTY IMMEDIATELY. FUEL STRIP WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN TOTAL BEFORE I SOLD THE MOTORCYCLE 6/15/13 WITH ~7,500 MILES ON THE BIKE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543839 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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V276000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2010-06-18 (June 18, 2010)
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 R 1200 AND K 1200 SERIES MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2006 THROUGH MAY 2009. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, AND THEREFORE ASSOCIATED VIBRATION. THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAIN. IF THE VIBRATION/STRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT, THE BRAKE LINE COULD SPLIT AND START TO DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence: IF THIS GOES UNNOTICED, AND THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR RUNS EMPTY, THE FRONT BRAKES COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BRAKE LINES, CONTAINING A "SLEEVE" ALONG A PORTION OF THE LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V617000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2013-12-12 (December 12, 2013)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V141000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Reported: 2015-03-11 (March 11, 2015)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.
Consequence: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