1999 BMW K1200LT Problems

What owners report

Most complaints for this 1999 BMW K1200LT describe a rear final drive failure, with gear oil leaking onto the rear wheel and brake and, in some cases, a wobbling or seized rear wheel. Owners also describe repeated repairs and high costs, and some complaints say the manufacturer had not issued a recall, while a few other complaints describe engine or fuel fires, throttle surging or an ABS warning. Where mileage is stated, the rear final drive reports fall between about 5,000 and 85,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Final drive leaking gear oil onto rear wheel and brake

   • 14 complaints (28%)
   • median 42,850 mi at 6.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2013

   Owners describe final drive gear oil leaking or being thrown onto the rear tire, rear brake disc and rim, often after a rubbing, growling or grinding sound. Some say a bearing or seal failed first and oil then spilled, and that the oil made the rear brake or tire unstable. Some describe no prior warning, and some complaints say the leak happened while riding on a highway. Where mileage is stated, these reports fall between about 26,000 and 85,000 miles, and some leaks were noticed while riding at speed.

   What to check: Look at the rear wheel, brake disc and final drive housing for gear oil or wet residue, which can point to a seal or bearing leak. Ask whether the final drive has been rebuilt or replaced and whether that work is documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rear drive assembly on my Bmw K1200LT motorcycle started vibrating and making grinding noises. It then dumped drive oil all over the rear wheel and tire, causing the rear brakes to become inoperative and the rear tire to slip on the road. I was fortunately able to bring the bike under control and to a complete stop thus avoiding a serious crash.”

   NHTSA complaint #10060127, filed 2004-03, 26,000 miles

   “Riding on residential street approx. 25-30 MPH. No warning or indication of failure, prior to incident. Rubbing sound followed by a wobble. Rear ABS brake, rim, and tire covered by gear oil from failed rear-drive component. Due to slow speed, I was able to stop with minimal loss of control. If I had been traveling at highway speed, this incident could have resulted in injury or loss of life.”

   NHTSA complaint #10136130, filed 2005-09, 57,721 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rear wheel wobble, grinding or seizing while riding

   • 15 complaints (30%)
   • median 39,645 mi at 6.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2013

   Owners describe the rear wheel wobbling after a grinding, rubbing or growling sound, or the final drive seizing. Some report the rear brakes stopped working or the tire slipped once oil reached the brake and tire. Some riders say the wobble or lock-up led to a loss of control, and some say the bike became unridable or had to be towed. Where mileage is stated, it falls between about 5,000 and 85,000 miles, and some owners say there was no warning before the wobble began.

   What to check: On a test drive, listen for growling or grinding from the rear wheel and check for wobble or vibration at speed, along with normal rear brake feel. Ask the seller for records of any final drive work, since the complaints describe rebuilds and replacements.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear end final drive failed on my '99 Bmw K1200LT motorcycle. There was no real warning other than a severe grinding noise. I was able to ride home (slowly) and then noted the rear tire was no longer straight up but had a severe wobble. I then had it towed to the dealer who fixed it. Bob, pls note, the incident date below is an approximation - it's been a while. (I heard you speak at the ra rally in shelbyville - very good job!)”

   NHTSA complaint #10139222, filed 2005-10, 5,000 miles

   “My 1999 Bmw K1200LT had a mysterious vibration coming from the rear wheel. I thought I may have a flat tire. Stopped checked pressure, and all was fine. Rode bike approximately 300 miles when the rear wheel began slipping and really felt like it was going to fall off. I depressed the rear brake lever, but it collapsed completely (I later learned why), no rear brakes. I managed to get the motorcycle stopped, and I could immediately tell what the problem was. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10227768, filed 2008-05, 43,700 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Repeat final drive repairs and repair costs

   • 14 complaints (28%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2018

   Owners describe the final drive failing again after an earlier rebuild or replacement, with some reporting repeated failures on the same motorcycle. Some say repair costs were high and that the dealer would not cover them, and according to the complaints the manufacturer had not issued a recall for the problem. Some complaints note that the failure was under investigation, and some say it was not covered after the warranty expired. Where mileage is stated, it falls between roughly 15,000 and 76,000 miles, and a complaint about repeated failures describes the part failing roughly every 10,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask the seller for the full repair history of the final drive, including any rebuilds and the parts that were replaced. Ask a dealer whether the campaign that some complaints mention applies to this bike, and get the answer in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Two bearings in the rear end assembly of my 1999 Bmw k1200ltc failed and needed to be replaced at 37k. The dealership in seattle that repaired the bike would not cover any of the repair costs involved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10161225, filed 2006-07, 37,000 miles

   “There have been many failures of this component registered with Bmw but they refuse to issue a recall. Having the rear end of a motorcycle lock up at any speed can cause loss of control and possible death.”

   NHTSA complaint #767493, filed 2002-09

Buying note. The complaints for this model year concentrate on the rear final drive, so the rear end deserves close attention before buying. Ask for the final drive's repair history, check for gear oil residue on the rear wheel and brake, and listen for grinding or wobble on a test ride.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 31 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.