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Any high mileage wetheads out there?
- Thread starter 22893
- Start date
BlueWaterCooled
New member
Not high mileage, but another data point for the statistics: 25,000 km on a 2015 R12R. Replaced tires once, and repaired a tire once. Otherwise it runs perfectly, like the day it came home.
Through Dealer
I paid $1500 for additional 2 years at the end of my 2014 GS OEM warranty. Bought at SJBMW.
I paid $1500 for additional 2 years at the end of my 2014 GS OEM warranty. Bought at SJBMW.
105258
Old Rider - OK Mechanic
High Mileage GS
Mine has over 100,000 kms on it and so far the only issue I had was the DWS computer quit in me in California last year. Otherwise fresh oil and tires. I do my own maintenance so I keep ahead of most issues with lots of driving, like I just changed the front when bearings, they were fine but! Nice bike, will keep for another several 100,000 kms I think.
Mine has over 100,000 kms on it and so far the only issue I had was the DWS computer quit in me in California last year. Otherwise fresh oil and tires. I do my own maintenance so I keep ahead of most issues with lots of driving, like I just changed the front when bearings, they were fine but! Nice bike, will keep for another several 100,000 kms I think.
wbrownell9
New member
86,000 miles in 27 months. Zero problems.
The idea of replacing tires because they age out is simply hilarious to me. Seven fronts, 11 rears, 2 sets of front brakes, 3 rears, and just replaced rotors F&R (ouch!). UOA shows good, no wear.
Correction: my front TPMS died. It's been sketchy about connecting the last month or so and today the alert on my Nav V told me it was reporting over 74 psi.
Update 12/2019: Sold with 149,898 miles in 44 months. The only real issue was a slightly leaky FD seal at 98K - solved with application of a credit card LOL. It was starting to use oil, it would be at the bottom of the ring around 5K. When new it would be in the lower half of the ring around 6K so I didn't have to add oil between services. By the time I'd gotten to 110K I'd determined that the valves were stable (no adjustments, ever) and had 70K of used oil analysis behind me. Based on UOA I was going 10K between changes (add a quart around 5K, then service when it needed oil next) and doing a "12K" service (oil & filter, FD oil, valve check) at the same time, basically skipping the "6K" service altogether. UOA was always good, no wear metals.
The idea of replacing tires because they age out is simply hilarious to me. Seven fronts, 11 rears, 2 sets of front brakes, 3 rears, and just replaced rotors F&R (ouch!). UOA shows good, no wear.
Correction: my front TPMS died. It's been sketchy about connecting the last month or so and today the alert on my Nav V told me it was reporting over 74 psi.
Update 12/2019: Sold with 149,898 miles in 44 months. The only real issue was a slightly leaky FD seal at 98K - solved with application of a credit card LOL. It was starting to use oil, it would be at the bottom of the ring around 5K. When new it would be in the lower half of the ring around 6K so I didn't have to add oil between services. By the time I'd gotten to 110K I'd determined that the valves were stable (no adjustments, ever) and had 70K of used oil analysis behind me. Based on UOA I was going 10K between changes (add a quart around 5K, then service when it needed oil next) and doing a "12K" service (oil & filter, FD oil, valve check) at the same time, basically skipping the "6K" service altogether. UOA was always good, no wear metals.
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124,500 mile 2015 rtw
I checked my valve clearances for the first time without a knowledgeable person helping. I did have a Harley riding friend here to help with my confidence level. I did the procedure once before with Lee Farling so had a pretty good idea of what i was doing. So,all the valves were still in spec except the 2 exhaust valves on the left side were at .41,right at the edge of being in spec. I changed the shims on those valves and put them at.37.The procedure was not very difficult. The only small problem i had was getting the cam block off. I am installing new wheel bearings next week.The original ones are still ok but am going west to do the 100k Rally and want the piece of mind .
