Illustration (AI-generated) of a 2021 BMW F 900 R / XR (and F 800 S/ST/GT/R), not a photo of a specific motorcycle. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
BMW F 900 R / XR (and F 800 S/ST/GT/R).
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2007 to 2015 models.
51owner complaints
3recalls
10%involved a crash, fire or injury
13,000typical miles at complaint
BMW F 900 R / XR (and F 800 S/ST/GT/R) years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.
200722 complaints
5 of 22 describe the engine stalling, often when downshifting.
7 mention the rear wheel bearing or a wobble.
7 mention a fuel leak or the fuel pump.
1 reported a fire.
Recall 13V549000 (wheels): Due to incorrect tolerances, the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle may wear.
Recall 08V342000 (steering): It is possible for the coating to separate from the inside face of the steering damper housing.
200815 complaints
5 of 15 describe the engine stalling or shutting off.
2 reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Recall 13V549000 (wheels): Due to incorrect tolerances, the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle may wear.
Recall 08V241000 (fuel system, gasoline): Due to the routing of the fuel tank breather hose, pressure equalization inside the fuel tank is possible only to a limited extent.
After 2008, no model year drew more than 9.
Fewest complaints on file: 2010 (1), 2013 (3), 2015 (1). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.
What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.
Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.
What owners complain about. Share of complaints.
fuel system33%
engine24%
wheels18%
transmission & drivetrain14%
electrical10%
Recalls 3
Wheels 2013
Due to incorrect tolerances, the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle may wear.
Steering 2008
It is possible for the coating to separate from the inside face of the steering damper housing.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2008
Due to the routing of the fuel tank breather hose, pressure equalization inside the fuel tank is possible only to a limited extent.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.
BMW F 900 R / XR (and F 800 S/ST/GT/R)
2006–now
105 hpClaimed crank figure
Engine
895 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin (798 cc in F 800)BMW F twin family
Torque
68 lb-ftclaimed
Weight
~482 (XR) lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height
32.5 in
Price new
~$12,995 (2021 F 900 XR)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate
From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.
Filed as: F 800 ST, F800 ST, F800 S, F800S, F800 GT. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle