Recall? On all models with Reverse

[MN246]

Having been an engineer at two different German companies, I can definitively say that German equipment manufacturers, including the car/motorcycle companies don't like to admit when they've gotten something wrong. That typically turns into extended times for them to get design fixes implemented because they struggle with what to change since they believe at their core, that the design is or should be good.

I would not expect any resolution to this issue prior to the beginning of the year at the earliest. Europeans are just finishing up their holiday season (vacations) where they do not engage in any work activities no matter the urgency. Very typically they are not allowed or not willing to work overtime or after hours to move projects along. Most hourly and salary jobs in Germany are limited to 36 hours/week by national law.

 

[Ulrich]

I bought the Model B with the idea that it will most likely be my last bike (I'm getting old, and keep bikes for a long time); my previous bike was a 2008 GS Adventure, which I almost logged 100,000 miles on it (which was my goal). Anyway, I sold it with just shy of 97,000 as my the wife gave me the green light to get a Bagger, and that money was used towards the new Model B.

Again, I like the idea of keeping the bike despite the recall items; it's to be expected, especially with a first introduction of an entirely new model... I would think 2024 Models would have this stuff in the rear view mirror at this point.

I am thinking 100% like you .. I am getting older as well and I wanted this to be my last new bike ... and it to outlast me. I will not part with it and I hope all will be fine. The only issue I had so far was a transmission breather issue that I fixed myself. I have a FE so a different headlight than the ones breaking ... I use my revers actually only to get her out of the wheel chock ... and my next dealer is now a 280 mile round trip ... so I hope all is well ... but looking at BMW's corporate shenanigans ... no transparency, no shop manual, high spare part prices and many more nagging little stupid games they like to play, this WILL be my last BMW! ... maybe not my last bike .. but most certainly my last BMW. Their engineers have created a great bike, a beautiful engine and then corporate (and most likely the 'bean counters') made a complete hash of it IMO.

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

My biggest issue with this recall/deactivation issue is that I need the reverser. I have a slight incline into my driveway, nothing severe - but enough. I tried yesterday to manually coax "Brynhildr - my Big Bavarian B&^%$#" backwards into my garage (as advised by the dealer as the work-around!) Has anyone ever really tried to push a 440kg {a couple of extra accessories on mine} up an incline in reverse while they straddle the behemoth - let me tell you - 20 minutes and one hell of a workout later I managed to coax the "B" the mere 2-3 metres (no, not a spelling error in the rest of the English speaking world lol) over the ever so slight incline (less than 2 degrees). Now, I am told that I have NO CHOICE, that the dealership WILL deactivate the unit regardless of any protestations that I might have - BMW have decreed it. The problem that I have is that my bike is housed inside a garage out of the elements, I use the reverse sparingly to negotiate a very tricky manoeuvre (again, not a spelling error in the 99% of the English speaking world lol) - but BMW don't seem to care too much about that. So, I am left with a choice - spend a couple hundred moolahs for a bike dolly, or park it on the street. Fortunately for me I live in a short cul-de-sac with no through traffic (other than the 4 households that share it), so I guess until BMW find and implement the solution, it's out with the bike cover and onto the street for "Brynhildr" (maybe she could earn some extra mooloah if she show's a bit of tyre ... yes I know, it's not a spelling error - in the rest of the English speaking world tyre is spelt this way

 

[BigJimSlim]

My biggest issue with this recall/deactivation issue is that I need the reverser. I have a slight incline into my driveway, nothing severe - but enough. I tried yesterday to manually coax "Brynhildr - my Big Bavarian B&^%$#" backwards into my garage (as advised by the dealer as the work-around!) Has anyone ever really tried to push a 440kg {a couple of extra accessories on mine} up an incline in reverse while they straddle the behemoth - let me tell you - 20 minutes and one hell of a workout later I managed to coax the "B" the mere 2-3 metres (no, not a spelling error in the rest of the English speaking world lol) over the ever so slight incline (less than 2 degrees). Now, I am told that I have NO CHOICE, that the dealership WILL deactivate the unit regardless of any protestations that I might have - BMW have decreed it. The problem that I have is that my bike is housed inside a garage out of the elements, I use the reverse sparingly to negotiate a very tricky manoeuvre (again, not a spelling error in the 99% of the English speaking world lol) - but BMW don't seem to care too much about that. So, I am left with a choice - spend a couple hundred moolahs for a bike dolly, or park it on the street. Fortunately for me I live in a short cul-de-sac with no through traffic (other than the 4 households that share it), so I guess until BMW find and implement the solution, it's out with the bike cover and onto the street for "Brynhildr" (maybe she could earn some extra mooloah if she show's a bit of tyre ... yes I know, it's not a spelling error - in the rest of the English speaking world tyre is spelt this way

Not sure how things work down your way, but taking the bike in to have to device disabled would be up to you, no? I’d assume you can keep on trucking and wait out the development of a replacement module. Just hope that nothing goes sideways in the meantime. There’s probably some reduced liability to the company if you ignore a recall order, so place your bets accordingly.

For my mind, if this thing doesn’t come out to be a safety concern, I’m not sure how urgently I ride back out to the shop to get anything done. Especially the removal of a feature and not an actual fix.

 

[MN246]

I'm not sure how it works in Australia, but why do you have to let BMW deactivate the reverse. Here in the US, you could just not take your bike into the dealership. There's no mechanism to force you to comply with the recall here.

 

[Ulrich]

I'm not sure how it works in Australia, but why do you have to let BMW deactivate the reverse. Here in the US, you could just not take your bike into the dealership. There's no mechanism to force you to comply with the recall here.

Agreed ... just don't take it in ... I for one WILL NOT take it in unless they can promise me to have it fixed on the spot ... or Uschi blows up
I for one will plead complete ignorance ... I have not been contacted by BMW corporate ... nor by a licensed dealership ... so for all I know there is nothing wrong with that big girl.

 

[MN246]

At least here in the US, they are on the hook for a ton of warranty, product liability, and personal injury claims should the worst case occur. No doubt they know this, hence the stop sell. Their liability exposure may be less in other countries, but it is significant here. I'm sure they are somewhat nervous about the potential of a class action suit should the delivery of a fix drag on.

 

[BigJimSlim]

At least here in the US, they are on the hook for a ton of warranty, product liability, and personal injury claims should the worst case occur. No doubt they know this, hence the stop sell. Their liability exposure may be less in other countries, but it is significant here. I'm sure they are somewhat nervous about the potential of a class action suit should the delivery of a fix drag on.

If the headlight recall is any guide, it took months and months to get a fix in place. Took my particular bike maybe two months beyond that for my parts to show up for the job. Within this timeframe people were upset, threatening action, pursuing buyback options, swearing off the brand. The headlight was likely a more use-critical issue, so we might not see the same level of fervor as I’d wager most of us will have bikes that still usable in most riding circumstances. But it would behoove us all if there was a level of transparency in the immediate that we’re not getting, nor did we get it with the headlight recall.

I’ve got a couple Fords that had some recall issues that I don’t think came with anymore clarity ahead of the official issue, so I don’t know how different companies really operate in this regard.

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

Not sure how things work down your way, but taking the bike in to have to device disabled would be up to you, no? I’d assume you can keep on trucking and wait out the development of a replacement module. Just hope that nothing goes sideways in the meantime. There’s probably some reduced liability to the company if you ignore a recall order, so place your bets accordingly.

For my mind, if this thing doesn’t come out to be a safety concern, I’m not sure how urgently I ride back out to the shop to get anything done. Especially the removal of a feature and not an actual fix.

No choice here (and I suspect worldwide) BMW has decreed that at the service interval the unit Will be disabled by the technician. There is no "if you don't mind Sir..." already had that conversation - I didn't win..

 

[BigJimSlim]

No choice here (and I suspect worldwide) BMW has decreed that at the service interval the unit Will be disabled by the technician. There is no "if you don't mind Sir..." already had that conversation - I didn't win..

What if you do your own service? There’s some thought here that the dealer is responsible for performing known recall work, even if you’re in for another reason. So it’d be the same in the US, but if we opt to do our own work, the dealer doesn’t get hands on our machines.

 

[Keehn]

If the headlight recall is any guide, it took months and months to get a fix in place. Took my particular bike maybe two months beyond that for my parts to show up for the job. Within this timeframe people were upset, threatening action, pursuing buyback options, swearing off the brand. The headlight was likely a more use-critical issue, so we might not see the same level of fervor as I’d wager most of us will have bikes that still usable in most riding circumstances. But it would behoove us all if there was a level of transparency in the immediate that we’re not getting, nor did we get it with the headlight recall.

I’ve got a couple Fords that had some recall issues that I don’t think came with anymore clarity ahead of the official issue, so I don’t know how different companies really operate in this regard.

Jim, to be fair, the headlight was/is a safety issue that NHTSA correctly compelled a recall on. The reverse gear doesn't fall under safety of the vehicle, driver, or passenger qualifications (AFAIK), especially since it's a motorcycle we're talking about.

That said, I'm sure BMW wanted to head off the bad-PR the headlight recall was causing, especially since NHTSA recalls can force stop-sales on dealers/manufacturers, which of course, hits BMW in their bottom-line. All this of course highlights the importance of users calling out defects in their purchases, but I agree with you, I don't think BMW will be as compelled this go-around with the reverse gear, especially since there's not the heavy-hand of a governmental regulatory agency forcing them to fix their problems.

Mike

 

[BigJimSlim]

Jim, to be fair, the headlight was/is a safety issue that NHTSA correctly compelled a recall on. The reverse gear doesn't fall under safety of the vehicle, driver, or passenger qualifications (AFAIK), especially since it's a motorcycle we're talking about.

