2014 RT's GROUNDED! DO NOT RIDE!
- Thread starter AHaywood
- Start date
Rong
Registered user
I just want my RT back on the road. I've got a K16 as a loan bike but I don't like it! Yes it's fast, sounds great but it's bloody heavy and is tiring on long (2 hour +) journeys due to a lot more wind buffeting. The gearbox also seems to be a bit clunky and that together with a snatchy low throttle makes riding in traffic a pain.
AHaywood
Registered user
Wow K1600, did you ask for one of those as a loan bike? or is that the only option your dealer gave you?
Rong
Registered user
My dealer knows the sort of journeys I make on bike for my business so selected the K16 for me. Like I said it's a great bike but I prefer my RT, or I would if I could still ride it.
Latest inside news is that the rear shock unit has a design fault and will need a complete new unit! 6 months at least! I guess this explains the USA compo form.
6 months sitting in a workshop ! I bet some bikes will be returned marked and scratched to fook.
I'd have the full refund option and buy nxt yr, when the dealers are dead, Xmas time, I'm sure there'll be some great deals to be had.
If that's true ,how the hell can BMW launch a bike that is so flawed.You could possibly forgive a small Italian firm but BMW, with their HUGE profits each year-disgusting.
AHaywood
Registered user
Yes, late last week I heard a whisper that it could be a 6 month fix, and agree would appear to explain the swift release of the robust compo package (in USA)
If true, I just hope this timeframe is a case of BMW under promising and over delivering!
If true, I just hope this timeframe is a case of BMW under promising and over delivering!
6 months? Bugger me. The dealer called last week to confirm "several" vs "a few" weeks, but no suggestion of a 6 month lead time. I'm also sceptical/doubtful about that same USA compensation package being offered this side of the Atlantic.
I said at the outset it'd be a minimum of 3 months in my book
Last week dealers were talking about a possible interim fix from BM to get the bikes mobile, fitting a non esa rear shock and a software update/override to disable the rear esa until new shocks can be engineered /delivered
Has the cause of this "do not ride" instruction been padded out with some detail yet? Have units actually failed? Have accidents occurred?
Has subsequent testing by BMW, or its authorised agents, of other units established that they are not to specification?
Is this an elf and softy knee jerk reaction due to litigous owners and corporate paranoia?
Perhaps the units are still within spec. and BMW will re-commence production with a story about a faulty batch of parts which necessitated testing all existing units. Devils advocate, that's me.
Has subsequent testing by BMW, or its authorised agents, of other units established that they are not to specification?
Is this an elf and softy knee jerk reaction due to litigous owners and corporate paranoia?
Perhaps the units are still within spec. and BMW will re-commence production with a story about a faulty batch of parts which necessitated testing all existing units. Devils advocate, that's me.
GSMartin
Registered user
This has been a great excuse for my brother in law to cancel his order for the RT due to be delivered at the end of June. he is now going to wait for the 'S' I wonder how many others are going to do the same?
I have been reading through some of the posts on this thread which has prompted me to throw in my side.
There seems to be an amazing amount of information on here from all sorts of sources. I haven't been given a date for the fix as a firm date is yet to be confirmed by BMW GB or AG. Who knows where 6 months came from?
While the problem is current, it's as simple as this: If anyone isn't prepared to wait for a fix & have use of a free loan bike for the duration, they can have a full refund.
We, just like the majority of UK dealers, have registered extra bikes to be used as courtesy bikes for any affected owners. We have let others borrow used bikes if they wanted a different model & we have even given a full refund by means of a new K1600GT.
Anything that can be done, is being done. I have been selling BMW's for 17 years. Before that, I have sold, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati & Triumph. I know from experience that the way problems like this are handled, BMW are head & shoulders above the rest. There's no way I'd want to be left at the mercy of any of the others thank you.
Do you really think any of the others would be prepared to lend you a brand new bike with luggage so you can go on your holiday? Or the offer of a car? Or a full, no questions asked refund?
We are asking our customers to arrange their own fully comp insurance, but we are refunding all costs incurred in full. Lets face it, you would have had it for the RT.
I dare say the fact that the Americans are being offered a financial sweetener, is that the USA is the most litigious on the planet. In fact, if you farted in the wrong place, some no win - no fee lawyer would be there to try to sue your ass for it. Money does seem to talk in America so I guess this offer is the best arrangement for them.
UK owners are usually more patient, forgiving & can take a look at the bigger picture rather than focussing in on a me, me, me attitude. They are prepared to wait for a fix, or take up one of the options on offer. They will look at what has happened & what is being done to sort it out. Apologies if this has offended any Americans on this forum.
It isn't the dealers fault, it sounds as though it isn't BMW's fault. Yes, I dare say that the shock manufacturer will be picking up the rather large tab if it proves to be their fault.
BMW have made a very hard decision to put a riding ban, it certainly isn't something they would have taken lightly.
Surely, the most important thing here is that any possible injury to anyone, however small the risk and this has to the number one priority?
The way a company or dealership is defined, is by the way it handles problems & what plans into action to minimise any inconvenience.
I know that BMW & their dealerships are the most professional out there and are doing EVERYTHING in their powers to resolve this as quickly & as painlessly as possible.
Please, give us dealers & BMW a break until some real information & answers are forthcoming.
Thank you, now get out there on your GS's, wear them out & come buy another ;-)
Yours
TJ
There seems to be an amazing amount of information on here from all sorts of sources. I haven't been given a date for the fix as a firm date is yet to be confirmed by BMW GB or AG. Who knows where 6 months came from?
While the problem is current, it's as simple as this: If anyone isn't prepared to wait for a fix & have use of a free loan bike for the duration, they can have a full refund.
We, just like the majority of UK dealers, have registered extra bikes to be used as courtesy bikes for any affected owners. We have let others borrow used bikes if they wanted a different model & we have even given a full refund by means of a new K1600GT.
Anything that can be done, is being done. I have been selling BMW's for 17 years. Before that, I have sold, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati & Triumph. I know from experience that the way problems like this are handled, BMW are head & shoulders above the rest. There's no way I'd want to be left at the mercy of any of the others thank you.
Do you really think any of the others would be prepared to lend you a brand new bike with luggage so you can go on your holiday? Or the offer of a car? Or a full, no questions asked refund?
We are asking our customers to arrange their own fully comp insurance, but we are refunding all costs incurred in full. Lets face it, you would have had it for the RT.
I dare say the fact that the Americans are being offered a financial sweetener, is that the USA is the most litigious on the planet. In fact, if you farted in the wrong place, some no win - no fee lawyer would be there to try to sue your ass for it. Money does seem to talk in America so I guess this offer is the best arrangement for them.
UK owners are usually more patient, forgiving & can take a look at the bigger picture rather than focussing in on a me, me, me attitude. They are prepared to wait for a fix, or take up one of the options on offer. They will look at what has happened & what is being done to sort it out. Apologies if this has offended any Americans on this forum.
It isn't the dealers fault, it sounds as though it isn't BMW's fault. Yes, I dare say that the shock manufacturer will be picking up the rather large tab if it proves to be their fault.
BMW have made a very hard decision to put a riding ban, it certainly isn't something they would have taken lightly.
Surely, the most important thing here is that any possible injury to anyone, however small the risk and this has to the number one priority?
The way a company or dealership is defined, is by the way it handles problems & what plans into action to minimise any inconvenience.
I know that BMW & their dealerships are the most professional out there and are doing EVERYTHING in their powers to resolve this as quickly & as painlessly as possible.
Please, give us dealers & BMW a break until some real information & answers are forthcoming.
Thank you, now get out there on your GS's, wear them out & come buy another ;-)
Yours
TJ
Well said sir
My dealer has also been excellent in dealing with this situation.
