BMW R1100RT-P 1999: TIRES:SIDEWALL

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 01V198000

Production Dates: 1997-10-01 - 2000-12-31

Manufacturers Involved: BMW of North America, LLC

Component: TIRES:SIDEWALL

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 990

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH DUNLOP SPORTMAX A REAR TIRES, SIZE 160/60 ZR18. THESE TIRES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON SOME OF THE VEHICLES AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT. THE CAMPAIGN IS LIMITED TO THOSE SPORTMAX A REAR TIRES HAVING DATE STAMPS OF 189, 199, OR 209. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AREAS OF REDUCED ADHESION ON THE TREAD REINFORCING CUSHION STRIPS MAY HAVE RESULTED DURING PRODUCTION OF THE TIRES. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOCALIZED SEPARATIONS AND BLISTERS WHERE THE TREAD JOINS THE SIDEWALL.

IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE RIDER MAY NOTICE A VIBRATION OF THE REAR TIRE AND DEPENDING ON THE DEGREE OF BLISTERING, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD LEAD TO FURTHER WEAKENING OF THE SIDEWALL AREA AND CAUSE A FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THE VEHICLE'S HANDLING.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR TIRE FOR THE PRODUCTION DATE. IF AN AFFECTED TIRE IS FOUND, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION "4.

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.