Looking at R1200RT's. Are there issues with certain years or things I need to look out for?

[patm]

Did you actually SEE the pictures of the original stators?! They were undersized, and looked like they'd been wound by a four year old. I couldn't believe BMW installed these things, that no one on their line said "Warte eine Minute hier" ("Wait a minute here ...") to raise the issue with management. But, I guess it's the Germanic way to do as your told. (Kinda the Detroit thingy, too. But there were a whole lota Germans in Michigan, too. )

Of course I've seen the pics. But the point isn't the shoddy conception, it's about how many have had the issue. Considering those early lc bikes are 12 years old, how many have failed?
Very few.
Compare that to the Honda VFR stators. If you don't know, some VFR owners replace them as part of regular maintenance.

You don't see Honda recalling all those bikes do you?

 

[Scott9999]

Of course I've seen the pics. But the point isn't the shoddy conception, it's about how many have had the issue. Considering those early lc bikes are 12 years old, how many have failed?
Very few.
Compare that to the Honda VFR stators. If you don't know, some VFR owners replace them as part of regular maintenance.

You don't see Honda recalling all those bikes do you?

Are Honda VFR stator buried in the the front of engine, so that the engine needs to be pulled off the bike, and cracked open to get to the part to replace it? That ain't "regular maintenance" whatever brand you're riding.

 

[lee]

I had a 1980 Suzuki 850G for 4 years and 55,000 miles.
In that time I had 2 stators replaced.
One while we were in NC on a trip and the other in Montana on a trip.

 

[orforester]

If it has the 6-bolt ring, loosen the top two bolts (nearest the steering head) - those are the latch-hold-down bolts so you can remove them if you need to clean the latch mechanism. (If it's the same as on all the other R models...)

I did even more, took all the plastics off and then removed the whole gas cap. Cleaned everything. did not remove the electrical part as it is pretty well clipped in there but cleaned everything. Still no luck. cut off the tab, it works great now. no more worries at the gas pump, will it open. Ok it's not electronic lock anymore but for the peace of mind I will take it now

 

[patm]

Are Honda VFR stator buried in the the front of engine, so that the engine needs to be pulled off the bike, and cracked open to get to the part to replace it? That ain't "regular maintenance" whatever brand you're riding.

You still miss the point, that very few have had that issue. Not so with VFR owners.