R1200R maintenance compared to R1150R?

[Grey Thumper]

Note: I've got an oilhead.

I took a closer look at a hexhead bike and noticed that the final drive oil drain plug is roughly at the 9 o'clock position, which seems to make changing oil ridiculously complicated (although I've also heard that the oil doesn't need to be changed at all throughout the bike's service life). Anyway, for hexhead owners who've also had/have oilheads, is one generally easier to maintain than the other? (basic stuff; consumables, fluids, sparkplugs, air filters, etc.)

[deilenberger]

Note: I've got an oilhead.

I took a closer look at a hexhead bike and noticed that the final drive oil drain plug is roughly at the 9 o'clock position, which seems to make changing oil ridiculously complicated (although I've also heard that the oil doesn't need to be changed at all throughout the bike's service life). Anyway, for hexhead owners who've also had/have oilheads, is one generally easier to maintain than the other? (basic stuff; consumables, fluids, sparkplugs, air filters, etc.)

The later model hexheads have a drain at the bottom.. so you can call it on that one. Only the '07/08 R12R's have the 9PM drain plug. The fluid was originally lifetime - but the lifetime deteriorated rapidly to a 600 mile change, then every 12k miles. In reality - 24K changes look fine to me based on how the oil coming out compares to the oil going in on mine... but book sez 12K.

Dunno what "ridiculously complicated" is to you - on the early ones, swing exhaust aside (1 bolt, 1 nut) remove rear wheel (5 bolts), move wires out of the way, remove rear brake caliper and hang it up (2 bolts), one big-ass-bolt/nut, and swing the rear-drive down so the drain points down. Drain it. Put drain plug back in. Assembly is the reverse.. takes about 20 minutes. In my opinion - on a scale of 1-10 wrenches - about a 2.

EVERYTHING else is likely to be easier. I have yet to hear of a hexhead owner who actually NEEDED a throttle-body sync (if they didn't do something stupid like check them before adjusting the valves.) Valve adjustment is the same. Oil change is the same. Air in the tires is the same. It's a piece of cake to get at the suspension bits, and we don't have pivots that wear out on the paralever rear drive suspension. Air-filter is three screws and about 3 minutes, plugs are the same as any dual-spark oilhead. There is no need to clean and adjust the big-brass-screws on the throttle bodies since we don't have them, and the steppers seem to stay clean and they self-adjust.

Overall - it is a wash, or slightly easier on the R12R... the new engine one ('11 DOHC) may take a bit more effort for a valve adjustment, but it is likely to very infrequently need one.

[Grey Thumper]

Dunno what "ridiculously complicated" is to you - on the early ones, swing exhaust aside (1 bolt, 1 nut) remove rear wheel (5 bolts), move wires out of the way, remove rear brake caliper and hang it up (2 bolts), one big-ass-bolt/nut, and swing the rear-drive down so the drain points down. Drain it. Put drain plug back in. Assembly is the reverse.. takes about 20 minutes. In my opinion - on a scale of 1-10 wrenches - about a 2.

(Note: not my pic, but thanks to the guy or gal who posted this on the R1150 section)

Anyway, it's pretty simple on the R1150; fill plug points pretty much straight up, drain points straight down, and you don't need to remove the wheel (or anything else for that matter). Of course, you have to change the oil a heck of a lot more often than on a hexhead; some suggest that the final drive oil be changed whenever engine and tranny oil are. But you're right, overall, it does seem easier on the hex (I also noticed the battery and rear brake reservoir are much more accessible on the R1200R than the 1150 as well).

[qfman]

So you guys who do all your own servicing - what do you do about the incredibly annoying 'SERVICE' warning that comes up when the service is due? I've had to go back via the shop to have them turn it off once before.

Is there some way to reset it?

Tom

[deilenberger]

So you guys who do all your own servicing - what do you do about the incredibly annoying 'SERVICE' warning that comes up when the service is due? I've had to go back via the shop to have them turn it off once before.

Is there some way to reset it?

Tom

Luckily - those of us with "classic" R12Rs don't have that annoying light. I think that started mid '08 or so.. a GS-911 will turn it off, or a dealer can. No secret handshake, chicken-dance or other ritual has been found to work..

[websterize]

My 2009 doesn't display the Service reminder.

[xprof]

Nor my 2009. What's up here?

[deilenberger]

Mike and Bill - how many miles on them?

[xprof]

23,000, and I always get to my service appointments within just a few miles of schedule. Maybe I just haven't activated it yet?

[websterize]

Mike and Bill - how many miles on them?

About 9,000 on the odometer today. Took delivery in May 2009 with 14 miles on the bike. I had the 600-mile service at ~700 miles and the 6K service at ~6,500 last April. No service due text or warning lights.

[qfman]

Hmmmm - might be an Aussie thing. It displays about 500km before each 10,000km increment. It's annoying because I had hoped to get the bike serviced by a very good local mechanic who is much cheaper and who does the work himself (as opposed to charging $95 an hour to let apprentices round off all the nuts). He tried to look after my R1150R but was defeated by the dual circuit ABS-equipped electric brakes. So now I have a non-ABS bike but I am still stuck with the more expensive showroom servicing because of the stupid SERVICE display and sometimes they don't remember to reset it. Effectively a $450 dollar oil change and wash.....

Tom

[deilenberger]

Since Bill is in the US - not an Aussie thing. I suspect they just have gotten the bike in just before it goes off. First service at 700 miles, then next one at 6,500 - is 5,800 miles. It's supposed to go off every 6,000 miles (or by some time interval.) I believe it is somewhat programmable with the dealers tool, but I could be wrong about that.

[Anger]

The serviuce light thing is not Aussie only unfortunately. It's on my '08 R12 since I bought it used with 8900 miles. I brought it to the dealer for the front brake cable recall and asked them to check it out, remove the indicator and I would gladly pay for it. They did not do anything. They gave me a song and dance saying it was most likely a service interval reminder....Bottom line is I realize the interval timer it's simply a marketing tool created by BMW to discourage garage mechanics. I personally stopped giving a hoot about the service indicator after the first week or so of ownership. Runs perfectly, no issues.

[wabeers]

The 9 o'clock rear drive drain plug was only on the 2007 model - my 2008 R1200R has the drain plug on the bottom.