Arizona | Breakdown in the Desert

[@SterlingNoren]

Website for this video: www.norenfilms.com/videos/riding-solo-24-breakdown-in-the-desert/

[@shaunstewart4064]

The GS 1200 is classed as an adventure motorcycle and should therefore be up to exactly the sort of treatment you have been giving it. I don't buy being heavily laden or rough roads causing the issue. I believe this to be a manufacturing fault. That is provided you have followed the proper servicing regime. Love the channel by the way.

[@mattovictimcycles1334]

I have to agree on all points...

[@ffejkk37]

It's funny how a GS can last for 100000 miles or kill you shortly after you leave the dealership when the stanchion fails.

[@mjordan812]

+1 - I'm calling bullshit on the dealer that said it wasn't designed for the way that you ride. It's sure as hell marketed that way. For general interest - how many miles did you have on the bike when it failed?

[@Sequel7]

He racked up a ton of miles

[@mamo4104]

Yes, it does happen quite often, drive shaft on these particular bike do break. You are not the only one, this is a common problem with BMW GS 1200, a high maintenance expensive motorcycle. I sold mine and got myself a Honda CRF 1100 DCT and I just love it.

[@rustyevolution6298]

One of the main reasons why I chose the CRF1100 Africa Twin over the BMW GS was build quality. Statistically, BMWs spend more time in the shop and repairs are costlier than Hondas. I wouldn't even consider a KTM for the very same reason. Also, finding a BMW mechanic when traveling in the third world is difficult to say the least. Honda Techs are everywhere.

[@theone2be33]

I'm just glad that you didn't break down in an area that would have been more difficult for someone to reach you and rescue you

[@jimtomstimpson1477]

It shouldnt have broken no matter the conditions you described you exposed it to. Glad you had the foresight to get extended warranty

[@benjaminpettibone4254]

Not so fast with that analysis. I have had issues with pto drives, even new ones. If they aren’t precisely made balanced and without harmonic minute vibrations, they will be taken out prematurely. I would bet anyone a $100 bill that might be what happened. Also, this can take place with a nicely or frequently greased universal joint. I have had catastrophic failure on some new pto shafts universal joints. Very disappointing.

[@arniet1]

I found that to be really interesting listening to you tell your story. Thanks for some good pointers. Also on your vid about gear you take on the trip. Very well thought out and methodically covered.

[@adventuremulemoto]

Three years and 35k miles without a single warranty claim on my GSA; just flawless. However, I purchased the same RPM extended warranty the day before mine timed out. Great minds? Good move Sterling. Love your work. Keep it up!

[@ads9765]

Looks like I'll be checking my driveshaft before my next trip. Thanks for sharing Sterling.

[@firstchoicelastchoice28]

Mix some Moly G in with the driveshaft oil. It will add life to the drive shaft.

[@thebingleywheeler]

Hi Sterling.... I agree this must have been a quality control issue during the manufacture process...... The bike is designed specifically for the kind of off road use you describe....you weren't carrying a pillion after all so the luggage weight should not have been a contributory factor. The newer GS bikes do have issues....Hondas for me 😊

[@motexan129]

I don't want to say that the broken shaft drive is a regular problem, but it is definitely not a rarity. A friend of mine from the east coast just happened to be working on a job close to where I was working when his drive broke. Luckily for him, I had loaded my Harley up in my truck for my job so I had my truck and ramps available. I had to drive about 1.5 hours to go get him, then I was able to let him keep my truck so he could get his bike to the local beemer shop for repairs and I still had my Harley to get me to my job!! It all worked out in the end. My advice? Just perform a periodic check of the drive shaft by grabbing it and checking for looseness and sounds of clicking when you rotate it back and forth. Even more telling is to try to move it laterally (push it away from you and toward you) and up and down to check for looseness and slack (not in line with the shaft but at 90 deg to the shaft. Luckily for you, you were close enough that your gf was able to get your van to you and get you back home. Great share on the experience though.

[@rjeepster8640]

Three weeks until you can get a service appointment!!!! Ya time for a new Tenere!!!

[@jeffcampsall5435]

Don’t forget this is during COVID and some lockdowns/restriction to business activities may have been in place.

[@captainklr6508]

Sad news. I had to have my camshafts replaced at 4000 miles with no messages. If memory serves, about $4000 to repair. Made some funny noises at the end of a ride two up with my wife to the Grand Canyon. I think it was a batch of camshafts improperly tempered. The mechanic said I was lucky it didn’t fully seize at speed. Mine was covered under the original warranty. I also had an extended warranty, and after seeing your experience, will renew in 6 months. I recently found some loose spokes at 10000. Apparently if riding off-road, they should be checked daily. You need a dealer to adjust as they are not straightforward and use a set screw and wheel removal. Simply do a finger pinch test then a ping test, like you would with a tuning fork and compare the sounds by tapping each spoke and listening to the tones. Big tone variations indicate a problem. Very low tone is a loose spoke. Thanks for sharing. Great series.

