I recently completed the 42,000 mile service on our 2016 R1200RS. At 42k the service was a simple oil and filter change, with a look-see all around, then a reset of the service due date/miles with our GS911. I ordered the oil and filter with the drain plug crush washer from Iron Horse Motorcycles in Tucson, AZ with mail delivery. They do good work.
All went very smoothly - no runs, no drips, no errors and no burns. What makes this service different is I DID NOT warm up the engine to its normal operating temperature before draining the oil. A recent article in “Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology” talked about changing your engine oil cold. They did some “experimenting” and concluded that draining your oil cold was OK - your engine would not grenade on your next ride. So, I decided I’d do it “cold”.
The biggest difference was “…and no burns.” I did wear my latex gloves to keep my hands clean…not to keep me from burning myself. Also, I must have touched the exhaust header a half-dozen times taking off and putting on the oil filter - the exhaust header was room temperature. Cool, no burns.
Though this sounds like heresy, it turns out there are lots of folks who drain their engines cold. Also, consider the shop that has several vehicles in line for a service that includes an oil change. Most are driven the 100 yards or less to the lift, or pushed onto the lift from a few yards away. Either way, I doubt the engine is at its full operating temperature before the mechanic pulls the plug.
I think I’ll continue this “cold” change method when our other Beemers are due.
All went very smoothly - no runs, no drips, no errors and no burns. What makes this service different is I DID NOT warm up the engine to its normal operating temperature before draining the oil. A recent article in “Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology” talked about changing your engine oil cold. They did some “experimenting” and concluded that draining your oil cold was OK - your engine would not grenade on your next ride. So, I decided I’d do it “cold”.
The biggest difference was “…and no burns.” I did wear my latex gloves to keep my hands clean…not to keep me from burning myself. Also, I must have touched the exhaust header a half-dozen times taking off and putting on the oil filter - the exhaust header was room temperature. Cool, no burns.
Though this sounds like heresy, it turns out there are lots of folks who drain their engines cold. Also, consider the shop that has several vehicles in line for a service that includes an oil change. Most are driven the 100 yards or less to the lift, or pushed onto the lift from a few yards away. Either way, I doubt the engine is at its full operating temperature before the mechanic pulls the plug.
I think I’ll continue this “cold” change method when our other Beemers are due.
