2006 BMW K 1200 R: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2006 BMW K 1200 R
Only 4 defect reports have been filed with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW K 1200 R, which is too few to compute mileage percentiles or a risk score. The reports reported fuel pump failure.
When each failure gets reported
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 1.1 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 1.1 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 1.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other engine problem
I have complained about this issue multiple times to multiple bmw dealers and all act like they've never heard of what I am describing. It's all over the message boards and there are many people with this problem. Engine cuts off when the clutch is pulled in and the idol drops. It is very difficult to restart the bike quickly as it seems to need 30 seconds to 2 minutes to "rest" before pressing the ignition button will do anything. This has happened to me at low speeds and at high speeds but typically under similar conditions. It occurs when the bike has been running for 30 minutes plus and is more problematic when temperature is above 80 degrees. On most rides, it does not happen at all. The issue seems to occur randomly but once it does start happening, it continues to happen for the remainder of the trip. This is extremely dangerous and bmw is basically ignoring it. This has happened to me at very slow speeds as I coast into a parking lot or gas station after a long ride as well as at 70 MPH on a crowded highway when I pull in the clutch to downshift. It has occurred in very busy nyc traffic and on highway exit ramps…
Other electrical problem
I have complained about this issue multiple times to multiple bmw dealers and all act like they've never heard of what I am describing. It's all over the message boards and there are many people with this problem. Engine cuts off when the clutch is pulled in and the idol drops. It is very difficult to restart the bike quickly as it seems to need 30 seconds to 2 minutes to "rest" before pressing the ignition button will do anything. This has happened to me at low speeds and at high speeds but typically under similar conditions. It occurs when the bike has been running for 30 minutes plus and is more problematic when temperature is above 80 degrees. On most rides, it does not happen at all. The issue seems to occur randomly but once it does start happening, it continues to happen for the remainder of the trip. This is extremely dangerous and bmw is basically ignoring it. This has happened to me at very slow speeds as I coast into a parking lot or gas station after a long ride as well as at 70 MPH on a crowded highway when I pull in the clutch to downshift. It has occurred in very busy nyc traffic and on highway exit ramps…
Recalls on the 2006 model year
NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2006 BMW K 1200 R, affecting an estimated 1,782 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
43,426 vehicles 2015-03-11- Defect
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.
- Consequence
- If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
50,184 vehicles 2013-12-12- Defect
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.
- Consequence
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
Every year of the BMW K 1200 R
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
What the reports on file say
The complaints recorded against the 2006 BMW K 1200 R are fuel pump failure (1 report), other engine problem (1 report, around 12k miles), other electrical problem (1 report, around 12k miles) and other fuel system problem (1 report, around 12k miles). With a sample this size these are anecdotes rather than a pattern, and they are shown because somebody looking at this exact car would rather see them than nothing.
Why this page is short
A model year needs about 8 reports before percentiles mean anything, and this one does not have them. Complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road, so a thin page usually means a rare car, a new car, or a car whose owners do not file.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed