BMW's Warranty for the 2023 S1000RR: Issues & Claims Process

What Happens When Your 2023 S1000RR Breaks? A Deep Dive into BMW’s Warranty

Those who follow us at BT Moto are well aware of our LOVE for the 2023 BMW S1000RR. So, imagine our surprise when we encountered a warranty issue with this model. The problem? A crack at the center of the rear wheel. We immediately knew it wasn’t due to wheel or tire replacement. It likely resulted from exposure to the sun, presenting a thin, almost invisible crack—a significant concern for the wheel's structural integrity, despite not affecting air retention in the tire.

This incident underscores why we at BT Moto advocate for forged wheels, especially for track enthusiasts. While carbon wheels have their merits, forged wheels offer superior durability under rigorous conditions.

Anyway, we brought the bike to Long Beach BMW, where service manager Jeff initiated a TSARA case—commonly referred to as a Puma case. This involves taking photos of the bike and sending them to BMW corporate for evaluation due to the significant cost of replacement.

According to Jeff, broken wheels are uncommon at their facility, typically resulting from collisions with road debris. However, the type of crack we observed on our 2023 BMW S1000RR suggests a probable defect. While we were there, we seized the opportunity to delve deeper into BMW's warranty and related procedures. We asked numerous questions to enhance our understanding and provide our readers with a comprehensive overview of these matters.

What exactly is the process for filing a warranty claim? Can the dealership approve anything instantly, or does everything need to go to BMW for approval?

Jeff: There's a dollar amount that BMW allows us to handle under warranty in good faith. For instance, if there's a defect within a certain cost limit, the dealership can take care of it directly. Anything beyond that requires us to perform a diagnosis, take detailed notes, and send that information over to BMW. They then instruct us on the next steps. Often, BMW corporate might request further details like additional photos or data read from the bike. Essentially, for any major issues that exceed this dollar threshold—like a significant engine problem—the dealership has to file a TSARA case and wait for BMW corporate to make the final decision on the warranty claim.

Are there any modifications to the BMW S1000RR that would result in an instant denial of the warranty?

Jeff: Any modifications to the bike that cause a defect will lead to a denial of the claim. However, these modifications don't necessarily void the warranty entirely; there are only a few scenarios that can void the warranty completely. For example, a cracked wheel that isn’t linked to an aftermarket exhaust or tune is considered a defect, which strengthens the case for a warranty claim. Ultimately, the decision rests with BMW corporate. But if the bike had an aftermarket exhaust system or a modification causing it to rev at 1,500 rpm, BMW would likely deny the claim.

Now let's say that you have a cracked wheel and you have a tune on the bike, does that mean BMW can say they are not going to work on the bike since it has a tune?

Jeff: Well, BMW will not deny the claim. Dealers have the right to work on or refuse to work on any customer vehicle. Adding an exhaust to a bike should not prevent a dealer from working on it. Many people online claim their warranty was voided due to exhaust modifications, but this is incorrect. A warranty is not voided; a claim is denied. There is a difference between these two terms. A dealership or BMW may decline a claim if the engine fails due to extreme tuning or over-revving. We have seen bikes with tuned engines and no logged over-rev events that BMW has replaced. In my opinion, there is no reason for a dealer to refuse to work on a bike with an exhaust modification.

What is your best advice to someone who is worried about BMW denying a claim?

Jeff: Do your due diligence. Do not do anything to the motorcycle that will cause BMW to say no. It is as simple as that. When you leave the bike at night, rev bombing until your pipes glow cherry red, shooting flames out of the muffler, BMW can see that data in the ECU (your rev bombing and how long you've done it for in a max rpm). They can see all that, not just the fact that the motorcycle has been flashed or not. In short, that would cause a denial, not something like a simple modification itself. If you're abusing your motorcycle, that will make BMW deny the claim. 

