2006 BMW R1200 RT Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe fuel leaking from cracked plastic parts on the fuel pump, often noticed first as a fuel smell. Other complaints involve the rear wheel and drive flange loosening or cracking, final drive or universal joint failures, and ABS or brake warnings, with the drive failures described as sudden. Mileage varies widely across these complaints, so the bike's service and recall history matter as much as its odometer reading.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks from cracked plastic fuel pump flanges

   • 28 complaints (52%)
   • median 28,727 mi at 6.6 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe fuel leaking from cracks in plastic parts on the fuel pump, mainly the flange and the quick-connect fitting where the high-pressure fuel line attaches. They report a fuel smell while riding or parked, fuel dripping onto hot exhaust or engine parts, and in some cases fuel spraying onto the rider's leg. Some describe a complete pump replacement at the dealer, and others temporarily sealed the leak with tape or adhesive. Some complaints say other owners report the same cracking. Mileage is reported across a wide range, from about 4,000 to about 73,000 miles, and leaks are often noticed while riding or after parking.

   Recall 13V617000Recall 20V471000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump was replaced under recall 13V617 or its follow-up campaign, and check the bike's VIN against recall records. Inspect the pump flange and quick-connect fitting for cracks, and look for fuel residue or odor around the pump area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In-tank fuel pump leaks fuel at threaded connection to outlet quick-release fitting. I purchased and installed a reinforcement clamp made by a third-party supplier and reinstalled the quick-release fitting with a fuel-resistant thread sealant, but the fitting still leaks. I'll try adhesive instead, on the advice of others with the same problem. Fuel leaks are not acceptable on any vehicle, particularly not on a supposedly high-quality motorcycle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10550550, filed 2013-11, 9,678 miles

   “I smelled fuel (on and off) on the highway on the way to work. When I came to my parking space, then I really smelled it. When I leaned the bike to put is on the side stand some fuel dripped out from under the cowling, right by the exhaust pipe. After work, in the parking lot, I disassembled the cowling and found that the base of the fuel pump assembly package where the fuel line connector fitting goes into, was cracked, (not enough plastic around the fitting). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10550138, filed 2013-10, 17,125 miles
2. 2
   Wheels

   Rear wheel and drive flange cracks or looseness

   • 12 complaints (22%)
   • median 37,700 mi at 5.8 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2016

   Owners describe a rear wheel that became loose, with play or wobble felt while riding, and sometimes found during a tire or rotor change. Cracks at the flange and bolt holes, where the rear wheel bolts to the drive flange or rotor, are reported, and some owners say the bolts were loose. One owner says the same bike had a repeat failure, and another says the dealer did not acknowledge the problem. One complaint describes a rear brake disc separating from its mounting flange while the bike slowed for a turn. Mileage is reported from about 3,500 to about 74,000 miles, and the looseness is often noticed during riding or service work.

   Recall 15V141000

   What to check: Check the rear wheel for play and inspect the drive flange and bolt holes for cracks before buying. Ask whether any wheel-bolt recall work was completed and whether the flange was checked during the last service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After 3500 miles of normal use my 2006 Bmw r1200rt's rear wheel began to come off the rear drive assembly posing a safety threat to me. The mechanical link between the wheel and final drive apparently failed causing excess play in the rear wheel and resulting in abnormal tire wear, poor handling, and would have eventually failed catastrophically.”

   NHTSA complaint #10168560, filed 2006-09, 3,500 miles

   “As I was decelerating for a turn I felt a shudder and heard a grinding noise and lost rear wheel braking. I pulled to the side of the road and upon examination of the rear wheel discovered that the rear brake disc was separated from the brake mounting flange. Each of the five mounting holes had failed and allowed the disc to separate. The rear wheel is also bolted to this flange. Subsequent research has revealed that this is not an uncommon problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10672199, filed 2015-01, 74,300 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Final drive bearing or rear universal joint failure

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 21,500 mi at 4.7 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2016

   Owners describe final drive failures, including worn or failed bearings, leaking seals that were followed by final drive failure, and a bearing failure after only a few thousand miles. One complaint describes a sudden wobble at highway speed with oil spattered over the rear wheel, and another describes the rear universal joint failing at highway speed so the rear wheel locked and released. One owner says the manufacturer would not provide information about the problem. Reported mileage ranges from about 2,600 to about 104,500 miles, and the sudden failures described occurred at highway speed.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the driveshaft and final drive were inspected and whether the driveshaft joints were serviced on schedule. Check for oil leaks at the rear drive seals and feel for play in the rear wheel before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I was traveling at 70 MPH on the highway I felt my motorcycle all of a sudden wobble and lost control. I struggle to regain control of the motorcycle and was able to bring the motorcycle to a stop by the shoulder of the road. It appeared my final drive (transmission ) had failed prematurely. There were oil from the final drive splattered all over my rear wheel. This was a freighting experience and could have resultant in serious injury to me because of a premature failure of the final drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #10637145, filed 2014-09, 37,700 miles

   “While driving southbound on I-79 near pittsburgh at approximately 70 MPH the rear universal joint let go. This caused the motorcycle rear wheel to intermittently lock up and release. The universal has no means to lubricate it and no noise or vibration was heard or felt before failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10885480, filed 2016-07, 104,473 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake warning light or ABS faults while braking

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 10,030 mi at 8.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2008–2015

   Owners describe the ABS warning light coming on and brakes locking up with light touch, including a case where the rear brakes locked during an emergency stop after the ABS stopped working. Some complaints describe a brake failure warning on the dash at highway speed, with the brake lever feeling numb and very hard to press until the bike slowed. A complaint says the ABS modulator was faulty and that the manufacturer declined a factory recall for that part. The mileage given for these complaints ranges from about 7,800 to about 11,300 miles.

   Recall 06V134000Recall 06V164000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS warning light has been diagnosed and whether any ABS sensor or modulator work was done under a recall. On a test drive, check that the ABS lamp goes out after startup and that the brake lever feels firm and consistent.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While riding my bike on 280 south, I had to make an emergency stop. The rear brakes locked up, & the bike's rear slid out. The ABS was inoperative, due to a faulty ABS modulator. This is a common problem, which Bmw is well aware of. They refuse to have a factory recall on this part.”

   NHTSA complaint #10617031, filed 2014-07, 11,260 miles

   “Sometime before 04/23/09 (maybe a month) the anti-lock brake system light came on and would stay on until I turned off the ignition. When the light came on the brakes worked but it was all or nothing. Just touching the brakes would lock them up, both front and rear since the hand brake operates both front and rear brakes. Since my commute rides were 12 miles, I only experienced the problem 2 or 3 times prior to taking the motorcycle into Bmw motorcycles of ventura county for service. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10550651, filed 2013-11, 8,800 miles

Buying note. For this model year, ask whether the fuel pump has been replaced under the related fuel pump recall campaigns, and inspect the pump flange and fittings for cracks or residue. Also ask for records of rear wheel, drive, and ABS work, since these areas appear repeatedly in the complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 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.