BMW Helmet Recall

[rastuscat]

Anyone have any experience of this?
I have one of the BMW Sport helmets which are subject to recall by BMW International. The visor mechanism isn't fully Euro certified, or some such issue.

Anyway, on 23 Nov 2015 BMW issued this media release


Munich. BMW Motorrad is recalling the motorcycle helmet model "BMW Sport
Helmet". Owners are asked to hand their helmet in at an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealership. Regardless of the age of the helmet, the relevant model
can be exchanged for another BMW Motorrad helmet or another BMW Motorrad
product of equal value.

The helmets in question can be identified by the eight-digit number to be found
on the label on the chin strap. Only helmets with the ID 059241/P are affected.
There is no safety risk to users of the helmet.

The helmet models "BMW Helmet Sport" do not fully meet the approval test
requirements according to the European standard UNECE R 22.05.

BMW Motorrad has therefore decided to take these helmets off the market.

No other BMW Motorrad helmets (e.g. "System helmet", "Race" and "Enduro")
are affected by this campaign.

Anyway, I took my helmet back to the local BMW dealer. They queried NZ Distributor as to what to do, and I was surprised to hear back that the Distributor is going to send me another Sport helmet.

Now, according to the release, BMW Motorrad has taken the Sport helmet "off the market".

I have advised the local guys (I don't blame them) that I won't be accepting the Sport helmet replacement, and that I want a different helmet, specifically a System 6 Evo. This appears to accord with the recall notice.

The cynic in me feels that the local distributor is seeing this as a way to clear his shelves of old stock Sport helmets. It basically means that NZ consumers are not being afforded the options available overseas.

Anyone else have any experience of this?

The recall notice is attached.319715

[AllanB]

Recall details appear clear. Stick to your guns.

Good score though - new lid for free ;)

[Gremlin]

Plenty of cases where just because a recall is issued overseas, nothing happens here.

However, if BMW is effectively saying bring in your Sport helmets and we'll replace, then being given another Sport helmet doesn't actually solve that problem.

[rastuscat]

This is the bit from the release that rips my ration card.

BMW Motorrad has therefore decided to take these helmets off the market.

Nice. They want to give me a helmet that's been taken off the market.

[Gremlin]

This is the bit from the release that rips my ration card.

BMW Motorrad has therefore decided to take these helmets off the market.

Nice. They want to give me a helmet that's been taken off the market.
"They" is the NZ (or probably AU) distributor. They're probably taking a bath on the Sport helmet, but even if some accept a Sport as a replacement, they're winning. There might be one or two noisy buggers and you might have to shut them up with a new Evo 6 :D

I had similar with a supplier. A storage device failed about 2.5 years into a 3 year warranty, and the replacement wasn't functionally the same, but the same capacity. They tried to encourage me to accept it, which I refused, so got a full credit (and buying that now would be even cheaper).

[nzspokes]

There are very specific requirements around product recalls. Ive been involved in a couple and there is a ton of work in it. And at times you will find out about it from a local consumer as the owners of the brand have not passed the information down to NZ. A quick call to the Commerce Commission will tell you your rights and may start an investigation into the local agent.

But dont think it is your right to get an upgrade. Its not.

[pzkpfw]

If the recall is for that model, and they give you that model as replacement, what's to stop you handing it straight back and saying "this has been recalled"?

[pritch]

Nice. They want to give me a helmet that's been taken off the market.

Only if the new helmet has the same ID number quoted.

"Only helmets with the ID 059241/P are affected."

[Old Steve]

But dont think it is your right to get an upgrade. Its not.

I would think that the phrase from the recall, " Regardless of the age of the helmet, the relevant model can be exchanged for another BMW Motorrad helmet or another BMW Motorrad product of equal value" might easily be taken as that you can put the value of the helmet towards a more expensive one and pay the difference. If I was the dealer, I'd let customers upgrade to a better model at their cost, build customer loyalty and the next helmet they'll buy will be from you and most probably a higher end model (no-one likes to downgrade).

If they insist on replacing your Sport helmet with another Sport helmet, then all you do is immediately pass the new Sport helmet you have just been given over the counter under the recall notice for replacement.

