BMW fined $3mil by NHTSA

[GordonB]

An interesting point BMW Fined .

[lkraus]

The NHTSA press release , includes a list of "untimely" recalls. Some news reports say that all but one were for motorcycles? Seems to be several for cars. Note that in all cases voluntary recalls were made, its just that the reports to NHTSA were late and/or incomplete.

 

And of course, none involve shaft FD units, fuel strips or leaky fuel fittings.

 

[TestPilot]

NHTSA didn't say all but one were motorcycles, BMW did. I find that comment very disturbing. It sounds like BMW is saying to the car buying public "don't worry, we're looking after you; it's just the motorcycle owners we don't care about."

[Dietrich]

Not sure how one reads such conclusions out of the safety agency's article. This is not about the absence of any recall or absence of concerns on BMW's side, but about procedural shortcomings on their behalf. They got caught and are paying for it, like many before, no more no less.

I find some of the comments on this site curious, or am I naive believing that this site is still a fan site?

[Stan Walker]

or am I naive believing that this site is still a fan site?

 

BMW on this site often stands for Bitch, Moan, & Whine.

 

And it is one reason why I don't contribute much anymore. As a rider who is happy with my BMW bikes I don't feel like I fit into this site as much as I used to. The site has changed over the years, become much more negative.

 

Stan

[Dietrich]

Ditto!

Thanks, I'm glad I am not the only one feeling that way.

 

Love my Beemer! So there!

[Glenn Reed]

Fans aren't always cheerleaders. Listen to the sports talk radio in your local market and I think you'll see what I mean.

 

Personally, I haven't had any service issues with my BMW 1100RT's, but I am relatively new to the marque. There are those who have had significant service issues as well as encountering the corporate stonewall. Folks in the latter group tend to share their experiences more than those like myself.

 

Adjust your tuner as necessary.

[KTM Doug]

Stan, why so negative? Come to Un11. Would be good to see you again!

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

I find some of the comments on this site curious, or am I naive believing that this site is still a fan site?

 

Reliability issues (fuel strips, fuel pump controllers) are one thing, but I think some of us are a little bitter (or at least concerned) about some rather serious safety issues that have been cropping up lately, i.e. the leaking fuel sending units and the cracking rear-wheel spiders.

 

I think Glenn has made an important distinction between fans and cheerleaders. If you're a cheerleader, you cheer for your team even when they suck; fans, OTOH, have been known to boo and hiss from time to time.

 

In spite of the grumbling, virtually all of the people who are active on this board (myself included) continue to own and ride BMW motorcycles. I'll be keeping an eye on my fuel pump and my rear wheel, but with the other eye, I'm looking forward to spring.

 

 

[doc47]

In spite of the grumbling, virtually all of the people who are active on this board (myself included) continue to own and ride BMW motorcycles. I'll be keeping an eye on my fuel pump and my rear wheel, but with the other eye, I'm looking forward to spring. smile

 

Well said, Mitch! +1

[w2ge]

I always remember this: BMW's are the worst bike on the market, except when you compare then to everything else!

 

They ALL have issues, everyone that owns one (whatever brand) bitches... HD prices are for parts labor are very much in line with ours.. (premium price bikes) and they are stuck with riding an HD.. No offense, all good. ;-)

[philbytx]

+1

 

Just like my BMW, life isn't perfect...so simply enjoy it and deal with whatever comes along (or doesn't) !

[sardineone]

Dietrich, put me down as a happy BMW owner. No other bike on the market yet that I'd trade a new one for my 2006 R1200ST. It's a very fine machine attached to a North American corporate office which I can't have similar feelings for. To make a long story short. With my initial inquiries to BMWNA I wouldn't be riding a BMW if not for info supplied by this site. With that said, I'd be somewhat disappointed with some reported failures with R12's if it happened to me. I'm a wrench so if the worst happens, I most probably will fix and go on since the basic platform is so well engineered (except the seat from hell).

