2005 BMW R1200 RT problems & reliability
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW R1200 RT, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 9 | 41% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 23% |
| Power Train | 4 | 18% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 5% |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 5% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 5% |
| Structure | 1 | 5% |
| Unknown OR Other | 1 | 5% |
| Visibility | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw r1200. When the contact attempted to start the cycle, it failed and fuel was leaking from the front. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer (hap's cycle sales, inc, 2530 17th st, sarasota, fl, 34234) was contacted at 941-365-3443. The contact took the fuel pump…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Nov 15, 2017
“Drive shaft u-joint failure riding on interstate 5. Bike started to vibrate and when clutch was depressed, vibration stopped. Released clutch and vibration started again. Depressed clutch again and pulled to side of the road before drive shaft locked up. Pulled back rear boot on final drive and there was smoke coming…”
Power Train · filed Oct 6, 2016
“While pulling away from a stop sign the motorcycle increased speed and rpm's in excess of the amount of throttle I was twisting. I immediately pulled in the clutch and released the throttle. The rpm's continued to climb over 4000 and the engine sustained this level. The motorcycle would only return to a normal idle…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Feb 27, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Fuel Leak - Motorycle
Engineering Analysis EA13006 · opened Jul 12, 2013 · closed Jan 31, 2014 · led to recall 13V617000
- Fuel Leak - Motorcycle
Preliminary Evaluation PE12036 · opened Nov 16, 2012 · closed Jul 22, 2013
Technical service bulletins
43 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW R1200 RT. The 10 most recent:
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information…
B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 11, 2024
Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1. The new maintenance schedule is not…
MC330423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2023
BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender â  Fuel Stripâ  equipped on certain model year 2005 to 2013 R and K series motorcycles.
MC160214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2023
Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
SIB330222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2023
BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.
MC000222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 8, 2022
When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
MC610821 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 13, 2021
The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down
MC660118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 17, 2021
BMW Motorrad has ascertained that incorrect usage, such as overloading, can result in the threaded fasteners of the center stand losing their initial torque.
MC000913 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 10, 2021
The hill start control operation may be sporadic.
MC64465398 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2021
The complaint of leaking telescopic forks is the top warranty claim in many current models,
MC310421 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2021
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2005 BMW R1200 RT has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2005 BMW R1200 RT?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.