Cardan Shaft Inspection - Who Decides?

[lee]

Umm you may be incorrect. The SIB wording implies it is covered under warranty. In fact, on my GS, when service for 12,000 miles was done in July in Tucson, they pulled the Carden driveshaft, inspected, regreased and reinstalled and it is shown as warranty coverage. I only paid for the standard service.

That's good to hear they covered it.
I've asked Kansas City 2 times and both times he said I would need to pay if there was no problems with the driveshaft.
The last time I asked was mid September.

 

[CaptCF]

That's good to hear they covered it.
I've asked Kansas City 2 times and both times he said I would need to pay if there was no problems with the driveshaft.
The last time I asked was mid September.

I freely admit to not reading the R1300GS manual word for word, but I don't recall reading anything about the driveshaft replacement being covered either. I think it's a "wear item" like pretty much everything else..

 

[lee]

I freely admit to not reading the R1300GS manual word for word, but I don't recall reading anything about the driveshaft replacement being covered either.

From what I remember the 1300 does not get a free driveshaft every 36,000 miles.

 

[CaptCF]

From what I remember the 1300 does not get a free driveshaft every 36,000 miles.

Yup..it's at 48k and the owner pays.

 

[omega man]

And people complain about chain drive?









OM

 

[brownie0486]

Take it to Tucson.

That's the alternative plan,

 

[GTRider]

And people complain about chain drive?

Hmmm…that prop shaft for the 1300GS is a $1500 item, plus labor. 48k miles is around 2.5- 3 sets of chain/sprockets for a 750/900GS, but I’m not sure what a chain/sprocket set costs. 12k service on a shaft x 4 (since proper service requires removal and greasing the shaft, or at least greasing the rear spline) for labor vs 3x removing and replacing sprockets and chain. But for most, servicing the chain parts would be less intimidating than R&R on the shaft. Probably just comes down to…”whatever spins your wheel”.

Best,
DeVern

 

[smswy]

If one gets the drive shaft replaced after 36K miles by an independent will bmw reimburse me for the cost of replacement. I'd rather not take it to thetwo dealers here in Phx, Az.

Doubtful, unless the mechanic is a certified BMW tech. I bought my R from the shop in Prescott Valley that has the big multi-brand shop in Scottsdale. So I know what you mean?

 

[smswy]

Take it to Tucson.

Yep. Own two bikes I bought at IH. As long as I continue to live in AZ, IH is the only dealer I would buy another bike from.

 

[smswy]

That's good to hear they covered it.
I've asked Kansas City 2 times and both times he said I would need to pay if there was no problems with the driveshaft.
The last time I asked was mid September.

Yeah, looking back, the issue relates to 2023 and earlier. So 1300 GShas been corrected. But look back up on page 1 of the responses to r0ckrat response with two pdf. Download the K5X one and read.

 

[smswy]

I freely admit to not reading the R1300GS manual word for word, but I don't recall reading anything about the driveshaft replacement being covered either. I think it's a "wear item" like pretty much everything else..

I think by the time they got to 1300 GS they had corrected. Most issues relate to 2023 and earlier. But look back up on page 1 of responses to r0ckrat’s attachments, the 2 pdf. Download and read the K5X one.

 

[brownie0486]

Yep. Own two bikes I bought at IH. As long as I continue to live in AZ, IH is the only dealer I would buy another bike from.

They enjoy a good rep. I've been down that way and visited the shop a few times. It's two hours each way. My two bmw mechanics are master mechanics and are 30 minutes and 50 minutes away. I suppose I'll have to call IH and make an appt to have it replaced. Hopefully I can wait for it and not have to take a room in town and use Uber to get back and forth.

 

[PGlaves]

They enjoy a good rep. I've been down that way and visited the shop a few times. It's two hours each way. My two bmw mechanics are master mechanics and are 30 minutes and 50 minutes away. I suppose I'll have to call IH and make an appt to have it replaced. Hopefully I can wait for it and not have to take a room in town and use Uber to get back and forth.

I would suggest that you tell them when you make the appointment that you would like to wait while they do the work. The service manager at Engle Motors in Kansas City has a red colored stamp that says "Waiting" on the work order so the tech knows the owner is waiting for the bike.

 

[brownie0486]

I would suggest that you tell them when you make the appointment that you would like to wait while they do the work. The service manager at Engle Motors in Kansas City has a red colored stamp that says "Waiting" on the work order so the tech knows the owner is waiting for the bike.

That's the plan. I'm not about to have someone follow me there and come back [ a 4 hour round trip ], then have someone take me there to pick up the motor.

 

[pauls1150]

Doubtful, unless the mechanic is a certified BMW tech.

Still doubtful... I have to believe that it has to happen at an authorized dealer, not an independent, but I don't know for sure....

 

[eugene]

Still doubtful... I have to believe that it has to happen at an authorized dealer, not an independent, but I don't know for sure....

That is why I like belt drives.

 

[robsryder]

They enjoy a good rep. I've been down that way and visited the shop a few times. It's two hours each way. My two bmw mechanics are master mechanics and are 30 minutes and 50 minutes away. I suppose I'll have to call IH and make an appt to have it replaced. Hopefully I can wait for it and not have to take a room in town and use Uber to get back and forth.

We did a fly and ride into Tucson some years back. The K75S owner took the bike to Iron Horse after I sent him the payment check. I called Iron Horse and asked that the bike be made safe and reliable; IH had a few months before we were to fly into Tucson and get the bike. We stayed at the Arizona Inn as it was walking distance to Iron Horse. I can highly recommend the Arizona Inn and the restaurant dinner and breakfast was great.

The ride back was very nice (one does need LOTS of water while riding in the West!). I still have that K75S; it is both safe and reliable (and red!)

 

[smswy]

I’m original poster. I got a call from the BMW USA technical group today. The lady was very engaging and indicated that some pre-2023 R and RS are now part of the Cardan Shaft Drive Inspection warranty protocol. She more or less claimed that they (I guess here in USA) don’t get all the details on the technical aspects (I find that hard to believe) and that the dealer service department still needed to run my VIN number through their AIR system to confirm my specific bike is affected. She also indicated there is a newer SIB than the one from December 2023, one dated August 2024, but she did not elaborate on details of that. I still got the impression she was not clear on the mechanical/technical aspects of the issue, so she did not know how to be more specific during our exchange (they may cover autos as well). So at least now I can raise the matter with the service department from a standpoint of more knowledge.

 

[PGlaves]

I’m original poster. I got a call from the BMW USA technical group today. The lady was very engaging and indicated that some pre-2023 R and RS are now part of the Cardan Shaft Drive Inspection warranty protocol. She more or less claimed that they (I guess here in USA) don’t get all the details on the technical aspects (I find that hard to believe) and that the dealer service department still needed to run my VIN number through their AIR system to confirm my specific bike is affected. She also indicated there is a newer SIB than the one from December 2023, one dated August 2024, but she did not elaborate on details of that. I still got the impression she was not clear on the mechanical/technical aspects of the issue, so she did not know how to be more specific during our exchange (they may cover autos as well). So at least now I can raise the matter with the service department from a standpoint of more knowledge.

Ask them to see the August service bulletin.

 

[jono]

I’m original poster. I got a call from the BMW USA technical group today. The lady was very engaging and indicated that some pre-2023 R and RS are now part of the Cardan Shaft Drive Inspection warranty protocol. She more or less claimed that they (I guess here in USA) don’t get all the details on the technical aspects (I find that hard to believe) and that the dealer service department still needed to run my VIN number through their AIR system to confirm my specific bike is affected. She also indicated there is a newer SIB than the one from December 2023, one dated August 2024, but she did not elaborate on details of that. I still got the impression she was not clear on the mechanical/technical aspects of the issue, so she did not know how to be more specific during our exchange (they may cover autos as well). So at least now I can raise the matter with the service department from a standpoint of more knowledge.

Sometime ago I knew a BMW NA motorcycle area rep and she often complained about a lack of information from BMW AG. Same feedback as I've had from multiple dealers.