2023 R1250R Cracked Plastic

[smswy]

Any of you folks who do your own maintenance? I had my R1250 R 12,000 mile service about 500 miles back (at 13,000 miles now). Do techs have to remove this left side plastic panel for anything during that service? I ask because I was cleaning the bike today and notices this crack in the plastic. I have never dropped this bike, so not clear how this crack could have occured if not by having the plastic removed and reinstalled.

And if still under warranty, do you know if BMW would replace this given there is no obvious drop damage?

 

[lee]

On the R1250RS that panel comes off to change the air filter.
BMW calls to replace the air filter every 12,000 miles.

 

[smswy]

On the R1250RS that panel comes off to change the air filter.
BMW calls to replace the air filter every 12,000 miles.

Interesting. I will look back at the service performed. If they show they replaced the air filter then the tech likely cracked the panel either jerking it off or popping it back in.

 

[smswy]

On the R1250RS that panel comes off to change the air filter.
BMW calls to replace the air filter every 12,000 miles.

I looked back at my service statement from December when I had 12,500 miles on bike and they did show a air filter change. So highest probablity is their tech stressed the part removing it or installing it and maybe the crack was initially inside and over the last 600 miles of street riding it cracked through. Pisses me off because this dealer is not a BMW only dealer and they only have one tech certified, hypothetically, on BMW. And for the December service they postponed on me twice because the tech was going on vacation.

 

[lee]

I looked back at my service statement from December when I had 12,500 miles on bike and they did show a air filter change. So highest probablity is their tech stressed the part removing it or installing it and maybe the crack was initially inside and over the last 600 miles of street riding it cracked through. Pisses me off because this dealer is not a BMW only dealer and they only have one tech certified, hypothetically, on BMW. And for the December service they postponed on me twice because the tech was going on vacation.

On my RS there's a tab on the backside that I need to slide my hand behind the panel when pulling so I don't stress it.
I can't remember the exact location.

 

[lee]

I should have looked at my pictures.
For some reason I have pictures of that panel on a R1200R LC.
There's a tab near where yours is cracked.

 

[smswy]

I should have looked at my pictures.
For some reason I have pictures of that panel on a R1200R LC.
There's a tab near where yours is cracked.
View attachment 100441

View attachment 100442

On your bike, to take the lower black plastic off you do not need to also remove the upper red also, right?

 

[lee]

On your bike, to take the lower black plastic off you do not need to also remove the upper red also, right?

The red picture is from the internet back in 2016 when I was checking how to remove the plastic.
On the RS I remove the black piece with the painted piece.
I don't have pictures of the backside so I'm not 100% sure about the tab I mentioned.

 

[r0ckrat]

@smswy, @lee is "lucky", us R owners have to remove each panel separately... (But he also has a lot more plastic to remove...)

Oh - edit... They would have to put a considerable amount of force on it to crack it at that location. That panel doesn't really need to be "babied" to get it either on or off...

 

[omega man]

Once I have a panel off (successfully), I will put a little dielectric grease on the rubber to assist with the next removal.
OM

 

[lee]

@smswy, @lee is "lucky", us R owners have to remove each panel separately..

Thanks for the correction. After looking at the R panel picture I see the unpainted black panel would need to be removed to access fasteners for the painted panel.

 

[bc1100s]

As Lee has pointed out there is, or used to be, no need to remove the black plastic panel from the upper painted panel when changing the air filter. They can both come off as one assembly.

 

[pauls1150]

Getting back to the Original Question - You'd have to prove that the shop did it (before & after photos?), or have them fess up.
Otherwise, probably S.O.L.

 

[lee]

You'd have to prove that the shop did it (before & after photos?), or have them fess up.

It never hurts to ask.
It helps that it's not a expensive part.
The part costs $79.

When I have a bike or car worked on I try to look it over before heading home. Especially the bikes since it's a 360 mile round trip.
Two weeks ago I had my 2018 Equinox in for new TPMs to the local Chevy dealer.
Been going there for many year and they know I'm a little fussy. I try to have our cars freshly washed when bringing them in.
When they brought the car out I looked it over and saw some minor scratches one one wheel, so I showed the service manager.
I thought the best case would be they send the wheel off to be refinished but the service manager said he would order a new wheel.

 

[omega man]

It never hurts to ask.
It helps that it's not a expensive part.
The part costs $79.

When I have a bike or car worked on I try to look it over before heading home. Especially the bikes since it's a 360 mile round trip.
Two weeks ago I had my 2018 Equinox in for new TPMs to the local Chevy dealer.
Been going there for many year and they know I'm a little fussy. I try to have our cars freshly washed when bringing them in.
When they brought the car out I looked it over and saw some minor scratches one one wheel, so I showed the service manager.
I thought the best case would be they send the wheel off to be refinished but the service manager said he would order a new wheel.

I also find that a vehicle that looks clean and well cared for is noticed by whoever is working on the vehicle.

OM

 

[smswy]

Getting back to the Original Question - You'd have to prove that the shop did it (before & after photos?), or have them fess up.
Otherwise, probably S.O.L.

Yes, of course. There would be a need for proof. But what I think about doing is taking the bike there and asking the service manager to come take a look. Then show the photo I took with its date stamp and say I noticed this about 500 miles after the 12k service was done which required you taking this panel off and put it back on. Makes me wonder if your tech used too much force in removing or reinstalling, but I certainly have no proof that is how it happened. But assuming your tech did not cause it, can we assume it was a flaw in the molding of the plastic and you put in a claim to BMW for a warranty replacement. Or should I contact BMW directly? Seems that kinda backs them into a corner a little bit, buy putting them in a position of having to contact BMW from dealership perspective.

 

[smswy]

It never hurts to ask.
It helps that it's not a expensive part.
The part costs $79.

When I have a bike or car worked on I try to look it over before heading home. Especially the bikes since it's a 360 mile round trip.
Two weeks ago I had my 2018 Equinox in for new TPMs to the local Chevy dealer.
Been going there for many year and they know I'm a little fussy. I try to have our cars freshly washed when bringing them in.
When they brought the car out I looked it over and saw some minor scratches one one wheel, so I showed the service manager.
I thought the best case would be they send the wheel off to be refinished but the service manager said he would order a new wheel.

When I looked up the part via the BMW website it stated it was not available for order. I figured since it is plastic it would be less than $150 and I would be willing, if necessary, to buy and replace myself.

 

[rhbike]

Yes, of course. There would be a need for proof. But what I think about doing is taking the bike there and asking the service manager to come take a look. Then show the photo I took with its date stamp and say I noticed this about 500 miles after the 12k service was done which required you taking this panel off and put it back on. Makes me wonder if your tech used too much force in removing or reinstalling, but I certainly have no proof that is how it happened. But assuming your tech did not cause it, can we assume it was a flaw in the molding of the plastic and you put in a claim to BMW for a warranty replacement. Or should I contact BMW directly? Seems that kinda backs them into a corner a little bit, buy putting them in a position of having to contact BMW from dealership perspective.

Dealers are increasingly taking photos of bikes as they sign-in bikes for service, to give them some protection from customers claiming their bike got damaged. You might want to see if they have such photos, and if so if any might show the damage or not.

 

[bc1100s]

Remove plastic panel from tank side panel, Crazy Glue the crack from the back side, let cure 24 hours, reassemble in reverse order, ride motorcycle and enjoy life.

 

[GTRider]

Remove plastic panel from tank side panel, Crazy Glue the crack from the back side, let cure 24 hours, reassemble in reverse order, ride motorcycle and enjoy life.

And then you’ll have a great place for a sticker!

Best,
DeVern