*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Fuel/propulsion system
THE GAS TANK ON THESE F-SERIES (F650GS, F800GS) BMW MOTORCYCLES IS A KNOWN (NATIONWIDE, AND WORLDWIDE) PROBLEM. THE GAS TANK DEVELOPS CRACKS ALONG A PARTICULAR AREA ON THE SIDE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE TO THE VEHICLE I OWN, IN APRIL OF 2015, AND NOW IN AUGUST, 2015. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ON MY MOTORCYCLE, FUEL WAS ACTUALLY LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK. NOW IT IS A DEEP CRACK THAT A PERSON CAN FIT A FINGERNAIL INTO, IT IS THAT WIDE. I EXPECT FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF IT AGAIN SOON. THE LOCAL DEALER WARRANTEES THE TANK, BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUES. THE ISSUE IS WITH THE LACK OF QUALITY IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. BMW MOTORRAD CONTINUES TO WARRANTY THESE TANKS INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THE DESIGN FLAW AND/OR…
May 1, 2015 · 3,667 milesFuel/propulsion system
MY MOTORCYCLE WAS PUT INTO THE SHOP BEFORE A TRIP AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WERE CRACKS ON THE OUTSIDE WALL OF THE FUEL TANK IN THE SEAM AREAS. VICTORY BMW TOLD US THAT IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF BIKES AND THEY WOULD TRY TO PUT IT IN UNDER WARRANTY AND WE WERE LATER TOLD THAT THE COMPANY WOULD NOT COVER IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB UNDER THE BMW 600 - 800 FORUMS. ANY PROBLEM WITH FUEL TANKS IS A SERIOUS DANGEROUS SITUATION. BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE TANKS.
Sep 19, 2014 · 5,500 milesFuel/propulsion system
THE MOTORCYCLE HAS EXTENSIVE HAIRLINE CRACKS ON THE LEFT & RIGHT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. A HIGHLY REPORTED ISSUE ON BMW FORUMS. *TR
Oct 10, 2013 · 930 milesExterior lighting
REFLECTIVE COATING ON REFLECTOR OF HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS PEELING/FLAKING OFF EXPOSING THE BLACK PLASTIC UNDERNEATH. THIS DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE HEADLIGHT'S ABILITY TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD AND RESULTS IN A VERY UNSAFE RIDING SITUATION AFTER DARK. *JS
Apr 29, 2014 · 22,000 milesExterior lighting › Headlights
REFLECTIVE COATING ON REFLECTOR OF HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FIRST LOOSES ITS SHEEN THEN BECOMES VERY DARK (BURNED). THIS DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE HEADLIGHT'S ABILITY TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD AND RESULTS IN A VERY UNSAFE RIDING SITUATION AFTER DARK. NOTE: MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN ITS OEM LIGHTING PROFILE, USING THE STANDARD / RECOMMENDED H7 TYPE BULB. *JS
Apr 30, 2010 · 25,051 milesElectrical system
ENGINE STOPPED (BUT DID NOT SEIZE) AND VEHICLE STARTED RAPID DECELERATION. THE LOSS OF POWER WAS INSTANTANEOUS, BUT APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE EARLIER THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY HAD GONE BLANK. THERE WERE NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF TROUBLE. WHEN POWER LOSS OCCURRED, I PULLED IN THE CLUTCH AND COASTED TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SUBSEQUENTLY TESTING SHOWED THAT BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED AND LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO FAILURE OF CHARGING SYSTEM, SPECIFICALLY, FAILURE OF GENERATOR STATOR (GENERATOR IN THIS VEHICLE USES PERMANENT MAGNET ROTOR AND WOUND STATOR). *TR
Mar 30, 2013 · 20,320 milesEngine
I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 SOUTH IN MARYLAND NEAR COLUMBIA DOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND HAD TO SLOW FOR TRAFFIC AHEAD. I SLOWED TO 50 MPH AND DISENGAGED THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS NOT INITIALLY AWARE THAT IT HAD STALLED DUE TO THE GENERAL TRAFFIC NOISE. WHEN I ENGAGED THE CLUTCH IN THE LOWER GEAR MY REAR TIRE SKIDDED AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE. THEN I REALIZED THE ENGINE HAD STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO ROLL START THE BIKE BY SHIFTING TO YET A LOWER GEAR AND ENGAGING THE CLUTCH RAPIDLY BUT THE ENGINE STALLED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AGAIN. I ENDED UP HAVING TO DISMOUNT THE BIKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND (VERY QUICKLY) PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF…
Jul 13, 2012 · 23,815 milesEngine and engine cooling
THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES SOMETIMES AT A STANDSTILL OTHER TIMES WHILE MOVING. THEN ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND THEN CAN BE RESTARTED A SHORT TIME LATER. THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION WAS A STALL WHILE MOVING AT 35 MILES A HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE ENGINE APPEARS TO BE GAS STARVED. TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS 80 DEGREES. AFTER SEVERAL STALLS I HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. *JS
Mar 20, 2012 · 7,300 miles
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.