BMW Motorrad USA Issues "Stop Sale" on the R1200GS

[donmoe]

Did you guys hear about the recall issue on '13-'17 BMW R1200GS(A) bikes?  Here's a link to a webpage with more detail. There has also been discussion on the BMWMOA.org and R1200GS.info forums.

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/recall/bmw-motorrad-usa-stop-sale-recall-bmw-r1200gs-adventure/

After putting 56K on my '15 GSA, I haven't yet seen any problem, but I'll be taking my bike in for the 6K service and inspection soon.

  ---  Don

[HawkGTRider]

A fellow in the recent Iron Butt Rally crashed out only about 100 miles from me, so I retrieved his bike and brought it home while he made arrangements to get it later (he's actually coming with a trailer to pick it up tonight). He was contacted by BMW to stop riding the bike and bring it in for a recall shortly after he got home to go through the necessary surgery for fixing his broken shoulder blade. He didn't give me any details about the recall, but what you're talking about sounds like a good explanation.

[donmoe]

On the BMW Safety Recall website, you can verify if your bike is recalled using the link below. However, it shows that my 2015 R1200GSA is not under recall. Perhaps the website database is not yet up-to-date.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en/virtualcenter/index_recall.html

   --- Don

[STLTHMSTA]

From a technical aspect, I don't understand the "gap between the fork tube and the seal plug" description but there it is. I agree with the comments on the link that it's unfathomable that this could happen unnoticed. So is this a tele lever bike or have they switched this back to "conventional" forks as on some models?  TM

[stevegrab]

From a technical aspect, I don't understand the "gap between the fork tube and the seal plug" description but there it is. I agree with the comments on the link that it's unfathomable that this could happen unnoticed. So is this a tele lever bike or have they switched this back to "conventional" forks as on some models?  TM

Telever suspension on the R1200GS, which does use telescopic forks, difference appears (based on some online info) to be the forks only have oil, the springing and damping are done by the shock in the wishbone unit.

[STLTHMSTA]

Ok, thanks. But I know HOW a tele lever works but can you answer the fork tube/seal plug question? Maybe 'll just go to an online parts fiche and investigate. Inquiring minds want to know.  TM

[stevegrab]

Ok, thanks. But I know HOW a tele lever works but can you answer the fork tube/seal plug question? Maybe 'll just go to an online parts fiche and investigate. Inquiring minds want to know.  TM

Guess I misunderstood your question, it did seem to be "are these GS telelever bike or conventional forks" which seemed odd since I thought it was common knowledge the GS was telever. I know your level of mechanical aptitude is far above mine, so no offense was intended, just a simple explanaion of telever in case one was not familiar.

[STLTHMSTA]

None taken nor did I think any was given. Some models in recent years have gone to "normal" forks, I didn't know if the GS was one of them. The original description of the problem wasn't clear to me and the parts fiche didn't clear it up either. No mention of seal plug anywhere that I saw. But being that I'm a deaf, dumb and blind kid I might have missed it.  I happen to like the tele lever set up myself.
I'll just stick to my Hondas and such.      TM

[normkern]

The advantages of the BMW telelever fork are experienced during compression. In comparison to a conventional telescopic fork: 1. Wheelbase remains relatively constant- telescopic forks decrease wheelbase. 2. Trail increases at nearly the same rate that it decreases with telescopic forks. 3. Castor angle increases at nearly the same rate that it decreases with telescopic forks.

All three of these characteristics improve handling under deceleration and braking. In order to achieve the needed geometry, the end of the fork tube needs to articulate in the top triple clamp. This is done with a rubber bushing in the top triple tree that permits some angular movement. The problem is that the piece in the end of the tube that goes in the rubber bushing is not pressed tight enough into the fork tube. My guess is that only forks that get hard use and bottoming from riding on unpaved roads, dirt and rocks are actually at risk, but the way these recalls go they have to fix every one regardless.

Here is a youtube video posted by someone who experienced the failure: [youtube]_mXkdr4ZBAs[/youtube]

This is a video of the fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaGaR9Fn4WE#t=125.095853


 Norm Kern

[RichGrab]

But being that I'm a deaf, dumb and blind kid     TM

Well, does that mean you "sure play a mean pinball."   

[STLTHMSTA]

Thanks for the videos Norm, that explains it. And we can see where it would have catastrophic results.

Rich, I wasn't bad as a youngster but quick lost those skills. I had to endure the reference for years.  :^)   TM