[@richardvalitalo3670]

My guess is a universal joint's cup dried up of grease and caused cup to loosen in the shaft "ear" bore, then causing vibrations alerting computer until finally dislodging. Intermittant light probably sensed vibration when it was seizing in that cup not allowing proper rotation. A regular lube schedule may be a good idea. Love the vids. I ride 17 africa twin.

[@verbalwidget7267]

I'm glad you were close to home and help was close by. $1800. drive shaft!! I guess I won't complain about the $250. for new chain and sprockets for my DR650! Enjoy the channel and adventures, fantastic you had added the insurance. Take care.

[@northeastadventuremotorcycleri]

Yes wear and tear is obviously going to take its toll on a drive shaft and universal joint set up, having said that, two years ago I was in New Jersey purchasing a motorcycle at a dealership when somebody pulled in with a pickup truck and BMW in the back and he also had a broken drive shaft universal joint after doing a long off-road style rally

[@HDvroom10]

Thank you for an excellent insight and conclusions!

[@albertosbrolla8424]

Thank you for the amazing videos from this adventure, I am looking forward to doing some trips like this in the near future! 👍🏻

[@ezbeemer]

Driveshaft failure is pretty common. Happened to me at 40K. The main fault is the inability to replenish the grease in the u joints. The greater the angle of the driveshaft , and the higher the speeds, the harder it works. A heavy load would decrease this working angle .

[@mikemcallister757]

Thanks Sterling for posting your breakdown. I replaced a drive shaft on my 09 GSA at about 90,000 miles because I felt some notchyness in the u joints when greasing the splines. I make it a regular practice to check my splines and inspect the u joints on my 16 GSW about every 20,000 miles or so. Just one of those maintenance things to do. Love all your videos.

[@schoolofmediocrity2801]

To be fair, the GS is an incredible machine, but when the drive train goes it REALLY goes and the cost is astronomical compared to other makes. I am so glad you had a warranty. I really, really like the GS, but there is a reason I own a Yamaha Super Tenere instead. Very similar to the GS with regards to dependability (shaft driven, bullet proof engine, low maintenance) but with the added benefit of less expense when it comes to parts and service. Again, not knocking the GS. Great, great bikes that have been proven all around the world.

[@IRLtrolls]

Same. Super Tenere owner here. Most reliable motorcycle ever made

[@Ryansanders80]

we have the same gloves lol. also this is one of the reasons I went for the 850 GSA instead of the 1250, i don't like shaft drives all that much. you can get and change a chain just about anywhere in the world

[@andyvee1000]

All bikes have hiccups ... them that gel with personal ride style and means are the best for us ! A relief that the incident happened where and when it did, that it didn't cause you much more frustrations. Cheers! Keep the shiny side up n the rubber side down.

[@davidinghram2494]

Really well spoken, and food for thought to anyone else who might be heading out on a nice long trip.

[@davidjmichaud4422]

I'm always weary with warranties not from manufacturers, nice to hear it worked out for you.

[@Rikenglebert7558]

👍🏼♥️👍🏼I’m a BMW guy for life. Every bike breaks at some point. God’s grace had you close to home . Peace brother

[@JamesLG4]

Looks like a universal joint failure not a driveshaft failure. The irony in this is that I have several videos on FB of GS owners who are extremely concerned about greasing driveshaft splines but I’ve never seen anyone lube GS/GSA U joints, if possible.

[@kprice399]

I feel late to the party… Great story. Glad it worked out. I have a 2011 BMW K1300s with now 85,108 miles and have to date had no issues knock on wood, even though I like the long trips with too many creature comforts in tow (pack heavy, for camping). I just finished the SCMA USA 4 corners tour…13,400 something miles and this video even though we ride on different terrain stresses the importance of BMW shaft maintenance. Thank you for the reminder and the awesome videos on camp gear and tech!

[@andrewkitchenuk]

Can't believe you weren't aware of it as drive shaft problems are a well-known issue with the GS and have been for years. Always makes me smile when people say they prefer shaft over chain as they think it's more reliable. It's the reason I traded my GS for an Africa Twin with which I've had no problem at all.

