So, a quick summary:
- a £350-ish per annum BMW warranty covers you for many unforseen horrors (and roadside fix/recovery). See list below
- big exclusions are:
- Front and rear shock absorber units up to 30,000 miles only
- ESA is NOT mentioned in warranty = assume not covered
- radiator gunking up
- not all bikes are affected (I've yet to have either problem at 34k miles)
- however, there are enough verified accounts to know the above definitely happens, it just a question of timing. I personally may be on borrowed time - who knows.
Basically, the K isn't a cheap ride or fix, but I'd say it's a good ride.
But beyond 30k miles maybe a little risky for a casual 2k miles per year bike.
2017 Warranty text:
Engine
All internally lubricated components, including the following:
Failure of the following parts: starter ring gear, oil pump, timing gears and chains, tappet gears, pistons and rings, con rods, flywheel, crankshaft and bearings, camshaft and cam followers, valves and guides, cylinder head, cylinder block, balancer shafts and all internal bushings.
Gearbox
All internally lubricated components, including the following:
Failure of the following parts: gears, selectors, selector forks and drums, bearings and bushes, synchromesh, hubs and shafts, excluding external linkages.
Drive
All internally lubricated components, including the following:
Failure of the following parts: gears, shafts, bearings and bushes, universal joints, but excluding hubs, chains, sprockets and rubber boots.
Final drive
All internally lubricated components, including the following:
Failure of the following parts: crown wheel, pinion and bearings. Pinion shaft oil seal and crown wheel cover seal, rear wheel carrier.
Clutch
Failure of the following parts: master cylinder, slave cylinder, clutch plate, plate housing cover, thrust bearing including oil contamination of the clutch plate, but excluding external linkages, burnt out parts and general wear and tear.
Steering
Failure of the following parts: steering head bearings, Telelever ball joints, steering damper, solid and roller bearings including wheel bearings and seals.
Suspension
Failure of the following parts:
Telelever ball joints, telescopic forks (excluding pitting) and seals. Front and rear shock absorber units (up to 30,000 miles only).
Braking system
Failure of the following parts: brake callipers, ABS control unit, master cylinders and ABS hydraulic pump unit. (Seized callipers due to corrosion are not covered).
Fuel system
Failure of the following parts: injection control unit, fuel injectors, fuel level transmitter, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, fuel pump relay, solenoids, idle control valve, throttle position potentiometer and throttle body.
Cooling system
Failure of the radiator (excluding damage, clogging and/or sedimentation blockage), water pump, thermostat and housing.
Electrical system
Failure of the following parts: all electrical control units, on board computer and starter motor, starter relay/module, alternator, voltage regulator, cooling fan motor, ignition coil, wiring loom, lambda probe, fuel level circuit boards and sender units, ABS wheel sensors (excluding damage), immobiliser antenna. CD player, radio, engine temperature transmitter and coolant temperature transmitter. Cruise control motor, reverse gear module and actuator. Electric screen motor, main stand motor, electronic suspension adjustment motors, handlebar combination switches.
Instruments
Failure of the following parts:
speedometer, gear indicators, voltmeter, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, tachometer and clock, but excluding accident damage. Seals and gaskets Failure of the following: engine – rear main oil seal, front crankshaft seal, output shaft seal, cylinder head gasket and valve guide oil seals. Gearbox – input shaft seal, output shaft seal and clutch push rod seal. Rear axle – pinion oil seal.
Frames
Failure of the structured members but excluding failure by corrosion or accident damage.
Casings
Casings are covered only when damaged by the failure of an insured component.
Sundries
Working materials eg. oils, filters, antifreeze are claimable as a direct result of a valid claim providing the insured motorcycle is not within 1,000 miles of its next scheduled service.
Miscellaneous
Other than the oil seals and gaskets specifically listed above, the rectification of oil leaks is not covered and the cost of seals and gaskets will only be accepted where they are required as a direct consequence of a valid claim under the insurance.
Any components not specifically listed are not covered.