Also the single cam "Hexhead" has the oil filler cap on the left hand side, same side as the sight glass, while the twin cam has the filler cap on the right hand side (as you sit on the bike) which is on the opposite side as the sight glass, go figure..................
1200 GS Camhead or Hexhead
- Thread starter GSCruzer
- Start date
RH side for the filler makes more sense. Oil glass on either side makes sense since also since you can only get the true level when it's on the centre stand or held upright (which is the make-do version and we're not really doing, of course, because then you'd need someone else to hold the moto upright whilst you pour in the oil, regardless of which side the oil opening is on).
I think none of it really matters. Change the oil regularly and all will be good (don't hold me to that last bit
)
I agree. On my single cam I can fill with oil and just dip my head down to see the oil level in the sight glass.
When the ex missus changed her single cam to a twin cam it was a faff.
Put a little oil in. Go round the other side to check the sight glass. Go back round to the other side, add a little more, go round to the other side to check the level,
Repeat until you get the correct level.
Warm the bike up. Then repeat the above to get the level correct again.
It never made any sense to me to swap to the other side.
?? 4 litres bike filled
No checking required
Bottom of sight glass - half a bottle to top of sight glass half litre if i recall
Joepi5
Registered user
That's what i do as well, drain when hot, leave to drain for an hour or so. Pour in 4 liters and be done with it.
Well forgive me for thinking on occasion between oil and filter changes there may be a need to add a little to top it up. In which case you need to check the oil level. And on my early single cam it's less bother than running round the bike as I stated earlier.
Or maybe it's easier to drain it all out, then you can measure out 4 litres so you in theory then have the correct amount in the bike when you put it back in. .
Half a litre from the bottom to the top as Santa stated may even be too much or too little.
Silly argument.
I still say it's better on the early model having the filler plug and sight glass on the same side.
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SnowMec
Registered user
Interesting pictures with accompanying texts.
Looks like they were taken from a workshop manual but I don't recognize these from any of my manuals.
I interpret these reviews as a personal reflection and unfortunately I can't agree.
When I finally, somewhat reluctantly, decided to complete my bike collection with an R1200GSA K25 (I needed a bike with a large tank volume) I had ridden a few examples and knew what I wanted.
The reason I was a little hesitant about a GSA is that I have always had difficulty with the telelever that BMW insists on.
I can stand it even if I don't really like that solution, I prefer real front forks.
But engine-wise there was no doubt for me, it was the twincam that I would have.
The older R1200 "hex head" has a very nice engine that unfortunately feels a little reluctant closer to the rev limit.
The difference in active driving is big when you then drive a twincam, which is not only a low-rev engine.
At low revs they are identical in my opinion, I can't tell the difference between them when driving slowly.
For me a twincam is almost like a KTM LC8 when you drive actively, very fun and entertaining.
And a TC almost as nice as a well-adjusted airhead when driving at a legal pace in e.g. city traffic.
There is no time I would choose a hexhead over a twincam if all else is equal, but of course I would rather buy a nice hex than a bad TC
Just my opinion, based on how I experience the difference between these engines.
Best regards
Looks like they were taken from a workshop manual but I don't recognize these from any of my manuals.
I interpret these reviews as a personal reflection and unfortunately I can't agree.
When I finally, somewhat reluctantly, decided to complete my bike collection with an R1200GSA K25 (I needed a bike with a large tank volume) I had ridden a few examples and knew what I wanted.
The reason I was a little hesitant about a GSA is that I have always had difficulty with the telelever that BMW insists on.
I can stand it even if I don't really like that solution, I prefer real front forks.
But engine-wise there was no doubt for me, it was the twincam that I would have.
The older R1200 "hex head" has a very nice engine that unfortunately feels a little reluctant closer to the rev limit.
The difference in active driving is big when you then drive a twincam, which is not only a low-rev engine.
At low revs they are identical in my opinion, I can't tell the difference between them when driving slowly.
For me a twincam is almost like a KTM LC8 when you drive actively, very fun and entertaining.
And a TC almost as nice as a well-adjusted airhead when driving at a legal pace in e.g. city traffic.
There is no time I would choose a hexhead over a twincam if all else is equal, but of course I would rather buy a nice hex than a bad TC
Just my opinion, based on how I experience the difference between these engines.
Best regards
TC all day long
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