BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Thanks for the replies. For me, the point of using Rotella is to have a single, reasonably priced synthetic oil for every motor vehicle. And for me the point about using synthetics is the longer drain interval - for environmental reasons, not cost. Understand the implication for warranty issues rela...

Don't want to start another endless thread on oil but would like to get some advice from those technically inclined regarding the use of 5W-40 synthetic year-round in the R. I use Rotella 5W-40 in my cars all year and would like to start using it in my Roadster. The manual however calls for 15W-50 w...

Chris -- Congrats on your new purchase - an excellent choice. You will love the bike: Good power, excellent torque, fabulous brakes, fun in the corners and solid on the highway. In short, the R is possibly the best all-around machine out there. You will look for excuses to take the long way home! Ta...

I will be switching to synthetic lube at the 12k service for the transmission and final drive. The manual states that 90W is used for both but there have been recommendations to use synthetic 75/140 in the xmission and 75/90 in the FD. What's the consensus here? And what would be the drawbacks to us...

Just curious, what would be the downside of using 75/140 vs 70/90 gear lube - other than of course voiding the priceless BMW warranty? It seems like the difference is trivial on the cold value and I wouldn't think that 140 weight could have anything but a beneficial effect when everything was fully ...

The stock timing cover plug is a real PITA to work with. The part you want is the Rubber Timing Plug Part # 11-11-1-744-327, aka the he-man plug. Cost is $1.00.

As 12bar1 says, the installation is fairly easy. The wiring is there, neatly bundled up with a wire tie. You need to remove the cover over the starter and look aroung to locate the wire. There are spade lug connectors on the wires. Remover the plate on the cover and fit the accessory plug in it's pl...

I spent quite a few years working, living and traveling in Europe and in virtually every country, the bike police are on BMW's. Given the internet and the speed at which information now travels, I would think that any serious shortcomings (like the $5 or €5 part that supposedly breaks all the ...

You will have noticed a definite trend in the responses on this board. While I second the notition that "both are great bikes", I'd suggest that you are comparing dissimilar entities. The T100 is a handsome machine (but almost an ugly duckling compared to the stunning Thruxton!) and I'm su...

I'll never use synthetic. Plain ol' dino has always worked just fine for me and half the price. Don't want to start yet another oil thread but . . . . . there are a number of good reasons to consider synthetics - lower engine temps, better fuel economy, better protection at start-up and high temps ...

I'm told the spacer is about 1/8" thick. My tire doesn't rub without it (MEZ6) but that may not be the case for all. The shop says the spacer is for tracking, so not having it in place means that rear wheel is offset to the right by the width of the spacer. Not sure if this is enough to affect ...

Rob -- Second what Michael says about using only 3 fingers and thumb and add that, as the OVAD suggests, it's a good idea to use the smallest wrench you can find. I started doing my valves and TB's well before my R's warranty expired (still have a month to go in fact) because the adjustments are eas...

I phoned my shop, who tell me that there is indeed supposed to be a spacer there, at least for my 2003 R. They insist there's no way they forgot to put the spacer back but since this is the first time the wheel's been off since they mounted new tires, well let's just say that I'm sceptical. In any e...

DJ Downunder wrote: Also...I think that because we have a 5" standard and a spacer...if you fit a 5 1/2" wheel you take out the spacer...if you leave it in it will not fit..some people have made this mistake. I don't remember a spacer. Where is it fitted? - Lee There is a spacer shown in ...

They now make duct tape in black . . .
Seriously though, you can't use an iron-on patch, not because it won't hold well - they do - but because you will probably melt the nylon attaching kit.

I'm a little surprised to not see anyone mention the Quest. It seems like an good unit for use on bikes in that it is small, waterproof and at about $350 from many net stores, inexpensive. From what I can see, the main drawback is limited memory so it may not be the ideal unit for x-country trips. I...

Within the next several weeks, I will be bringing my R in for her 12k service. This timeframe will be roughly coincident with the end of my factory warranty. Is there any reason I should let the dealer perform any part of this service that I can do on my own? I would typically change the lubricants ...

One of the guys in my local riding group who is a BMW mechanic tells me that he's seen 3 bikes with this filter with damaged connecting rod bearings and crankshafts. He says that the oil system pulses and works the grit through the steel mesh element. Needless to say, he is also very suspicious of t...

I'm with you Boxer. Most of the guys who walk through the doors of my dealer don't break a sweat paying bills well over the 1 grand mark. I have to be a bit careful though - my shop wouldn't sign off on the 6k maintenance because I had changed the oil and done a valve clearance and TB adjustment mys...

Below is some info on this filter from one of the sites selling them. A bit pricey at ~$110 but if truly reusable, would break even at about 7 oil changes (assuming you're using the BMW filter at about $16 a throw). Is anyone familiar with this product? Charlie Scotts Performance billet oil filters ...