01-29-2021, 07:55 AM
My opinion is that the BMW R1200/1250 series are very reliable. You can find horror stories on the net about each brand when you look. I have owned BMW bikes for 36 years and have been exclusive to them for over 10 years now so my opinion is biased.
My own "horror" story was with my 2016 R1200RS. Over 28K+ miles it went through four water pumps. Never leaked enough to cause a problem or cause me to worry about it excessively, just made a mess at the overboard outlet. Not what you want with an expensive motorcycle. It took a few months in the end, but BMW bought the bike back from me giving me the full purchase price. I turned around and bought the exact same bike (a year model newer) and have had zero problems in 37K miles.
Dealing with BMWNA and my local dealer was not an issue with me. At the time I had been a customer of the local shop for more than 30 years and had bought several bikes through them. So my experience may be unique, but being reasonable about the situation- it wasn't anyone's fault the pumps kept puking a little coolant, in fact #3 pump went over 10K miles with nary a drop. #4 pump leaked a little on my ride home after replacement- 4 miles! I haven't heard on the net of the water pumps leaking for quite a while now.
Enjoy your new ride.
Frank
My own "horror" story was with my 2016 R1200RS. Over 28K+ miles it went through four water pumps. Never leaked enough to cause a problem or cause me to worry about it excessively, just made a mess at the overboard outlet. Not what you want with an expensive motorcycle. It took a few months in the end, but BMW bought the bike back from me giving me the full purchase price. I turned around and bought the exact same bike (a year model newer) and have had zero problems in 37K miles.
Dealing with BMWNA and my local dealer was not an issue with me. At the time I had been a customer of the local shop for more than 30 years and had bought several bikes through them. So my experience may be unique, but being reasonable about the situation- it wasn't anyone's fault the pumps kept puking a little coolant, in fact #3 pump went over 10K miles with nary a drop. #4 pump leaked a little on my ride home after replacement- 4 miles! I haven't heard on the net of the water pumps leaking for quite a while now.
Enjoy your new ride.
Frank
'23 R1250RS, 9000 mi. 1 yr., '03 R1100S BCR #6/200, '85 K100/1100RS- 38 yrs. 331,000 mi., '17R1200RS- 51,054 mi. (gone), '16 R1200RS- 28,322 mi. (gone), '11 R1200RT-30,000 mi. (gone), '05 R1200ST-58,000 mi. (gone), '96 Ducati 900SS/SP-89,000 mi. (gone), 560K+ BMW miles