BMW R 1200 RT problems
0 safety recalls. 23 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
THE DIGITAL STRIP FUEL GAUGE SIMPLY FROZE IN THE FULL POSITION, IT NO LONGER REGISTERS NOR DOES THE MILES REMAINING DIGITAL READOUT. *TR
ABS FAILURE. KNOWN ISSUE IN THE BMW COMMUNITY, GOT THE STEADY BURN "BRAKE FAILURE" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO CAN'T CLEAR. VERIFIED THAT I'VE LOST ALL ABS FRONT AND BACK. ABS MODULATOR FAILURE. *TR
2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT LED TO A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. At highway speed, heard clicking noise from rear of bike. While parked on center stand and spinning rear wheel, heard a terrible grinding sound. Who knows what would have happened had I not…
SIDE STAND INTERLOCK SWITCH FAILURE ON A 2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE SWITCH IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FROM BEING DRIVEN WITH THE SIDE STAND IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE SWITCH ON MY MACHINE FAILED WITH THE SIDE STAND IN THE UP POSITION AND THE MOTORCYCLE BEING…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 BMW R 1200 RT?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 4 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my BMW R 1200 RT has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 BMW R 1200 RT?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 23 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.