Transmission Lock Up "boxer Cup"

[davidswanson]

My friend was was just beginning a ride with his Boxer Cup last week and he had what he said was a sudden lock up of his rear tire he was traveling about 50 or 60MPH and fell hard and broke several bones. We went back to the crash site and there was a skid of about 15 to 20 feet perfectly straight and then control was lost. The bike flipped and skidded down the road over 240 ft. i saw this post earlier about a similar problem in the R1100GS:
"Make : BMW Model : R 1150 GS ADVENTURE Year : 2003
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 02V319000 Recall Date : NOV 27, 2002
Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 515
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE 3RD AND 4TH TRANSMISSION GEAR (SHIFT) WHEELS MAY NOT BE SECURELY SEATED ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 5TH TO 6TH GEAR, ENGAGEMENT OF THE TWO GEARS MAY OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Consequence:
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE GEAR WHEELS COULD CRACK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION CAPABILITY, OR, A LOCK OF TRANSMISSION COULD OCCUR. THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK WHICH, DEPENDING UPON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE RIDER'S REACTION, COULD AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE."

has anyone else heard of this problem and could you provide the link where we could find out about the problem. We checked the motor & it turns over and is not frozen the transmission appears to still shift.

Thanks

swanny

[PGlaves]

That is a recall notice for the R1150GS. It effects a specified number of 2003 R1150GS motorcycles. The notice appears to have come from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. They probably have no more information than to say that that recall affects up to 515 2003 R1150GS motorcycles.

What year "Boxer Cup" did your friend have? Does his bike have the 6 speed transmission - or the 5 speed transmission?

Your friend needs to have a competent, and preferably BMW certified, technician examine the bike and determine what broke causing the motorcycle driveline to lock up. Purely off the top of my head possible factors include engine seizure, transmission failure, or a broken driveshaft universal joint.

Once somebody is in a position to say with some authority and credibility what broke to cause the accident then your friend will be in a position to start to determine how to proceed next. At that stage in the game it may be time to secure competent legal counsel. In the alternative your friend could secure legal counsel to arrange for the forensic inspection of the motorcycle by a qualified person to determine the mechanical cause of the accident. The official reports are likely to say only operator lost control of the motorcycle. They might say rear wheel lockup, but almost certainly won't speculate on the mechanical cause.

Service history on the motorcycle, and any recent work might also be relevant.

Please keep us informed, and pass my condolences on to your friend.

[davidswanson]

The Boxer is a 2003 and a 6 speed. But you are correct that one should investigate other possible reasons that could cause the mishap. I should have framed the original question more broadly. Thanks for your comments and concern.

swanny

[PGlaves]

I am eager to know what cause is found. I ride a 2003 R1150R with a 6 speed. If there are defects in the transmission beyond the 515 GS bikes identified in the recall I certainly would like to know it

[AntonLargiader]

We checked the motor & it turns over and is not frozen the transmission appears to still shift.

That doesn't mean that it didn't lock at a particular moment while he was riding, though.

If he wants to pursue the role the bike played in the accident, the entire bike will need to be inspected by someone who knows his stuff. Most likely the insurance company will want to be involved in that, too. Where in the country do you live?

[davidswanson]

My friend lives near Sacramento CA USA and is currently planning on having the bike taken to the San Jose BMW shop for the insurance inspection. He really wants to keep the bike going and he has had good results with their work in the past. He is going to ask them to investigate the reason for the lock up while in the process of the insurance inspection.

[jingdog]

Hmm the bikes still shifts normally? Can it be ridden normally without any apparent problem?

[manydollarsbutnocents]

I am the owner and rider mentioned in the MOA post re: "Boxer Cup" transmission lockup.
It has been very difficult to sit at the keyboard to put out the call for help, but now that my friend has opened it up as a topic of discussion, I should add a few more of the specifics.

The bike: 2003 R1100S Boxer Cup Replika 192/200
current mileage 4,600
purchased from a private party with less than 600 miles in Oct '06
Insured by Geico (just changed to them in Dec '07)

The crash: Accelerating from a stop. Unsure if the lockup occured while still in first gear or
possibly while shifting into second. The lockup was instant and without any
opportunity to recognize, let alone react to the problem, I was thrown off the bike.

The current condition of the bike does not allow for an easy diagnosis. The valve cover
is in pieces, and the forks are badly tweaked. Handle bars and controls are in bad
shape. We were able to determine that the valve train is functional by bumping it
while in gear. It does shift from neutral into first gear. The bike can be rolled on its
wheels. So a quick look at it didn't reveal anything that is obvious.

I still have the bike and am looking for some advice on where I might take it for the
repair, but most importantly for the diagnosis. I need a shop that I can trust to be
on my side against the insurance company and BMW if necessary. I am not looking for
a fight with either of them, but there my be a dispute over value and whether or not
to repair or consider a total loss.

I would be very interested to hear about your crash repair experiences with shops in
Northern CA. I am fairly close to A&S in Roseville, and will consider taking it as far as
the San Jose area also.

The advice and collective experience of this group will be very helpful. My thanks to
you in advance for any information.
__________________

[bikerfish1100]

Glad you made it thru your crash in as good a shape as you did.
San Jose has an excellent reputation, and I have never heard bad of A & S. Maybe some others more local to you can give more complete recommendations. Let us know how it turns out.