2009 BMW R 1200 RT Problems

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Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

10 complaints

The OEM plastic 90° quick discount fitting on top of the fuel pump started spraying fuel. I started smelling fuel on the interstate highway 10 and by the time I could pull over safely off the interstate I was covered with fuel. The fuel was running down on the hot exhaust pipe’s on the front left side of the motorcycle and spraying all over my face and legs. I could have been set on fire and burnt to death because of where the fuel was spraying from. This also could have cost the lives of the people on the interstate had i burst into flames and lost control of the motorcycle. When I called the BMW dealership in Tucson AZ the service tech told me that they had a medal aftermarket 90° fitting that would fix my problem. I replaced the fitting and the fuel leak was fixed. This motorcycle fuel pump was replaced 07/01/2014 at mileage 12,482 because of a fuel leak recall. I’m filling this report because this fitting fail happened without warning 15,700 miles after the fuel flange recall. This must be a common problem for the service tech to know over the phone the fox and have a aftermarket medal part that fixed the fuel leak. The location of this potential leak makes it extremely dangerous hazard.

Dec 02, 2022

Throttle body cams broken, no symtoms, could have caused crash from complete power loss to the engine, could have crashed or been hit. Dealer replaced.

Aug 24, 2021

MY SECOND MOTORCYCLE TO HAVE THROTTLE BODY CAM FAILURE. THIS IS BECOMING AN ISSUES AS THESE BIKE REACH HIGHER MILEAGE.

May 15, 2021

BMW HAVE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 20V-471: FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER IN MY AREA (5TH GEAR CYCLE 1200 W SW EXPY DR, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012) IS NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE SERVICE BEFORE END OF JULY. BIKE CURRENTLY IS UNUSABLE AS FUEL DRIPS OVER THE EXHAUST.

Apr 30, 2021

THROTTLE BODY PLASTIC CAMS BROKE ACCELERATING INTO ON RAMP OF I4 IN ORLANDO. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN TO IDLE INTO REAR APPROACHING TRAFFIC.

Apr 29, 2021

+ 5 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT LED TO A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. At highway speed, heard clicking noise from rear of bike. While parked on center stand and spinning rear wheel, heard a terrible grinding sound. Who knows what would have happened had I not exited when I did. This left me stranded, requiring a tow; repair took two days and was over $3,000.

Nov 04, 2022

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

Jul 28, 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 REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,838. UPDATED 08/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION AT 75MPH FOR 1-2 SECONDS. A FEW MILES LATER THERE WAS VIBRATION AND LOSS OF POWER. UPDATED 06/15/2012 *JS

Jul 27, 2011

ENGINE

2 complaints

TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUTS. DISCOVERED LEFT AND RIGHT THROTTLE BODY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT DUE TO CABLE CAMS ARE BROKEN. BOUGHT THIS BIKE FOR PARTS. CHOSE TO FIX IT UP GIVEN LOW MILEAGE. LOOKS LIKE PLASTIC CAM FRACTURES FREQUENTLY. LUCKY I FOUND OUT BEFORE I TRIED RIDING IT. NEWER MODELS BY MANUFACTURER AND AFTERMARKET PARTS OFFER METAL CAM. EVEN MY KIDS CAR SEATS NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 10 YEARS BECAUSE OF “PLASTICS FATIGUE/FAILURE”.

Sep 02, 2024

THE THROTTLE BODIES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE ARE CABLE-ACTUATED, WITH PLASTIC PULLEYS MOLDED ONTO THE THROTTLE SPINDLES. THESE PLASTIC PULLEYS WERE SEVERELY CRACKED AND I HAVE REPLACED THEM (I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS). I'M AWARE OF NUMEROUS BMW MOTORCYCLES OF THIS VINTAGE THAT HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE THROTTLE PULLEYS. I DISCOVERED MY PROBLEM VIA INSPECTION IN MY GARAGE, BUT I'M CURRENTLY AWARE OF TWO OTHER OWNERS FOR WHOM THE PULLEYS DETACHED FROM THE SPINDLES WHILE RIDING, CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO MANIFESTED ON OTHER BMW MOTORCYCLES THAT USE THE SAME ENGINE (E.G. THE R1200GS).

Apr 10, 2021

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

On 06-19-2023 i was North bound I275 north of 8 mile about 715pm. I was in the left lane going about 68 mph. All of a sudden my It felt like my throttle cable broke, when I twisted it there was no motor response forward and backward, but my motor was red lining against the Rev limiter, so I pulled in the clutch and it did not slow down at all. Actually I sped up to over 100 mph, thankfully there was noone in front of me, I steadily pulled on the front brake and stepped on the back brake until I came to a stop. The length I went was at least 1 1/2- 2 miles from when I thought the cable broke till I got it stopped. I had it towed to southeast bmw in Plymouth, MI. It's still in the shop as of July 31,2023. So I don't know what exactly went wrong yet. They are waiting on a part and said the throttle cable didn't break. My question is why did I continue to go faster while the clutch was in. Besides what ever went wrong on the bike and heavier pants, myself and the bike were not harmed.