[rastuscat]

Only if the new helmet has the same ID number quoted.

"Only helmets with the ID 059241/P are affected."

Interesting. Note that in the release they say that the Sport Helmet has been taken off the market.

It's no longer available on the BMW Motorrad website. No mention of a partial withdrawal, it's the whole series.

In the UK they even offer cash back if you produce the original receipt. I don't want that.

[nzspokes]

I would think that the phrase from the recall, " Regardless of the age of the helmet, the relevant model can be exchanged for another BMW Motorrad helmet or another BMW Motorrad product of equal value" might easily be taken as that you can put the value of the helmet towards a more expensive one and pay the difference. If I was the dealer, I'd let customers upgrade to a better model at their cost, build customer loyalty and the next helmet they'll buy will be from you and most probably a higher end model (no-one likes to downgrade).

If they insist on replacing your Sport helmet with another Sport helmet, then all you do is immediately pass the new Sport helmet you have just been given over the counter under the recall notice for replacement.
What you would like to think is irrelevant. They will probably be getting replacement product from the supplier.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[rastuscat]

I would think that the phrase from the recall, " Regardless of the age of the helmet, the relevant model can be exchanged for another BMW Motorrad helmet or another BMW Motorrad product of equal value" might easily be taken as that you can put the value of the helmet towards a more expensive one and pay the difference. If I was the dealer, I'd let customers upgrade to a better model at their cost, build customer loyalty and the next helmet they'll buy will be from you and most probably a higher end model (no-one likes to downgrade).

If they insist on replacing your Sport helmet with another Sport helmet, then all you do is immediately pass the new Sport helmet you have just been given over the counter under the recall notice for replacement.

Thats where my point of view comes from. The release says it's the choice of the consumer. Not the choice of the distributor.

[Asher]

Since the helmet failed euro standards and not AU/NZ standards does the recall actually apply here?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Plenty of cases where just because a recall is issued overseas, nothing happens here.

However, if BMW is effectively saying bring in your Sport helmets and we'll replace, then being given another Sport helmet doesn't actually solve that problem.

Indeed. small shallow pond at the end of the world

there was talk early on that the R1 gearbox issue would not be addressed by Yamaha in NZ. I can report that I know a guy who has an R1 with a new gearbox as of yesterday though so they did see the light eventually.

Were the Aprilias with the rear suspension linkages made of chocolate ever recalled?

[Asher]

Indeed. small shallow pond at the end of the world

there was talk early on that the R1 gearbox issue would not be addressed by Yamaha in NZ. I can report that I know a guy who has an R1 with a new gearbox as of yesterday though so they did see the light eventually.

Were the Aprilias with the rear suspension linkages made of chocolate ever recalled?

Also with those R1 gearboxes the Yamaha recall statement was different for the USA market and the OZ/NZ market. The USA recall letter to owners pretty much said to stop riding it immediately because of the high risk of injury/death and a stop sell order was issued to dealers. The NZ letter basically said there is a minor issue with the gearbox and to bring it into a dealer at your leisure.
The difference is likely caused by our different liability laws and stronger consumer laws being that if Yamaha admitted the bike was unsafe the customers could demand a full replacement/refund rather than a few new gears.

[rastuscat]

Entirely possible that I might be over reacting here.

It's hard to get an answer from Europe Imports, the NZ Distributor.

[jasonu]

Indeed. small shallow pond at the end of the world

You are lucky they don't simply tell you to get fucked.

[rastuscat]

If its not a safety issue and poster 1 has had no problem with their visor I would have no problem getting a replacement helmet being the same model.
Poster 1 should find out exactly what the problem is if they are nervous though.

Ay up, Poster 1 here.

I'm fairly sure that a replacement helmet would be okay.

Thing is, BMW International has said they will provide a different helmet or the equivalent in other BMW goods, but the local distributor is using this as a chance to clear his shelves of helmets he can't sell.

BMW International has stopped distributing these helmets, their release says so. They are taking it seriously, which is why I'm digging my toes in.

Why should NZ consumers get less of an option than overseas consumers?

[Big Dog]

As another poster pointed out it was a failing to meet a European and not a NZ standard which maybe why the NZ distributor feels no obligation to honour the exact return policy. You need to go by the Fair Trading Act which states you must return the helmet to the shop you bought it from and I am guessing you would need proof the recall applies to helmets sold in NZ as well as Europe which would prevent the shop telling you the recall does not apply the same way to NZ. I remember once buying defective computer software and the shop told me to deal with the supplier and when the supplier dicked me around I went back to the shop wanting my money back under the Fair Trading Act and this resulted in the shop getting the supplier to put new software in the mail to me the next day.
Unless they got it certified seperately for aus / nz it will be being sold here under the premise that we accept the ecer22.05 and higher standards. Given the cost of testing few manufacturers seek approval for aus / nz unless they don't sell in the EU.

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[HenryDorsetCase]

If its not a safety issue and poster 1 has had no problem with their visor I would have no problem getting a replacement helmet being the same model.
Poster 1 should find out exactly what the problem is if they are nervous though.

please go and read the whole of the first post then cogitate a bit, THEN burst forth.

What part about the HELMET being recalled was unclear?

another poster said it best: hand helmet over, get replacement same helmet: hand back to them and say "this helmet has been recalled" they give you another one the same, you hand it back, ad nauseam.

If they can't give you the same (which they clearly cannot) then they either say OK, the replacement model is betterer and more expensive, pay the extra, OR they suck it up and try and use it as a positive marketing exercise.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Unless they got it certified seperately for aus / nz it will be being sold here under the premise that we accept the ecer22.05 and higher standards. Given the cost of testing few manufacturers seek approval for aus / nz unless they don't sell in the EU.

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one of my helmets the only sticker in it is TUV. I am happy with that as Ze Chermans are very thorough

[eldog]

Doubt it would be really worthwhile getting it tested for AU/NZS
Hasn't AU recently changed their stance on some helmet standards or types - I cant remember.
Was it something to do with modular helmets and EU/Dot/Snell.

I remember trying to buy a System 6 at the local dealer, no go.

BMW Int, I would think they would supply you with options if the current model is now defunct.

If its a money thing you could always ask to upgrade by paying the difference......

I am thinking the local dealer would get reimburst/replacement units for any stock units bound for Africa.....
they would be only out of pocket for all the inventory mucking around etc.

Surprised by recall, but then BMW has learnt in the past to take a stand if they make a mistake, makes it look like they can stand behind their product AND DO
We do similar where I work. If we make a mistake we fix it.
If we aren't given enough info we work with the customer to sort it out.

Rastus - Go for it. Pity your not still working for the Blue team, you could have used your collective muscle.........

[flashg]

one of my helmets the only sticker in it is TUV. I am happy with that as Ze Chermans are very thorough


Also very sneaky................VW springs to mind.
Just saying

[eldog]

The thing that was unclear was the technical nature of the fault as it was not a safety issue so what exactly was it? No I said it best when I suggested poster 1 exercise their right under the Fair Trading Act with actual proof the recall applies to helmets sold in NZ.

So now you expect Rastus to go out of his way to prove there is something wrong with the helmet?
If he doesn't do that what happens as he is riding is he thinking "Whats wrong?"

Surely if someone is prepared to recall a helmet, then you accept they have a reason.

You are also implying that NZ isn't part of the rest of the world? and we have lesser standards (we do on somethings actually)

Customer relations on the phone "Yeah, its a technical fault, nah you don't have to replace it as its not a safety fault, and this is NZ don't ya know-no one cares, bye sucker"

[BMWGSER]

Thats where my point of view comes from. The release says it's the choice of the consumer. Not the choice of the distributor.

Yes the recall does apply hear because it uses the UNECE standards here.
So no longer legal to use in NZ.

[eldog]

Also very sneaky................VW springs to mind.

I would suspect its a very good time to buy a VW - reverse advertising - in a European motor industry depressed market - release something which is pretty good, say its very bad-some electronic trickery that you can fix easily with an 'upgrade', make amends-rock bottom prices, lots of volume no one else sells a car.
Surely no one else would play with the engine to suit some air or noise pollution standards? :scratch:

well would they?

Have you seen the exhaust testing nameplate on the side of your bike?
They check this in some states

[eldog]

Have you ever seen a product recall notice in the newspaper? If you had you would see they always give a technical reason for the recall and also if there is a safety issue with it.
Dont you see that without proof the fault applied to helmets sold in NZ a retailer could be suspicious the customer is trying to get a new helmet for nothing if there is no manufacturing fault visable.

I can't read the paper.

If the dealer suspected a con - And the dealer was worth their value they would contact their supplier and get the real info. Even going directly back to Main HQ, rather than riding on the back of Aussie.

Yeah Aussies always treat us fairly :nya:
Another underarm deal? or underhanded?

[BMWGSER]

You are lucky they don't simply tell you to get fucked.

In NZ Whe get treated a lot worse than other country's My last BMW K1200GT. Had a fuel strip fault . Already replaced once by BMW I paid the labour cost (out of warranty)
In the States they have extended warranty out to 12 years of age parts and labour.
Proberly so they don't get sued when the bike runs out of gas and Ya get run over by a kenworth.
In NZ I would have to pay $445 to fix it.
Whe do not get advised about Recalls , I have had to advise BMW NZ about Fuel pump flange recall and advised dealers about a rear wheel flange recall and now this helmet recall as well.
As I have said before no profit for the dealer or importer doing recalls , so they just want the problem to go away. It's not going to happen this time .
My partner has a sport helmet and the importer is mucking about because whe have not got the proof of purchase.
It was only 2-3 years ago that BMW had to refund the purchase price of a BMW K1600GT
Cooling verses Experence motorcycles / BMW NZ. Made international news in the BMW world.

[Big Dog]

one of my helmets the only sticker in it is TUV. I am happy with that as Ze Chermans are very thorough

If you go to www.tuv.com it is an independent certifier.
Plug your ID number into the search field and you will be redirected to the certificate, for me that is http://www.certipedia.com/quality_marks/0000025908?locale=en.
This means you can be sure someone has not just printed some stickers with ece-r22.05 on them.
It should detail what the helmet should look like and the standards it meets, for me that is:
German standard: Technical Report for Motor Vehicle Accessory TechRep 94KP0402-00
EU standard: Certificates / Approvals ECE-Approval Kraftfahrt-Bundesam E1 05300328


In my mind a far better sticker than a DOT, Snell or ECE sticker.

[Big Dog]

I broke a plastic fuel line connector when I took my tank off to charge the battery and when I got replacements they were metal which means there must have been issues with them otherwise my replacements would have been
plastic too. There is a lot of truth in what the Dog and Lemon Guide says about avoiding anything European like the plauge.

That is a bit of a stretch.

It is hardly an indication of a product fault for parts to be superseded with something similar in nature but different in materials or design because the new model uses the new design and the old model will work just fine with the new part.

Go watch a parts guy at work.
You take him a part from a bike, say a mid 80s Honda. He will look up the part number based on the year make and model. Then he will see that has been superseeded and look up the replacement part number and repeat ad nauseum until he gets to a part number that is in stock or he gets to where there are no longer replacement parts for your model.

Lots can change in 30 years. Material costs, labour costs, third party supplier, the contents of fuel, basic safety standard requirements. Doesn't mean the previous design was wrong, it can just mean something has changed.

[nzspokes]

1 exercise their right under the Fair Trading Act with actual proof the recall applies to helmets sold in NZ.

God you are thick as pig shit.

[eldog]

In NZ Whe get treated a lot worse than other country's My last BMW K1200GT. Had a fuel strip fault . Already replaced once by BMW I paid the labour cost (out of warranty)
In the States they have extended warranty out to 12 years of age parts and labour.
Proberly so they don't get sued when the bike runs out of gas and Ya get run over by a kenworth.
In NZ I would have to pay $445 to fix it.
Whe do not get advised about Recalls , I have had to advise BMW NZ about Fuel pump flange recall and advised dealers about a rear wheel flange recall and now this helmet recall as well.
As I have said before no profit for the dealer or importer doing recalls , so they just want the problem to go away. It's not going to happen this time .
My partner has a sport helmet and the importer is mucking about because whe have not got the proof of purchase.
It was only 2-3 years ago that BMW had to refund the purchase price of a BMW K1600GT
Cooling verses Experence motorcycles / BMW NZ. Made international news in the BMW world.

you poor bugger, sounds like you really got the lemon bad.
Dont know for sure but I guess BMW NZ is not directly in contact with Germany as we are too small a market, they most likely get a bad deal from Aussie.

