Issues putting 2018 panels on 2014 RT

[ichavis]

Hello everyone,  hope you are all safe and hopefully getting a ride or two in during this diffucult time.


Wonder if some one has any ideas here.... I own a 2014 R1200RT .. it is one of the original do not ride 2014 RTs ... it was all updated
at that time and I am the original owner.  Recently I had the opportunity to buy a complete new set of 2018 Mars Red RT panels
from someone.  They purchased the 2018 RT in Mars red only to take them off and put a different color on his bike,  that model was
the only one with black frame and other engine parts.


The new panels came and everything was going great until I hit the front fairing panels..the ones that have to be carefully put into place
by putting the inseerts into the side panel and push the pins into the rubber groments,  finally secured with 2 screws in the front.




I replaced all the panels and got to these front panels.... when i tried to put them into place the pins did not sit properly into the mounting spot.
This happens on both the right side and left side.  (See photo)  The only thing that i could think of that was the side interior panels had been changed ?
BMW lists a new part number for both that superceeded the 2014 parts


46638566226    RIGHT INNER LATERAL TRIM PANEL         
46638566225    LEFT INNER LATERAL TRIM PANEL 


I can't find any obvious differences between the 2014 and 2018 panels...so these trip panels are the only thing i can think of.    Anyone have any ideas
on why the 2018 front faring panels would not fit my 2014?  each of the other 9 panels have no issue...so can't figure this one out.  I ordered the new trim panels hoping this will solve the issue.


Thanks in advance, Ira     

[Casbar]

Must admit, I had an original 2014 before my 1250 and I was not aware of any differences with panels. Have you tried to fit your old side panels, do they fit ok?


Try asking a dealer parts person, they should know.


Will be interested in the responses

[RTs4me]

I changed from a 2014 to a 2018 (not shift-cam) and I noticed that the upper part of the fairing, where the clear wind deflectors are mounted, is different. The clear deflectors themselves appear to be slightly different too. Not sure if/how this has any effect on the side panel fitment, but maybe it suggests that there had been a slight redesign of the panel mounts, so that their appearance is similar but mountings slightly different?

[ichavis]

That is how i am running it now with the old panels in front till i get the new interior panels ... hopefully that will fix the issue.  I really love this mars red !  I did speak to the dealer and they could not comment either way...

[David.]

Anyone have any ideas on why the 2018 front fairing panels would not fit my 2014?

Some owners have experienced fairing panel tabs being broken, perhaps BMW have made some modifications to rectify this.

RT LC Top lateral panel tabs, viewtopic.php?p=36571#p36571

[beemerboy9]

Some owners have experienced fairing panel tabs being broken, perhaps BMW have made some modifications to rectify this.

RT LC Top lateral panel tabs, /viewtopic.php?p=36571#p36571

David is absolutely correct.


The first thing I did on my new RT was to strip off the right hand side panel to fit the Oldtimers SatNav lock, Gerbing outlet and DAB radio.


The side panels have been changed. I noticed an additional Velcro holding strip for starters and I think the position of some of the holding pins/grommets may have changed somewhat.


I would be interested to know what differences there are.

[David.]

I noticed an additional Velcro holding strip for starters.

The Velcro/Dual Lock is indeed a genuine BMW listed part #09.

[LAF]

Yes I posted in 15 that my 15 RT came with Velcro and people seemed like they had not seen it before.  It was stock on mine.  I think PadG and I was talking about removing these panels and how I used to do it.  I would rather have two screws then those tabs.

[Casbar]

So apart from the velcro what else has changed. I have removed my panels a few times now on my 1250, and I've got to say I haven't noticed any differences between the ones on my old 2014. The tabs look exactly the same.

[ichavis]

So while waiting for the updated interior panel parts to arrived I decided to take those parts off the bike and look at why they were binding up with the 2018 RT panels ... happy to say I see what happened.... the slots there the top pins (which are prone to breaking) needed to be enlarged a little bit and then i cut the grooves deeper to allow the newer panels to fit!  I didnt mind cutting these up cause i new i had the newer parts coming.... i assume they will fit properly, but anycase the new panels are installed with the modified interior panels.  Very happy and love the mars red.  Thanks to everyone who provided assistance here.  I was doubting why i went down this route.... but things look much better now. thank you!

[David.]

The slots where the top pins (which are prone to breaking) needed to be enlarged a little bit and then I cut the grooves deeper to allow the newer panels to fit.
The new panels are installed with the modified interior panels.

This would seem to confirm that BMW have indeed made some modifications to both the upper (outer) fairing panel and the inner trim panel from 2014 to 2018, thank you.

[Kunkies]

Agree with David.  I have a 2014 and my right front side panel tabs broke off (and I didn't even know it, a testament to inferior design).  Will be affixing some super-duper velcro to correct.  Since I have a 2014 I doubt BMW would correct their mistake.

[ichavis]

I broke the tab early on ... i used this german crazy glue and its been solid for 5 years... yes, looks like there was a redesign between may 14 and 18 colored panels.

[ichavis]

I got the updated inner panels today,
46638566226 RIGHT INNER LATERAL TRIM PANEL 46638566225 LEFT INNER LATERAL TRIM PANEL


The 2018 panels snapped right in , looks like the openings for the tabs are a bit different than the ones i had on my 2014 also they included a velcro tab which i guess attaches to the velcro on the front panel.

[smileymiley]

This post has me intrigued from the start, so took my panels off today. I had a 14 & now a 17MY.
As can be seen the 17 has the velcro which my 14 didn't & the tabs are definitely not as big or long as the 14. BMW have changed the fixings.  The panels came off easier too!