[@IRLtrolls]

This is why I got a Super Tenere 1200. The Japanese make great shaft drives. Kawisakes concours 14 and Hondas Goldwing are other bullet proof shaft drives. The Europeans are always chasing another tens of a second on 0-60 time so they make their shaft drive lighter to spin up faster and ruins the reliability

[@JacobAnawalt]

Honda Goldwings, Pacific Coasts and shaft-drive Shadows snicker quietly, or not so quietly. Of course they aren't ridden down bumpy dirt roads as a general rule. Thank you for sharing the experience!

[@sasuraimotos8319]

Super nice BMW GS. Looking forward to seeing more trip in everywhere.

[@rdstrain49]

Sterling, first let me say that I am thankful that you were not seriously injured or worse as a result of the drive shaft failure. Second, pardon me for being very blunt but at my age I don't have the luxury of time. BMW drive shafts were virtually indestructible during the Air Head years even including the various R 100 models. This was due to a couple of things including but not limited to shaft maintenance being very easy, relatively low horse power and relatively conservative rider demographics. Then came the GS, but wait, there still weren't many if any problems. So what happened, the paralever happened, that's what. From the first paralever models there were problems. Certainly not every unit failed, but enough that it became very noticeable. Now we have a GS that more aggressive riders push to the design limits and beyond as a matter of routine, horse power that is in the same category as an Italian super car, and loads that would make a pack mule go into catatonic shock. Failure is inevitable on more units than I would consider acceptable. If your dealer says they rarely if ever see a drive shaft failure, I have to throw the BS flag. Don't get me wrong, I still ride a BMW, but I quit BMW shaft drive a long time ago. Now my BMWs all begin with F. Push come to shove, I can replace a chain along side the road, however I have never had a chain failure, ever. A routine visual inspection is the reason. Now before we get an inter web thingie flame war going let me be clear. These are only MY opinions and observations, but what do I know. I've only been riding BMWs for nearly 40 years. All together I've been riding for 57 years and 1,800,000 + miles and counting, so I'm not exactly a beginner, just an opinionated grumpy old fart. (I prefer the term Grey Beard) Finally remember, the best motorcycle you have ever owned, is the next one. Ride safe one and all and for heavens sake, WATCH YER SIX.

[@rhllnm]

Had a Kawasaki Concours with a drive shaft and loved it. But my KLR with a chain is making sense in light of this post.

[@dogfeathers5646]

RD Strain You nailed it! The Paralever is the Achilles heel to the GS models starting with its introduction in I think 1987 with the R100GS. Adding the second universal joint in the drive line was supposed to minimize the the jacking up and down inherent in drive shaft bikes as you get on and off the throttle. Thanks BMW , you took a 100,000 mile motorcycle and turned it into a 15-40,000 miles motorcycle that will require semi major work and lots of money to repair. Not to mention if when it blows up you don't go off a cliff. Some adventure bike you have there! My first BMW was a 1983 R80 GS and what a great bike. No wonder they are the choice of bike to go around the world on...and around...and around...and around! Maybe need a valve job at some point, but the shaft drive will still be just fine. After selling my R80 GS (what was I thinking?) I got a 1990 R100GS, which has been a great bike, but the ticking time bomb is always lurking which does not give you a lot of confidence a thousand miles from home. I have yet to have a failure on the road, but in the process of replacing a rear main seal I checked my Paralever and it felt notchy so I replaced both u joints with grease-able ones with zerk fittings and that was at 70,000 miles. I lubed the splines and removed the drive shaft at 95,000 and re-greased everything and all was well. I am now at 122,000 and time to get in there again and check things over. I have other bikes also and despite my love of shaft drive on my problem free R80 GS, I am not sold on any of the Paralever models with 2 U-joints. I have gone back to chains and not only can I fix them on the road, but chains and sprockets are rather generic and don't cost me an arm and a leg to replace. Besides, I also like the change in character my bike gets when I can alter the gear rations now and then. It is easy and problem relatively free. Sorry BMW, but I feel you blew it, I can easy deal with a jacking up an down of the rear end, but a broken drive shaft , no thanks. And what really irks me is that despite this being very well documented among riders, the factory does not acknowledge that there is a problem, it is just 'bad luck" and to deal with it when it happens. Insert $$$$$ here! Some response from the maker of "the ultimate riding machine". From here on, its chains for me. Now don't get me started on all that electronic crap the oil/water heads have. Airheads for me!

[@kenwang9348]

It's a known issue for the swingarm, the water can enter the swingarm and does not have a clear path to escape, this can lead to corrosion of the driveshaft

[@JL-yk5xf]

Thanks for sharing Sterling! Good call on the extended warranty.

