BMW driveshaft recall/problems & preventative maintenance

[Stu]

Being relatively new to BMW's I haven't seen a great deal of info on the driveshaft failures

So what exactly is the problem? IS it the splines or the UJ's that cause the issue

Or is it the shaft seizing to the splines that causes the UJ's to letgo

Or is it just related to moisture getting in the tunnel causing corrosion

What preventative maintenance can you take to make sure your shaft lasts you a long time (without taking blue pills )

[Stu]

No one?

[Glenn]

viewtopic.php?p=67219#p67219

[Steve398]

Dunno, only that occasionally a failure occurs. As part of my pre-tour service this year I’m having the shaft checked and greased just for reassurance.

Mind you I’m also taking out travel ins that covers breakdown/parts/labour for the trip, it’s costing just under £100 and sounds a bargain.

[simbo]

I don't think there are that many failures overall, It's just with the power of the internet these days people on the other side of the earth get to hear about them all. Has anyone on this forum actually had a drive shaft failure?

[Panman40]

It’s a shame not being able to trust a motorcycle whilst on a trip. I’ve had my first bmw 1250rt for almost a year now and it’s been a rocky road after 16 years with a Honda ST1300

[Stu]

I don't think there are that many failures overall, It's just with the power of the internet these days people on the other side of the earth get to hear about them all. Has anyone on this forum actually had a drive shaft failure?

Thats the trouble with problems! you only hear about them!

No one posts saying I have a brilliant bike with no issues! they only shout from the rooftops when there is an issue

At the moment you can find a new shaft heavily discounted and I am in two minds whether to buy one for the future

[simbo]

Thats the trouble with problems! you only hear about them!

No one posts saying I have a brilliant bike with no issues! they only shout from the rooftops when there is an issue

At the moment you can find a new shaft heavily discounted and I am in two minds whether to buy one for the future

I've had my RT nearly 7 years now and it's done 50k miles (35k in my ownership) with zero issues. I've had two GS's over the past 42 months covering 40k miles with zero issues, I didn't trust BMW's when I first got my RT due to reading of problems on forums & Facebook, but after 75k miles with zero issues the brand is winning me over i might even buy a new RT for my last bike before retirement from motorcycling

[Randyjaco]

Being relatively new to BMW's I haven't seen a great deal of info on the driveshaft failures

So what exactly is the problem? IS it the splines or the UJ's that cause the issue

Or is it the shaft seizing to the splines that causes the UJ's to letgo

Or is it just related to moisture getting in the tunnel causing corrosion

What preventative maintenance can you take to make sure your shaft lasts you a long time (without taking blue pills )

I don't think there is much one can do. The U-joints are sealed, so you can't grease them. I checked my splines last year. In my situation there was no rust and the splines are properly lubricated. BMW offers no guidance. As of today, I am only aware of 3 incidences of actual catastrophic driveshaft failure in all of Bikedom.

[Casbar]

Ive heard of 3 in the UK on an RT and probably 3 or more on a GS

[David.]

Has anyone on this forum actually had a drive shaft failure.

viewtopic.php?p=67175&hilit=driveshaft#p67175

[burridge01]

viewtopic.php?p=67175&hilit=driveshaft#p67175

That's not the same thing.Thats bad workmanship not the actual failure of the part directly.

[David.]

In the linked "driveshaft failure" thread, one was bad workmanship, the other three were failure of the part directly.

I may be wrong but that is my interpretation of what has been posted.

[burridge01]

The question was "has anybody on THIS forum had a drive shaft failure".
The answer is no.

[David.]

The question was "has anybody on THIS forum had a drive shaft failure".

The answer is chappers2a.