Read this if you own a K1600!

[Philbrad66]

Extremely disappointed with @BMWMotorrad customer service. My premium K1600 B bagger just suffered a dangerous, premature front wheel bearing failure just 6 months out of its factory warranty. **
**A critical safety component failing on a flagship touring bike this early is unacceptable. Despite a full service history, BMW is refusing any goodwill assistance. Is this how BMW stands behind its premium engineering? **
Riders beware: check your bearings before your warranty expires. #BMWMotorrad #K1600 #MakeLifeARide #BMW #Motorcycle #CustomerServiceFail #Bagger

 

[jonnie comet]

It might be worth clarifying. Which bearings please?

 

[Philbrad66]

It might be worth clarifying. Which bearings please?

Front wheel

 

[jefformston]

Extremely disappointed with @BMWMotorrad customer service. My premium K1600 B bagger just suffered a dangerous, premature front wheel bearing failure just 6 months out of its factory warranty. **
**A critical safety component failing on a flagship touring bike this early is unacceptable. Despite a full service history, BMW is refusing any goodwill assistance. Is this how BMW stands behind its premium engineering? **
Riders beware: check your bearings before your warranty expires. #BMWMotorrad #K1600 #MakeLifeARide #BMW #Motorcycle #CustomerServiceFail #Bagger

Bearings are a consumable item, what sort of mileage?

Has it collapsed or just feeling rough?

 

[Philbrad66]

Bearings are a consumable item, what sort of mileage?

Has it collapsed or just feeling rough?

9000 miles. Really rough.

 

[JonnyBravo]

not unheard of - seen this on the K1600 forum before
- the very rapid front tyre wear on mine must be an indication of how much load the front end is under

a quick google

 

[Philbrad66]

not unheard of - seen this on the K1600 forum before
- the very rapid front tyre wear on mine must be an indication of how much load the front end is under

a quick google

View attachment 530915

Good point Jonny, but the bike has always been washed by hand and tyres were original spec. The load on any bearing should be in proportion to the weight. Therefore I have to reject that argument. Are you telling me that every aircraft has to have replacement wheel bearings after a few landings?

 

[jonnie comet]

Front wheel

At 9,000 miles - I feel your pain.

I'm really surprised that BMW didn't sort it. Wheel bearings are hardly a difficult/expensive fix.....unless I'm missing something ???.....

 

[Davey B]

Good point Jonny, but the bike has always been washed by hand and tyres were original spec. The load on any bearing should be in proportion to the weight. Therefore I have to reject that argument. Are you telling me that every aircraft has to have replacement wheel bearings after a few landings?

They get checked very regularly....(i must say, I'd have thought that BMW would have done something for you out of goodwill, presumably it is main dealer serviced)

 

[JJH]

It would be interesting to know if it’s 1 side or both. JJH

 

[MotoRevive]

The most common wheel bearing failure in the entire BMW range is the K1600.

I am surprised at the lack of good will at such low mileage though. Although bearings are pretty low down on their good will list as jet washing, salty roads etc are often to blame.


Whole job takes about an hour. Bearing kit is about £30.


Not an expensive job. No need to use a Main dealer... Not the end of the world.

 

[Philbrad66]

At 9,000 miles - I feel your pain.

I'm really surprised that BMW didn't sort it. Wheel bearings are hardly a difficult/expensive fix.....unless I'm missing something ???.....

No, you're not missing anything Jonnie. I've had so little response from BMW, it's like they're washing their hands over a couple of hundred pounds. Plus, I was informed by the repairing dealership that I cant have the old bearing back. That's my legal property. Something to hide?

 

[Philbrad66]

The most common wheel bearing failure in the entire BMW range is the K1600.

I am surprised at the lack of good will at such low mileage though. Although bearings are pretty low down on their good will list as jet washing, salty roads etc are often to blame.


Whole job takes about an hour. Bearing kit is about £30.


Not an expensive job. No need to use a Main dealer... Not the end of the world.

It is when you're on the side of the road in 35 degrees of heat in France.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

BMW make their wheel bearings out of soft cheese and wishful thinking. Sorry for your troubles.

 

[ac1250]

It is when you're on the side of the road in 35 degrees of heat in France.

Or in the rain for 5 hours waiting for the BMW arranged breakdown service to arrive........

 

[Philbrad66]

Or in the rain for 5 hours waiting for the BMW arranged breakdown service to arrive........

Don't get me started on that mate. I gave 5 hrs notice to be picked up at Poole harbour. 2 and 3/4 hours later got a call! Bmw assist are just as poor but pass the blame onto each other. They are contracted to bmw but are utterly disgraceful.

 

[Philbrad66]

It would be interesting to know if it’s 1 side or both. JJH

Both sides. Disintegrated.

 

[Traffic893]

No, you're not missing anything Jonnie. I've had so little response from BMW, it's like they're washing their hands over a couple of hundred pounds. Plus, I was informed by the repairing dealership that I cant have the old bearing back. That's my legal property. Something to hide?

I’m pretty sure you are entitled to the old bearing, if you want it. If anything it’s supposed to prove they changed it.

 

[Philbrad66]

I’m pretty sure you are entitled to the old bearing, if you want it. If anything it’s supposed to prove they changed it.

Let's see. I would definitely know if it was changed as it was like riding with no front wheel

 

[JonnyBravo]

Not sure what you mean here -

“The load on any bearing should be in proportion to the weight”

the bearings will be no different to what they use on other bikes (I’m guessing here) but this bike is fucking heavy with a capital H so the stress is so much more ?

Anyway, at 9k miles and such a young age, you should expect and be getting a positive response from them.


Who is the Dealer ?