[@X85283]

Extra weight flattens the bike and puts less stress on the driveshaft, for what it's worth.

[@JoaquinChea]

Sterling, Thanks for the tip on RPMONE, my 1250 GS mfg. warranty has about 30 days left and I’m definitely going to get the RPMONE 5 year extended warranty.

[@GeorgeBoobyer]

Glad it worked out & you stayed on! I had an R80G/S many years back, dropped it and the rear wheel hit a curb that sent the force up the drive shaft and caused more damage (to the frame) than a chain drive would have! But then also with a drive shaft, I never worried about a chain derail which is scary - so it's swings and roundabouts!! Great video as always!

[@danoakes4071]

If you have chain drive, it's easy to carry a few spare links. If you take your chain off and hold one end sideways, and the bend in the chain points straight to the ground, you need a new chain. If the chain breaks, and wraps around the rear axle, you can ride your billfold to a safe stop if you're really good, and there is a wad of bills in it. Good series Sterling! What's missing is all the impromptu chingoes you make along the way on the ride, and you'll need a Harley for that.

[@reticula]

Thanks for the info! it is nice that you managed a solution for not being stuck at middle of roadway and to return safety, for the points you give on how you drive, my point of view is, BMW GS type of motorcycle are engineered to endurance those conditions, if not, I would change, for example a chain motorcycle that also can have difficulties, but chain is a fundamental for motion, and chain is maintainable. There is an option that here in Mexico we are not having right now, the Yamaha T7, I recommend for trail exploration more basic and simple technology that can be maintainable.

[@Buckarooskiczek]

I know this sounds like a “one day at band camp” story but about two years ago I was having a debate with a fellow about the reliability of Beemers today compared to the old slash-fives and slash-sixes. I argued that the reliability couldn’t have changed that much but…he told me the newer Beemers had become known for this driveshaft failure…right there near the U-joint because of the stress on the smaller diameter of the shaft at that point. He said he was frustrated because BMW refused to acknowledge it…and it had happened to him twice! So….there’s that. Anyway, glad you got home safe and resolved it.

[@glenncarruthers3515]

Great Video Sterling. It generated some very good comments and gives all of us something to think about going forward. I agree with the others, that weight shouldn’t be an issue. I’m not familiar enough with the GS maintenance intervals or specifics but certainly sounds like there are some opportunities for inspection and/or lubrication. Good timing on your part with the insurance. Keep up the great channel.

[@turdferguson5108]

Shaftdrive, beltdrive or chaindrive...... all have pro´s and con´s but in this case the shaftdrive turns out to be the most difficult thing to repair on the side of the road.

[@grendelprime166]

Says a lot for belt and Chain!

[@turdferguson5108]

@@grendelprime166 Yep, at least you have a fighting chance of fixing it carrying a spare sprocket and chain.

[@inthesPhila]

Sad to see, great videos though: "Fatigue Failure?" One of 8 U joint bearings went bad? MIcrofiche has shaft part cost of $1256.88. Looks like the front end of yours , the snap ring end failed but not enough for the front to spin free of the back, just enough to offset and scuff. The motor spins with the small front yoke of the shaft. The rear wheel drives the rest of the shaft , almost all of it and cause the scuffing of the "nearly free" large front part of the shaft, scuffing ended when rear wheel stopped by the side of the road. Failure of the X part, the cross in the middle of both front yokes happened and could have been caused by undersized design and/or high friction in one or more of the 4 bearings at the front, high friction leads to high heat which is deeply buried inside and not going to be noticed on a highway in AZ. High friction when the shaft is not straight leads to pulses through the driveshaft, once per driveshaft revolution, which can lead to premature "fatigue failures," each pulse could be equalling the sudden "100 horsepower and mountains of torque" that our motors are known for. The more the shaft runs at an angle the more all 8 bearings rotate every revolution, 4 at each "U" joint. Bouncy roads change this angle and these height changes force the splines to slide, you didn't have that trouble. Makes me wonder at what amount of "sag" does the shaft run straightest? Riders with lowered suspension are probably running with bigger U joint angles. When you grease the rear splines, you can pop the whole shaft out the back by overriding the snap ring, you can then grease the front spline inside this shaft and you can wobble the front and backj "U joinst" to feel for friction of any of the front 4 or rear 4 bearings. You can bet I will add this "feel test" to my spline lube routine every 12,000 miles or so. On the center stand in neutral, rotation of the rear wheel might feel "pulsey" with a very bad "stiff" bearing if the driveshaft is not straight at this "sag of zero." In summary, if one of your 8 "U joint" bearings gets low on lube and tightens up causing pulses it won't be long before your shaft fatigue fails, so its pretty random as a very high percentage of those 8 bearings stay lubed for 100,000 miles plus however once in a while a bearing dries up somewhere and trouble comes down the road for that rider. Hope this helps you and your fans. Ready to be corrected if I erred above.

