R1200 Maintenance

[Crossrodes]

I'm just toying with the idea of an R1200RT as my next touring bike.  However I recently went to the BMW shop with a friend who has an R1200ST.  He was getting his final maintenance done on his bike before his extended warranty ran out; it was a requirement of his extended warranty that he have the bike serviced at the BMW dealers.  He has already had the rear end replaced and he thinks that the new one is starting to leak oil again.

His little maintenance job cost him over $500.  I asked about the maintenance at the shop and they told me that you needed special electronic equipment to adjust the ECM and the valves (yes, the valves)  I like to do my own maintenance and I sure don't want to spend $500 to have the oil changed and a few other things.

Can anyone give me some feedback on the maintenance of these bikes.  Do you really need to take them into the dealership to get scheduled maintenance done?  Is special equipment needed?

Right now I have a Honda Goldwing for touring and there is no warranty requirement for me to have maintenance done at the dealership.  I have 150,000 kms on the bike and it has only been into the dealership for its first maintenance.  If I have to spend this kind of cash to ride a new RT that is a showstopper.

[Bob_Roller]

I've got an '02 R1150R, took delivery of it in August '02, I've done most of the work on the bike .

When it comes to the engine management system and ABS, if the bike has it, without a code reader, you pretty much can't do anything if you have a problem .

There are readers that plug into the diagnostic plug on the bike, they are around the $300-500 range, depending on what you get, I think there is an option, to where you can get a laptop computer plugged into the reader and get 'real time' information .

As far as setting the valves, I have performed the job twice in 37,000 miles, barely needed adjustment when I did check them .

The bike isn't difficult to work on for the most part, but with RS or RT fairings I'm sure that would complicate things a bit .

The bikes for the most part don't need much attention, kinda like 4 wheel vehicles these days .

[Crossrodes]

Bob that wouldn't be an OBD2 or 3 reader would it?

[Bob_Roller]

I believe it's an OBD2, at least on my '02, but the real problem is that the connector on the BMW bikes is not a standard OBD type, it's a round connector, so you need the aftermarket reader to access any fault information .

[darrylri]

It's not an OBD2 reader.  The only consumer available unit that talks to the BMW ECM and CANBUS bikes is the GS-911 unit.  

But you don't need the GS-911 to adjust valves or change the oil, those things can be done the usual way.  

If you want to reset the service reminder, read or reset any of the fault codes, or reset the idle on the 1200s, you have to go to a dealer or have a GS-911.  

The one thing you HAVE to go to the dealer for is flushing the brakes on the 2004-2006 1150 bikes with the so called "whizzy brakes" (power assist brakes).  These have two independent brake fluid circuits and although you can flush and bleed them, only the BMW supplied GT-1/Moditec computer can test to make sure that the system is working correctly.  This is an expensive service to have done, so much so that BMW extended their service interval from 1 year to 2 years, to reduce the sting of this.  

[Crossrodes]

Darryl, I have a bleed pump.  Would that not do to bleed these brakes; or maybe speed bleeders?  The only tester I have now for my brakes is me...I check the feel of the lever or foot pedal to see if there is any sponginess to the brakes or if they can be pumped up to see if there is air in the line.  Would this not be sufficient for testing?

I guess I don't understand the BMW braking system.  Honda has two separate circuits...front and back in their case, plus on my Honda there is ABS.  I can bleed and test these brakes.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

The ABS system on the R1200 is not that difficult to bleed the brakes and add new fluid.  Speed bleeders do help.  There is also a hydraulic clutch that must be serviced annually.  It's a bit of a PIA to do but not really difficult.  I had the R1100RT but sold it because if you ever want to work on the engine you must remove the tupperware panels.  Even to change oil you must remove the belly panel.  I found it a great ride in wet & cold weather but top heavy and awkward around town.  Don't even think of buying one if you are riding in hot weather.  

The final drive does continue to be an issue that BMW won't address.  Mrs. Phorqs has an R1100R and I have a spare final drive in a box on a shelf in the garage.  We hope we don't ever have to use it, but it's ready to overnight in case there is a breakdown on the road somewhere.  

I enjoyed the bike most of the time but wouldn't ever buy another fully faired bike again.

[Julio A.]

My dad's R1150GS Adventure had a bearing and an oilseal replaced in the driveshaft and paralever assembly. It takes an industrial heater and special tools to do the job. It was a little scary, the whole driveshaft assembly was wobbling and creating a soul shattering sound when it hit bumps. The Labor costs from BMW is more than the part's worth. But they do provide a good job.

I just wish they could still service the R65.

I heard that new new R1200 series with the DOHC's doesn't need valve adjustments. Is it true?

[darrylri]

Not true.  The DOHC bikes still need valve adjustment.  I just did a google search because I remembered that San Jose BMW did an expose on this to keep customers from being too frightened of the DOHC bikes, and here is their web presentation:
http://sanjosebmw.smugmug.com/Other/Tech-pictures/10976964_bHf66#767209614_WupU9