Questions about R1200RT maintenance and reliability

[blackbuell]

The R1200RT seems to be the front-runner for our new bike purchase. I do have some Q's about maintenance and reliability, though.

I have heard that maintenance costs are high. True? What is the recommended valve clearance check interval? Are the valves easy to adjust?

Have there been any reliability issues with models since 2006?

Thanks for your input.

Jon

[sempervee]

 Valve adjust at 6 K..... Rear drive failures are still present in all models.  

[RBEmerson]

I have an '03 K1200RS (in-line 4 cyl.), my first BMW bike.  We currently own two BMW cars, an '02 325xi and an '04 X3 (SUV).  BMW has their own notions about how things are done and it can be frustrating on occasion, and expensive on many occasions.  NTL, the cost of admission is well worth the ride.  I wouldn't put money down on them if that weren't the case.  

I wish I had a good answer about the final drive issues.  They certainly get talked about often enough.  But if things were as bad as some people claim, BMW wouldn't be in the business very long.  Short answer: take of your bike, it'll take care of you.  

[Rocket_Cowboy]

There are maintenance videos floating around that will show you how to do most of the standard maintenance on the RT yourself, if you are so inclined.

I've had my RT dealer serviced since new ... and while it's been a little more expensive than previous japanese bikes I've owned, the experience has been top notch. (not something I can say about my supposedly reliable Honda dealer service)

Once you buy a BMW, you will know people who have had final drives fail ... assuming you don't already ... but you'll also know quite a few who haven't had problems yet. I've not had a drive fail yet, but did have some work done to replace the bearing early last year.

All in all, it's been the best experience I've had with any bike to date, and I have no regrets.

[sagerat]

This is my third Beemer (had a '75 R90/6 that was very DIY friendly even for a ten thumbs klutz such as myself; then an '04 GS and now an '09 GS Adventure) and unless you do it yourself, Beemers are spendy.  There's really no way to sugarcoat that fact.  The 6,000 service is an oil change, the 12,000 service is all the fluids; valves are check/adjusted at both 6k and 12K.  My dealer, BMW of Western Oregon although now that they picked up Ducati they are European Motorcycles of Western Oregon or some such rot, has a shop rate of $95 an hour.

I've never been out of a BMW dealer for less than $350 for a 6K service.  By contrast, my '02 Honda VFR Interceptor was nowhere near that in service costs and valve adjustments were very 16K.  

On the plus side, the '09 and earlier use a screwtype adjuster for valves so it's easy to do yourself; beginning with 2010 models the GS and RT went to the quasi-shim style of adjustment used in the H2 boxer motor.  

In terms of reliability, my two Beemer buddies each had a FD replaced, her on an '02 RS and he on an '04 GS Adventure but as they had purchased the extended warranty they were covered.   I will say after 84,000 miles my buddy went from a GS Adventure to a KTM 990R Adventure due to various mechanical woes on his GS.

GoldWing 1800s had issues with frames cracking; FJR's had ticking valves for the first gen; every make seems to have its share of internet horror stories.  I didn't worry about it FD issues too much when I bought my GS Adventure.  The frickin' fuel gauge, though, that was a PITA when it wonky at 4,000 miles  and in the middle of Utah.  

[atadaskew]

On the plus side, the '09 and earlier use a screwtype adjuster for valves so it's easy to do yourself; beginning with 2010 models the GS and RT went to the quasi-shim style of adjustment used in the H2 boxer motor.  

In terms of reliability, my two Beemer buddies each had a FD replaced, her on an '02 RS and he on an '04 GS Adventure but as they had purchased the extended warranty they were covered.   I will say after 84,000 miles my buddy went from a GS Adventure to a KTM 990R Adventure due to various mechanical woes on his GS.

GoldWing 1800s had issues with frames cracking; FJR's had ticking valves for the first gen; every make seems to have its share of internet horror stories.  I didn't worry about it FD issues too much when I bought my GS Adventure.  The frickin' fuel gauge, though, that was a PITA when it wonky at 4,000 miles  and in the middle of Utah.  

I find the loss of the screw adjusters very disappointing given that the usage of shims has not extended adjustment intervals.  Right now BMW twins have the shortest valve adjustment intervals out of any current street production bikes.
I've seen the 'how to' demonstration, and while not hard it still requires a visit to get the appropriate shims, while the 09 and olders required nothing more than feeler gauges and wrenches.

Comparing FD failures to Wings cracking frames (mine!) etc is not fair as while those issues were addressed, the FDs apparently haven't...

[CharlieBrown]

6k service a month ago on my '09 RT was $271.00.  Cyclewerks of Barrington, IL.  Final drive issues?  Only 7500 miles so far, so we'll see.

