2005 BMW R1200 RT Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 13%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,850miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 BMW R1200 RT, 13% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,850 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.
“Upon returning home from a ride on my 2005 Bmw r1200rt motorcycle, I attempted to lower my side stand and noticed that the center stand assembly was dangling by merely a retraction spring. Fortunately, it had not come completely undone and become entangled in the rear wheel, which would most certainly have caused an immediate crash. Both bolts that hold this item to the bike's undercarriage has sheared off mid-way. I contacted Bmw na about this, and received only a brief apology, but no admission of fault or compensation. I invested approx. …”
NHTSA complaint #10275008, filed 2009-06, 33,700 miles“Drive shaft u-joint failure riding on interstate 5. Bike started to vibrate and when clutch was depressed, vibration stopped. Released clutch and vibration started again. Depressed clutch again and pulled to side of the road before drive shaft locked up. Pulled back rear boot on final drive and there was smoke coming out of the swing arm shaft. Bmw dealer diagnosed it as a failed u-joint but could not repair unless they removed transmission to remove u-joint stuck on transmission spline. Price for drive shaft alone was $1,100 dollars plus labor to remove transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10914193, filed 2016-10, 110,000 miles“Final drive failures are becoming all too common on Bmw motorcycles manufactured from 2005 on. Bmw is taking a nonchalant attitude in its replacement of these units. Although I have not had a failure, if you will look to any of the forums you will find numerous incidents.”
NHTSA complaint #10202781, filed 2007-09Related service bulletins
- 10248094Dec 13, 2023Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1…
- 10236237Apr 24, 2023Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic…
- 10218351Jul 28, 2022Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts of the driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic…
- 10149276May 1, 2017During the course of the quality analysis carried out by BMW Motorrad, it has been determined that for the R 1200 models with the gearshift assistant (SA X222A) OE, a few faulty…
- 10149274May 1, 2017Customer complains about an operating failure on the left or right multifunction switch.
- 10151392Jun 1, 2016BMW Motorrad has determiend in th ecourse of quality observation that in a few cases clutch fluid may leak between the clutch slave cylinder and the braided stainless steel…
- 10151238Mar 1, 2016BMW Motorrad has determined in the course of quality observation that in a few cases clutch fluid may leak between the clutch slave cylinder and the braided stainless steel…
- 10151430Aug 1, 2015Shift assist does not function after performing SIB 23 001 15 (017) DME software upgrade. This is due to a progrm fault in ISTA/p version 3.56.0.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 BMW R1200 RT
22 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 BMW R1200 RT
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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