Recall of R1200GS with Integral Brakes (Continental) confirmed

[guernseybozrah]

Just emailed my dealer as my "brake failure" failed to flash after the bike had gone through its pre-checks this morning, fourth time its happened in total.
A little worried to say the least.

 

[nemezis]

What is the problem with the handguards - is it because they can rotate and touch the levers?

Yes.

The old handguards may touch both the braking- and/or clutch-lever. In case they touch the braking-lever the results are various braking problems. Most common are ABS-Problems/Failures, permanent activation of the power assisted brakes (electrical problem) and obviously in some cases they are the reason of crashes (overheating braking fluid, locking brakes). In case they touch the clutch-lever this does permanently active the clutch. You may guess what happens while riding and how the cluch is ruined by the way...

That is all fixed by re-design of the handguards with the new 2008 models.

 

[wilbjr21]

Yes.

The old handguards may touch both the braking- and/or clutch-lever. In case they touch the braking-lever the results are various braking problems. Most common are ABS-Problems/Failures, permanent activation of the power assisted brakes (electrical problem) and obviously in some cases they are the reason of crashes (overheating braking fluid, locking brakes). In case they touch the clutch-lever this does permanently active the clutch. You may guess what happens while riding and how the cluch is ruined by the way...

That is all fixed by re-design of the handguards with the new 2008 models.

Second that.......had a clutch changed on my 2005 model for no good reason - except touching the handguard.

 

[nemezis]

back to the actual recall of 37.000 GS, ST an R Models. This is another picture of the re-designed braking lines:

 

[Engineer]

Yes.

The old handguards may touch both the braking- and/or clutch-lever. In case they touch the braking-lever the results are various braking problems. Most common are ABS-Problems/Failures, permanent activation of the power assisted brakes (electrical problem) and obviously in some cases they are the reason of crashes (overheating braking fluid, locking brakes). In case they touch the clutch-lever this does permanently active the clutch. You may guess what happens while riding and how the cluch is ruined by the way...

That is all fixed by re-design of the handguards with the new 2008 models.

OK thanks for that - however it is only a problem for those without a brain!

 

[nemezis]

however it is only a problem for those without a brain!

I don't know. Like you I have never had a problem with the handguards.


But from what I know the problem with the handguards is a very widespread, common problem. Which would indicate that there are worldwide a lot of guy "without a brain". Otherwise this would indicate that it's not easy to detect slightly rotated handbars. This guess might be true and the reason for various defects with the brakes and the clutch as well. And, that is dangerous, for crashes (locking brakes / overheating braking fluid).

Since there is no recall yet it's an obligatory routine always to check the handguards before riding!

 

[kiwiAdventure]

I don't know. Like you I have never had a problem with the handguards.


But from what I know the problem with the handguards is a very widespread, common problem. Which would indicate that there are worldwide a lot of guy "without a brain". Otherwise this would indicate that it's not easy to detect slightly rotated handbars. This guess might be true and the reason for various defects with the brakes and the clutch as well. And, that is dangerous, for crashes (locking brakes / overheating braking fluid).

Since there is no recall yet it's an obligatory routine always to check the handguards before riding!

All you have to do is read some of the posts on this site and see there are a lot of guys who have no brains.

You should check any bike before each ride. You are putting your life on a machine built by a human

 

[Dahoum]

But from what I know the problem with the handguards is a very widespread, common problem.

strange it's not been mentioned on here then what with all the other 'widespread' problems?

common? what are you basing this on?

 

[Engineer]

I don't know. Like you I have never had a problem with the handguards.


But from what I know the problem with the handguards is a very widespread, common problem. Which would indicate that there are worldwide a lot of guy "without a brain". Otherwise this would indicate that it's not easy to detect slightly rotated handbars. This guess might be true and the reason for various defects with the brakes and the clutch as well. And, that is dangerous, for crashes (locking brakes / overheating braking fluid).

Since there is no recall yet it's an obligatory routine always to check the handguards before riding!

You are correct it is a very wide spread problem; but I suggest a very trivial one.
I also agree that there are many people who should certainly have a 'brain test' before they are permitted to go within 100 metres of a motorcycle! Unfortunately a 'brain test' is not yet a legal requirement in this country.

 

[luckylucian]

I've been surprised by the number of riders I've met who have no mechanical knowledge or ability to see/solve issues at all. I'd go out on a limb here but given the purchase price of new BMW bikes, most servicing (within warranty period at least) is carried out by dealers, some riders do not look at their bike to check anything, pad wear, oil level. As a consequence, they may not notice the levers touching the guards, or if they do, they will not realise the impact of the depressed levers will have on their brakes and/or clutch.

This forum has been invaluable to me in learning about the foibles of my 1200, but first I had to make the effort to log-on and find out. Consequently there is a degree of natural selection happening here where curious individuals find out first and prevent, and the unlucky or un-curious find out later.

What percentage of 1200 riders log onto this site? 10-20-30%, so what happens to the other 70-80-90% who do not log on, who do not get reminded by the dealer to check their guards?

These are bikes, not cars, and they will need more fettling and care, now I'm off for a ride in the rain with my ABS, checked tyre pressures, and checked guards

 

[nemezis]

Unfortunately a 'brain test' is not yet a legal requirement in this country.

