Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
112,000 miles · Nov 13, 2006
Suspension
BMW MOTORCYCLE - FAILURE OF THE 'BIG' BEARING IN THE REAR DRIVE. NOISE FROM THE REAR DRIVE - FOLLOWED BY THE WHEEL COCKING - AND THE BIKE BECAME SERIOUSLY UNSTABLE. WAS RIDING SLOWLY - ON MY WAY TO A DEALERSHIP - SO NO FALL DOWN. HAD THE BIKE CARRIED THE REST OF THE WAY AND HAD THE REAR DRIVE REBUILT (NEW BEARING AND SEAL). …
Read full complaint
BMW MOTORCYCLE - FAILURE OF THE 'BIG' BEARING IN THE REAR DRIVE. NOISE FROM THE REAR DRIVE - FOLLOWED BY THE WHEEL COCKING - AND THE BIKE BECAME SERIOUSLY UNSTABLE. WAS RIDING SLOWLY - ON MY WAY TO A DEALERSHIP - SO NO FALL DOWN. HAD THE BIKE CARRIED THE REST OF THE WAY AND HAD THE REAR DRIVE REBUILT (NEW BEARING AND SEAL). PARTS WERE LEFT AT THE DEALERSHIP. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173420
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES WONT ALLOW SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, VERY UNSAFE WHEN PASSING ON TWO LANE ROAD. TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES FALLS OUT OF 3RD GEAR, VERY UNSAFE WHEN PASSING ON TWO LANE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #728821
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1998 BMW R1100 Rs Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year