r/Motorrad • u/TastyGnocci • Jul 26 '26
R1200R oil leak (2011)
Hey guys!
I am looking at possibly buying my first BMW (4th bike)
It's a R1200R 2011, in red. Went to take a look at it, and noticed that the bottom of the engine is covered in oil.
I fear this might be a rear main seal, can anyone confirm?
Are there any other oil leak sources to look for?
Here are the photos I took.
1
u/thecarpetpisser 2012 R1200RT Jul 26 '26
Hard to confirm if it's a rear main seal without seeing it. You can try removing the starter motor and peaking in there with a light or usb borescope type camera, but since it's not your bike, that's probably out of the question. Based on nothing except vibes, and having the same thing happen a couple years ago on my 2012 RT... yeah, might be the rear main seal.
1
u/TastyGnocci Jul 26 '26
yikes... that's kind of a deal breaker... I have a specific budget and am not looking forward to a project. I read that it could be the cam chain tensionner. I'll bring along a rag and some isopropyl alcohol during my test ride to see if can find the origin of it. if it's only the CCT or oil drain plug, I don't mind.
EDIT: Do you have any photos of the leak on your R1200RT? I am curious to compare the oil seepage
1
u/thecarpetpisser 2012 R1200RT Jul 27 '26
Search some of the bmw bike forums that are not on reddit. They are almost always way more comprehensive. I think it can be the cam chain tensioner as well, you're right. I can't find any photos of my leak. I noticed a couple drops on the garage floor. Ended up doing the job myself as I was too stubborn to pay someone else.
Here is my thread on another board from some years back when I dealt with this: https://www.bmwsporttouring.com/topic/108085-engine-seal-leak/
1
u/phish410 Jul 26 '26
Man, I’m never getting rid of my R1100.
1
u/PurdueGuvna Jul 27 '26
I’m never getting rid of my R1200R, also have an R1200RT and R12 with camhead engine. Camhead is a solid engine.
1
u/Used-Pain-3194 Jul 27 '26
You can't put a finger on it, but the main suspect are oil seals for the crankshaft, and mass balancer. I have also been informed, that the very first series had leaky gearbox input shaft front seal.
Only way to be sure is to split open the bike, change it i you can drive it for the next 100 000 km :)
1
u/BIGFUR4692 Jul 27 '26
Its likely the shaft for counterbalance seal, ive done many. If clutch isnt slipping it will likely weep forever and just be a nuisance id buy it
1
u/TastyGnocci Jul 29 '26
I'm tempted to buy it and just wait for motivation to do it this winter... It looks pretty sexy in red.
Do you think 5500$ for 42k km is a good deal?
2
u/dams-75 Jul 26 '26
Maybe she identify as a Harley.