Our BMW R 1300 GS engine needs to be replaced after only 700km! And our first impressions

Our GS needs a new engine, why? Find out! WIth that I'll also tell you all about our first riding impressions
00:00 Intro
00:45 Riding impressions
05:30 What happened to the engine?
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[@RichDunn]

When the Ducati Multistrada V4S had a similar problem, not only did owners get a new crate engine swap, but they were also offered a package (compensation credits and warranty extension, etc). BMW has done the right thing, but they could go a little to support the early adopter beta testers.

[@jethromcbutterpants8762]

A little comparison for a talking point.....BMW realizes that 52 bikes have over/under torqued connecting rod bolts.....BMW contacts the owners and replaces the engine even if no issues have arisen for those owners. Harley Davidson realizes that many of their touring bike crankshafts have a excessive amount of runout.....doesn't issue a recall, instead chooses to change the max runout spec to save $$$ and keeps it quiet.....regardless of issues that have arisen. Great job standing behind your product and your brand BMW.

[@franks4103]

This tells me that their production quality monitoring systems are working well that they could pick up something like this, and even better that they were open and honest about the problem, offering a total engine replacement! They could simply have kept quiet about it and hoped that due to the small number involved there would be limited or no failure during the warranty period, but it seems that does not align with their core values as a company. I say well done to BMW! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@adambeverley4682]

The fact the engines were fitted into bikes and sent out for sale would indicate their quality monitoring systems are not working properly. if it had been 5000 bikes would they have been so open and honest?

[@splodge5714]

It tells me they continue to make bikes with faults hence their high recall numbers. I can do without this when I buy a new motorcycle.

[@splodge5714]

I am amazed that people are impressed with this 'service.' I had the same problems with a new Boxer in 2000. Nearly 25 years later and many customers still have to put up with this.😂

[@christianmouraux7269]

That’s something you expect from such a premium bike. Well done BMW! Something to keep in mind if you are tempted buying ole kind of low cost bike.

[@Elysian_Angel_]

Stuff happens and problems arise - that’s inevitable. What matters is how you deal with it.

[@splodge5714]

I've had more problems with 2 new BMW's than the 30 Japanese bikes I've owned.

[@Elysian_Angel_]

@@splodge5714 I have had 1 minor issue that was fixed immediately under warranty. I’m on my 2nd GS and am very positive about the bike and service.

[@splodge5714]

​@@Elysian_Angel_good to hear you've been lucky but read the rest of the comments.😊

[@JamesAllmond]

Well, I have owned 7 BMWs. It's been a decade since the last one. I am in the market for a new bike, was looking at BMWs again. Thank you for the reminder why I sold my last one and have not had one since.... Will continue my search now that I have come back to my senses.... Great BMW has a great attitude, problem is, this is unacceptable for a new vehicle in the 21st Century. Now the owner has no bike until the motor comes back. If this were a Ural, could accept it, but not BMW.

[@splodge5714]

The amount of problems and recalls BMW have on new bikes is a joke. Once bitten twice shy. I wouldn't have another one.

[@flordanis7453]

I'll never buy a BMW, That's for sure ! I ride a KTM 1290 Super adv S 2021, en untill now zero problems !

[@simonomallon9035]

For sure it was excellent that they let you know 'and' replace the motor. Good on BMW. Cheers, Simon, Australia 🇦🇺 😊

[@teej710]

Why don't they just replace the bike, instead of swapping engines???

[@gravyau]

Good point! A loan bike would also be nice.

[@SAMFICOM]

Because BMW became a joke.

[@kwakithailand]

​@@SAMFICOM it is a joke since forever 🤮

[@SAMFICOM]

@@kwakithailand well back in 1997 they used to be good.

[@kwakithailand]

@@SAMFICOM "some", not "they" 😅

[@Andre-yu3qs]

BMW's attitude is excellent, they're not hiding and they're tackling the problem radically and effectively!

[@hugonunezb.4676]

We have to recognize that BMW is telling the truth and doing the engine swap at no cost rather than just letting the engine fail and put the blame on the rider. No excuses to the assembly error anyway

[@yorkchris10]

I remember after unification, BMW recalled flat fours with supplier con-rods. They had to ship across the pond.

[@1MrBryn]

An all new BMW engine and initial priblems is almost tradition at this point

[@splodge5714]

I bought a new BMW boxer in 2000. After 1000 kms the engine started making a knocking noise at tickover. The dealer couldn't solve the problem and BMW authorised me a new bike. This was after a lot of letter writing, phone calls and stress. They have continued to have these stories and recalls up to the present day. I have never been interested in owning another BMW.

[@Smudge64]

I collect my GS on March 1st, still in build at the moment, so hopefully all issues are now sorted.

[@Chris-vq5vr]

There’s no issues whatsoever. That’s the whole point of this video

[@eddypraet3536]

They did the right thing,apparently they have some issues with the starter relais as well,either way mine is postponed for one month because of this issues so it will be delivered in march now…

[@GPR111]

Hmmm, anyone remember 1200gsa loose wheel spokes on a limited number of bikes...? My bike wasnt one in the batch affected.... but it still wriggled its spokes very loose and the wheel was swapped under warranty. And now theres a starter relay fault on the 1300 too. So glad I decided not to wait for one and bought another new 1250....

[@JamesAllmond]

how about the blanket park don't ride recall from a few years ago....this is starting to get regular from BMW, sure NOT like the old days of Airheads, that is for sure...

[@rockyk3973]

Seems improbable to think that any major manufacturer can always avoid at least some production issue with a new model when introduced. That said, even models that have been in production for years have issues. Some context would help. 52 bikes out of how many total produced to date? How close were the affected models to the end of the pre-production phase as inevitable new model production issues were still being ironed out? The fact that this particular case allowed bikes to ship with an incorrect torque setting on the assembly line makes one think that BMW's production system and software self checks were not yet fully in place for the new model. If I recall correctly, previous generation GS video documentaries of BMW Motorrad's boxer engine production seemed to imply that torque settings were validated on the assembly line by the production system software while the engine was actually being assembled. This leads one to believe that at some point in production, some torque settings were being set manually and the issue only found in a post production audit.

[@johnkluge3421]

I have owned a 2004 R1150R since it was new. I had a BMW mechanic tell me a couple of years ago that the 1150s were the last BMWs built to spec not price. BMW developed a reputation for bikes that would never die because they built them to specification without worrying about what that did to the price. According to the mechanic anyway, the R1150s were the last bikes they did that with. The 1200s and all of the bikes after that were built to a price not to a specification and the quality of the bikes reflected that. I have 50,000 miles on my R1150 and the engine runs smoother today than it did new. They don't seem to make them like that anymore.

[@samhill3496]

I had a new 1998 K1200RS which had a short crankshaft. Overnight a new motor was sent and installed. Found at 487 miles. It never sounded right from first fire up. It was fixed. I also saw 23 engines sitting at dealer take outs. replaces, bad oil pumps set up. Hundreds were replaced. Later rebuilt for training and series car racing power plans. Glad they caught it. Those rods are frozen/fractured after machining and no two are alike as they match back perfectly with bolts and caps. First oilheads in '93 used this method. Paperwork / title has to match for Carnet de Passage for world travel. Break it in as specified. They will make about 300 per day. So they caught it during inspection of video taping. Now when it is traded there may be a discount for not matching numbers or history of repair. So some incentives from BMW for the occurrence of the issue.

[@splodge5714]

I've owned many new Japanese bikes and not had any problems never having to return to the dealer. Buy a BMW and you are constantly going back to the dealer for problems and servicing.

[@samhill3496]

@@splodge5714 technology has a price. I've had 27 of them and all kinds of others. Some never an issue other than regulsr maintanence some a damn problem every trip. They leave

[@Alex-rp8fu]

Can they swap the front headlight as well? 😂

[@AlbertSantoso]

Kudos to BMW Motorrad for doing this. And replacing the whole engine to avoid possible longer-term damage, even better.

[@nicolaumb7494]

For me it's the right way to do it. Acknowledge errors and correct them generates trust. My R1300GS Tramuntana is closing to 3.000km issues free. I had the 1250 and I think the new one is at least a bit better on everything. It handles very well, the new tires are way better, it weights less and better consumption figures (8-10%). The only thing that bothers me is the combined braking...I think that a rider of an adventure bike with 1.300cc has experience enough to decide on how to combine its breaking. Ah! And the fog lights activation its just crazy and insecure. I also have a story with BMW engine assembly problems to share; I had an issue with my 5 series and they've call me in car to take the vehicle to the repair shop before the car had 500km. They solved it no charges and I'm a happy customer. That's one of my key reasons to keep on buying BMW. ✌🇵🇹

[@toftstooldforthisshit1613]

This is a first generation motorcycle and there are bound to be problems. This one seems more like human error than design, but the fact that BMW have been up front about this deserves some credit. I would give them a thumbs up 👍

[@mattyb7736]

This is why they are called a Break My Wallet

[@stergioser]

Is still ROTAX making those engines?

[@commander_lard]

fair play catching the problem via their processes, shows the maturity of their manufacturing which is great - I would have personally wanted some gesture for the inconvenience - even if it was a token gesture!

[@MR-vt3np]

I had a new 1200 GS in 2013, one of the new liquid cooled bike. Collected the bike from the dealer, when arrived home I noticed an oil leak. Bike was collected by the recovery service. I was offered a replacement bike after I rejected the bike. No drama. New bike arrived after 3 weeks.

[@splodge5714]

Sorry but this is terrible quality control.

[@ade9356]

I have just had my engine changed after 1200 miles, I reported a knocking noise at the 500 mile service and then BMW booked me in 2 weeks later to investigate, after having had the bike for 24 hours my BMW dealer told me they would swop the engine out, I am very impressed with BMW and my dealer for sorting the problem so quickly.

[@storo70]

It's worse if the problem is much more serious and which BMW cannot disclose to users, but we won't find out

[@claytonsorensen1596]

My 21 R18 had to have a new engine at 1570 miles…better get the extended warranty

[@splodge5714]

Not at all surprised.

[@lancelemay6971]

So much for getting that bike…. Hello 2024 Africa Twin Adventure sports model. Cheaper, more dependable, DCT, and all the power I’ll ever need.

[@albertol1529]

It would be interesting to know how they found out. I’ve not ridden it yet, I thought I’d wait until the spring.

[@1000pscom]

they have digital logs that show all these steps

[@albertol1529]

@@1000pscom Silly me, of course. The bikes also record internal faults too. My old K1200S back in 2008, refused to start after filling with fuel. When it was recovered the dealer told me it was because the bike detected there was a valve chain issue which would have caused severe engine problems.

[@Boxer1250RT]

They should make those 52 bikes Training Bikes and Media Bikes around the World and give you a Brand New Bike. That would be the right thing to do.

[@malcolmnash5850]

You could do this job with the Air Head models.

[@nickrider5220]

They did the right thing, it's not good if the engine puts a rod through the cases at high speed !

[@Otto-AutoPilot]

Many OEMs would just weigh up the cost of rectification vs reputation risk and let it go, fair play to BMW.

[@Brad-RB]

The price of the R1300GS scares me more than the engine issue. When it is time to trade in my 2022 R1250GS, I'm probably going to switch brands.

[@markjwatson1]

Brilliant! Good people Good product

[@daveo226]

Really!! 😂😂😂😂

[@brucekendall52]

Thats why you have a warranty.No issue at all.

[@Theravadinbuto]

I’d be more concerned about the “one time failure” of the adaptive cruise control. That’s a potential major safety issue.

[@austinmatthews347]

Bmw kept quiet about the dodgy servo brakes from 2004 to 2006 on gs a nd rt

[@splodge5714]

What the 'Brake Failure' light coming on and leaving you with No Brakes! That was a good one.😂

[@SoDakTwisties]

I wouldn't be surprised if BMW wants the entire engine so they can tear it all down and thoroughly inspect every component. I'm sure their engineers will get some helpful data from this.

[@travisboam9612]

Kudos to BMW for jumping on the issue right away. Look how long it takes the auto companies to issue recalls 😮

[@exheberria]

One of only 52 motorcycles worldwide. It isn't about 700 kms or something. I found the title of your video a bit misleading. Still thanks for sharing with people.

[@TallyHoTech]

Are they supplying you with a loaner bike? Also did they offer any discounts or other gifts as a good will gesture

[@MKA63]

I'd be interested to know if there was an odometer reset, because now you have a new engine (zero kms) and the rest of the bike is 700km older. Yeah - I know, it's not much, just a thought. I have my R1250GS Triple Black with only 3000km on the clock. I don't think I'll be "upgrading" (if that's the appropriate term) anytime soon. However, regarding the BMW attitude to customer service, owning issues etc. Much respect.

[@ade9356]

My odometer was not re set after my engine was changed, the service interval is showing 540 miles till next service though

[@splodge5714]

I hope they change the engine number on the registration document.

[@user-tx5dy1fz4g]

Not fair, just change with a new bike less hassle and labour.

[@jtdiffen]

Realtime quality control. Inconvenient but impressive. This is why the BMW product has such a great reputation. Reality vs deception (aka VW Jetta diesel)😮

[@kingklr1]

Shit shouldn’t happen at that price point.

[@murrelldooms7982]

At least they admit that they screwed up and are going to make it good. Just brake it in and then ride it like you stole it. And enjoy your new bike adventures.

[@maximilijan77]

It all sounds funny, because I'm wondering how you can tighten one connecting rod improperly and tighten the other properly. Because this engine has two connecting rods with two screws per connecting rod. And especially when you know how it's done at the BMW factory, it sounds a little funny and unbelievable. I would ask BMW for a completely new motorcycle.

[@groverw7507]

52 engines could be one employee on one shift using the wrong torque setting.

[@maximilijan77]

@@groverw7507You have a lot of videos on youtube from the bmw factory where machines are assembled, I advise you to watch it, it will be much clearer to you that what he is saying makes no sense.

[@groverw7507]

@@maximilijan77 I've watched several of the Motorrad plant and their record keeping is second to none. Would not be surprised to learn each torque setting is individually recorded on critical components such as a con rod.

[@maximilijan77]

@@groverw7507 Exactly, everything is recorded, everything is checked, and that's why I can't believe that BMW allowed a motorcycle with such a mistake to leave the factory at all.

[@ydarbg]

Hopefully they don't take as long as you did to get to the problem

[@zenden6564]

That's the minimum for a reputation of integrity.

[@prosperpersonelle]

All companies have their lemons it how you deal with it

[@Teuchteronabike]

I would suspect there is also a BMW engineer looking for a new job now

[@jimmarshall807]

Dad that a mistake happened, but good that BMW flagged it and pro-actively sorted it.

[@mdragon99]

Nomination for Funniest Unintentional Phrasing Award for "...automatic following cruise control...stopped, only once"

[@waynenewman8361]

THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM IS TO BY A TRIUMPH 1200 TIGER.

[@moomoodeadcow]

This is why I never buy a brand new product within the first year of it's major update.

[@daveo9844]

Triumph could learn a thing or two from BMW 🍻

[@splodge5714]

No thanks! BMW can stick with the worst quality control and recall issues. Wouldn't touch one.

[@jamiemcguire9245]

BMW done a great job sorting the problem with the bikes, but really, BMW just swap them over with a new bike

[@frikketto4672]

Possessore di bmw gs 1300 credo che la mia moto rientra nel richiamo....😢

[@1000pscom]

ahia... mi dispiace

[@Isha048]

I'm wondering if the engineer used the AI for his calculations. Many companies actually use the AI (my PC has a program based on the AI that should optimize it). Anyway I call that AD, that is Artificial Dementia, but it's a machine, so the real demented is the man. The purpose is always money, firing people, who have family, because the companies substitute them with a machine is not their concern. Anyway I can't know what BMW is doing, but nowadays many companies have to recall their products because they found important defects... who knows why... a man is not perfect, and a machine will never be. Thanks for the video, in the end you'll have a brand new engine, and hopefully even better than before.

[@Avensur]

Well, there you go. 30k's 600+ pounds...like I said, give me a 300L Rally Honda and I can travel the world anytime and anyplace,,,just ask the popular Netherlands lady.

[@kugangles9860]

Maybe but the 300L is a boring underpowered thumper compared to the GS.

[@gerrybailey447]

​@@kugangles9860But a GS without a motor is literally a push bike, a very heavy and slow one. 😂

[@lawrencerichards6249]

I bet that bmw engineer is no longer employed 🤔no way would I be paying that amount of money for a new bike and end up with a new engine, they shouldn’t even be thinking about it ! The size of bmw and money sat in their large bank account would be nothing to them by offering a full swap out and that alone would save them fortunes by keeping an intact reputation. I’d be saying come pick your bike up because I’m now refusing it and by all means replace for a new bike but no way are you swapping out the engine, it would totally take the shine off owning a new bike if it was me. Very poor customer relations mr bmw. And by the way I want a courtesy bike until my replacement is ready along with some kind of courtesy service package.

[@shawnrichey5847]

Well, BMW, when are you going to step up and fix the cam/rocker issue on 1200 boxers? Known problem. Cams in US 645. Each x4 rockers 165.each x8 valve clearance shims 10 each x8. Insult to injury american dealership price fixing?? Maybe? Order parts direct from Germany for a third of the cost. Fix 20k well serviced engine myself and never buy another bmw.