There is no reason for them not to know about recalls on their own products especially if you can find about them yourself.

Have a look at overseas recalls, there is no reason in this day and age they can't trace the vehicles first owner at least.....

Proof of purchase - sometimes ya feel like they are accusing you of stealing.....
That's why I put larger items on the card, traceability.

If I read correctly, they are replacing the sport helmet no matter what age etc as long as it has the correct numbers. I doubt they have sold hundreds of these items.
I suppose they are worried that you brought it overseas.

hope your luck improves. Maybe write to BMW Motorrad and ask for their opinion, after getting BMW NZ position first.

[eldog]

But when a plastic part is replaced with a metal part they dont do it because nothing is made in plastic anymore and anything metal is more expensive. I did read on forums that others had broken the fuel line connectors too so it was not a case of me being heavy handed.

Certain plastics age hardened and can be affected by petrol fumes etc and become brittle. Metal is often the replacement because it will last and won't be a warranty problem later. Newer machining and casting technology has enhanced the cost effectiveness of metals.
You don't have to be heavy hand to break stuff, clumsy or stuff happening by bad luck can cause the most unlikely things to happen.

I know..... It's the one thing I am really good at, all the best intentions not always the greatest outcomes.

[eldog]

Part of poster ones problem is they think the NZ supplier does not know the "real info" and if they do are not complying with BMWs directive correctly.

the OP could be right - read BMWGSRs post.

thats why we post on KB - right :)

[eldog]

I dont know why a inline connector was even fitted as the fuel hoses on my old Hondas just went direct to the carbs.

Maybe it broke or was damaged before (were you the first owner?) so many ways crap can happpen even to the best.....
or maybe so you could quickly get a quick sniff of petrol to keep going

[rastuscat]

Just to add to the discussion.

I have provided the original proof of purchase, from Experience in Auckland.

When it was purchased it also had a model specific Bluetooth kit fitted.

A spare inner liner was also purchased.

All of which is going back, when they see sense.


The recall relates to the visor mechanism not meeting the standard.

[jasonu]

Just to add to the discussion.

I have provided the original proof of purchase, from Experience in Auckland.

When it was purchased it also had a model specific Bluetooth kit fitted.

A spare inner liner was also purchased.

All of which is going back, when they see sense.


The recall relates to the visor mechanism not meeting the standard.

Take it to Fair Go. Brian Williams will get it sorted for ya.

[eldog]

Just to add to the discussion.

I have provided the original proof of purchase, from Experience in Auckland.

When it was purchased it also had a model specific Bluetooth kit fitted.

A spare inner liner was also purchased.

All of which is going back, when they see sense.


The recall relates to the visor mechanism not meeting the standard.

Now you are going to have fun.......

I wonder if BMW actually make these or contract someone else.:scratch:

I suppose they want you to personally travel to AKL to sort it.
Take photos of helmet and labels etc BEFORE you SEND
things can go missing

[BMWGSER]

you poor bugger, sounds like you really got the lemon bad.
Dont know for sure but I guess BMW NZ is not directly in contact with Germany as we are too small a market, they most likely get a bad deal from Aussie.

There is no reason for them not to know about recalls on their own products especially if you can find about them yourself.

Have a look at overseas recalls, there is no reason in this day and age they can't trace the vehicles first owner at least.....

Proof of purchase - sometimes ya feel like they are accusing you of stealing.....
That's why I put larger items on the card, traceability.

If I read correctly, they are replacing the sport helmet no matter what age etc as long as it has the correct numbers. I doubt they have sold hundreds of these items.
I suppose they are worried that you brought it overseas.

hope your luck improves. Maybe write to BMW Motorrad and ask for their opinion, after getting BMW NZ position first.

