# 2005 BMW R1200 GS — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
> NHTSA complaint `585782` · 2006-06-21 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** BMW
- **Model:** R1200 GS
- **Year:** 2005
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- **Miles at failure:** 7,005
- **Speed:** 50 mph
## Narrative
IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, I HAVE RIDDEN OVER 100,000 MILES ON SIX DIFFERENT BMW MOTORCYCLES, ALL PURCHASED NEW. I RIDE YEAR-ROUND AND HAVE ALWAYS USED AN ELECTRIC VEST TO AVOID HYPOTHERMIA. IN SEPTEMBER, 2005 I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY RIDE IN MAY, 2006, MY NON-BMW BRAND ELECTRIC VEST FAILED TO FUNCTION DURING RAIN AND COLD TEMPERATURES ENCOUNTERED IN SOUTH DAKOTA. THE NEXT DAY, I EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL FATIGUE, WENT OFF THE ROAD IN KANSAS, TOTALED THE BIKE AND BROKE MY LEG. I SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT BY READING A MOTORCYCLE PUBLICATION THAT BMW DELIBERATELY ENGINEERED THE STANDARD 12 VOLT OUTLET ON THE FAIRING TO SHUT DOWN WHEN USING A NON-BMW ELECTRIC VEST. I BELIEVE BMW HAS AN OBLIGATION TO WARN OWNERS ABOUT THIS UNEXPECTED  LACK OF PERFORMANCE WHICH IN MY MIND WAS A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO MY PROPERTY LOSS AND PERSONAL INJURY. ON MY REPLACEMENT BIKE, I WILL GO TO THE EXPENSE OF   INSTALLING A 12 VOLT FAIRING OUTLET DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY.  *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*