That said, I'm sure BMW wanted to head off the bad-PR the headlight recall was causing, especially since NHTSA recalls can force stop-sales on dealers/manufacturers, which of course, hits BMW in their bottom-line. All this of course highlights the importance of users calling out defects in their purchases, but I agree with you, I don't think BMW will be as compelled this go-around with the reverse gear, especially since there's not the heavy-hand of a governmental regulatory agency forcing them to fix their problems.

Mike

Right. But the current level of information we have about the reverse is from “it doesn’t work right” to “something could happen to result in a fire”, so there’s some level of safety potential, according to unofficial sources. The shop manager at my selling dealer stated he was told there’d be a recall, so I assume it’s through NHTSA if it does happen. But I’m not confident this shop manager knows anything more than anyone else. And he sure admitted as much!

Again, we’re all just chomping popcorn and trying to digest the slivers of info we have. Gotta just wait and leave it at ”we’ll see”.

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

What if you do your own service? There’s some thought here that the dealer is responsible for performing known recall work, even if you’re in for another reason. So it’d be the same in the US, but if we opt to do our own work, the dealer doesn’t get hands on our machines.

And BMW voids your warranty

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

Jim, to be fair, the headlight was/is a safety issue that NHTSA correctly compelled a recall on. The reverse gear doesn't fall under safety of the vehicle, driver, or passenger qualifications (AFAIK), especially since it's a motorcycle we're talking about.

That said, I'm sure BMW wanted to head off the bad-PR the headlight recall was causing, especially since NHTSA recalls can force stop-sales on dealers/manufacturers, which of course, hits BMW in their bottom-line. All this of course highlights the importance of users calling out defects in their purchases, but I agree with you, I don't think BMW will be as compelled this go-around with the reverse gear, especially since there's not the heavy-hand of a governmental regulatory agency forcing them to fix their problems.

Mike

Reverse in isolation is not a safety issue. The issue is that the electrics may corrode and there is a risk of a cascade affect on other on-board systems which could potentially be catostrophic. That's why there is a mandated deactivation of this system until BMW can redesign and configure the replacement component.

 

[BER18 100]

Jgraf0107, you don't know it yet but Star-lord is one of the premier contributors to this site. I have learned an awful lot from his expertise. He is very knowledgeable.
Lighten up Jgraf0107.

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

I'm not sure how it works in Australia, but why do you have to let BMW deactivate the reverse. Here in the US, you could just not take your bike into the dealership. There's no mechanism to force you to comply with the recall here.

Nor here in Australia. Unfortunately, to ensure the preservation of the warranty almost invariably requires the owner to engage the services of an authorised BMW service centre. BMW have issued a compulsory deactivation order of the Reverse Assist module by the mechanics/technicians - and this is at no discretion to the service centre and no option to refuse by the owner.

spelling in compliance with the Kings English ...... the good little Commonwealth subjugated subject that I am

 

[Star-Lord]

Jgraf0107, you don't know it yet but Star-lord is one of the premier contributors to this site. I have learned an awful lot from his expertise. He is very knowledgeable.
Lighten up Jgraf0107.

It was a lite joke, referencing the Audi 5000 reverse issues during the 1978 - 1986 period; which is only really dating my age in hindsight...

 

[Chris N]

Not heard anything here in the UK ref a reverse gear recall.. My Classic is going in Friday for a 6k service so will find out more then..

 

[Noelpolar]

No choice here (and I suspect worldwide) BMW has decreed that at the service interval the unit Will be disabled by the technician. There is no "if you don't mind Sir..." already had that conversation - I didn't win..

I'm Aussie based.... no dealer will be seeing mine until they have a fix.... if you need it service before hand take it to a independant. As long as a licensed mechanic services it you should have no warranty issues.

 

[Noelpolar]

My biggest issue with this recall/deactivation issue is that I need the reverser. I have a slight incline into my driveway, nothing severe - but enough. I tried yesterday to manually coax "Brynhildr - my Big Bavarian B&^%$#" backwards into my garage (as advised by the dealer as the work-around!) Has anyone ever really tried to push a 440kg {a couple of extra accessories on mine} up an incline in reverse while they straddle the behemoth - let me tell you - 20 minutes and one hell of a workout later I managed to coax the "B" the mere 2-3 metres (no, not a spelling error in the rest of the English speaking world lol) over the ever so slight incline (less than 2 degrees). Now, I am told that I have NO CHOICE, that the dealership WILL deactivate the unit regardless of any protestations that I might have - BMW have decreed it. The problem that I have is that my bike is housed inside a garage out of the elements, I use the reverse sparingly to negotiate a very tricky manoeuvre (again, not a spelling error in the 99% of the English speaking world lol) - but BMW don't seem to care too much about that. So, I am left with a choice - spend a couple hundred moolahs for a bike dolly, or park it on the street. Fortunately for me I live in a short cul-de-sac with no through traffic (other than the 4 households that share it), so I guess until BMW find and implement the solution, it's out with the bike cover and onto the street for "Brynhildr" (maybe she could earn some extra mooloah if she show's a bit of tyre ... yes I know, it's not a spelling error - in the rest of the English speaking world tyre is spelt this way

Some neighbour must have a big teenager that will push you for $5.....