[RPG]

In spite of the grumbling, virtually all of the people who are active on this board (myself included) continue to own and ride BMW motorcycles. I'll be keeping an eye on my fuel pump and my rear wheel, but with the other eye, I'm looking forward to spring. smile

 

Well said, Mitch! +1

 

here, here. as an anal retentive mechanic, I keep an eye on everything and look forward to another great year

 

RPG

[dhanson]

I'm active, but the old folks on here that tend to sell BMWs, have warned me that I talk too much negative about BMW. So I will try to just read and ride and not assume too much responsibility to warn off new buyers of possible trouble ahead.

 

Bottom line, my BMW experience was not cheap nor without much anxiety.

[Mike]

BMW has produced the motorcycles I want more than any others over the past few years, but I agree with the distinction between fan and cheerleader.

 

An online discussion board will never give you a completely accurate understanding of what's happening with a manufacturer's approach to quality/design problems, but over time you can get a fairly good handle on the trends. I think it's fair to say that BMW has, in a number of instances, been less than responsive when problems have shown up in their motorcycles. The recently discussed issues with leaking fuel pumps has been a good illustration of this--they've apparently been good about replacing pumps that have failed, but they have shown no apparent interest in effecting a recall for what is, by all appearances, a widespread problem that raises serious safety concerns.

 

Truly, I just don't get it.

[ERdok]

I've only owned one BMW and after adding the Tenere to the stable I sold it - with much regrets since - thinking about a new one...

 

In the 4+ years I owned it, there were 2 recalls and 2 other mechanical issues. One occurred while still under warranty and the other (ABS pump failure) occurred 6 months out of warranty but BMW still covered it.

 

Despite a few issues, I'm still a big BMW fan and regret selling my RT as it was the favorite of all the (many) bikes I've owned.

 

Did I mention I regret selling it...

[Dietrich]

Fans aren't always cheerleaders. Listen to the sports talk radio in your local market and I think you'll see what I mean.

 

Well said. Many good arguments on this subject.

Still lots of good info and entertainment on this board. Worth sticking around for.

 

 

[upflying]

I am negative all the time in this forum but not about my BMW.

[Firefight911]

I'm active, but the old folks on here that tend to sell BMWs, have warned me that I talk too much negative about BMW. So I will try to just read and ride and not assume too much responsibility to warn off new buyers of possible trouble ahead.

 

Bottom line, my BMW experience was not cheap nor without much anxiety.

 

So says the guy who rides a Yamaha now! Oh, wait, me too.

 

Same here.

[KDeline]

 

BMW on this site often stands for Bitch, Moan, & Whine.

 

And it is one reason why I don't contribute much anymore. As a rider who is happy with my BMW bikes I don't feel like I fit into this site as much as I used to. The site has changed over the years, become much more negative.

 

Stan

 

 

Well my experience is because the bikes are failing much more then they did in the psst. I was a cheerleader for 23 years, to the point of being aragant, not one problem in 600,000 miles. Then the continuing failures started five years ago on the modern, high tech bikes. So now I am a fan. TBS I still have not found a different brand that I would buy. Consider yourself very lucky.

[markgoodrich]

I'm active, but the old folks on here that tend to sell BMWs, have warned me that I talk too much negative about BMW. So I will try to just read and ride and not assume too much responsibility to warn off new buyers of possible trouble ahead.

 

Bottom line, my BMW experience was not cheap nor without much anxiety.

 

So says the guy who rides a Yamaha now! Oh, wait, me too.

 

Same here.

 

Phil, Dave, I know both of you personally, and respect and like both of you, and I understand that both of you had unhappy experiences with your bikes. But I don't understand your continuing leap into any thread about the bikes with "warnings" etc about the brand. I'm not a brand-specific type of guy...I have a BMW because it fits my current needs, and have been fortunate enough to have one that only has had problems I inflicted upon it. I had horrible luck with a certain brand of automobile once, but that doesn't mean all of that maker's vehicles are going to have the same issues. I got a lemon. Y'all got lemons. You're happy with your current rides. Great. Let's move on and remain friends, what do you say?

[Firefight911]

I'm active, but the old folks on here that tend to sell BMWs, have warned me that I talk too much negative about BMW. So I will try to just read and ride and not assume too much responsibility to warn off new buyers of possible trouble ahead.