Offering me everything (except a fixed RTLCLE). And as I have other bikes and cars which I can use, I can wait.
However. If the fix is gonna be more than a few more weeks away, I may as well request a full refund.
The RTLC is such an outstanding bike. There currently is really nothing else I want, except another RTLCLE
Most of the people moaning, don't even own an RT.
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Bugger 
If K1600's are being offered as replacements for RT's the K residuals are going south
Well done BMW for the response. Great post by TJ
If K1600's are being offered as replacements for RT's the K residuals are going south
Well done BMW for the response. Great post by TJ
Many comments about the RT recall - most from those not owning one!
Here is my story of the event as it affected me.
I first received a text from a friend on tour with BMW Tours in Germany swiftly followed by a call from BMW Modial.
I have high praise for BMW Mondial for speedily notifying me of the problem and arranging the collection of my bike and loan car for rest of my Normandy holiday.
My RT was collected from Normandy campsite. See photo.
On arrival in Dover another car (BMW 3 Series diesel) was waiting for me via Enterprise - apparently part of their agreement with BMW is they have to supply BMW customers with a BMW car!.
I am also very satisfied with my local dealer, Cannons, Braintree, with whom I liaise as Club/Dealer representative. They contacted me in Normandy to say a bike would be available on my return and when I got home, 2 days later a new R1200GS LC with full luggage was delivered to my home!
This is the first time in around 40 years of riding BMWs that I have ever been stopped on the road and had a bike recovered (apart from odd punctures).
I am not angry, upset or unduly worried about what has happened as I was able through Mondial's efficiency to complete my holiday - yes I did find it impossible to keep up with colleagues on their bikes when we went to pre-arranged locations in Normandy but I had GPS in the rental car and arrived fresher than them as I also had air conditioning!
I did follow two colleagues all the way from Normandy to Calais in the car and we boarded the same ferry!
We will eventually find out the true story of this recall and in the meantime I don't think knocking BMW is helpful. I still love BMWs (have owned 12 over the years and currently a 1973 R75/5 in the garage too) and now await the return of what was turning out to be a first class tourer which didn't actually fail in any way!
Safe riding,
Mike Davies
Here is my story of the event as it affected me.
I first received a text from a friend on tour with BMW Tours in Germany swiftly followed by a call from BMW Modial.
I have high praise for BMW Mondial for speedily notifying me of the problem and arranging the collection of my bike and loan car for rest of my Normandy holiday.
My RT was collected from Normandy campsite. See photo.
On arrival in Dover another car (BMW 3 Series diesel) was waiting for me via Enterprise - apparently part of their agreement with BMW is they have to supply BMW customers with a BMW car!.
I am also very satisfied with my local dealer, Cannons, Braintree, with whom I liaise as Club/Dealer representative. They contacted me in Normandy to say a bike would be available on my return and when I got home, 2 days later a new R1200GS LC with full luggage was delivered to my home!
This is the first time in around 40 years of riding BMWs that I have ever been stopped on the road and had a bike recovered (apart from odd punctures).
I am not angry, upset or unduly worried about what has happened as I was able through Mondial's efficiency to complete my holiday - yes I did find it impossible to keep up with colleagues on their bikes when we went to pre-arranged locations in Normandy but I had GPS in the rental car and arrived fresher than them as I also had air conditioning!
I did follow two colleagues all the way from Normandy to Calais in the car and we boarded the same ferry!
We will eventually find out the true story of this recall and in the meantime I don't think knocking BMW is helpful. I still love BMWs (have owned 12 over the years and currently a 1973 R75/5 in the garage too) and now await the return of what was turning out to be a first class tourer which didn't actually fail in any way!
Safe riding,
Mike Davies
Attachments
kennyc
Registered user
sorry I have an 1100 ,they don't wear out like those 1150 whippersnappersSorry, I have an 1150, they don't wear out like these modern ones