Personally I don't have a clue how the riders don't see the rotated hadguards. And the rotation might have serveral reasons. As luckylucian said it's a shame ("may not notice the levers touching the guards, or if they do, they will not realise the impact of the depressed levers will have on their brakes and/or clutch").

On the other hand: The handguards on 2008 model cannot rotate. You certainly have seen the NEW screw that does prevent the rotation. And even then, if they would rotate (which they cannot!), the new handguards would not touch the braking- oder clutch-lever. For me this does suggest that there has been an engineering flaw.

 

[guernseybozrah]

A couple of times i have noticed the inner end of the handguard touching the braided hose, that, could result in a crack and leaking fluid through vibration,
just needs re-aligning and tightening up.
My own view on the lever/handguard theory is it may have something to do with how much the span of the lever is adjusted out for large hands.
As I have small hands and adjust it in I always have clearance between the end of the lever and the inside of the knuckle shield.
I have had loads of big trail bikes of all makes and never, ever, experienced the handguard holding levers in the "on" position, quite possibly because of my "small hands" adjustment.


John

 

[Engineer]

Personally I don't have a clue how the riders don't see the rotated hadguards. And the rotation might have serveral reasons. As luckylucian said it's a shame ("may not notice the levers touching the guards, or if they do, they will not realise the impact of the depressed levers will have on their brakes and/or clutch").

On the other hand: The handguards on 2008 model cannot rotate. You certainly have seen the NEW screw that does prevent the rotation. And even then, if they would rotate (which they cannot!), the new handguards would not touch the braking- oder clutch-lever. For me this does suggest that there has been an engineering flaw.

I think that "engineering flaw" is too strong.

In my opinion if someone decides to ride a motorcycle they have a responsibility to themselves and others to fully understand their machine. You really have to be pretty thick not to notice that the handguards are touching the brake or clutch lever.

I guess that it is a 'sign of the times' that no one wants to take responsibility for their own actions and blame others if something goes wrong.

P.S. Those new handguards on the 2008 machine look cr@p IMHO.

 

[nemezis]

P.S. Those new handguards on the 2008 machine look cr@p IMHO.

But there will be owners that will really like them.


I am on your site with arguing (and on luckylucian site). And I never had a problem with the handguards. But with respect to the vast number of incidents (all over the world) and the reports of crashes due to overheating braking fluid and then locking brakes I say: Well, at least the new screw on 2008 models should have been there to prevent rotating.

I think I remembr that you have been one of those that got in trouble with residual brakes on a GS1150, like me. I got in trouble, too. More than once. Would you say that we would have failed a "brain test" by buying power assisted brakes with the flaw of residual brakes. That deliver only 1/4 of deceleration and are difficult to modulate? Other guys could easily say that: That stupid guys. They didn't test residual brakes before buying and then they got in trouble and were complaining.

Think about that. These guys that got really in trouble with the handguards may not be idiots. You might think different if it would happen to you. All I say is that I am not judging these guys.

 

[Fredrik]

Here in Sweden knowledge of how the bike works is a part of booth the practial and the theoretical part.If you dont know you will nog get the drivers license...
/FÅ

 

[Malcvtr]

Ah, Sweden.
5th in the world's quality of life index...
UK - 17th

 

[Backmarker]

Whats a driving license? I've had a good look at the documentation that came with my bike, cant find one. Should I have got one with the bike? Are BMW going to do a recall?

 

[Engineer]

But there will be owners that will really like them.


I am on your site with arguing (and on luckylucian site). And I never had a problem with the handguards. But with respect to the vast number of incidents (all over the world) and the reports of crashes due to overheating braking fluid and then locking brakes I say: Well, at least the new screw on 2008 models should have been there to prevent rotating.

I think I remembr that you have been one of those that got in trouble with residual brakes on a GS1150, like me. I got in trouble, too. More than once. Would you say that we would have failed a "brain test" by buying power assisted brakes with the flaw of residual brakes. That deliver only 1/4 of deceleration and are difficult to modulate? Other guys could easily say that: That stupid guys. They didn't test residual brakes before buying and then they got in trouble and were complaining.

Think about that. These guys that got really in trouble with the handguards may not be idiots. You might think different if it would happen to you. All I say is that I am not judging these guys.

I have only had one BMW, my 2005 1200GS, no servo, no ABS.

I chose not to have the servo-ABS brakes because I had read many reports of the problems and I do not like the 'remote feel' of the the servos.

However I am MOST DEFINITLELY judging those who don't check the correct operation of their motorcycle controls because the rider MUST take responsibility for the safety of their machine.

 

[ironandsteel]

Brake Recall

I had my brake recall sorted today - they did a software update too; said it wasn't updating properly on some bikes....seems that the battery needs to be well charged.

Can't say I notice any improvement on mine with the update even though they mentioned it was supposed to help the motor run smoother

Still runs well though - queues at petrol stations here (Stansted Airport) already!!

I must say that I'm very happy with the brakes on this one but I do tend to use them like non-assisted ones.

 

[Arthurwg]

I'm wondering if the Touratech hand protectors offer any advantage over the offending BMW item.