 

Bottom line, my BMW experience was not cheap nor without much anxiety.

 

So says the guy who rides a Yamaha now! Oh, wait, me too.

 

Same here.

 

Phil, Dave, I know both of you personally, and respect and like both of you, and I understand that both of you had unhappy experiences with your bikes. But I don't understand your continuing leap into any thread about the bikes with "warnings" etc about the brand. I'm not a brand-specific type of guy...I have a BMW because it fits my current needs, and have been fortunate enough to have one that only has had problems I inflicted upon it. I had horrible luck with a certain brand of automobile once, but that doesn't mean all of that maker's vehicles are going to have the same issues. I got a lemon. Y'all got lemons. You're happy with your current rides. Great. Let's move on and remain friends, what do you say?

 

I agree....but I got TWO lemons....in less than one year......

 

Now, about that friend thing. I'm in but if you ever get Larry to put his bad self in a hybrid again.........

[mbelectric]

Two lemons...I can't argue with that.

 

Lessee though:

 

I recollect ya had one good one for a time. Fastest ST on the salt, before ya opted for the trade up...or down as it were.

 

 

MB>

[Firefight911]

Two lemons...I can't argue with that.

 

Lessee though:

 

I recollect ya had one good one for a time. Fastest ST on the salt, before ya opted for the trade up...or down as it were.

 

 

MB>

 

I have regretted and kicked myself more times than I can remember for getting rid of my R1200ST! That one was a keeper. Five sets of rotors (all warranty) and I was never bothered by it.

[4wheeldog]

I am negative all the time in this forum but not about my BMW.

 

I really, really like my BMW. The guys that designed it were really on to something.

 

I am not so much a fan of the organization that supports the product. The arrogance displayed by the warrantee support side of the company has convinced me not to buy new again. I love the bike, but not the company. Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me.

 

 

[baggerchris]

 

 

And it is one reason why I don't contribute much anymore. As a rider who is happy with my BMW bikes I don't feel like I fit into this site as much as I used to. The site has changed over the years, become much more negative.

 

Stan

 

I am on my 1st honda; (I have owned it for 20 years); 3rd BMW and 5th Harley. I like them all. I find there is a certain segment of this board who likes to hide behind a computer keyboard to slam and nail anyone who disagrees with them. After my last bringdown here I hesitate to comment much anymore about anything. Even this.

[sardineone]

Hey Phil, firstly off subject your family is looking great in your avatar. I'm also glad you are still with us even as a Yamaha owner. I've owned a Yamaha in the past. Now to BMW bikes. I've had good fortune with my R1200ST with no problems in 25k miles. And I praise this message board for some of this good fortune. Knowing in advance of potential problems is a great asset for preventive maintenance. Case in point a mention of the headlight adjuster for passenger adjustment. A potential problem to an expensive plastic assembly that I haven't needed anyway. Mine is now glued in place to prevent a failure. I'll soon be checking my fuel pump assembly for the reported cracks and leaks on other's machines. I will apply JB weld as a reinforcement when I get to that. An occasional CV joint failure near the rear end has been reported. Hence my acquisition of a hand grease gun with a needle adapter to get a bit of grease to the bearings. In effect I'm getting service bulletins. I feel that most on this board are very pleased with their BMW's when there is no problems. With the feedback from members on this board, I think we are all better off.

[Paul Mihalka]

"With the feedback from members on this board, I think we are all better off."

Absolutely! Discussing current problems and possible solutions is great in this board. Whining about and regurgitating old problems without any new information is not.

[RTJohn]

Hi Phil. I'm kinda new to riding and this forum. I don't get the sense that these guys whine or bitch. No more than most folks. They seem to love their bikes as much as I do. I've been fortunate with my RT in that I have had zero problems in 35k miles. I think most of the guys are like me. The people who get the most attention are the people who are having problems, however small. I've met some great folks on rides and during a Tech day. This forum will only get better if more voices are heard, whatever their opinion.

[MT Wallet]

"This forum will only get better if more voices are heard, whatever their opinion"

 

I'll give an Amen to that.