2005 BMW R1200 GS Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 16%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,199miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 BMW R1200 GS, 16% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,199 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“I experienced a 100% no brakes situation coming into a slow speed 90 degree turn on a back road. Luckily I hadn't been going to fast and was able to down shift and scrub a little speed but forced with only engine braking and a very old asphalt road covered in gravel I had to lay it down to stop from going into a 60ft+ ravine. I've put 250-300k of street riding under my butt and this is the first time I've laid a bike down. I did hurt my left leg and I have a huge bruise there now and my crash bars prevented any major damage to the bike but it did still cause about $500 in damages. …”
NHTSA complaint #10717109, filed 2015-05, 51,010 miles“Upon replacing rear tire at the Bmw dealership, noticed a cracked rear wheel flange. These cracks appeared on 4 of 5 attachment points where the flange bolts onto the rear drive. This is a part that holds the wheel to the motorcycle. Spoke to Bmw na and they do recognize the problem as inherent defect, and have not recalled despite having redesigned the replacement part several times over the last few years (implied admission by Bmw of the inherent defect due to redesign). This is safety issue related to an inherent defect of safety critical part - the rear wheel flange. …”
NHTSA complaint #10643951, filed 2014-10, 62,000 miles“2005 Bmw r1200gs. Abs off, blinking brake failure, only residual braking. Dealer reset the ABS computer, but came back after one week, only residual braking now, (require extra ordinary lever grip to stop) this if not prepared to stop could cause a crash, what is causing the ABS to deactivate. Now the brake light is stuck on bright, no ABS, residual braking, dealer told me to drive it in, is that safe? No working brake light? Bmw should investigate problem and correct problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10161346, filed 2006-07, 2,900 miles“Rear brake pads wear out prematurely, typically in 6000 miles, as opposed to typical pad life which is ~18-24000 miles. No symptoms were noted previous to the brake pads wearing out. When rear brake pads wear out, there is loss of rear braking ability. This did not cause an accident for me, but could easily catch a rider by surprise and cause a crash as a result of loss of rear brake. Bmw claims that this is normal for these bikes, and therefore nothing was done to fix the actual problem, aside from having the owner pay and have new brake pads installed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10202317, filed 2007-09, 6,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V164000May 15, 2006On certain motorcycles, under rapid, repeated, and unusually harsh braking, loss of abs capability could temporarily occur.Covers: BMW R1200 GS 2004–2006, K1200 S 2005–2006, R1200 RT 2006 +2 more
- 06V134000Apr 24, 2006On certain motorcycles, if certain procedures are performed that involves removal of the front left brake caliper, the abs sensor cable can be routed…Covers: BMW R1200 GS 2004–2006, R1200 RT 2005–2006, R 1200 ST 2005–2006
- 04V576000Dec 6, 2004On certain motorcycles, an adapter in the rear brake line connects a rigid section to a flexible section. If the rigid section is not properly engaged in the…Covers: BMW R1200 GS 2005
- 04V297000Jun 22, 2004On certain motorcycles, the integral anti-lock brake system (iabs) sensor sealing o-ring connection at the rear axle housing may be damaged. An oil leak may…Covers: BMW R1200 GS 2005
Related service bulletins
- 10228448Nov 8, 2022BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.
- 10200496May 19, 2021During operation of the rear wheel foot brake lever, the rider feels a soft pressure point or perceptibly longer lever travel
- 10136755Jan 12, 2017In November of 2017 BMW Motorrad updated the rear drive for the K5X model line, as a result longer bolts will be used for the rear brake caliper mounting. Vehicles affected K5x…
- 10151295Apr 1, 2016Grinding noises from rear drive - individual cover screws on rear drive are coming undone,screw chafes against the brake disk and makes noises.
- 10029706Feb 25, 2009Bmw motorcycle: wheel speed dependent, clearly audible clanking noise occurs when braking to adjust speed. E series (k25; k25/02; k25/03; k25/11; k25/12; k25/hp; k26; k27; k28…
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 BMW R1200 GS
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 BMW R1200 GS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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