Drive shaft is now a consumable

[TomRides]

Thanks for the recommendation.

I ended up calling So-So and after checking, they confirmed my bike is part of the service campaign.  Said I was registered with MotoRad and couldn't offer me a reason why I didn't get the letter.  I'll bring the bike in two weeks from now and have the shaft tested.

[Duckbubbles]

Is my understanding that they should test the drive shaft (and lubricate) even at 20,000 miles?

Initial inspection/lubrication at 12,000 miles and each 12 after that with replacement each 36,000 miles regardless for the life of the bike.
My '23 RS had the shaft replaced at the initial 12K inspection due to no lube from the factory.

Frank

[Duccrazydave]

I dropped by my local dealer (Motorcycles of Greensboro) last Saturday. The RS needed an inspection and the driveshaft service/check. At 54K and no prior check they said it was an automatic replacement. Dropped it off at 11am and to my surprise, at 1pm, I received a call saying it was ready. I guess they're keeping a few shafts on standby. I have noticed slightly less vibration, particularly under acceleration and inclines.

[Ray]

Well done. New shaft is reportedly, a little beefier and a tighter fit..., but no matter the reason, less vibration is better. Sounds like you're still having fun.

[saread]

Just took my '23 in for a cardan shaft check at 16k miles and lo and behold, it failed and I got a new one. Interesting day, the demo ride truck was at the dealer and it was fun to watch the people come through for a test rides. I only saw a couple that were even mildly interested in a new bike. Most were just joy riders having a spin on bikes they couldn't afford or wouldn't buy. The dealer had a local wood fired pizza trailer there for free pizza. Good day, new cardan shaft and free pizza. The more I hang around Seattle BMW, the more I get to like what they are trying to do. Free food will do that.

[Grumpy Goat]

Good for you. Impressed that they installed the cardan shaft during the Demo Day.

[Duckbubbles]

Good for you. Impressed that they installed the cardan shaft during the Demo Day.

When I had the 12K check done on my '23 RS, the shop scheduled it at a time that they would have shafts in stock.  I suppose to avoid preventable delay.  I also got a new shaft.  The service tech told me that the factory didn't do a proper job of lubrication.

Frank

[Grumpy Goat]

When I had the 12K check done on my '23 RS, the shop scheduled it at a time that they would have shafts in stock.  I suppose to avoid preventable delay.  I also got a new shaft.  The service tech told me that the factory didn't do a proper job of lubrication.

Frank

Regarding the scheduling ... my shop did the same. Called me when the shaft was in and we setup the appointment. At that time I had my own 2nd Gen shaft which I had bought separately but I did not investigate the possibility of them using my shaft (they would have likely and rightfully said no, given that the repair was BMW-sanctioned). So I have an unused shaft sitting in my garage.

Regarding factory misses - the factory also forgot to install the split ring on the transmission output splines on several R1200s (maybe other models too, I don't know) where the forward end cardan shaft has a groove to slip over the split ring. My bike was such a case, and I have heard of others as well.

[NormR]

Finally got my cardan shaft inspected today at my "cost" at the dealership. In Canada, they only complete the inspection for "free" during the major services. I was expected to pay about 1hr labour. Fifteen minutes into the inspection the service manager comes and gets me to go see the mechanic. He shows me that both ends of the shaft are rusted and seized. There was visible rust at the ends and the mechanic first tried dropping the gearbox in the back to see if the shaft would release. He gave it a good nudge and nothing moved so he left it all together. Service manager is ordering me a new shaft and GEARBOX! The bike has 43,000kms and has barely seen any rain, has always been in a heated garage and never washed with a pressure washer (I do use the soap gun attachment on the pressure washer to soap-up but then go with the GARDEN hose to rinse) . I do wash her a lot though, probably every 2nd weekend after a good ride (sometimes every long ride if she's all buggy ;p )
The mechanic did ask me if I keep her in an unheated garage during the winter or wash her with a pressure washer and I told him I baby my bike more then I baby my wife. He proudly nodded in agreement. I am frankly shocked even after reading about other peoples replacement stories. Thankfully the service manager gave me a good vibe so I don't expect any "dealership issues" to get the work approved. For the moment I will be riding the bike as is until the necessary parts arrive.......
I will hopefully have good news in a couple weeks

[Grumpy Goat]

One question after all of that ... was the shaft ever pulled and inspected / lubed before that? I'd be very surprised if it was.

After I pulled mine the first time, I vowed to pull it every 18k miles when I have to change the final drive oil. No significant rust on mine that first time and I wash often and have no issues with a pressure washer at a distance. The gaiters are not waterproof and moisture will get in the shaft housing but should dry out, especially if you go for a ride afterwards.

[NormR]

One question after all of that ... was the shaft ever pulled and inspected / lubed before that? I'd be very surprised if it was.

After I pulled mine the first time, I vowed to pull it every 18k miles when I have to change the final drive oil. No significant rust on mine that first time and I wash often and have no issues with a pressure washer at a distance. The gaiters are not waterproof and moisture will get in the shaft housing but should dry out, especially if you go for a ride afterwards.

First time pulling the shaft. I had it at the dealer last year for an issue and asked them to inspect it while it was on the table. They didn't   I asked about retrofitting the drain on the shaft housing too......

[Grumpy Goat]

First time pulling the shaft. I had it at the dealer last year for an issue and asked them to inspect it while it was on the table. They didn't   I asked about retrofitting the drain on the shaft housing too......

Thanks for confirming. It was probably hard to come off because of the combination of rust and also the split ring on the output shaft ....

My bike never came with one of those and although I bought one, I never bothered fitting it. Makes it easier to pull the shaft. That said, when they replaced my shaft under the service bulletin, I have no idea whether they fitted a split ring.

[Duckbubbles]

The initial 12K mi. inspection on my '23 RS found a lack of or insufficient lubrication from the factory and was replaced. I was informed that it was "difficult" to remove because of rust. But at least it didn't cost me anything!

Frank