[@GC-xy2ec]

😂😂BMW is now the new KTM..😅

[@GiancarloBenzina]

Did BMW the right thing? Yes. Is it enough? No. Would they have done this to every problem and to every registered customer? Certainly not. No Brand does that. Hiding is still a common approach, no brand excluded. As BMW has proven on the relais issue, knowing but playing it down, like everyone in the industry. Many do this to get the bike over the warranty and reject proper warranty claims. So why isn’t it enough? Well you may ignore the re-sale value impact of Engine Exchanges or not-matching numbers, but buyers don’t. You may be friendly to BMW to keep your bike off you for weeks or months, but others won’t. So, no, a engine exchange needs to come with additional compensation service, i.e. a free BMW training weekend or whatever to ensure/compensate for Customer happiness. And doubling of the manufacturer’s proof period in warranty. I have not heard of any of those aspects in this and the german presentation. And No, it’s not enough to allow a production process of elements that have a fatal impact on repair capability to be left that loose without countermeasures assuring quality before proceeding to the next process step. I’m expecting quality perfection here, as we’re talking about a manufacturer of the highest quality competence grade, not always executed in their cars either, I know that, owning a variety of BMW cars for many decades (which should assure you that I am not a BMW hater, at all). The process designer, not the workers are to be blamed! He should be fired! Together with him anyone telling customers that the reason for the relais-issue is a 3rd-party problem. No, it’s BMWs problem to have cheapened out in the supplier quality control or acceptance control process. The same issue to me, the same responsible, the process designer and the service/marketing people deferring responsibility putting it on the 3rd party. It may be the cause, but not the problem. That is with Quality-Process-Management. To a long-term test, this is for me, the end of it. I’d expect BMW to change their way of Quality-Process-Management before I’d buy another bike from them for a long-term test. That’s how our customers deal with us, contract termination for convenience if acceptance process or quality assurance process is bad at the Pilot test (the first normal deliveries). If that is a much later issue, similarly will be worked on remediation and re-tested, compensations will be given out, liabilities shares will be negotiated and continuous operational improvement plans be established and timely executed and documented. No, BMW has not done enough! Have they done more than others? Yes, to my otherwise very bad experiences with Honda and Triumph, but maybe less to other people’s experiences, as I can see below in other comments, where their issues were dealt with in much more comprehensive engagement. Is it a technical design flaw? Yeah, arguably yes, but it’s all historical compromises part of an ancient Boxer Design. I leave that to the engineers that may have a view on how this ancient design flaw can be remediated to a much easier repairability.

[@groverw7507]

Just 52 engines exploding from improper torque would be devastating to a brand and company like BMW, some problems can't be ignored.

[@Matthew-wn8oq]

Attacking one of Germanys greatest motorcycle manufacturers is a terrible way to grow a new KZbin channel 😂

[@Snotroggel453]

🇯🇵

[@henryvaneyk3769]

They wanted to be like KTM. Harder suspension, more powerful engine. More fun to ride. Now they are also just as unreliable 🙂

[@groverw7507]

52 engines out of thousands produced, not a reliability issue to worry about yet, imo. Plus BMW manufacturing QC seems impressive to catch this problem caused by one employee on one torque setting.

[@volt8684]

Wouldn’t buy a bmw ever.

[@marcv338]

bla bla bla ....come to the point !

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Great? Sorry, I have a completley different idea about great. Respect? BMW has been building boxer engines for over 100 years now... They are a bunch of assholes! I own an RT and when you compare some of their design solutions to what the Japanese do I already knew they are a bunch of assholes! German quality is absolute BS and has been so for decades! Just look at the problems with new German automobiles from all German makes. However there is a lesson: never ever purchase a new model bike (or car or TV or what have you) in its first year of production. Wait 18 to 24 months so they can learn how to assemble it properly. And this is true for all makes!

[@splodge5714]

But more so for BMW bikes. 🤣😂

[@stellaracrobat]

This is clickbait bullshit with negative headlines - BMW do the right thing and why not give credit. Are you trolling looking for haters?

[@1000pscom]

not at all fishing for trolls or haters, many people react in differnent ways and have different opinions, just read the comments and find out that your personal opinion doesnt apply to everyone

[@gibb013]

I guess when things like this happen, it gives you the chance to gain a few extra views. What a load of blah blah blah. Anything positive to say about bikes??

[@1000pscom]

check out any other video and find out what we like and dislike about bikes, we're publishing content almost daily if not daily...

[@tinolino58]

Booooooooooring

[@wristcandy5451]

BMTroubleyou