Suspected engine failure 2017 Rallye - advice needed

[Richparker]

Could anyone help with advice concerning the BMW warranty on a 2017 GS1200 Rallye? Last night a mate of mine was on his way over to me to drop his bike off so I could trailer it up, with my bike, to Manchester this morning. They were going to be shipped to Oslo by Eurobiketrans and we fly in next Wednesday to pick them up. However when he pulled up at my house there was a very heavy "knocking" noise coming from the engine - it sounded like the crankshaft to me. The bike has only done 4000 miles and was bought as an ex demo from Oxford BMW. We rang BMW assist, a van turned up and took the bike away to Balderstones at Peterborough where it had been serviced 500 miles before. Obviously his bike wouldn't be making the transport deadline, 3pm today, so he asked about a loan bike but was told they couldn't do that as the bike would be leaving the UK. BMW won't discuss the matter until a diagnosis has been made (on first hearing the noise Balderstone's suspect it might be a decompressor or camshaft fault) but we are meant to be flying out next week. Do you think BMW are obliged to supply him with another bike from a dealer in Norway, liable for any costs incurred for the holiday or is he up sh*t creek without a paddle?
Any help would be really appreciated.

 

[Warlord]

Isn't the losses covered by Travel Insurance?

 

[Warlord]

Also, is the bike still under Waranty?

Or is it into Good Will territory?

 

[Richparker]

He's looking into the travel insurance. To be honest I've sent a spare bike, BMW X-Country, that he can use but not ideal as the other bikes that are going all have tank ranges of 220 - 250 miles but the X-Country is more like 125 - 150. Also the first 3 days is a 1400 mile slog up to Nordkapp which will be hard going on the 650 single! Our thoughts were maybe he could get a demo bike from BMW Oslo for riding around Norway and then ride home on the X-Country.
The bike is still under BMW warranty and Balderstones have confirmed that it's the crank and the engine is U/S. UK customer services say there is nothing they can do to help - I wonder if that would be the case if it was happening a couple of actors?

 

[twizzle]

BMW’s only obligation assuming it’s under warranty is to fix the bike...your holiday is fooked.

Demo bikes are owned by dealers... not BMW an OSLO dealer has no obligation to help.

 

[Richparker]

BMW’s only obligation assuming it’s under warranty is to fix the bike...your holiday is fooked.

Demo bikes are owned by dealers... not BMW an OSLO dealer has no obligation to help.

Yes, thought that might be the case.

 

[rogerstan]

My money is on the 650 battering it. travel light and rest a wee while when you fill up. You can crunch 400 per day this time of year. if it was me i would sit back and enjoy the engine using its full potential. Also if it was me I would let the others razz their panzer tanks up in front, and I would bring up a sedate rear, after all it's supposed to be pleasure.

I ran all round the Appalachian Mts on a versys 650, fully loaded, with me and the wife for 4000 miles, and it was a pleasure on the smaller bike. you just might find you get a real smile from it. People have ridden round the world on a lot less capable bikes than the X-Country!

 

[Richparker]

To be honest, when we dropped the bikes off the bloke at the transport company who has toured Norway a few times pointed at the X-Country and said "that's the best bike for the trip!"

 

[rogerstan]

Well, it must be fate then Rich.

 

[Richparker]

Hope so! Just hope it comes back in the same condition it went in!

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

To be honest, when we dropped the bikes off the bloke at the transport company who has toured Norway a few times pointed at the X-Country and said "that's the best bike for the trip!"

Look at the positive side, the bike engine is being replaced, if that engine seized up when riding, might be a different outcome, you are lucky to have an extra bike, so looking forward to a lovely ride report, keep smiling do not let it ruin your holidays.........

 

[Richparker]

Look at the positive side, the bike engine is being replaced, if that engine seized up when riding, might be a different outcome, you are lucky to have an extra bike, so looking forward to a lovely ride report, keep smiling do not let it ruin your holidays.........

It won't be me on the X-Country, I'm lending it to the mate whose engine let go. I'll be on my 1290 KTM

 

[Rushy]

Win win for you then......you get to be a hero and if your bike somehow breaks down youve got someone riding behind you on a back up bike which you can then call dibs on

 

[Richparker]

Win win for you then......you get to be a hero and if your bike somehow breaks down youve got someone riding behind you on a back up bike which you can then call dibs on

They were exactly my thoughts as well! Win win

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

It won't be me on the X-Country, I'm lending it to the mate whose engine let go. I'll be on my 1290 KTM

Nutty must be sleeping............

 

[Nutty]

If you’re on Facebook, you could try causing a bit of a stir, and BMW may help. Just don’t be too derogatory.

They have people keeping an eye on posts on there, and have been known to step in on the odd occasion, and save the day.

 

[PH1969]

Strict speed limits in Scandinavia, so the X-Country will be fine

 

[stick]

In 2015 BMW lent me a new GS to go to Europe after my engine failed ( Cam wheel failure) this may have been a one off but all the same they did do it as I kicked up a right stink.
The bike had only done 350 miles when I picked it up , dropped back with 2500 of pure trash and hammer.

 

[Richparker]

If you’re on Facebook, you could try causing a bit of a stir, and BMW may help. Just don’t be too derogatory.

They have people keeping an eye on posts on there, and have been known to step in on the odd occasion, and save the day.

Worth a go - thanks for the tip

 

[Richparker]

In 2015 BMW lent me a new GS to go to Europe after my engine failed ( Cam wheel failure) this may have been a one off but all the same they did do it as I kicked up a right stink.
The bike had only done 350 miles when I picked it up , dropped back with 2500 of pure trash and hammer.

That's good to know. I think the tricky bit now is that the bikes have already left for the ship so the only thing that can help him out is to have a bike from a dealer in Norway but as Twizzle says the bike isn't owned by BMW it's owned by the dealer. Whether BMW Germany can "hire" the bike I'm not sure but BMW UK don't seem to want to help.
The only downside for me is that the X-Country is in fantastic nick with about 3500 miles on it - I think it will come back with double that