2009 BMW R 1200 RT: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern fuel/propulsion system; the 2008 and 2011 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Technician found that the engine does not respond to throttle inputs. Discovered left and right throttle body require replacement due to cable cams are broken. Bought this bike for parts. Chose to fix it up given low mileage. Looks like plastic cam fractures frequently. Lucky I found out before I tried riding it. Newer models by manufacturer and aftermarket parts offer metal cam. Even my kids car seats need to be replaced after 10 years because of "plastics fatigue/failure".”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2024
“Throttle body cams broken, no symtoms, could have caused crash from complete power loss to the engine, could have crashed or been hit. Dealer replaced.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2021
“2009 bmw r1200rt motorcycle with 50,482 miles. Throttle cable pulleys/cams both showing signs of multiple cracks. Once they crack completely, the motorcycle becomes unrideable and must be towed. Throttle no longer functions and motorcycle just returns to idle. Must either replace entire throttle body or remove and replace existing plastic cams which have failed.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Throttle body plastic cams broke accelerating into on ramp of i4 in orlando. This caused the vehicle to immediately slow down to idle into rear approaching traffic.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2021
“The throttle bodies on this motorcycle are cable-actuated, with plastic pulleys molded onto the throttle spindles. These plastic pulleys were severely cracked and I have replaced them (I still have the old parts). I'm aware of numerous bmw motorcycles of this vintage that have developed cracks in the throttle pulleys. I discovered my problem via inspection in my garage, but I'm currently aware of two other owners for whom the pulleys detached from the spindles while riding, causing a sudden loss of engine power. This problem has also manifested on other bmw motorcycles that use the same engine (e.g. The r1200gs).”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2021
“Bmw have recall campaign no. 20v-471: fuel pump. The dealer in my area (5th gear cycle 1200 w sw expy dr, broken arrow, ok 74012) is not able to schedule service before end of july. Bike currently is unusable as fuel drips over the exhaust.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw r 1200 rt. The contact stated upon merging into traffic, the motorcycle loss motive power without warning. The contact pulled over in a parking lot and attempted to repair the motorcycle himself. The motorcycle was then ridden to his residence. The motorcycle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2020
“2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT LED TO A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. At highway speed, heard clicking noise from rear of bike. While parked on center stand and spinning rear wheel, heard a terrible grinding sound. Who knows what would have happened had I not exited when I did. This left me stranded, requiring a tow; repair took two days and was over $3,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw r 1200 rt. The contact stated that while parked in the garage, a odor of fuel was present. The motorcycle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank had cracked. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the fuel tank was previously replaced under NHTSA campaign number: 13v617000 (fuel system) in 2014. The motorcycle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw r 1200 rt. While driving at 55 mph, the rear of the motorcycle started to wobble. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the crown bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2015
Recalls - 4 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 R 1200 AND K 1200 SERIES MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2006 THROUGH MAY 2009. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, AND THEREFORE ASSOCIATED VIBRATION. THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAIN. IF THE VIBRATION/STRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT, THE BRAKE LINE COULD SPLIT AND START TO DEVELOP A LEAK.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BRAKE LINES, CONTAINING A "SLEEVE" ALONG A PORTION OF THE LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2005 THROUGH 2009 R 1200 RT POLICE MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2009. THE BRACKET WHICH SUPPORTS THE AUDIBLE SIGNALING DEVICE CAN BREAK, POSSIBLY ALLOWING THE SIGNALING DEVICE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE ROADWAY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH TWO TETHER CABLES TO THE DEVICE IN ORDER TO SECURE IT TO THE MOTORCYCLE IN THE EVENT THE MOUNTING BRACKET BECOMES LOOSE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact R 1200 RT by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system.
Does the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.