Thanks for feeling sorry for Me but it's not all that bad , In the 8 years I have owned the K1200GT
All it has costed is 1 full service and a lube service a little labour for the fuel strip and 3 sets of tyres. 43000ks that's cheap running, I did not pay the $445 to fix the fuel strip I just traded it in
For a new model RT.
And the helmet I did not pay the $1099 RRP Whe got it near new , I just want to take BMW Motoradd up on there offer for a new lid as they are the ones recalling them.
Euro imports are a stand alone importer for BMW motorcycles now in NZ they have to make a profit
To keep the doors open ,they cannot afford to loose out on recalls and warranty claims.
But at the end of the I just want the offer of a new lid
Stay safe.

[pritch]

I wonder if BMW actually make these or contract someone else.


Schubertin used to make BMW helmets.

For the purposes of a product recall the waffle about "proof of purchase" seems irrelevant. The only relevant detail is that ID number.

The parts guy at Experience BMW is great, but the guys that run the place? Maybe not so much.

[eldog]

The parts guy at Experience BMW is great

+1 on that, nothing's a problem, great customer service:niceone:

[rastuscat]

+1 on that, nothing's a problem, great customer service:niceone:

This guy helped a lot by tracking down the original purchase docs for me



Neil Walsh
Parts Manager
Experience Motorcycles of Kingsland
0800 743 3269 | 09 845 6720 | neil@experiencemotorcycles.co.nz


Really nice guy, went the extra mile for me.

[Big Dog]

Now you are going to have fun.......

I wonder if BMW actually make these or contract someone else.:scratch:

I suppose they want you to personally travel to AKL to sort it.
Take photos of helmet and labels etc BEFORE you SEND
things can go missing
They used to outsource helmets to Schuberth (special? ).

Sent via tapatalk.

[Big Dog]

But when a plastic part is replaced with a metal part they dont do it because nothing is made in plastic anymore and anything metal is more expensive. I did read on forums that others had broken the fuel line connectors too so it was not a case of me being heavy handed.
And sometimes the reason a part is redesigned is because they did not account for the ineptitude of owners.

A part might work as anticipated 100's of times when tested by someone with prior knowledge of the expected action then fail 1% of times when used by the untrained owner. 1% gets real loud real fast in the age of the Internet. It might seem like a good idea to the marketing department to change the part to metal to protect their reputation.

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[Gremlin]

The parts guy at Experience BMW is great, but the guys that run the place? Maybe not so much.
That's Neil. More BMW than the shop itself, and his own 1150GS has about 230k on it :yes:

[eldog]

That's Neil. More BMW than the shop itself, and his own 1150GS has about 230k on it :yes:

Now that I have more experience with mbikes, I check out what the service/parts dept is like, not just the smiling salesperson

Neil is a walking advertisement on BMW service.

Trouble is eventually people move on

[eldog]

The importer should not have taken on the BMW agency if they were not prepared to honour warranty and recall claims on behalf of the BMW factory. Under the Fair Trading Act it may be that the retailer has to wear the cost as the buyers contract is with retailer.

It doesn't sound like this is the problem.
Obvious more to it than we know and there is no point in guessing whats happening behind the scenes.

Rastus et al have to be prepared to wait and see (as long as they have dotted all their i's and crossed there tees)

[Gremlin]

Neil is a walking advertisement on BMW service.

Trouble is eventually people move on
Ah, not Neil. Been through the last... 3? owners. He's one of those structures keeping the roof up :lol: I've only been shopping there a little over 5 years, I think he's done 15-20?

[eldog]

Ah, not Neil. Been through the last... 3? owners. He's one of those structures keeping the roof up :lol: I've only been shopping there a little over 5 years, I think he's done 15-20?

I was referring to people in general, yeh he seems like part of the woodwork, nice guy.
Pity I am not in the market for anything at the MO otherwise would enjoy a wonder through all the bike shops to kick the tyres

[Big Dog]

Ah, not Neil. Been through the last... 3? owners. He's one of those structures keeping the roof up[emoji38]I've only been shopping there a little over 5 years, I think he's done 15-20?
You make it should like a prison sentence.

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