2001 BMW K1200LT Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 48%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,232miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 BMW K1200LT, 48% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,232 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Bmw motorcycle, model K1200LT. Riding normally at 65 MPH on freeway, oil leaked out of rear drive unit onto brakes, wheel and tire. Lost all rear braking effectiveness, tire slipped slightly on road. Pulled onto shoulder, stopped by using front brake only. Vehicle towed to dealer where rear drive unit was replaced at my expense. Old part is being shipped to my office.”
NHTSA complaint #10136116, filed 2005-09, 82,400 miles“Wife and I going home from weekend trip when our motorcycle started making a grinding sound from the rear wheel. After getting bike to side of the road I noticed oil covering wheel, brake and tire. Had bike towed to dealer, they said it was the rear drive bearing. They said that they had a few of them go bad. With 37,000 miles out of warranty. Still at dealer waiting repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10123936, filed 2005-06, 37,000 miles“I own a 2001 Bmw K1200LT motorcycle. I maintain it very well and change lubricants ahead of schedule. My wife and I were riding the motorcycle not far from our home when we felt a roughness and vibration that worsened and worsened. Hearing that these bikes are notorious for a failed bearing in the rear drive, I stopped to check it and there was gear oil all over the rear wheel. Even more dangerous than the gear oil spilling onto the tire was the fact that it ran down onto the rear brake caliper! …”
NHTSA complaint #10195101, filed 2007-07, 47,314 miles“Rear drive differential main bearing failed on my Bmw 2001 K1200LT motorcycle causing a wobbling rear wheel and excessive noise. I was able to bring the cycle under control and make it to the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10032995, filed 2003-08, 26,705 miles“2001 Bmw K1200LT. Request for investigation into Bmw motorcycle final drive failures the consumer stated when he attempted to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop, he discovered the rear brakes did not work, which forced him to use the front brakes only, which extended his stopping distance. He was able to bring the bike to a safe stop without incident. Upon inspection, he realized the rear brakes failed because they were saturated in gear oil, that leaked from the final drive unit after the final drive bearing seal failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10439549, filed 2011-12, 59,310 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 BMW K1200LT
8 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 BMW K1200LT
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology