Model year record
1997 BMW R 1100 RT recalls & problems
The 1997 BMW R 1100 RT has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 BMW R 1100 RT.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power trainDriveline; Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal | 3 | 36,000 mi |
| Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW R1100 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND HE NOTICED A LEAK OF UNKNOWN FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VUE PORT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A REDESIGNED VUE PORT OF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
- Power train › Driveline
I HAVE HAD 2 FAILURES OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING ON MY 1997 BMW R100RT. FIRST WAS AT 36K MILES,BEARING FAILED AND POURED OIL ALL OVER REAR WHEEL WHEN SEAL DESTRUCTED BECAUSE PIECES OF THE BEARING ATE IT UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AS WHEEL WAS COVERED WITH 80W90 GEAR OIL,ALSO WHEEL WAS WOBBLY. I HAD A SECOND FAILURE AT 60K MILES. O WAS RIDING THE BIKE AND FELT A VIBRATION. I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A FLAT TIRE,SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. I COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG SO I KEPT RIDING. THE VIBRAATION KEPT GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD NO LONGER RIDE THE BIKE,FEARING FOR MY SAFETY.I CALLED FOR A TOW,BROUGHT THE BIKE HOME WHERE I FOUND THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILED,BUT DIDN`T HARM…
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSES DANGEROUS SURGING OF SPEED WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM RELATED TO THIS MODEL AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. UNANTICIPATED CHANGES IN SPEED CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.