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Oil change interval
- Thread starter gsjay
- Start date
6000 miles.....
My 2014 manual says 6000 miles on oil changes. Dealer is saying 12,000 on valve adjustment.
My 2014 manual says 6000 miles on oil changes. Dealer is saying 12,000 on valve adjustment.
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
This site should have the details of all your service schedules:
http://www.ascycles.com/bmw_motorcycle_service_and_maintenance_schedules.aspx
http://www.ascycles.com/bmw_motorcycle_service_and_maintenance_schedules.aspx
MarkM
All-round Motorcyclist
They list service schedules for "BMW R1200GS (2010-later)". Do those apply equally to the wetheads? I didn't see anything about coolant checks/changes.
MarkM
All-round Motorcyclist
Go to Jim Von Baden's R1200 wethead page and find the link to wethead service schedule.
I've never seen any of his maintenance videos. Are they good?
I've never seen any of his maintenance videos. Are they good?
marchyman
Cam Killer
With the wetheads (and possibly other bikes starting in at least '13) BMW doesn't publish maintenance schedules any more. When you take a bike to the dealer they put your VIN, mileage, and date of last service into their system and it spits out a schedule of the required items for your specific bike. That doesn't help the do-it-yourself folks very much.
Their system isn't all that sophisticated. Wethead service needs are roughly:
Oil change with filter every 6K
Valve check every 12K
Brake fluid flush at 6K and then every 2 years thereafter.
Air filter change every 12K (unless run in very dusty conditions)
Spark plug change every 12K
FD oil change -- I forget -- I use 12K intervals
At least it's that way for my '13 GS. I put together a very unofficial checklist that I use for my service needs. It is a one page PDF file. The latest version will always be found at this link: http://www.snafu.org/pics/r1200gsw/Service.pdf
Their system isn't all that sophisticated. Wethead service needs are roughly:
Oil change with filter every 6K
Valve check every 12K
Brake fluid flush at 6K and then every 2 years thereafter.
Air filter change every 12K (unless run in very dusty conditions)
Spark plug change every 12K
FD oil change -- I forget -- I use 12K intervals
At least it's that way for my '13 GS. I put together a very unofficial checklist that I use for my service needs. It is a one page PDF file. The latest version will always be found at this link: http://www.snafu.org/pics/r1200gsw/Service.pdf
wyman.winn
i should be out riding!
Oil is Cheap.....
as compared to serious repairs...
on my 2013 RT (i know...not a wethead) my service intervals are as follows...
tires..................every 6000 miles
engine oil/filter....every 6000 miles
gearbox.............every 6000 miles
FD....................every 6000 miles
valve lash check.every 6000 miles
airfilter..............every 6000 miles (check)
airfilter..............every 12000 miles (replace)
spark plugs........every 12000 miles
generator belt....every 24000 miles
brake flush........every 24000 miles (or yearly)
clutch flush.......every 24000 miles (or yearly)
FD check..........weekly (3-9 & 12-6 o'clock bearing check)
brake pads........weekly
general look over...weekly (nuts/bolts, battery, etc)
i only use OEM parts and fluids and use the BMW service check list to document
i also do a system check and print with the GS911
as compared to serious repairs...
on my 2013 RT (i know...not a wethead) my service intervals are as follows...
tires..................every 6000 miles
engine oil/filter....every 6000 miles
gearbox.............every 6000 miles
FD....................every 6000 miles
valve lash check.every 6000 miles
airfilter..............every 6000 miles (check)
airfilter..............every 12000 miles (replace)
spark plugs........every 12000 miles
generator belt....every 24000 miles
brake flush........every 24000 miles (or yearly)
clutch flush.......every 24000 miles (or yearly)
FD check..........weekly (3-9 & 12-6 o'clock bearing check)
brake pads........weekly
general look over...weekly (nuts/bolts, battery, etc)
i only use OEM parts and fluids and use the BMW service check list to document
i also do a system check and print with the GS911
marchyman
Cam Killer
lkchris
Active member
For BMW cars sold in the USA, the motor oil change interval is 15K miles. (M-cars may be different.)
It's free at the dealer the first three times, and full synthetic is required. Gearbox and differential are lifetime filled.
It's my understanding that full synthetic is required for wetheads.
Given this short change interval (by today's standards) it's easy to understand why conventional oils were acceptable in models prior to the wetheads. Apparently the new wet clutch doesn't care so much for nonsynthetic motor oil
Given the enhanced precision of the DOHC design (camhead and on) and the presence of water cooling, one wonders about the need for checking valve clearances every 6K miles.
With water cooling especially, there's little if any difference between car and bike engines and how they're run. Just the oil bath clutch.
I think BMW likes 6K mile visits as an opportunity to inspect the motorcycle in light of the increased liability exposure for a motorcycle versus a car. Pretty good chance you'll need tires, too. It's a small volume market and dealers need the business.
It's free at the dealer the first three times, and full synthetic is required. Gearbox and differential are lifetime filled.
It's my understanding that full synthetic is required for wetheads.
Given this short change interval (by today's standards) it's easy to understand why conventional oils were acceptable in models prior to the wetheads. Apparently the new wet clutch doesn't care so much for nonsynthetic motor oil
Given the enhanced precision of the DOHC design (camhead and on) and the presence of water cooling, one wonders about the need for checking valve clearances every 6K miles.
With water cooling especially, there's little if any difference between car and bike engines and how they're run. Just the oil bath clutch.
I think BMW likes 6K mile visits as an opportunity to inspect the motorcycle in light of the increased liability exposure for a motorcycle versus a car. Pretty good chance you'll need tires, too. It's a small volume market and dealers need the business.
With Wethead BMW went to every 12,000 mile intervals for valve checks. Imagine after a few years that will increase, if the gap factor experience is good.