Jul 31, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. THE CONTACT STATED UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE HIMSELF. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS THEN RIDDEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

May 26, 2020

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

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.

Jul 18, 2015

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

Nov 14, 2013

SUSPENSION,WHEELS

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROWN BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Sep 25, 2015

POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

BMW MODEL R1200RT YEARS 2005 - 2013 MAY BE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM ON THE 2009 YEAR MODEL IS ASSEMBLED BY BING POWER IN NUREMBERG, GERMANY AND UTILIZED BY BMW IN MOTORCYCLES WITH THE 1170 CC BOXER MOTOR. (BING IS A LONGSTANDING COMPANY WHICH IN GENERAL MANUFACTURES FIRST-RATE PRODUCTS.)THE PRIMARY THROTTLE CABLE EXTENDS FROM THE HANDLE BAR TO A SPLITTER FROM WHICH TWO SEPARATE THROTTLE CABLES EXTEND TO LEFT AND RIGHT HAND THROTTLE BODIES WHICH HOUSE THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THOSE TWO CABLES ARE ROUTED OVER AND ANCHORED TO A CABLE PULLEY MADE OF MOLDED PLASTIC. THIS ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. IF OR WHEN THE PLASTIC FAILS, THERE IS NO THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE GOES TO IDLE, THUS CREATING AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE THE RIDER COULD BE FORTHRIGHTLY IN HARM'S WAY AND ENDANGERED. THIS SHOULD BE AN URGENT RECALL ISSUE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC PART WITH A SOLID CABLE PULLEY WHICH WILL NOT BREAK. PREVIOUS MODELS USED METAL CABLE PULLEYS WHICH DID NOT FAIL. (SEE THIS BLOG FOR DISCUSSION POSTED BY ANOTHER RIDER, AMONG MANY, WITH THE SAME FAILURE ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.ASVRIDER.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=967780&PAGE=3 ) BMW DOES NOT MAKE THE PLASTIC PART AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THUS, A PLASTIC PART COSTING BUT A FEW DOLLARS RESULTS IN THE RIDER HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT COMPLETE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLIES AT A COST OF MORE THAN $1,000. THE UNDER-DESIGNED PLASTIC CABLE PULLEY IS NOTHING LESS THAN A HAZARD AND CREATES A RISK TO ONE'S LIFE. A POLICE MOTORCYCLE COP RIDING HIS PATROL R1200RT LOOKED AT THE FAILED PART I SHOWED HIM AND HIS FIRST WORDS WERE, "THAT COULD GET YOU KILLED." I HAVE MADE BING AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AWARE OF MY EXPERIENCE VIA EMAIL BUT I CONTINUE TO WAIT FOR THEIR REPLY. *TR

Jul 10, 2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE DIGITAL STRIP FUEL GAUGE SIMPLY FROZE IN THE FULL POSITION, IT NO LONGER REGISTERS NOR DOES THE MILES REMAINING DIGITAL READOUT. *TR

Nov 20, 2012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

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 SWITCH IN ORDER TO START THE MACHINE AND RIDE IT HOME. THE ONLY REPAIR WOULD BE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT ONCE THE MACHINE IS IN GEAR AND MOVING DOWN THE ROAD THE FAILURE OF THIS SWITCH SHOULD NOT CAUSE THE MOTOR OF THE MOTORCYCLE TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH. IF THE SWITCH FAILS WHILE THE MACHINE IS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD IT NEEDS TO ALERT THE RIDER OF A FAULT BUT NOT STOP THE MOTOR. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ME AT 60 MPH I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FILE THIS REPORT. *TR

Oct 15, 2010

4.6/5.0

105 reviews

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 2009 BMW R 1200 RT, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 2009 BMW R 1200 RT for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 2009 BMW R 1200 RT 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

2009 BMW R 1200 RT VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 2009 BMW R 1200 RT Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 2009 BMW R 1200 RT dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your BMW dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT have?

The 2009 BMW R 1200 RT currently has 23 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2009 BMW R 1200 RT?

The most common problems reported for the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2009 BMW R 1200 RT problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 2009 BMW R 1200 RT?

You can report safety problems with your 2009 BMW R 1200 RT directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 2009 BMW R 1200 RT VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.