5,000 BMW R 18s Recalled in the US

BMW Motorrad North America, in late September, filed the report with the US National Traffic Safety Administration affecting bikes outfitted with the optional reverse gear.

The model affected is the BMW R 18 cruiser, which encompasses the R18 Classic, B (Bagger), Transcontinental, and Roctane. Specifically, models made between 19 June 2020 and 11 July 2024. It’s not known whether these bikes could also be affected by the fault.

The R18 B and R 18 Transcontinental had models made between 2021 and 2024 recalled for a different reason earlier this year, which was due to a potential headlight malfunction.

The recall issued on these BMW motorcycles is because the optional reverse gear function is sealed in a way that could break down over time and allow moisture to make its way into the mechanism. As a result it could destroy electrical parts, leading to overheating and potential fires breaking out.

According to BMW Motorrad North America, roughly 5,048 R 18 BMW bikes have been recalled in that region alone. As for possible warning signs that might show up to notify the rider that a reverse gear issue is occurring, the main one is that the reverse function fails and stops working altogether.

The R 18 model previously had reports of a faulty thermal issue in June 2023. This led to an investigation to detect the problem and determine whether it was isolated, or whether it could be a larger issue affecting more bikes.

The investigation pointed to the bike’s seal mainly having an issue in climates that are particularly hot and humid. This was highlighted when most of the warranty claims for the problem were coming from Asian countries.

That drove BMW to announce a recall based on this issue in Southeast Asian markets back in February 2024. BMW’s findings of the problem were not linked solely to markets that did not feature those types of constant hot and humid weather conditions year-round.

Rideapart say that these reports from Southeast Asia were then followed by reports of similar issues from markets outside of Asia and that last month a recall in North America was in order. BMW has reportedly not been made away “of any accidents, injuries, or thermal events in the US market related to this issue.”

However, it’s believed that 21 warranty claims have been made in the United States relating to this issue.

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