I checked my valve clearances for the first time without a knowledgeable person helping. I did have a Harley riding friend here to help with my confidence level. I did the procedure once before with Lee Farling so had a pretty good idea of what i was doing. So,all the valves were still in spec except the 2 exhaust valves on the left side were at .41,right at the edge of being in spec. I changed the shims on those valves and put them at.37.The procedure was not very difficult. The only small problem i had was getting the cam block off. I am installing new wheel bearings next week.The original ones are still ok but am going west to do the 100k Rally and want the piece of mind .
ncpbmw1953
Member
Interesting, this is only the 2nd report I've read now of anything involving any part of the final drive in wethead RTs. The first is rhaines' report of a failed front u-joint at 73K miles. What exactly failed in the final drive assembly? The drive shaft itself? Splines? Also, the 'is not totally uncommon', elaborate if you can by recollection of what sorts of failures occurred that you can recall. I've read some stories of pre-wethead models.
IMO he is not saying these failures are not totally uncommon but rather the trip interruption expenses may be absorbed by the company is not totally uncommon.
ncpbmw1953
Member
I think yer right! Thanks!
Hi Bob
I live in Chandler and if your ever interested in hooking up for a ride that would be great. I take rides out to Globe and Winkleman and then back. Nice ride and about 20 degrees cooler than the valley. I ride a 2015 GSA
Jim
105258
Old Rider - OK Mechanic
Mileage
Now I have 135,000 kms and so far all is well. The DWS computer quit and was replaced, but otherwise it has been simple maintenance as usual. The valves are still OK but I will move the exhaust valve at next check as they are very near at their lower limit. It has been a reliable and good quality bike, as were the RT and 1150 GS I previously owned. Hope to get 500,000 kms on it.
Now I have 135,000 kms and so far all is well. The DWS computer quit and was replaced, but otherwise it has been simple maintenance as usual. The valves are still OK but I will move the exhaust valve at next check as they are very near at their lower limit. It has been a reliable and good quality bike, as were the RT and 1150 GS I previously owned. Hope to get 500,000 kms on it.
ncpbmw1953
Member
65K miles on a 2014GS and glad I got an extended warranty! Starter motor $600, LED headlight $2000 and in the shop for a stator $2500!I had a 1987 BMW K100RS motorsport with 65K miles and never a problem!
Sounds like if they're all mostly covered you won the bet. How did the LED headlight get to $2K? I guess because the bulb itself can't replaced so you pay for the whole assembly perhaps? I"ve heard of this before but never asked, but what does a stator do?
pappy35
New member
The stator is part of the alternator which is mounted INSIDE the engine between the rear of the crankshaft and in front of the gearbox (such as it is). You need to split open the transmission/engine cases to to replace it which means removing the engine. That and the part itself is like $1,500. Not good.
I had no idea the headlight bulb (or emitters or whatever they call LED lights) couldn't be replaced. I would lose my mind if I had to cough up two THOUSAND dollars to repair a headlight!
ncpbmw1953
Member
OMG that makes me feel really good about the H7's in my '16 RT!
That is awful and does start making an extended warranty sound like a good idea. Just the thought of having to pay $2K for a bloody light let alone the dollar loss would leave such a wretched taste in my mouth the warranty might well be worth it! My bike's original is almost over so I only another 700m until it's over but I don't know if anyone offers warranties this far out into the oem warranty.
2015 rt with 172k and problems
At the rally last night I told multiple people how much i loved my rt. Told them i went 166k before the small outer bearing went south on my final drive.I must have jinxed myself because this am before going to the site my driveshaft broke at 172,400 miles.I am disappointed but not crying about it.The shaft on my 06 rt broke at 99,989 miles after getting laid of the day before thanksgiving and having to sit on the shoulder for 2 hours in 28 degree temps.
At the rally last night I told multiple people how much i loved my rt. Told them i went 166k before the small outer bearing went south on my final drive.I must have jinxed myself because this am before going to the site my driveshaft broke at 172,400 miles.I am disappointed but not crying about it.The shaft on my 06 rt broke at 99,989 miles after getting laid of the day before thanksgiving and having to sit on the shoulder for 2 hours in 28 degree temps.