[@matthewkrisowaty7053]

Very well said

[@jimsnider3971]

I'm not a GS owner yet, but there are some preventative measures that need to be taken to maintain the longevity of the shaft drive. Do you have any idea what is included in the routine checks done by the dealership, and is that sufficient to keep something like this from happening? I like doing my own preventative maintenance (on my GoldWing) and plan to do as much of it on my GS when I get one. Since you seem extremely knowledgeable on this, what do you recommend to keep this from happening, for those who like to do their own work?

[@inthesPhila]

@@jimsnider3971 BMW K100 owners have been taking out their driveshafts and cleaning and lubing the front and back splines for 35 years as a dry spline will wear the teeth off and your bike will then go into another kind of neutral, motor spinning but not rear wheel. GS dealers think this system will last and last (not on a service list item), however some of us pull out (with a snap (ring)) the GS driveshaft to lube those front and back splines and look for water entry and rust, since GS's bury their axles in creeks more. While doing this with a simple spin near vertical in your hand and tip test you might be able to locate a stiff U joint bearing before real trouble, there are 8 bearings that work in pairs.

[@jimsnider3971]

@@inthesPhila Great advice.....thanks!!

[@inthesPhila]

@@matthewkrisowaty7053 My wife and I watched the CA BDR last night and thought we saw that you were involved. Great show either way.

[@chrisd4283]

Thanks Sterling for this very informative vid. I see I need to be more diligent on my service after seeing this. Funny like story. I did a 4k mile trip to Sturgis many years back. Our last day was a 500+ ride. My throttle-by-wire servo failed literally as I turned onto my street for the last 100 feet. Took 3 months for HD to have parts back in stock as apparently this was a well known issue and after Sturgis no one had them. What luck I had for this to happen as I coasted into my driveway. Now I need to take 177's instructions below and check my GSA for this symptom.

[@kgimbal]

Ah! Since your teaser comment a few weeks ago, I've been waiting to hear just what the issue was with your bike! Thx for explaining. Meantime, I put many of the camping items from your Amazon page (firebox stove, herbertz knife, zebra pot, a drone) on my christmas list this year. Having lots of fun playing with all of it in my backyard, gearing up for spring/summer adventures on my 2015 GSA. Thx!

[@Hogdriver88]

Damn - I was right when I wondered if it was the drive shaft. Seems like I read about a lot of drive shaft problems on these BMWs, mostly because of insufficient greasing from the factory and a poor seal. I seriously doubt if it’s because of the cargo weight - what if you were touring a lot with a passenger? And it doesn’t seem you are abusing it on really tough trails. The drive shaft issue and now the brake issue is what’s keeping me from a GSA, but I don’t know that the Triumph would be any better. Good thing it happened on the side of the road - what if it had been in the middle of nowhere in the desert. Glad it worked out for you, and that you had an extended warranty to cover the expense. On to the next adventure!

[@alcatrazrider]

fatigue fracture is a term that l learned as l studied civil engineering on metal construction that are under dynamic use, that just happens its normal. after 40.000 miles of usage in your way, wouldn´t worry too much, was just a question of time.

[@ottomatic7823]

Entropy. Everything is subject to entropy.

[@GotToThink4yourself]

I’m riding the RT also with drive shaft. It is rather easy to determine when the shaft has issues. Every tire change it should be greased and most importantly tested for its free play in gear. Rock the tire to its stop and the other direction until it stops. Should not be more than about 5 inches on the tire circumference. The bearings are a lot less expensive than a shaft replacement. The shop you got the tire changed should’ve checked for it. This is my reason for doing service work myself.

[@tonycastro6805]

Good for you with warranty,

[@juanramondiazcolodrero2603]

Muy bueno tu experiencia, gracias por compartir, abrazos!!!!

[@adrianmathe3578]

Quite common issue with the gs. The rubber cover tends to wear out, water and sand and dust creeps in, and in time it eats away the shaft flange,and brakes, just like yours. Pretty common, lots of topics about it online. Nice to hear you got it covered by extra insurance 😁

[@tangowiskey4740]

Just spent 800 bucks to add a greasable drive shaft from California . Read to many people having the drive shafts fail. BMW has some pretty less than stellar engineering issues. Fuel pump controllers , fuel pumps, drive shaft . Why would anyone pay for a warranty on a new bike or car. If need warant something new it is not something to take on an adventure.

[@tangowiskey4740]

.

[@thedriver8174]

Driveshaft failure on the BMW GS models is well known and well documented. They usually give out around 100,000 miles but it can happen with less then half that mileage. Mine broke at 103,000 miles. The biggest cause is that the U-joints can not be greased. The Beemershop sells rebuildable driveshafts.

[@thedriver8174]

@🎲 L U C K Y 🎲 It is not the only flaw. Different flaws for different years. I agree that it is a great bike and with proper maintenance and research on the potential problems so you know what to expect and some preventative repairs it will last a very long time giving you decades of pleasure!

[@carthrasher8022]

Thanks for the great series #1. Loved every episode. In a way, having the breakdown on the return part of your trip within "recovery" range from home, could have been a lot worse happening in some of the remote places you visited. Good move on the extended warranty. Looking forward to your next series sometime. Glad your home safe/sound.

[@thecorporategypsy]

The ethos of the BMW is the long distance traveler. That is the second dealer that I have heard of that was "too busy" for the long distance traveler. Pikes Peak Motorsports in Colorado Springs and Alcoa BMW in Knoxville do not think like that and when I was in a jam, they helped me immediately after my arrival.

[@bseidem5112]

I was headed to the 2010 BMW annual meeting in Tenn from AZ but the BMW Dealer in Oklahoma couldn't stop his routine work to help me so I went on to Tenn where the overworked dealer stepped right up to help me (torn boot on front suspension.)

[@thecorporategypsy]

@@bseidem5112 the one in Tulsa? If so, went by there and did not like them either.

[@Avensur]

Excellent story with a happy ending! On a car or motorcycle, warranty is a life saver. One never gonna know what will happen, but in the long run, it will! And that's the importance of maintenance, period! GS is a popular machine with interesting stories around the planet. You Sir, thanks for sharing that espectacular trip, I learned a lot of things. Godspeed.

[@fr4nc1s1975]

In Brazil we have heard about shafts breaking due to rust inside the shaft because the system does no seals very well which allows water to come in and the grease gets vanished. They said it happens after 2012 model when they introduced the new model water cooled and changed the shaft system. My mechanic who has worked 30 years for BMW confirmed the issue. What is being said is that it is recommended to take models after 2012 to motor shop to open the system every 10.000 km to eliminate potential rust, clean and apply some grease to prevent the issue. Looks like BMW service manual says it does not require opening the shaft and that has led new bikes to experience that issue. Mine is a 2012 air cooled and my mechanic said no to worry about it. If I buy a new model I will take it do that service because a new shaft is very expensive. Despite of that it is still a nice bike.

[@SterlingNoren]

Great point, I have heard that too.

[@klh3244]

Glad you had the warranty for your bike. There is no doubt that the BMW ‘s are great bikes! Stay safe and keep riding!🇺🇸🤘

[@nikko7362]

Well.. shaft drive is fine, but you can get a lot of sprockets and chains for 1800$. A spare chain link can often get you back on the road again. 😉 Like the series by the way!

[@ricardoneto7789]

Splines have to cleaned and greased on your regular maintenance. Probably yours were dry and therefore causing the driveshaft failure . Good thing that you have extended warranty. Thanks for sharing 😉

[@Marc-zf3xv]

Splines are not a listed maintenance item, despite many owners doing so. Either way, lubing the sines does nothing to prevent u-joint bearing failure which it what happened here.

[@roncoleman8351]

@@Marc-zf3xv My dealer told me this as well.

[@glennanderson3725]

I carry a GS911 diagnostic tool that links to my iPhone and laptop. I can read the engine codes but not sure if it would detect a drive shaft failure.

[@Marc-zf3xv]

It will not.

[@glennanderson3725]

@@Marc-zf3xv I figured it wouldn't. He might have another problem.

[@ddking0329]

i would love to see expedition 65 please up load! I just found your series I enjoyed the solo ride. I do trips like that myself.

[@howarddirkson2921]

during a cross canada trip ,,i had a gasket failure in the primary drive of a 1200cc susuki madura,,front splines over heated due to no gear oil+as i was leaning it in to a corner the back wheel stops turning+tire is chriping like a grass hopper,i got it stoped in 50meters distance+still on pavement+uprite,,bike was shit canned due to no parts ,,but i owned 3 of them,,great bikes other wise!!

[@darrylmoffett8323]

Just curious, what was the total miles on the BMW at the time of failure? RPMOne is a good company. I’ve worked as a finance manager for years and have dealt RPMOne.

[@murraehaynes3182]

Another top shelf video...glad you're OK...seems like the dealer who changed the tires could have scanned for the trouble light and found the issue on the test ride after the install...just takes a sec...amazed that it was $1800 for the part/install...I've changed driveshafts on a 750/5 sidecar racing rig in less than two hours....extended warranties are the bomb for high mileage/hard use bikes. I've had them on every new bike I've owned....another reason I love my 800GS...

[@inthesPhila]

My wife and I watched the CA BDR last night and thought we saw that you were involved. Great show. Not for two-up normal riders though.

[@a.k1311]

Due to rust caused by water leakage ThE shaft breaks.... it happened before..!! BMW accepted the default , there was a recall i believe...

[@chrislovell7448]

I asked myself when I started watching this video series, when the BMW would leave you stranded. It may have been at the very end, but was fairly predictable. I'll take my AT any day over German or Austrian bikes. Some guys like expensive bikes that are maintenance intensive and some don't.

[@detch5307]

Bummer...sorry to hear that. At least you were close to home...and thank goodness for that warranty. From what I've seen in the past, that drive shaft has been a real problem for BMW. There are many upset GS owners out there on the internet. It's a good thing that your huge KZbin audience has seen this video. Still love my V-strom.

[@mikemills5144]

I love the shaft drive but one of the reasons I did not go with the BMW's was because of the broken shafts. Time to look at a Triumph Tiger 1200 or a Yamaha Super Tenere. I went with the Yamaha but next time would go with the Triumph. Glad you made it home safe though.

[@rgh622]

I don't believe that your engine light was an indication of your drive shaft issue. I would definitely have the engine diagnostic codes checked to make sure.

[@bluezhawg2104]

If the engine control unit sees a deviation in RPM due to the additional slack in the driveline versus what the wheel speed sensor is showing it will definitely throw a light.

[@damianmcnulty7663]

Hello, you should title your adventure - 'The longest breakdown', rather fitting. Love from a freezing Scotland.

[@michaelthompson7570]

Lucky in two ways,,it did not seize up the rear end when it broke,,did not seize up and put you over the high side on one of your canyon runs!

[@ADVBrett]

Good wrap up video, nothing is indestructible and things can, and do break! The shaft drive is still an awesome concept but yeah, these things do happen. I've got 105,000kms on my bike and I expect that anything can happen at any time. Great video mate, looking forward in many more!

[@gb-tm9vg]

Thanks again. Very important to do videos about sh*t happens and and the journey is not all beautiful sunsets etc. Thanks again for this video.

[@kevinsterner9490]

Great video and sorry for your breakdown. I guess German technology is great but reliability not so much. I traded in my F 800 GS for an Africa Twin. I only had a couple of small issues with my GS but I do feel Japanese bikes overall are more reliable

[@rajabhaduri2020]

Hey Sterling this happen because of very rough off road ride with your other load.Also we went to visit my daughter in Arizona and Visited Bisbee,the most beautiful town in America.Ride safe brother.

[@howarddirkson2921]

just watched the whole series,,fantastic riding vids!!

[@SterlingNoren]

Much appreciated!

[@canuckslions3439]

Glad to hear you are safe though. I’ve been hearing a few stories about the shaft drive on these bikes.

[@shakey2634]

What light was coming on? Was it even related to the drive shaft of was there another problem?

[@wolfschwartze4823]

Yeah. Why was the warning light coming on? Couldn't have been related to the drive shaft failure ? Just curious.

[@mikedew380]

I would have thought that the extra weight being carried shouldn't have made a difference, as it should equal that of a pillion. The GS are made for adventure riding so I think it was just bad luck.

[@bseidem5112]

It was engineering failure; BMW is known (compared to Asian bikes) for saving a buck, the bank owns BMW. I've had three failures on 09' 1200 R , Rear wheel bearings flattened, throttle cams cracked(plastic), Fi pump seal blew. Interesting bike but what is next, bike has 17K miles.

[@busabobsgarage9876]

Thanks for sharing this. I have the exact same bike and I'm planning a 7000 mile trip to Alaska. I have an extended warranty and the GS911, but I will be checking out the DS before I leave for the trip.

[@neilhutton1528]

I think you were just unlucky and the extended warranty was a good call. I have the identical bike. I'm not sure police bikes have this issue as a result of just hard acceleration but it maybe that they are overloaded with kit and hard acceleration. That said these bikes are designed to take much heavier men than you and a pillion plus luggage. This is not a common problem and I agree with your sentiment that these things happen. You use your bike as it was intended and get a lot of pleasure out of it. One to put down to experience and chat about over a cold beer I think. Loving your work.

