BMW Motorrad Roadside Assistance

[The Marching Onion]

Owned my 2021 R1250GS since April last year and, touch wood, it hasn’t put a foot wrong. Not a single problem.

Naturally, on the way to its 12k service today, the bloody thing decided it was an appropriate time to refuse to start at the services. Nothing quite like turning up for a service on a bike that has already diagnosed itself.

It has, however, prompted me to finally sort out proper breakdown cover, particularly as next spring I’m hoping to venture into the slightly more adventurous world of European touring.

I’ve had a look at the usual comparison sites and, as expected, there are a multitude of companies I’ve never heard of, alongside the AA, RAC etc. The thing I’m struggling to establish is whether there’s actually much difference when it comes to motorcycles. My understanding is that a lot of the general breakdown providers are essentially geared towards cars and if a bike gives up the ghost, the solution is largely going to be: send someone out, establish it isn't going anywhere and eventually stick the GS on the back of a truck.

That’s got me wondering about BMW Motorrad Roadside Assistance. Their cover is obviously motorcycle-specific and they talk about motorcycle technicians, recovery to a BMW Motorrad retailer, and European assistance. So, for those who have actually used it — is there a genuine advantage to using a BMW/motorcycle-specific breakdown service, particularly in Europe, or am I just falling for the reassuring BMW badge and convincing myself that it must somehow be better?

Interested in hearing from anyone who has had experience.

And yes, before anyone says it… I realise the bike choosing the morning of its service to demonstrate why I need breakdown cover is probably the closest thing to a recommendation I’m going to get

 

[Jockser]

In my experience, 3 ‘rescues’ in 25+ years of having breakdown cover, BMW don’t have their own recovery vehicles & simply use recovery companies in the area you’ve broken down in. They’re truck drivers & have no interest / ability in repairing your vehicle at the side of the road. Any recovery company should take you to the nearest BMW dealer

Does your insurance not cover you for breakdown ?

 

[mike wright]

I can only judge by my one breakdown (fuel gauge was faulty) and the service was excellent in the Uk. Got straight through and offered, a car delivered to me , taxi, hotel, both or whatever I needed. They would fix my bike bring it back to my chosen address and collect the vehicle I borrowed.

 

[Gavla04GS]

I used BMW twice, once for wanky battery and once due to owner twattishness and putting diesel in the bike.
Both times, great service tracked to my location, returned home and bike fixed etc.

Now warranty is over I’m with Emergency Assist

 

[wessie]

You still get a random recovery person as the BMW scheme uses the same sun contracted call centre and agents as everyone else. The main advantage is you get taken to a BMW dealer rather than the closest workshop. You are unlikely to get a hire bike as the rental is also sub contracted. I know someone who was assigned a VW van in Norway as that was the only vehicle available through Hertz (or similar rental company)

If you want a non BMW policy, look for the Green Flag policy on a comparison site. Probably about 6th on the list under all the ones you have never heard of.

 

[rovert57]

Have used them three times with my extended warranty great service .if your bike was purchased through a motorrad dealer it should have a two year warranty so you should be covered for Europe.

 

[LockieP]

I’ve used them once when my GS had a rear wheel puncture. Sent a company called something like Motorcycle SOS. Guy was really helpful but after 2 attempts to plug the tyre failed he said he’d recover the bike to a garage. I asked if he could just take me & the bike home & id sort the puncture with my tyre guy.
So this was at my workplace in Richmond & I live in Lancing, some 70 miles south. He said he was ok to take me there but his control said they needed permission from BMW as it was over 45 miles. BMW said no & the bike was to go to Vines Motorrad at Guildford-about 30 miles. They would then get a taxi to get me home, Vines would sort the puncture, then BMW would pay for a taxi to get me to Vines to pick up the bike. The driver, his control & me said this was madness. By now it was 2030. I’d been up since 0400 & worked a 12 hour shift & I just wanted to be home. The woman at control managed to patch us through to BMW Assistance who after me pleading with them agreed to the driver taking me & my GS home. Got home around 2300.

When you call BMW Assistance the staff are dealing with calls from car drivers predominantly & it seemed to me that their bike knowledge was minimal. I got asked “which side”when I reported my back tyre had a puncture even though I said I was on a bike! Also got asked if I had a spare wheel.

Given that this is the first time I’ve had to use a breakdown service I can’t say if BMW Assistance is better or worse than any other company. I now have an RT that came with BMW Assistance for 2 years & when it expires I may well look to taking out a new policy with them.