Excessive engine vibration on 2017 R1200RS with 2200 miles on it

I have a 2017 R1200RS. It now has 2200 miles on it. I just noticed a very definite engine vibration under the seat even while it sits in neutral on the side stand. You can slowly raise the engine RPM's, and can feel a vibration/buzz on what I believe is called the rear frame - the metal just under the seat leading to the rear luggage shelf - and the plastic body panel just under the seat. The vibration is not specific to any particular RPM. It just gets worse and worse as the RPM's are raised. As for the frequency, is seems similar to that of my electric engraver pencil, if anybody is familiar with those, but many times more powerful.

It really feels like an imbalance internal to the engine. It is definitely not a misfire - the engine runs far too well for that.

When I took the bike to the local dealer from which I bought it, and spoke with the service manager and a technician, they told me that this was normal. I didn't believe them, but then they brought around another 2017 RS (which by coincidence also had about the same 2200 miles on it) for comparison, and sure enough it exhibited the same vibration, although mine is a bit more energetic.
The BMW technician speculated that it could need a valve adjustment, but I don't believe that, and I'm not going to spend $200 having them adjust the valves on a hunch, on a bike with only 2200 miles on it.

The dealer won't do anything for me under warranty, but they and I do have the issue raised with BMW corporate. I am not optimistic about getting any answers.

I don't know when this vibration started, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't there when the bike was new. I would have noticed. And now that I'm aware of it, I can't ignore it. It's somewhat tolerable in 6th gear at 70 mph, but when running at higher RPM's in the mountains, I keep having to stand up off the seat to stop the tickling. It isn't funny.

For comparison, I checked my 2005 R1200ST, and there's no such vibration.

I don't know why I'm not seeing the internet positively lit up with discussion about this problem if it's really so common, but I don't see anything about it. So I'm asking the folks here, if you know of anything that could shed some light on this, I'd appreciate it. Or if you have an RS, please start it up and then rev it to 4000 or so RPM and tell me if it feels like it's vibrating excessively on the plastic body panel just under the seat.

not on mine also a 2017

sorry cannot help more

Nothing like this on mine - a 2017 with 6000 miles SE Sport

Could a subframe bolt be slack?, or perhaps the rubber foot on the centrestand have gone missing allowing the centrestand to touch the exhaust? I have 2000 miles on my 2017 se and have no issue here... tool roll,or something else under the seat touching metal? check every nut and bolt you can find.. especially the engine mounts.. sound like something has or is vibrating loose..

Puzzling, I don’t experience this on mine either.

Thanks everyone for reporting! And for the ideas of what to check.

Interestingly, the other R1200RS that the dealer used for comparison is a bike that was there at the dealership for sale, used, back in October when I originally bought my bike. That bike got sold, and is now back to be sold yet again, so at least for the third time. I wonder if the two previous owners got rid of it because of the excessive vibration.

Almost 13,000 miles on my 2017 and I haven’t noticed any excessive vibrations. Since you’ve said no apparent misfires then I’m at a loss for what might be the cause to what you are experiencing.

2017 with 15,000 miles. No vibration from that area. I get a tingle from the throttle side of the bars but nothing from the seat area (more’s the pity!) 😱

29000 miles on a 2017 bike and apart from slight tingle through throttle as oscaguitar bike is vibration free. If the vibration you report was common all the pillions would be shouting as well as the riders.

Zitat von sdstevep im Beitrag #1

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I have a 2017 R1200RS. It now has 2200 miles on it. I just noticed a very definite engine vibration under the seat even while it sits in neutral on the side stand.

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I get a little low frequency vibes through the footrest around 3-4K revs but nothing else.

This is a big old (slightly agricultural) twin so will shake a bit so I would be breaking out the torque wrench and going around all the fasteners on the sub-frame and the comment above about the centre stand touching the exhaust and transmitting vibration through the frame is also a good shout and a 3 second check.

I just checked a used 2018 RS with 5000 miles on it at my dealer here in San Diego, and that thing vibrates too. And the sales guy says his GS with about 5000 miles also vibrates like this. I don't think it's right, but maybe it's common. Again, my 2005 ST is WAY smoother than this 2017 RS.

I hope BMW can come up with a fix, but it's pretty disconcerting that it seems to be common to so many bikes. I'm also going to go ride with our local club as soon as I can - not this weekend, but maybe the next, and take a sampling there. I'm just sick about it because it's not looking good for a solution, and to me this is just a completely unacceptable amount of shaking for what's supposed to be a refined bike.

Perhaps leaning the engine out to meet Euro 4 emission requirements has resulted in increased vibration in the 2018 models?

I had a 2017 with 28,000 kms and no vibration. I know have a 2018 with 25,000 kms , runs smooth. As a few people mentioned , I would check every bolt on the bike. It is not normal to me and I can understand your frustration .

'17 here with 15k miles and no such vibration.