BMW GS Final Drive

About a week ago, I started feeling a vibration on the footpegs that was not there before. Switching off my music in the helmet, I could hear a slight grinding noise coming from the rear. I could hear it most clearly when I accelerated slightly, then closed the throttle. It seemed a lot more quiet if I depressed the clutch. Some reading on the web, and I found a probable cause - the final drive. I took it to Bavarian (East), as I was too scared to drive it any further. The bike is out of warranty (for about a year now) and has done around 35000km. Bavarian was very kind, and promised to take it up with BMW in an unrelenting manner.

My feeling is this - a final drive should not be giving problems, particularly not at 35 000km and when the bike has a full service history. I have heard rumours that BMW does replace them, even when the warranty has expired based on the fact that it was not designed to be maintained initially, but now it seems that it does require maintenance. The cost of this thing is tremendous - if they had to replace, I am looking at R22k, yes, Twenty Two Thousand Rands, excluding labour....

Are there any of you guys out there that had your final drive replaced outside of the warranty period? I want to have as much information as possible to take up with BMW if they decline to replace the final drive. How prevalent is this final drive thing in SA? I found a website: www.bmwfinaldrive.com where a lot of people has indicated the problems with theirs.

The bike is a 2006 GS Adventure.

Let me know, please!

A final drive that is properly lubed from the factory should last quite a long time. The problem with your bike could have originated at assembly. The splines should get a good lube on assembly. With the power out-put through these splines, they should be as robust as the cars.

I would insist that I be present when they strip the component, evidence of any lack of lubricant could help you fight the good fight.

Make sure that you yourself engage the factory should they decline the dealership.

Thanks a lot wingman! I was there when they opened it up, and yes, now that you mention it, it seemed kinda dry...

Hope you took a photo or two. I presume the FD is a sealed unit - so the lube that went in should still have been visible - seems to me to be an assembly problem. Discuss the matter with Bavaria - believe they will investigate and get back to you.

Einahell!
Sorry to hear of this, SG.
I trust it wasn't from that one time you gave me a lift me to work...!
I hope that the matter is resolved soon...and inexpensively



(Good to hear from you again, by the way!)

Still waiting to hear from BMW - no news is good news, right? right???

Getting withdrawal symptoms here!!

Hope to be back in the saddle soon.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I just had word from BMW on the final drive. This is why we choose to ride these motorcycles: BMW have opted to pay for all parts to fix the bike, I just have to pay the labour of about R1100 on it! I am ecstatic, and would really like to thank Jacques and Simon at Bavarian East for the trouble and assistance that they have given me.

If Bavarian (either branches, because I have received excellent service in the past from the one in Vermeulenstreet) ever decide to go into politics, I will donate my life savings to this party, put up banners around the country and allow Nando's to do an advertisement!

Yip that is why I support the brand. The bikes might not be arguably the best, but the services and support is excellent. Not sure if the other three letter brand with the fruity colour can even come close to delivering such service. Although I must admit their new MD looks refreshing. Maybe I should try and sqeeze a similar deal out of her

Bingo - but that is a contentious point you are making. All bikes have problems and breakdowns - we ride BMW because we want to.

Will not again yap on about the comparison between the Suberbike and Beemer - had a few people in my hair then.

Personally - i ride a Beemer as i reckon it is the best. EN basta met die res. Jy is geregtig op jou opinie net soos ek op myne is.

I very much doubt if you would have gotten this type of service excellence from any other model/make.

Well done to the guys at BAVARIAN!!! Steyn Gert, very glad that everything is now sorted!!

Got similar service from Triumph when I ran bearings. Bike was out of warranty but they agreed to pay for parts of around R 40 k and I had to pay the labour for the rebuild of R 3500. Well done to Bavarian and BMW though.

steyngert wrote: I am ecstatic...

Not as ecstatic as you will be when you are back in the saddle...!
BG, broer!

So when are you riding with us again?