Maintenance Costs (BMW)

[Garbinator]

After looking closely at the various Bemmers, I spoke with the head BMW tech who told me these bikes are pretty pricey to maintain, as in thousands of dollars once higher milage is reached. Special tools parts, even BMW lubricants must be utilized. I am curious?

1) It this why so many BMW riders seekout the older models?

2) These high cost of operation? Are they limited to the newage bikes due to their technology sophistication and so on?

I even discovered their new scooters are similarly expensive to maintain... in my eyes, this would cancel out any perceived economical savings to travel. :Wow1:


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[canuck479]

If you are paying some one else to do the work then yes they are a little pricey. But the maintenance interval is 6000 miles and that is for basic oils and filters and valve checks. The older 1150,s are easier to deal with and harder at the same time if they have the Integral ABS unit. The newer R1200 after 2006 has the Integran ABS II and you treat then basically as if they don't have ABS, yes they have more electronics but the electronics are pretty much bullet proof. I have been a BMW tech for about 13 years now if you have any questions just ask.

 

[Need For Speed]

JVB has an excellent Maint DVD that you should get.
Bought my 1200 ADV in Sept 2007 and have never seen a dealer...

oil changes/valve adjustment and final drive flush after some deep water fording on the TAT in 2010 :Wow1:

 

[Rallyroo]

1) It this why so many BMW riders seekout the older models?

For similar reasons why many may seek older trucks/vehicles/etc

-Cost savings. A new R1200GS will set one back over $16k, a R1200GSA at over $18k.

-Don't mind if they get scratched/dinged.

-Older models "generally" easier to work on without having to go to dealership for service.

-For some BMW motorcycle models, getting an older model for air cooled vs water cooled.

 

[cnynrat]

Having owned both BMW and Japanese bikes, albeit some time ago, I always found the cost difference for service to be somewhat illusory. When you take your Beemer in to the dealer for service they will perform all the recommended service actions in the owners manual. When you take your Japanese bike in for service the standard price typically is pretty basic and doesn't include many service actions found in the owners manual. If you had the dealer do everything recommended in the manual much if not all of the price difference would evaporate.

 

[Garbinator]

So as to maintain one's warranty, would BMW still cover breakage if rider/owner maintained a maintenance logbook? On the other hand, I suppose reading the maintenance contract would finalize that question. I have a Ranger Rzr and find myself being overly regulated, even targeted by federal L.E. riding open desert and forest and have grown tiresome of all the guff. I am 57, not in the best shape physically, so mild off-roading would be my preference. The zone (I once experienced) of riding two wheelers can be addicting. The lure is there...

Its just I spend a great deal of time reading within these pages and other sites, the many adventures Adventure riders take me in spirit. Thanks guys!

 

[canuck479]

The only time I ever saw owner maintenancwe come into play with warranty was if the bike was running poorly BMW always wanted to know when was the bike serviced last and a couple of other times where oil pressure loss caused engine damage. Both actually were the owners fault, one lack of oil the other the oil filter was changed but the customer did not get the old rubber gasket off causing pressure loss between the new and old gasket. In the time that i have been working on the bikes I have only seen one problem cause an R1200 not to start other than a bad battery and that is the fuel pump electrics module getting water under and that is an easy fix and even easier prevented

 

[Garbinator]

As a newcomer to this whole experience of Overlanding, I see several classes (2013 ExPo) being offered to Beemer riders in how to do your own maintenance to changing out your own tires. As to working on my own bike, I suppose I couldn't do much worse than the kid who recently failed to repair my $650 Ranger Rzr issue.

I will try my best to take a test ride on a GS model and see if it lights my Innards up a wee bit. Its hard to imagine taking a GS 1200 on unpaved roads.

 

[Hltoppr]

At least on my 2003 BMW 1150gs Adventure, all maintenance could be done at home, although I do have the dealer do the servo assist brakes and clutch fluid once a year, but that's not necessary to take to the dealer. Parts are more expensive than Japanese bikes, but using only OEM BMW parts ensures great fit and quality.

The nice thing is that in my experience, BMW bikes don't break down often!

 

[Garbinator]

Hltoppr, this last saturday I really looked at the BMW's, from scooter to the K1600. I honestly believe them to be a technological marvel at the very least. The salesman offered to set me up for a test ride, but coming unprepared as it was, I declined.

I look forward to having an opportunity to test ride while at the ExPo, especially eye opening will be the off-road experience. An experience not afforded here in my community.

Many thanks for the advice.


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[Need For Speed]

no better way to roll IMHO :luxhello:

 

[Frank]

no better way to roll IMHO :luxhello:

Until you ride a KTM :costumed-smiley-007

 

[Need For Speed]

a jarhead in the peanut gallery :bike_rider:

 

[Garbinator]

If you mean Marine, I could be wrong...

You heard the ol saying? "You can tell ah Marine... But ya can't tell Him much!"


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[Garbinator]

My issues with KTM? Lousy to horrid fuel mileage/range.

Here in the desert, the plastics surrounding the engine bake-as in bubble, as in melt. I would never ride an adventure bike rougher than I been road much of my life already...

Looking over the BMW site last night had me gawking at the new 2013 F800 with the bigger fuel tank. 55MPG @ 55 60 is about my style unless my backs outta whack and my knees worn to nothin...