The average lifespan of a BMW motorbike is around 200,000 miles, but this might vary depending on the model, how well the bike is maintained, and the type of riding it is exposed to. BMW motorcycles can survive 50 years if you ride them 4000 miles per year on average.
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What is the gearbox lifespan?
Preventing metal particles from entering the oil is the key concern. You should get the gearbox checked out as soon as possible if this occurs.
The typical lifespan of the gearbox on a BMW motorcycle is between 50,000 and 75,000 miles, which is right in line with how far the owner would usually ride the bike over the course of ownership.
Costs of upkeep
BMW motorcycle maintenance is expensive. Including the additional cost of materials and labor, a single service visit may run you up to $700. If you own a BMW motorcycle, you must perform routine maintenance. In fact, failing to do so could compromise the dependability and performance of your motorcycle. On the other hand, if your BMW motorcycle is properly maintained, it will last for many years. To keep it running smoothly and safely, you should take it to a service center at least twice a year.
A 6,000-mile service period is typical. This may sound like a lot, but it also covers a battery replacement and four further oil changes. The price of upkeep will change based on the model. For three years and three thousand miles in the US, care is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Other countries have lengthier service intervals. If you need your motorcycle serviced in the USA, go to Bob’s BMW.
150,000 kilometers on a BMW R 1100 ST
One of the BMW motorbike models that boasts unusually long lifespan and mileage is this German-made motorcycle model. It has a distinctive innovation.
It is propelled by a two-cylinder, eight-valve, air-cooled, four-stroke boxer engine with a 1170cc displacement that is SOHC or DOHC starting in 2010. 110 horsepower and a Cardan shaft, both endorsed by Bosch, transmit rotation to the back wheel while transitioning through a six-ratio gearbox.
Here is the truth on the BMW R 1200ST’s lifespan and mileage. Additionally, this motorcycle can travel up to 150,000 cumulative miles at 240 miles per tank of oil. With a load-bearing drive unit, the front and rear frames are composed of tubular steel. The power output increases from 95 to 108 horsepower and from 72 to 85 foot pounds of torque, respectively.
The extremely low fuel consumption level of this motorcycle, which is 578 l/100 km, is just one of the qualities and features that prolong its life (40.7 mpg). The compression ratio was abruptly increased to 12.0:1. You may be sure that this bike will survive a long time because it is a chain-driven SOHC bike with four valves per cylinder.
Is the BMW motorcycle dependable?
Because we lack access to the survey’s raw data and a copy of the questionnaires, we are unable to guarantee its methodology.
According to the Consumer Reports survey of more than 11,000 subscribers, 40% of BMWs experience at least one catastrophic failure by the fourth year of ownership. This can greatly worry anyone, since this chart would be a glaring letdown if you were set on purchasing a BMW S1000R. I am aware that such a data needs to be interpreted with caution, but why is BMW at the bottom of this list?
The more dependable brands are Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, and Kawasaki, while Triumph, Ducati, BMW, and Can-Am were among the less dependable ones. By the fourth year of ownership, failure rates for Can-Am and BMW are predicted to be around 40%.
Take into account information like this: The same company (Consumer Reports) that rated the iPhone as its top choice for a handset then advised “don’t buy one” as soon as the antenna gate began. Why, therefore, did they not discover the issue with the phone during their ostensibly scientific testing, assuming there was one?
They then decided a few months later that you shouldn’t buy a Tesla due to reliability concerns from their reader survey after rating the Tesla so highly that it violated their rating scale, proving they don’t have a trustworthy scientific method for testing if they made way for something to get greater than 100%.
I can find numerous serious issues with this motorcycle essay after carefully reading it. Mostly that there is no actual data displayed. They included bikes from 2014 but ranked reliability over a period of four years? Based on the information, they sold their projected repairs but provided no further details. Did they take into account the possibility that BMW would need more repairs because its owners maintain their bikes for longer?
The Japanese bikes will rank lower since they sell far more sport bikes than cruisers, which is how they assess comfort, not model or design.
Did they take into account how long individuals ride? A rider like my friend, who owns a brand-new 2013 Ninja 300 with likely less than 10 miles on it because it has only sometimes encountered pavement in the past two years, won’t have any issues to report because he rarely uses the bike. When a driver misses the turn for Starbucks, their BMW GS may need to be used off-road, which could cause them a lot of problems.
Additionally, they mentioned that roughly 43% of repairs were free, which suggests that the bike is either covered by warranty or an extended warranty. A service contract may also be more likely to be obtained if you own an expensive bike (BMW, CanAm) because of the investment you made in it. If you know you will A) retain the bike for a long time and B) not pay for the repair, you will take the bike in for service for every small problem.
Even after pointing out these issues with the consumer report survey, the data is worrying and calls for a sorted set of genuine customer reviews from all around the world divided into Pros and Cons in the manner shown below.
Are BMW motorcycles still worth anything?
The most popular motorcycles on the road are not inexpensive. However, some of the better ones retain their worth even after being driven. In fact, motorcycles built by Harley-Davidson, BMW, and Ducati appear to retain their MSRP value the best of all.
According to information gathered by the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide, Harley-Davidson motorcycles had the best brand-specific value retention during a five-year period, holding onto an average of 84% of its value. Indian, Ducati, and Triumph lagged slightly behind BMW at 77%, 73%, and 72%, respectively, but BMW was not far behind at 81%.
According to Kelley’s research for the model year 2010, the Ducati GT1000 achieved a best-in-show retention rate of 97%, indicating it only lost 3% of its MSRP value after three years of use. After five years, 90% of the 2008 model were still in use.
Similarly, the company’s 2008 Sport1000S achieved an 87% retention rate over a five-year period. Over the same time period, the 2008 BMW F800GS had an 83% retention rate.
Harley-Softail Davidson’s Deluxe, Fat Boy, and Street Glide as well as BMW’s R1200GS and F800GS all achieved scores of above 90% in the 2010 field.
Other top-scoring motorcycles over the five-year period included the BMW R1200GS, Ducati Sport 1000 Biposto, Honda GL18P Gold Wing, and Bimota DB5R (all with ratings just above 81%), as well as the Triumph Bonneville T100 and Bimota DB5R (both with ratings just above 76%).
Even a pricey road king like the $30,999 Harley CVO Street Glide touring bike held 87% of its value over a three-year period.
The most dependable BMW motorcycles are which ones?
A used BMW R 1150 GS that has been well-maintained is a tough, dependable motorbike. Bennetts advises staying away from the servo-assisted ABS or looking for a late-model R 1150 GS with the’standard’ version already installed. However, the bike normally just has age-related issues; it even escaped the earlier stated fuel pump recall. Cycle World claims that this bike possesses “durability and reliability rivaling an anvil” for a reason. Furthermore, you may enjoy the advantages of a long-travel suspension without the disadvantages of brake dive thanks to the Telelever front end.
The R 1200 GS is similarly durable but is considered to have several weak areas. According to MCN, early models had some growing pains. The 2006 and later versions are typically more dependable, and MCN refers to the 2010 and later models as “the best of the bunch.” The clutch slave cylinder, according to Bennetts, is a “notorious weak place,” so be sure to inspect it. Additionally, the engine contains some foam soundproofing, which frequently collects moisture and promotes corrosion. For this reason, it has been deleted from several examples. Additionally, the aforementioned fuel pump recall included a few pre-owned BMW R 1200 GS motorcycles.
Bennetts warns that it’s important to keep in mind that the electronic suspension, often known as the “ESA,” cannot be fixed. You must replace the complete shock if it breaks. Thankfully, there was a choice. So stay away from bikes with it if you’re concerned about labor and part prices. Additionally, according to RideApart, some R 1200 GS motorcycles from the years 2014 to 2017 have been recalled owing to fork damage from heavy off-roading. Models made before 2014 and after 2018 seem to be excluded, though.
Since the BMW R 1250 GS models are so recent, it is challenging to assess their long-term dependability. However, some 2019 and 2020 bikes were recalled for a variety of reasons, including fuel pump concerns, swingarm pivot pin issues, and front brake caliper leaks. It’s important to remember that all of these recalls also applied to other BMW motorcycles. Some pre-owned BMW GS motorcycles even have warranties left on them.
As long as the bike you’re interested in has been properly maintained, none of these problems are necessarily deal-breakers. The R 1150 GS, however, is undoubtedly the most dependable pre-owned BMW motorbike for optimum peace of mind.
BMWs still dependable after 100,000 miles?
Once more, it mostly depends on the car you’re considering. You should also think about the car’s maintenance routine. A BMW should endure well over 100,000 miles if it has been properly-maintained and receives regular maintenance. Some owners have even driven their BMWs for more than 250,000 km.
As a result, when they receive proper care, they last for a very long period. To this, it should also be added that it depends on where you live. If you reside somewhere with poor driving conditions, you should anticipate a BMW to last less than 100,000 miles, probably even less. Ruined roads, a lot of snow in the winter, and other unpleasant circumstances are examples.
Are parts for BMW motorcycles expensive?
Since 1921, BMW has been a well-known manufacturer of premium motorbikes in a variety of styles. A basic Urban scooter or Adventure dirt bike model from BMW costs $6,000. Their luxurious Tour variants cost $26,000. You may frequently find secondhand BMW motorbikes for as little as $1,100 on used automobile websites, yet custom-made bikes can cost more than $100,000.
It can be challenging to determine the repair costs for BMW’s wide selection of motorcycles. Maintenance on new motorcycles through BMW dealers and mechanics can be pricey—up to $700 per visit—and parts for luxury and bespoke models are in high demand. Some parts are less expensive and easier to find for smaller, less expensive models.
What kind of mileage does a BMW motorcycle have to have?
Based on our study and personal experience with BMW motorcycles, 200k would be a realistic mileage.
- The owner’s riding style
- How often is the motorcycle used?
- The example
- Its routine maintenance
- whether riding the motorcycle on or off-road
Despite the fact that BMW motorcycles have a reputation for being unreliable, this is only a misconception.
On average, BMW motorbikes may travel 200,000 miles, and later models have even known to exceed 300,000 miles or more.
Even though older models appear to be lagging behind more modern bikes, they can nevertheless travel 100,000 miles.
Despite not being known for their dependability, as previously mentioned, they are nonetheless viewed lasting a lot longer than other motorcycle brands and are said by numerous customers to have lasted for 30+ years.
A BMW client once claimed that a 1975 BMW R75/5 had logged up to 387,000 miles with relatively routine maintenance during the course of its usable life.
A different client said that their 2005 BMW R1200RT had traveled 115,000 miles in 48 states and 6 countries with only a few inexpensive repairs and maintenance costs, and that they had had an excellent overall experience.
Regardless of the model, it’s critical to emphasize the importance of routine maintenance and repairs as soon as they become necessary.
A BMW motorcycle’s durability is entirely dependent on these elements, and it will last longer with proper use and maintenance.
Here are some helpful hints for routine maintenance:
- riding your motorcycle a lot
- Observe the maintenance schedule for BMW.
- frequently check your air filter.
- standard oil changes
- Be cautious with the clutch and brakes, and accelerate smoothly.
In contrast, neglecting your BMW will shorten its lifespan and prevent it from being in peak shape.
In conclusion, BMW motorcycles are indeed tough, but it’s up to the owner to extend the bike’s lifespan.