Fractured wheel

[iaindoha]

I have a GS1200 (2007 model) bought new a few months ago. 3000km covered. Just washing it this morning I found a fine fracture / crack on the surface of the front wheel. Don't know how serious this is but it can't be a good thing; the last thing I want is a front wheel collapsing.

I'm very surprised by this and don't remember hitting anything which I would have expected to be damaginng. There are some small speedbumps near my house which I take at a little speed, but not what I'd call over the top and I always unweight the bike for them.

So, I need to go to my dealer about this in the morning but I'm not looking forward to what I expect will be a row. Suspect they'll say it's not covered by warranty and try to charge me a fortune for a new wheel (which will no doubt take months to arrive from Germany) - I'm in Qatar and have been waiting for 3 months for a top box and my owners handbook!

Is there any known issue with the alloy wheels - should I just fork out another stack of cash for a set of steel wheels?

Thanks,

Iain

 

[Ali-bear]

Sounds like a toughie. If it was me vs an English dealership I wouldn't expect them to spring me a new wheel. But I would try to keep things civil just in case there's a chance of a discount on a set of spoked replacements.



Welcome to UKGSer by the way

 

[Ringmaster999]

Their is no way that you should folk out for a new set of wheels
Defo get it checked and expect replacement under warrenty without to much debate. They should sort this ASAP. I would be looking at changing the wheel with another bike in the dealership instead of being with out a bike for a few mths.
Let us know how you get on

 

[Timpo]

the last thing I want is a front wheel collapsing

I would imagine that your tyre will soon be deflating being tubeless, so it's the end of the show then.....
I'd be trying for a warranty claim, although I am not a fan of cast wheels, maybe a deal can be arranged to minus the cost of the front cast wheel from a purchase of a pair of spoked units? It's worth a try.....
Let us know how you get on..... best of luck.

Timpo.

 

[iaindoha]

Thanks Grizzly.

I know where you're coming from about not necessarily expecting a free replacement. When I saw the crack my first thought was 'what have I done to cause that'.

Is it fair to assume that I'd remember the sort of impact it would take to damage a wheel and would you expect to see other evidence on the bike such as tyre or suspension damage?

If the allow wheel fractures so easily that I can't even think what would have done it then they must be a bit fragile. For example is one bad pothole likely to write off a wheel?

 

[iaindoha]

Reading my last reply I sound like I have hit a big pothole but don't think this is the cause. I've not hit any potholes. My point was more general - are alloys considered fragile? A written off wheel is a fairly big deal. Any whell will have to take a few knocks as part of daily life but I genuinely don't remember anything that made me fear for damage.

 

[Ali-bear]

I may have mis-read your first post. Did you say you bought the bike new? If so they should replace it under warranty.

Nothing wrong with cast alloy wheels, but once they are broken they are irreparably broken. Steel spoked ones are more resilient and thats why the off-roaders prefer them.

 

[iaindoha]

Yes Grizzly - the bike was bought new from a main dealer. I got it in 2008 (September) but it was a 2007 model - there's relatively slow turnover of bikes here as it's a fairly small market. Mine was their last GS in stock so no chance of swapping with one in the showroom. Maybe I'll hit lucky and find that they've a wheel in stock but I really doubt it.

My concern is that this wheel hasn't lasted long. Don't consider myself a rough user and wouldn't want to be chewing through wheels regularly.

 

[oldenoughtoknowbetter]

Bad luck with the wheel mate! But isn't it a bit odd that it's cracked but shows no other signs of damage? I've bent one or two BMW cast wheels in my time by hitting pot holes at speed and the worst I've had has been a distorted rim which has been professionally "rolled" back into position. Had two of those but never a cracked one. Discussed this at the time with my local dealer once who said these are made of pretty soft alloy designed to distort rather than crack (which could be fatal!) Possible that BMW might have changed suppliers or specifications in recent times but what I'm getting at is that this might just be a manufacturing fault, given no other signs of damage. Might be a surface crack caused during the casting/cooling period because if it goes all the way through you'll be losing pressure. Therefore does look as if the crack's been "painted"?
So you need a new wheel. Insist that they've sold you a dangerous bike and find out what they're prepared to do to rectify. Chances are they'll find you a good s/h one as you didn't buy the bike brand new. Good luck.

 

[Pathologic]

Hi Iain

Bad news about the wheel. I am sure someone else will confirm this, but BMW had alloy wheel problems during 2007. I know because I got spoked wheels for no extra cost because it was a July/august build when they were seeking a new supplier. Maybe yours is from the last of the bad batch.

I have no idea how to deal with a BMW dealer in Qatar. I usually try 'more in sorrow than anger' and see how far it gets me. More often than not I get what I want.

Kind regards,


Path.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Top box / wheels delivery times

".......waiting for 3 months for a top box ..." Well I have waited in France for about two months - now it has finally arrived - and I am very much nearer to Germany than you are (or do they come from China?)
If I have not misunderstood you bought the bike NEW from the dealer, you have now done 3000 miles. I would think that you will be fully covered by the guarantee unless 'they' could PROVE misuse.

 

[karnevil]

The alloy wheels are quite malleable,I have damaged a set and changed them for spoked ones.Because they are so soft they would deform before they cracked there for I would be of the opinion that there is most likley a fault in the material and you would be well advised to get it checked ASAP.
Shown is some damage my rear wheel sustained after hitting a piece of wood thrown into my path on the motorway a while ago.As you will see the rim has deformed but not cracked.Will post one of the front when i find it if you are interested.

 

[davedyer]

Are you sure it's the alloy that's cracked? It may just be the paint finish that's cracked. Is it near to an obvious stress point - base of the spokes or near to the hub? If it was caused by an impact sufficient to crack it I would expect to see other damage, to the tyre as well as the rim.

As has been said, impact damage would bend the wheel rather than crack it.

Either way you need to show it to the dealer.