Oil dripping from final drive

[BER18 100]

After driving 28 miles to work, there is an observable oil drop hanging from the drain plug area. I checked the drain plug for snug and it was. The option 719 back rim on this bike has tiger stripes daily. I'm getting tired of cleaning the wheel daily. It takes a while and quite a few shop rags to clear the oil. Makes no sense as this bike has less than 2,000 miles on it.

 

[Anibal]

Man, that sounds like a nightmare. If you sniff the rugs does it has a strong smell? There are quite a few discussions going on regarding the tiger stripes that offer an insight on the situation. Bottom line, if not happy you should tell de dealer because not only they should address your concerns but also the issue gets documented for future reference in case a warranty claim in the future.

 

[Mr. Efficiency]

BMW final drives are notorious. You either get a bike and plain and simple you ride the bike until it breaks in every way and the final drive is working… or you get it and it breaks. Yours is broken. Take it to the dealer NOW. BMW is used to broken final drives (they used to be in denial about it but awoke) and they wil fix whatever seal is leaking for nothing. No worries but dont sit around what’s wrong with it. There is something wrong with it. Final drives that work do not leak, seep or catch on fire from overheating. And yes, yours will catch on fire if you dont get it fixed.

 

[BER18 100]

Guess I need to load the trailer and go 170 miles one way. Such a pain.

 

[Mr. Efficiency]

Guess I need to load the trailer and go 170 miles one way. Such a pain.

Well, I may not panic. I’ve ridden my GS 500 miles home with a leaking final drive. It’s just best to address it immediately.

 

[Reedman71]

I had the same issue with my 2023 B model. Hot day and some higher speeds. Cleaned off the muck and it has not returned. Keeping an eye on it but I would have to agree that this was the initial mounting grease that became viscous enough to seem out of the weep hole.

Not worried about it yet...

 

[BER18 100]

I rode an R1200C for 14 years and never had a final drive leak. And what is amazing is the multiple forces and loads that a single swing arm bearing must carry. I never knew how BMW could make a bearing to stand up those extremes. It looked cool and worked fine but the single swing arm bearing must be terribly robust.

 

[snider1970]

I had the same issue with my 2023 B model. Hot day and some higher speeds. Cleaned off the muck and it has not returned. Keeping an eye on it but I would have to agree that this was the initial mounting grease that became viscous enough to seem out of the weep hole.

Not worried about it yet...

Has it resolved?

 

[BER18 100]

I had the final drive replaced on my R18 under warranty. It is dry as a bone after every ride. Before the replacement, oil was coming from behind the U-joint AND from the around the bearing.