Advice for a new owner

[riceburner]

Not me, but my neighbour - a nice young lad of about 21 has ordered himself a 2nd hand R1200R from the local dealership (Vines, Guildford, UK).
Bit of a step up from his stable of dead KLX650s .... (he has 4: 1 running, 3 to cannibalise!)

The BM is a 2007, so one of the very early ones, I don't know the mileage.

Could I get some advice on things that should be done to the bike (if they haven't already) to ensure healthy running?
EG, on the R1150 series the first thing to do was cut all the cable-ties securing the wiring around the headstock - is this still a BMW practise on the R1200 series bikes?

Any other things that the sensible owner would do?

[websterize]

I would advise him to read this forum's archive. Then he should visit a Motorrad dealer to learn if there are open campaigns or recalls on his bike -- EWS ring and the brake-line recall come to mind.

If he has the onboard computer option, he should ignore the range-to-empty figure and refill every ~200 miles. Tell him fuel strip failures are common across the R1200 line, and his might already be kaput. He should consider adding the $3 abdeckring gasket from the S1000RR around the fuel filler seam. Sometimes, rust happens under there.

I'd say to ride it, and to ask questions here. We're all fairly chill.

[Simon4576]

Hi there,

I've owned a 2007 R1200R almost from new and found it to be very reliable and easy to maintain. There were a 2 or 3 recalls (brake lines and steering damper) but nothing that the dealer probably hasn't already taken care of, but worth checking if possible. I look after most of the servicing oil, oil/air filter, spark plugs, valve clearances, gearbox oil, rear drive oil, drive-shaft splines and brake flush, replacement pads. Servicing is easy and apart from the tool to remove the plug coils no special tools are required. Fortunately the R1200R has the later none servo brake arrangement which makes bleeding/flushing the brakes much easier (same as a car). I've always cosseted mine so not a lot of wet weather riding. Apart a little corrosion under the sump/front of the engine there's no corrosion to speak of. There is sound deadening insulation in the cover for the alternator belt which can hold moisture and promote corrosion. To access/remove this, I think you need to remove the oil cooler so have some jubilee clips handy. I've already had this apart once and didn't remove it so something to do this winter. All considered and ignoring the hopeless fuel strip, a lovely machine.

[R12RnHouston]

Be sure to inspect the rear wheel flange for cracks where the brake disk and wheel attach… there is a well documented history on myriad forums of cracks developing there if the flange is of the cast aluminum type on earlier R1200X models.

[MTBeemer]

In addition to the advice above, tell him to ride it and ride it far and often.

[riceburner]

Cheers all!

I believe he's going to be using it for commuting as well as other riding so it'll soon rack up the miles.

Will point him at this forum too.