Serious design and security fault

[Wapping]

I have been looking at my 1200 and am very worried.

I have just noticed that when the motorcycle is parked up on its centre stand (that is a puff I can tell you) the rear wheel is right off the ground. This is an appalling technical design fault and needs to be remedied at once, through a recall at the very least.

The rear wheel is hung on with just a few bolts open to easy access. I am very worried that when I am away anyone could just remove the wheel and have it away. At least proper motorcycles seem to have a chain to hold the rear wheel on, why can't BMW do the same?

What happens when I am asleep in my bed? Anyone could do it and I wouldn't notice until I rode off.

I had thought about leaving the panniers on, weighed down with bricks, as they would at least hold the rear wheel on the ground, making a thief's job more difficult. But that only lifts the front wheel off the ground and a thief will steal that. The front wheel security is dreadful, even fewer bolts than the back and very small at that. Do BMW not know how important a front wheel is? When that is off, I think the front will drop down and the back wheel come up, again. Am I right? It is a very worrying position to be in.

Do BMW not have any common sense? This is an expensive around the world motorcycle but badly let down by shoddy design. I often leave my motorcycle unattended for up to 20 minutes in Tesco's carpark, who knows what could happen? I wish I had thought about it before I had bought it. I bet they hope people steal the wheels, as we will have to buy news ones. How much are they, by the way and where can I get them? Maybe I should carry a spare, does anyone do that? Pictures, please so I can see.

Is everyone's bike like this, or just mine?

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[KMD]

I'm liking the bricks idea, that would give said wheel tea-leafs something to rest the bike on once they've had it away with your hoops, and possibly make it easier for them too. Thoughtful to a fault there Wapping Jolly decent of you.

 

[John Armstrong]

Why not leave it on the side stand?

But then someone could unbolt the centre stand

 

[ianboydsnr]

Its worse, the oil cap is not locking, som low life could put regular 20/50 in there and you would'nt even notice it untill it was to late, or worse non branded 10/40

 

[MattW]

I'm sorry to tell you that this problem has been known about for years and BMW just seem to bury their head in the sand and ignore it. My 1100 does exactly the same thing! At least with your 1200 they've fitted an extra wheel bolt to slow the thieves down but this is hardly an answer to this disastrous security issue.

BMW need to be held accountable...

 

[Kev B]

Richard you've started me thinking now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I think I will shop in Waitrose from now on. Parking in Tescos has allways worried me!!!!!!!!!

 

[HORIZONTALLY OPPOSED]

Hey presta valve

Inflate the front tyre to double normal pressure making the overall diameter greater this in turn will lift the front end somewhat, hopefully bringing the rear wheel into contact with terra firma, the simple ideas are the best.

 

[chad]

1150GSA rear wheel is always on the ground

however if somebody wants the wheel that bad,do you honestly thing it will stop them

nah didnt think so

 

[Wapping]

Why not leave it on the side stand?

But then someone could unbolt the centre stand

I had never though of that, nor noticed that the wheels are then both on the ground. Thank you. What a fantastic suggestion. This is a great site.

 

[Wapping]

Biker etiquette

But, now I have another worrry about a leaned over bike.

I think the bike leant over takes up more room? Does it? Can someone measure it for me, please?

If it does, won't it reduce the space available for other bikers use? That is a very selfish attitude and maybe not be within the spirit of the biker brotherhood I have heard so much about. Can anyone tell me? I have tried a search, I think, but came up with nothing.

I still think it's dreadful that BMW do not tell you about things like this.

 

[adamm]

Well, one’s first reaction is that if one shops at TESCO’s then one must risk ones wheels being stolen. I too have invested in a big round the world bike for my weekly off roading cark park shopping experience but I shop at Sainsbury’s. Not only will no one steal my wheels but the different foods Sainsbury’s stock from different places around the world means I do not have to waste my time or risk getting my BMW dirty by riding to them!!

 

[MattW]

But, now I have another worrry about a leaned over bike.

I think the bike leant over takes up more room? Does it? Can someone meaure it for me, please?

If it does, won't it reduce the space available for other bikers use? That is a very selfish attitude and maybe not be within the spirit of the biker brotherhood I have heard so much about. Can anyone tell me? I have tried a search, I think, but came up with nothing.

I still think it's dreadful that BMW do not tell you about things like this.

You'll be fine as long as you nod at the other bikers.

 

[DavidJames]

I have been looking at my 1200 and am very worried.

I have just noticed that when the motorcycle is parked up on its centre stand (that is a puff I can tell you) the rear wheel is right off the ground. This is an appalling technical design fault and needs to be remedied at once, through a recall at the very least.

The rear wheel is hung on with just a few bolts, open to easy access. I am very worried that when I am away anyone could just remove the wheel and have it away. At least proper motorcycles seem to have a chain to hold the rear wheel on, why can't BMW do the same?

What happens when I am asleep in my bed? Anyone could do it and I wouldn't notice until I rode off.

I had thought about leaving the panniers on, weighed down with bricks, as they would at least hold the rear wheel on the ground, making a thief's job more difficult. But that only lifts the front wheel off the ground and a thief will steal that. The front wheel security is dreadful, even fewer bolts than the back and very small at that. Do BMW not know how important a front wheel is? When that is off, I think the front will drop down and the back wheel come up, again. Am I right? It is a very worrying position to be in.

Do BMW not have any common sense? This is an expensive around the world motorcycle but badly let down by shoddy design. I often leave my motorcycle unattended for up to 20 minutes in Tesco's carpark, who knows what could happen? I wish I had thought about it before I had bought it. I bet they hope people steal the wheels, as we will have to buy news ones. How much are they, by the way and where can I get them? Maybe I should carry a spare, does anyone do that? Pictures, please so I can see.

Is everyone's bike like this, or just mine?

Does anyone have any ideas?

You must make sure that you insist that your garage uses 'copper slip' on the bolts that hold the rear wheel on, that way if nobody does actually try to steal your rear wheel, you will be able ride it and the wheel will come loose

 

[Fanum]

Now your problem of the wheel security is solved, I wonder if you'd mind giving me your opinion of the more critical dewsign flaw which leaves a fundamental and very dangerous problem, vis-a-vis the fact that they have made the seat of the bike so hight that the only way of geting into your bike to ride it is to balance precariously on one foot why doing an impression of a contortionist waving your other foot high in the air.....I'm surprised nobody has been killed doing this yet, or maybe they have and BMW are just keeping it quiet

If Honda can do it, why can't BMW?
I Never had any problems getting in my C90, they'd really thought the design of that motorcycle through.

It just proves that as always, Honda are far better than BMW

And don't even start me on the overpricing......the Honda, with its far better design, cost about 1/8th as much as the ridiculously overpriced BMW offering with its dangerous design

 

[HORIZONTALLY OPPOSED]

But, now I have another worrry about a leaned over bike.

I think the bike leant over takes up more room? Does it? Can someone measure it for me, please?

If it does, won't it reduce the space available for other bikers use? That is a very selfish attitude and maybe not be within the spirit of the biker brotherhood I have heard so much about. Can anyone tell me? I have tried a search, I think, but came up with nothing.

I still think it's dreadful that BMW do not tell you about things like this.

Just use a mother & baby slot like everyone else, there are more of those than standard ones, failing that try a disabled bay or catching the bus.

 

[Wapping]

You must make sure that you insist that your garage uses 'copper slip' on the bolts that hold the rear wheel on, that way if nobody does actually try to steal your rear wheel, you will be able ride it and the wheel will come loose

I have looked again.

The bolts are starry, not like anything else I have ever seen.

Are these normal?

I am sure they are not. I am now worried I may have been given a bike with the wrong bolts.

Who can I talk to about it?

Thank you for your support.

If it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't have a clue.

 

[Wapping]

Just use a mother & baby slot like everyone else, there are more of those than standard ones, failing that try a disabled bay or catching the bus.

That is just offensive.

If you do not have anything positive to contribute. Don't bother!

Jeez!

 

[DavidJames]

I have looked again.

The bolts are starry, not like anything else I have ever seen.

Are these normal?

I am sure they are not. I am now worried I may have been given a bike with the wrong bolts.

Who can I talk to about it?

Thank you for your support.

If it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't have a clue.

Ahh - see there lies the answer to you original question. BMW did in fact recognise this potential issue and have indeed fitted locking whleenuts to your bike. There should be the unique key in your tool kit. If it is not there and it has been lost you will need to cut through the thick metal bracket that connects the wheel to the rest of the bike (sometimes called a 'swinging arm') so that you can remove the wheel and replace with a new one, and hopefully new locking wheel nuts - DONT lose the key this time!! keep it somewhere safe like your office draw, so if you ever have a punture whilst on the way to Tesco, you will know exactly where it is.

All the best

David

 

[Wapping]

Thanks David, you really are a w'anchor (I hope I got that right at least, it's great having this club name, isn't it)

Where's the tool kit, so I can look for the starry wheel bolt key?

 

[MattW]

Thanks David, you really are a w'anchor (I hope I got that right at least, it's great having this club name, isn't it)

Where's the tool kit, so I can look for the starry wheel bolt key?

I'm sure a fellow 1200 owner will be able point this out for you (my 1100 doesn't have locking wheel nuts).

Don't forget to locate and familiarise yourself with the jack.