[@mattovictimcycles1334]

Ok gonna start with I love all motorcycles....but as much grief people give Harleys I have to say did a 12900 mile round trip in 1990 on an 87 Heritage Softail and Dad bike was an 85 FLHT Alaska Canadian HWY was 60% or so gravel...Neither bike missed a beat.. Oil usage was nill...Wore out tires do to gear and rode conditions.... I think BMW may have a drive shaft issue.... IMO....

[@0jimmypiffpaff0]

Thanks for the video serie. This maybe simply bad luck with the drive shaft... never had a problem....cheers

[@tangowiskey4740]

BMW 1200 drive shafts seem to be failing fairly normal . I bought a greasaboe replaceable ujoint drive shaft from cali as many say this happens on BMWR1200GSAs and GSs

[@stevetoussaint9179]

the gs is made for this kind of work ,even it extra weight cqnnot condemn this is a defect or a construction problem in belgium we also have 5year warranty from the dealer is convenient. by the way it was a pleasure to follow you

[@embryophytelove]

My BMW tried to kill me three times (failed rear wheel carrier, ABS, and driveshaft). Gen 2 Yamaha Super Ténéré FTW.

[@speedfinder1]

I've seen this happen before. 1200 RS 4 cylinder Road bike type. Mine snapped the main-shaft in the transmission into the bargain.

[@franksmith9692]

Not an uncommon failure on this bike. Did you keep the splines lubed? Search drive shaft failures on any BMW forum.

[@TrackOurJourney]

great video! unfortunate about that drive shaft but glad you are ok!

[@robertryan3138]

First I've heard of a drive shaft breaking. I suspect bad metal. I have 2 shaft driven bikes. An FJR1300 I hit 43,000 km on this past summer, and a VFR1200 I have 28,000 km on. No drive shaft issues. Solid as a rock, both bikes. I would expect much better from a BMW, and the GS is legendary. Bad deal, but glad your warranty covered it.

[@Liberty4Ever]

I have a Bluetooth OBDII scanner for my GS that interfaces with the Motoscan app on my phone. I leave it at home as a garage tool to reset the service annunciator after an oil change, but now I'm thinking I should carry it in my tool roll for roadside diagnostics when the idiot light comes on but doesn't tell me what's wrong.

[@tonvandenberg7945]

I saw a video,where someone was showing that there was no lubrication on the driveshaft of a fairly new GS1200. It is good to check your own driveshaft and put some grease to the joints and moving parts. The warning light has nothing to do with the driveshaft. Also loved your riding solo series.

[@kerrysmith8236]

I've had two recalls on my 2019, 1250 GSA relating to the drive shaft, one for draining moisture from the torque tube holding the drive shaft and another one recently, to reprogram the computer. It seems the final drive unit and transmission will sometimes be out of sync, causing a catastrophic failure, as expressed to me by the service department at my BMW dealership. I asked iff they had seen many of these issues and the answer was no. Obviously this was done in response to a known issue. I've only got 20K on my bike so far, we will see. Oh and I do have the extended warranty.

[@robsonenduro3316]

Shaft drive it's the weakest point o that bike along with single sided swing arm and telelever front suspension. Many cases of broken shafts on these bikes, not surprise here. Chain drive system you can fix everywhere for cheap. Wouldn't bike R1200GS because of this.

[@terrydietzler4096]

Three weeks out just to check it. Great customer service BMW !!!!

[@kprice399]

Right…and on a trip. You would think they would fit you in some how some way.

[@brunobastin1628]

The idea of extending the warranty is not a bad one at all. I bought mine last year in March and I’m wondering if I should extend the warranty or not.

[@garyshuttleworth3459]

My GS was 5 years old and had 43k miles on it, the drive shaft broke 4 days before the new owner was due to collect it. Extra info the GSA has a different drive shaft

[@sergiofarrera8817]

Hello Sterling, regards from Costa Rica! I hear about similar problem here with a similar motorcycle. Have you ever considered switch to a Honda Africa Twin?

[@markstrickland9731]

Really enjoy your videos. Very professional production! Regarding the bike breakdown, I know you did a lot of off roading, but in viewing the videos, you were not abusive in any way. You rode the bike the way it was DESIGNED to be riden. The bike should not have had this catastrophic failure. You also mentioned that the police bikes have more of the driveshaft issue per the dealer. WHY is that? This is clearly and engineering issue that could be resolved, especially for the price of this bike. I think you were a little easy on BMW. BMW is not the same company it use to be. By the way,,,, keep the videos coming. You are VERY talented. Thanks

[@jimpiquette1375]

The first pig in the mud pit has arrived,