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Over engineering or ????

P

podsobinski

New member
The first oil change on my new '08 GSA today. I needed 6 different tools or sizes of sockets for the job. First of course, I had to take off the engine guard, one size normal socket for the back two nuts (that's 1). The front bolts where torx style of two sizes, explain that one! (that's 3). The drain bolt is a big allen (that's 4). Then of course the oil filter, on very tight, I needed an oil filter wrench (that's 5). Last and certainly not least, a plastic triangular thingy to access the hole to fill oil back in (that's 6). That's right fans, six different tools or sizes of sockets just to change the oil. Explain that to me, especially the 3 sizes of nuts and bolts to attach the engine guard with only 4 nuts and bolts to attach it. I think some German engineer is getting even with us for winning WW2.

GPodzo
 
No - not the engineers. The cost accountants. "No bolts bigger than necessary" is their battle cry.

And to a considerable extent we, the consumers, bring it on ourselves. If I had a nickle for every exclamation about how over priced a bike is, or a part is, on this Forum alone, I'd be a wealthy man.
 
I guess i am missing the point. :lurk

I have not seen any mechanical item you can service with one tool, would be nice.

YMMV
 
One size nut head

I kind of understand the oil drain, the filter and oil cap. But why on earth would there be 3 different sizes for the engine guard? There is only four nutes/bolts holding it on and they use 3 different sizes.

gpodzo
R1200GS Adventure over engineered or not made for shade tree mechanics
 
Bolt it

They should really consult the prospective owners as to the maintenance they will have to do. :bikes


you have a valid point mate.
 
It's German, for Pete's sake. You were expecting it to not be slathered in different sized torx bolts and complicated clips and un switchable headlights...

I can't believe you'd try to ruin a bunch of Germans' day, you should be ashamed of yourself, they're so nice and courteous... or is that curt.
 
podsobinski said:
Explain that to me, especially the 3 sizes of nuts and bolts to attach the engine guard with only 4 nuts and bolts to attach it. I think some German engineer is getting even with us for winning WW2.GPodzo
Click to expand...

It's not just the Germans. I replaced the water pump on the Buick I had. That the bolts that held the pump on were three diffeent sizes didn't bother me as much as half were metric and half were SAE. All of the bolts were similar in size and bolted to the same piece.
 
I rebuilt a 51 Chevy pick-up truck sometime ago. I think you could take the entire thing apart with two wrenches (1/2, 9/16) and two screw drivers (flat, phillips). Even better, ditch the wrenches and replace them with a crescent wrench and a set of pliers.
 
AKBeemer said:
I rebuilt a 51 Chevy pick-up truck sometime ago. I think you could take the entire thing apart with two wrenches (1/2, 9/16) and two screw drivers (flat, phillips). Even better, ditch the wrenches and replace them with a crescent wrench and a set of pliers.
Click to expand...

Amen to that!

Gee, and all this time I thought the GS was a "go anywhere" machine...
I think it's time to admit BMW is selling a two wheeled SUV, more show than go.
(Here it comes.)
 
Good Replys

I guess there is always something worse than the engine skid plate on my GSA. I do remember, my '02 GS skid plate was one size socket to take off. Remember the 60's and Ducati singles? One allen wrench could handle almost anything. Of course the speedo never worked right, lights where no better than a flash light but what a beautiful engine.

gpodzo
 
osbornk said:
It's not just the Germans. I replaced the water pump on the Buick I had. That the bolts that held the pump on were three diffeent sizes didn't bother me as much as half were metric and half were SAE. All of the bolts were similar in size and bolted to the same piece.
Click to expand...

It certainly is not just the Germans. I bought my first set of Torx to change the oil on my Road King.......and I needed four different tools to do it (one of which was an impact driver) unless I adjusted the tension on the primary drive chain.....then it was five.
 
VW Bug

Semper_Fi said:
I guess i am missing the point. :lurk

I have not seen any mechanical item you can service with one tool, would be nice.

YMMV
Click to expand...

I could change the oil on my old VW Bug with one 10mm socket. That was if I wanted to drop the plate and clean the screen. If all I wanted to do was drain the oil then a different tool was used.

But in either case only one tool was needed. VW much be a different branch of the German engineering family tree.
 
And if all I want to do is change my oil in my R1200RT it only takes one allen wrench.
Oil and filter? Add one filter wrench.
 
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