[OtherMotoRama]

Got the bike back, new driveshaft installed under warranty. Service Manager says it’s ALL LC’s, even 1250’s… it came up on the Service Bulletin, unexpectedly… at or after 88,000kms, put in a new one, no questions asked.

I better get busy putting miles on my '22 RS, then, before they run out of parts!

 

[MarkeyMark]

I just checked this against my VIN number here in Australia for my 2016 RS. I've been told that my bike is not affected. My bike was built week 23 of 2016 and apparently the recall only affects later builds than this. Is this what everyone else's understanding is please?

 

[Mick]

I have had a recall notice to replace the footrest circlips so I went to my dealer yesterday to ask if I could just have them to fit myself and they said no, warranty work must be done by them. When I explained that I had a shad pannier frame and one of the footrest pins had been removed they said all others will be replaced by them and they will just give the spare circlip for me to fit if I remove the shad frame.
While I was there I asked about the shaft drive replacement and was told it's not a replacement, it's a test and they have to drill a drain hole and fit a grommet. If the shaft fails it will be replaced if it passes they just refit it. My 2017 lc falls into the test so I just have to book it in the work when it's convenient.

 

[MotoCon]

The free driveshafts are also a thing in the Netherlands (go figure...), but to my knowledge it is only applicable to GS and GSA bikes of the LC type (1200 and 1250).
Typical BMW tactics to NOT address the complete userbase...

 

[Mikey1200RS]

Greetings All,

just taken my (2015) RS in to BMW for 92k miles service… and they are replacing the drive shaft Under Warranty… Tech told me they’d done a few GS’s, mine’s the first RS they’ve done… “yeah, it’s a new thing, BMW have had a lot of trouble with the shafts, so they’ve just decided to put new ones in…” Blimey, thanks BMW. 👍

Today 17/11/2023 My local BMW Motorrad dealership checked the drive shaft on my bike a 2018 R1200RS SE while it was in for a recall regarding footrest fittings. My bike has a very low mileage and the guys at Lind were surprised as my bikes drive shaft failed the test and needs replacing. The work is all being paid for by BMW and I have a loan R1250GS while they do the work. Great service from Lind but worrying none the less

 

[UK Beemer Boy]

What do you class as low mileage and would you know what the shaft test involves.

 

[Mikey1200RS]

UK Beemer Boy. The bike’s mileage is not more that 5k (low because I've been ill). Not sure what test was but when I went into the workshop to speak to the them about the bike they had taken the rear wheel and exhaust can off and had attached a large round flat disc to the wheel hub.

ATB
Mike

 

[Panzermann]

had taken the rear wheel and exhaust can off and had attached a large round flat disc to the wheel hub

and a sensor is connected to a test rig attached to the rear drive and the hub spun up using a specifically approved electric screwdriver. Sensor readings are fed to a computer program that presumably analyses vibrations/oscillations and indicates go/no go (OK/replace shaft).

 

[Mikey1200RS]

and a sensor is connected to a test rig attached to the rear drive and the hub spun up using a specifically approved electric screwdriver. Sensor readings are fed to a computer program that presumably analyses vibrations/oscillations and indicates go/no go (OK/replace shaft).

Thanks Panzermann 👍

 

[Wally E]

I was just mulling that over, myself… SURELY if it’s a component failure issue, it’s also a safety issue… I know the guy with the Lupin RS who also couriers in London… one of the uj’s on his drive shaft seized, and as he rode over a speed bump at 20mph, the swing arm SNAPPED… he bought a 2nd hand shaft and swingarm and replaced it himself.

I'd say it is very definitely a safety issue and that's why BMW is replacing drive shafts unconditionally. A catastrophic driveshaft failure at high speed and a resulting rear wheel lock-up is not a happy situation.

 

[Mikey1200RS]

I'd say it is very definitely a safety issue and that's why BMW is replacing drive shafts unconditionally. A catastrophic driveshaft failure at high speed and a resulting rear wheel lock-up is not a happy situation.

I can confirm that as that scenario did happen to a friend of mine who I have done a number of Euro trips with. I don’t know the full details it happened a few years ago when I wasn’t riding on the trip he was on, but believe it was on a R1200RT. He was on an Auto Route in Europe and the shaft failed and locked the rear wheel. He was extremely lucky and/quite skilful and managed to get the bike to the side of the road without crashing. So it does happen!

 

[gmcgown]

Hello all,

Check out YouTube segment loaded by ‘Just the way it is’ today. BMW service bulletin 337390. All LC R1200 and R1250 models will receive replacement drive shaft at 60,000 km free of charge. Author states 48,000 miles which is actually 76,000 km so not sure which is correct. Cheers

 

[JasperB]

Hello all,

Check out YouTube segment loaded by ‘Just the way it is’ today. BMW service bulletin 337390. All R1200 and R1250 models will receive replacement drive shaft at 60,000 km free of charge. Author states 48,000 miles which is actually 76,000 km so not sure which is correct. Cheers

EXCELLENT NEWS! Bravo BMW. 👍👏

 

[zer0netgain]

Check out YouTube segment loaded by ‘Just the way it is’ today. BMW service bulletin 337390. All R1200 and R1250 models will receive replacement drive shaft at 60,000 km free of charge.

I'll watch it later, but it would be nice to have a PDF of the actual bulletin. Need to run this by my BMW shops and confirm they know of this. I presume BMW picks up the cost of replacement labor, so it's in their interest to know of this.

 

[FidalgoRob]

A few weeks ago I asked my local (US) dealer about the drive shaft service bulletin and was politely (but firmly) told that it only applies to GS and RTP models, not Rs.

 

[Panzermann]

When I had mine checked in Oz in the New Year, having suspected some play (which turned out to be normal backlash in the rear drive) the dealer acknowledged that a shaft that failed the test would be replaced free of charge, as would a shaft that has done 60,000km (80,000km for the 1300).

 

[zer0netgain]

Managed to track down photos of the service bulletin. PDF attached.

 

[RC65]

Managed to track down photos of the service bulletin. PDF attached.

Link appears to have issues: “ Oops! We ran into some problems.
This attachment cannot be shown at this time. Please try back later.”

 

[zer0netgain]

Odd. The PDF is valid. Are PDFs not allowed as attachments?

 

[keith1200rs]

The link worked for me earlier, but not now!