[Travman101]

I believe that the 2010 Camhead's are now at 12k intervals for valves.

[atadaskew]

I believe that the 2010 Camhead's are now at 12k intervals for valves.

That would be a huge difference.  MCN states their long term bike had to have it's valves adjusted at 6K miles:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/staff-test-motorcycles/staff-bike-blog-bmw-r1200rt/jun0310-staff-bikes-bmw-r1200rt-6k-service/

[sagerat]

AFAIK the valve check intervals have remained the same at 6K, just the adjustment feature (screwnuts then, shims now) has changed.

[Nesbocaj]

Maintenance on any mechanical thing is key, learn to do it yourself as it is very easy to learn.

Service in or near major metro areas will always cost more on any brand.

I've read numbers that suggest anywhere from 2-4% of the R series have FD failures.

I am on my second BMW, an RT this time.

[BBB]

That would be a huge difference.  MCN states their long term bike had to have it's valves adjusted at 6K miles:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/staff-test-motorcycles/staff-bike-blog-bmw-r1200rt/jun0310-staff-bikes-bmw-r1200rt-6k-service/

The article states they had to have the valves checked but it doesn't mention them being adjusted.

[atadaskew]

The article states they had to have the valves checked but it doesn't mention them being adjusted.

The work involved in the 6000 mile service for the RT was bigger than I expected as the valve clearance on the new DOHC engine has to be checked.

Maybe, maybe not butt the point is why would BMW request a check unless there is a possibility that there is need for an adjustment?
Once your in there checking, there is hardly any extra time needed for adjustment with the old screw method, but with the new shim method if one is off, you'd need to go to the dealer and get the correct shim.
So maintenance definitely has taken a step backwards, while all other mfgs seem to have moved forwards.  Even the latest Duc is 17,000 miles between "checks".

[RBEmerson]

Why?  In all seriousness, because that's the BMW way.  

It's annoying, it's expensive (BMW = bring my wallet), and local techs vary from utter fools to wizards (let's not talk about the part hanging down from my '02 325xi right - someone at West German BMW is going to have a very, very, very bad Monday morning), but, NTL, it's the BMW.  

[JGreb]

Maybe, maybe not butt the point is why would BMW request a check unless there is a possibility that there is need for an adjustment?
Once your in their checking, there is hardly any extra time needed for adjustment with the old screw method, but with the new shim method if one is off, you'd need to go to the dealer and get the correct shim.
So maintenance definitely has taken a step backwards, while all other mfgs seem to have moved forwards.  Even the latest Duc is 17,000 miles between "checks".

I totally agree, BMW took a big step back with the DOHC on a tourer IMO. Many DIY riders will be discouraged by this, me being one of them.

[Lawn Dart]

My '07 GS costs me, well, nothing to do a 6k maintenance except about 45 minutes of time.  Really, it's quite easy to do and takes little time.

44k on my GS, no FD failures.  Had 87k on my RSL, and incurred a self-inflicted FD failure (forgot to refil the damn thing!   )  I've not had any reliability issues with my bikes worth mentioning.

[Nesbocaj]

My '07 GS costs me, well, nothing to do a 6k maintenance except about 45 minutes of time.  Really, it's quite easy to do and takes little time.

44k on my GS, no FD failures.  Had 87k on my RSL, and incurred a self-inflicted FD failure (forgot to refil the damn thing!   )  I've not had any reliability issues with my bikes worth mentioning.

   OMG, that had to suck! (not filling the FD) I'm so anal about that and the oil that I leave the oil on the ground NEXT to the bike so I have to walk around it!

[TommyBoyinNC]

The R1200RT seems to be the front-runner for our new bike purchase. I do have some Q's about maintenance and reliability, though.

I have heard that maintenance costs are high. True? What is the recommended valve clearance check interval? Are the valves easy to adjust?

Have there been any reliability issues with models since 2006?

Thanks for your input.

Jon
My 07 RT has been trouble free for 48,000 miles.  
6,000 mile valve adj at first and 12,000 miles after 30,000 or so.
Change final drive fluid every 12,000 miles and you will be good to go for many, many miles.
I moved from a 6th gen VFR to the RT and never looked back.
Good luck.
T

[ADIFW]

Despite  some of the previous posts in response to your questions...

Maybe I'm lucky... My 2005 1200RT  (1st generation) has been trouble free for 58,000 miles.
I do all maintenance, valve adjustments, throttle body synch, spark plugs and change all fluids (final drive, engine and transmission)
simple stuff...
of course, you do hear a great deal about final drive failures but... thats because people are prone to post/bitch/complain and just vent about such events. My experience tells me that such failures are really not all that common... relatively speaking.    
good luck

[Orson]

blackbuell bought a Guzzi  

I don't think he's allowed to post here anymore