Another example would be putting an exhaust on incorrectly, leaving it totally loose and leaking out of the head, which could cause a burned valve. That would be a denial due to the exhaust because of the incorrect installation. If you want to modify, do it right and do not exceed the stock limits. That said, it is important to understand that BMW will not be voiding the warranty and just denying the claim. To put it into perspective, it is a denial if you come in with a blown motor that has been rev bombed. BMW will deny it. If you come in the following week with a failed RDC sensor for your tire pressure monitoring system, BMW will cover that.

Bikes like the BMW 2023 S1000RR are the primary mode of transportation for some people in Southern California. What is the typical turnaround time when dropping a bike off for claim?

Jeff: The turnaround time for a service depends on the specific issue. For example, an engine replacement can take up to 30 days. This includes the time it takes to obtain the engine from BMW (usually two weeks) and any necessary communication with TSARA. For most other replacements, the turnaround time is typically 2-3 days from the appointment date.

Important Note: Jeff contacted us a month after we left the bike at the BMW dealership. Despite the modifications to the strap kit, our claim was approved. We received a brand new carbon rear wheel, which would have cost us around $4,000. 

We had a few more questions regarding the warranty claim and Jeff was super helpful.

Did BMW inquire about any modifications to our 2023 S1000RR?

Jeff: No, they didn't delve into that for this issue. They requested photos of the wheel and tire but didn't probe into details like modifications.

What are common failures you see with bikes like the S1000RR?

Jeff: Rod bearings tend to fail if the owner frequently rev bombs the bike. In earlier models, rev bombing also caused issues with the coils. We had a case where a customer's bike needed multiple coil replacements because she was rev bombing it with a poor tune.

How does BMW detect if someone has been rev bombing their bike? What actions do they take?

Jeff: We connect the bike to the diagnostic system for a data readout. BMW then retrieves and reviews the file for any over-rev events. The system logs each occurrence, recording details like ground speed, mileage, date, time, and how many times it hit the rev limiter. Essentially, it acts as a 'Black Box' for motorcycles, capturing all relevant data regardless of any modifications or tunes applied to the bike.

Can BMW detect if someone has unlocked their motorcycle? Also, can they track if the bike hasn’t been brought in for service or if there's data stored showing high rpm at certain mileage without being unlocked?

Jeff: The system doesn't register the unlocking of a motorcycle, but it does record rpm, mileage, dates, and times. For instance, if a bike shows 200 miles on the motor and has reached 14,500 rpm during a specific period, BMW will be concerned, especially if the bike hasn’t been officially unlocked by them.

Regarding tuning, there's a rumor about an automatic warranty void if a motorcycle is tuned. Is that true?

Jeff: No, I haven't come across any service bulletin like that. The general advice is to keep the rev limiter at its original setting if you tune your bike. Most importantly, avoid rev bombing. If your bike is under warranty, it’s crucial to use only BMW oil filters and oil. Many warranty claims are escalated to Germany, and if everything isn't perfectly documented, they might deny the claim. If you service the bike yourself, maintain detailed logs of the date, time, and mileage, and attach receipts for oil and filter changes. Document everything thoroughly. BMW often requests maintenance records when reviewing claims. They can't see if a bike was unlocked using a GS911 device, but they can track rpm and mileage. Essentially, a warranty claim may be denied (not voided) if there’s evidence of rev bombing, regardless of whether the bike is stock or tuned.

People are concerned that if their bike comes in with a slip-on or is tuned, BMW dealers automatically deny warranty claims. Is this something a dealership can actually do?

Jeff: Dealerships operate based on their own protocols. If a bike comes to us and we need to file a claim, BMW asks us specific questions, and I provide honest answers. If they ask whether the bike has been modified, I inform them. Ultimately, it's BMW's decision to approve or deny the claim. They typically wouldn’t link something like a slip-on muffler to a rod bearing failure unless other supporting data suggests a connection. If you encounter a dealership that immediately denies a claim stating the bike is tuned, that decision is specific to that dealer and not indicative of BMW's policy. They can’t make such a quick judgment, and dealers don't have the authority to make final decisions on claims. If you’re facing issues with a dealer unwilling to file a claim, it might be wise to seek out another dealership.

And that’s everyone. We hope you found this 2023 BMW S1000RR warranty piece informative. Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries.