Hi guys,
My 2018 GTL is just the best bike I have ever owned for what I need. Long distance, effortless and comfortable touring. That being said in the 17 months and 37,000kms of ownership there have been far far to many maintanance issues. Luckily I have an excellent local dealer, EuroMotors Graz Austria, who have done all that could be asked of them....so far.
To set the scene, I bought the bike in UK. I'm a semi retired Brit living part of the year, especially during summer riding months, in Austria.
On delivery I took the bike on a 1,000km cruise around the UK returning it to the selling dealer, Park Lane BMW in London for its first service. After a couple of hundred Kms the front speed sensor failed. No cruise control, ABS etc etc. No big deal, it was fixed at first service. I also noted a strong pull to the left and excessive oil consumption which were brought to the attention of the service staff. They explained that both would settle down as the bike was broken in. Somewhat naively, with the benifit of hindsight, I accepted their explanation, keen to enjoy my new retirement present and went on my merry way, taking the bike to Austria where it's had all its services since.
As an aside I also purchased the BMW 5 year service package from new which my Austrian dealer has honoured to the full. Cudos to them, especially as this package was not available in Austria at the time.
Anyway to get to the meat of the matter the Oil Consumption and Left Pull issues did not go away as was suggested. Indeed the oil issue has gradually worsened over time to the extent that on a recent trip to Norway, transiting the German Autobahns at speed, oil consumption from full to 'Park and check oil' took 1680kms. This is stretched out somewhat when driving at slow speed and low RPM to about 2,000kms. I carried 5 liters of BMW oil on my Norway trip and in 11,000kms used the lot.
The Pull Issue was reduced initially when I changed tyres from the OEM Bridgestones to Dunlop RS III's and adjusted my seating position. However it quickly returned no matter what I tried. Subsequent changes of tyre has had no affect, the bike continues to pull left in all conditions. Even loading the right side bags asymetrically in excess of 6kgs does not nullify the pull.
Without wishing to over dramatise matters, a moments inattention means the bike turns sharply into on coming traffic or the curb, dependent on left hand (UK) or right hand driving.....Such behaviour in a car would mean an emmediate technical inspection failure, I'm sure the same applies to bikes? If I were to have an accident knowing the bike is defective would this lead to an insurance claim rejection or a crimainal charge? One suspects that either or both would be considered?
If I had my time again and knowing what I know now (thanks largly to the info on this forum) I would be sorely tempted to have rejected the bike after the 1st 1000kms until these 2 major issues were completely sorted or the bike replaced. But alas, I was so keen to enjoy my new toy, I fell for the 'it'll be OK in time' explanation.
As much as it may hurt or frustrate current and future owners I would stongly recommend BMW be taken to task from the get go rejecting bikes delivered from new with such fundamental issues. No vehicle is deigned to use oil at the rates experienced nor designed or certified to pull left to any degree.
And so two weeks ago the bike was delivered to my Austrian dealer for remedial action, delayed until now at their request, during the winter whilst the bike is still under warranty and they can devote the time needed during the off season to fix my GTL once and for all. Both problems, they agree, are unacceptable and must be fixed.
They will also attend to the Transmission recall, parts availability permitting. I'm getting intermediate failure of starter motor and reverse gear engagement which may be part of the recall issue.
Other failures include Speed Sensor failures, Lean Angle sensor failure, GPS failure, GPS eject failure, Wind Screen cracking, Electrical wiring plug cracks and failures, Hill start failure, Oil level indicator failure etc etc.
I will let you know how this goes in the coming weeks which, despite the efforts of my dealer, will depend on the reaction of BMW HQ.
My 2018 GTL is just the best bike I have ever owned for what I need. Long distance, effortless and comfortable touring. That being said in the 17 months and 37,000kms of ownership there have been far far to many maintanance issues. Luckily I have an excellent local dealer, EuroMotors Graz Austria, who have done all that could be asked of them....so far.
To set the scene, I bought the bike in UK. I'm a semi retired Brit living part of the year, especially during summer riding months, in Austria.
On delivery I took the bike on a 1,000km cruise around the UK returning it to the selling dealer, Park Lane BMW in London for its first service. After a couple of hundred Kms the front speed sensor failed. No cruise control, ABS etc etc. No big deal, it was fixed at first service. I also noted a strong pull to the left and excessive oil consumption which were brought to the attention of the service staff. They explained that both would settle down as the bike was broken in. Somewhat naively, with the benifit of hindsight, I accepted their explanation, keen to enjoy my new retirement present and went on my merry way, taking the bike to Austria where it's had all its services since.
As an aside I also purchased the BMW 5 year service package from new which my Austrian dealer has honoured to the full. Cudos to them, especially as this package was not available in Austria at the time.
Anyway to get to the meat of the matter the Oil Consumption and Left Pull issues did not go away as was suggested. Indeed the oil issue has gradually worsened over time to the extent that on a recent trip to Norway, transiting the German Autobahns at speed, oil consumption from full to 'Park and check oil' took 1680kms. This is stretched out somewhat when driving at slow speed and low RPM to about 2,000kms. I carried 5 liters of BMW oil on my Norway trip and in 11,000kms used the lot.
The Pull Issue was reduced initially when I changed tyres from the OEM Bridgestones to Dunlop RS III's and adjusted my seating position. However it quickly returned no matter what I tried. Subsequent changes of tyre has had no affect, the bike continues to pull left in all conditions. Even loading the right side bags asymetrically in excess of 6kgs does not nullify the pull.
Without wishing to over dramatise matters, a moments inattention means the bike turns sharply into on coming traffic or the curb, dependent on left hand (UK) or right hand driving.....Such behaviour in a car would mean an emmediate technical inspection failure, I'm sure the same applies to bikes? If I were to have an accident knowing the bike is defective would this lead to an insurance claim rejection or a crimainal charge? One suspects that either or both would be considered?
If I had my time again and knowing what I know now (thanks largly to the info on this forum) I would be sorely tempted to have rejected the bike after the 1st 1000kms until these 2 major issues were completely sorted or the bike replaced. But alas, I was so keen to enjoy my new toy, I fell for the 'it'll be OK in time' explanation.
As much as it may hurt or frustrate current and future owners I would stongly recommend BMW be taken to task from the get go rejecting bikes delivered from new with such fundamental issues. No vehicle is deigned to use oil at the rates experienced nor designed or certified to pull left to any degree.
And so two weeks ago the bike was delivered to my Austrian dealer for remedial action, delayed until now at their request, during the winter whilst the bike is still under warranty and they can devote the time needed during the off season to fix my GTL once and for all. Both problems, they agree, are unacceptable and must be fixed.
They will also attend to the Transmission recall, parts availability permitting. I'm getting intermediate failure of starter motor and reverse gear engagement which may be part of the recall issue.
Other failures include Speed Sensor failures, Lean Angle sensor failure, GPS failure, GPS eject failure, Wind Screen cracking, Electrical wiring plug cracks and failures, Hill start failure, Oil level indicator failure etc etc.
I will let you know how this goes in the coming weeks which, despite the efforts of my dealer, will depend on the reaction of BMW HQ.