Looking at a used 2007 1200RT....

[MCZX]

Any issues with this model I need to be aware of?

 

How worried should a new BMW owner be about this whole final drive issue?

[Guest Kakugo]

Hi.

If you are that worried about FD issues consider stretching your budget for a 2008-9 model: there were a few upgrades to improve reliability. Otherwise our own great Dirtrider published a useful guide about how to spot the early symptoms of FD failure. Read more here.

 

As for issues on the 2007 model, there are just a few things to check:

 

1)Ask to remove the LH fairing (five minutes job) to look at the fuel pump. Check the flange isn't cracked ( here, scroll down for pictures) and if the Fuel Pump Controller, that small finned "thing" on the fuel pump assembly has been upgraded to the new and supposedly version (old is silver, new is black).

2)Check the battery. If it's still the original Exide, change it as soon as you can since it's living on borrowed time. An Odyssey battery is the sign of a thoughtful, well informed owner and will last many, many years.

3)Check oil level. Since ALL BMW boxers use a bit of oil, proper oil level is a sign the owner looked after his/her steed.

 

Now my comment: apart from the FD and the fuel pump assembly (in my opinion the worst design flaw of the bike) these are very reliable bikes built with premium materials. If properly looked after they will last a very long time.

As I said in a previous post if you should start worrying everything that can break down, you wouldn't ride, period.

[Bob_Minor]

'07's are a great year for an RT. It's the first hexhead without the whizzy brakes and precedes the service minder that has to be reset by the dealer or with a $300 tool. The cracked fuel pump boss mentioned above is something to watch out for but I doubt you'll find one without at least some small cracks. There's a cheap fix that's well documented on this site. I haven't done the fix yet and although mine has some small cracks, it's not leaking. FD failures seem to be pretty rare although some drive shaft failures have surfaced lately on some higher mileage bikes.

 

Overall my '07 has been the most reliable and satisfying bike I've ever owned.

[David13]

If you are really worried about getting a motorcycle, don't get a motorcycle.

Otherwise just get what you want. Newer is better and lower mileage is better within reason and not salvage or wrecked is better but you have to get what you can afford, and what you want.

Anything can be fixed.

dc

[John in VA]

Any issues with this model I need to be aware of?

 

How worried should a new BMW owner be about this whole final drive issue?

 

Great bike. If you like it just ride it and don't worry about the FD.

 

ENJOY!

[MCZX]

Thanks for the informative reply. The bike was nothing like I expected. See my newest post which I am sure is going to get me hammered here.

[KevinRT]

I have an 08 RT with a failed final drive. Fighting with BMW now to get them to step up to the plate with more money than they're presently offering. Bike has only 50,000 km on it, 11 months out of warranty. So, whatever upgrades they have made to the 08 drive, didn't do me any good. I believe it is the outer, larger bearings that have failed. There is no oil leakage, the only symptom being vibration which I initially attributed to a cupped front tire. Luckily, I made it home and was not left stranded in 100 degree heat.

 

So, I have had three BMWs, and I have gone through two drive shafts (K100RS) and two final drives (KRS and RT). Only my 98 RT did not have premature final drive failure. I am going to think long and hard before buying another BMW. It's deplorable that BMW can't build a reliable final drive - no excuses accepted!

[TeSmSp]

If it has ESA, make sure it works before you buy it. I didn't know and it was expensive to fix.