1200gsa '08 service thread?

WorkyTicket

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Is there a 1200gsa '08 service thread?

Because I need to do one and I can't find a Haynes manual.
If not I'll do a post with pics for each job I do. l expect I'll be changing plugs + HT leads + oil + filters (Air,fuel,oil). Tightening bits and bobs
changing brake pads and renewing hydrolics greasing bits etc....

I could really use a thread eh?

:blast
 
Is it significantly different from an '04, '05, '06, '07 or '08 service?
 
Is it significantly different from an '04, '05, '06, '07 or '08 service?

...or a '03 '02 '01 1150 or an 1100 of almost any vintage. There are only minor differences over the years. The principles remain the same.

BTW, if it's an '08 and still in warranty, why service it yourself and lose some potential benefits? Just curious, like.
 
BTW, if it's an '08 and still in warranty, why service it yourself and lose some potential benefits? Just curious, like.
What's to lose? If I use BMW parts then I lose no benefits, still 12 months warranty. But I gain confidence in my own ability and a little bit of cash, from doing the work myself.

How many miles has the bike done?
22000 miles.
 
TBH, I`m not sure we need a "how to service" thread for basics. If you can`t change the oil or plugs without reference to a picture maybe you shouldn`t have a spanner in you hand.

Best thing is to get a Haynes manual and follow that:thumb

Your dealer can get one or someone like Nippy Norman can supply a Haynes or Clymer.
 
TBH, I`m not sure we need a "how to service" thread for basics. If you can`t change the oil or plugs without reference to a picture maybe you shouldn`t have a spanner in you hand.

Best thing is to get a Haynes manual and follow that:thumb

Your dealer can get one or someone like Nippy Norman can supply a Haynes or Clymer.

The thing Haynes (not sure about Clymer) is it doesn't cover the brakes.

The ABS non-ESA system is just like a bike with no abs from 20 years ago, fluid change/bleed wise. But I don't know about the new fangled stuff - could be easy, could be a PITA.


Jim VonBaden has threads on servicing everything on here, R1200GS.info and on ADVRider.com
 
The thing Haynes (not sure about Clymer) is it doesn't cover the brakes.

The ABS non-ESA system is just like a bike with no abs from 20 years ago, fluid change/bleed wise. But I don't know about the new fangled stuff - could be easy, could be a PITA.


Jim VonBaden has threads on servicing everything on here, R1200GS.info and on ADVRider.com
That's just it you see. The bike has ESA, ABS, ASC so it's not going to be straight forward.:eek
 
I appreciate what you are saying about doing it yourself, and I hate to ask this question, are you a qualified mechanic?

The reason I ask, is I believe that is one of the stipulations of the block exemption rules (?) was that the warranty would not be void if it was carried out by a qualified mechanic to manufacturer procedures / standards.

If you carry it out yourself and dont have a bit of paper (not saying you are not capable of doing your own maintenance) then your warranty could be void.

Is it worth the risk with a new and electrically complex bike?
 
I appreciate what you are saying about doing it yourself, and I hate to ask this question, are you a qualified mechanic?

The reason I ask, is I believe that is one of the stipulations of the block exemption rules (?) was that the warranty would not be void if it was carried out by a qualified mechanic to manufacturer procedures / standards.

If you carry it out yourself and dont have a bit of paper (not saying you are not capable of doing your own maintenance) then your warranty could be void.

Is it worth the risk with a new and electrically complex bike?

....or when (if) a warranty claim is needed, the dealer says summat like ".....oh yes - that was the subject of a service bulletin which should have been sorted at the 6000 service. Who analysed the diagnostics to do the job? Who serviced it, sir? Oh I see...Wrong version of the software" Claim refused.
 
The basic things like oil, plugs and brake pads should be straightforward enough for anyone to do, and if you're friendly enough with you dealer they'd probably be comfortable with you doing those bits, and them carrying out the rest of the service/inspection.

Good point about being a qualified mechanic though - warranty claims are decided by business men, not mates. If they can find a legitimate way out, without seeming unreasonable to the customer/dealer, I'm sure they'd take it.

The other thing of course is resale value - you dont see many GSs with much less than a full service history. Again, not saying you'd be any better or worse than a BMW mechanic - but the person buying your bike is defintely going to think about that when it comes to settling on a price. I wonder, when its all said and done, how much money is saved on diy servicing, vs the risk and reduced value?

Also, I cant remember off the top of me head - but is the BMW warranty unlimited miles...?

Mike
 
Is it worth the hassle of doing it yourself? It`s not a Kings ransom at the dealers when all said and done.
£400 is a bit much in comparison to £150 that I can do it for.

Also, I cant remember off the top of me head - but is the BMW warranty unlimited miles...?

Mike

Dunno.
It's worth noting that my local BMW dealer said that as long as I use BMW parts and if there was a warranty issue in the future it was not caused by my own hamfistedness then there'd be no problems.

I'm sure there's some owners who have bought an '08 r1200GSA with the specific idea of going to China just like the brochure.
If BMW were upon there return say "Na mate I'm sorry you've voided your warranty by servicing the bike yourself" there'd be a case for the trades dircrimination office.
Warranty issue's are usually something that is only found to be an error post production and it's usually a common error amoung that batch of the product, motorbikes are no different, they can hardly say to me "Yeah, we'll replace your mates '08 r1200GSA [insert part here, etc] but not yours because you did the servicing yourself".

So I'll be doing my own service and I'll post the pics and "How to" here.

Besides I've done 22000 miles and got faith that if anything was going to fail then it would by now.
 
claims are decided by business men.
I'm a business man and I deal with Yorkshire business men everyday, so they can bring it frankly.
The other thing of course is resale value
Doubt I'll ever sell this bike, I'm so happy with it I think I'll still have it in a couple of decades. It does everything I need. If anything I'll be buying a pogo in addition to this my main bike.
I would have to physically not be able to ride again to have to consider selling this bike.


Thanks to all for there 0.02p worth, it's appreciated but I do think I'm doing the right thing and so I reckon I'll be self serving.:D
 
Ignorance isn't bliss

There are those of us who are more mechanically inept than others and I’m at the top of the Inept Class.
Purchased a cracking 1150 a couple of years ago and one of the selling points was that even I could do “basic maintenance”. Unfortunately even with a newly acquired Haynes manual and every download possible, even the most basic of tasks eg taking off a wheel to clean the brakes, put me into a cold sweat. For comfort I lurked on this forum and all I read about was failing servos and flashing ABS’s. The brakes are now always cleaned insitu, and I’m a beholden financial supporter of my local franchise. Not quite what I had in mind.
To rectify this intellectual deficiency I enrolled in a locally run Basic Mechanics course at my local bike training centre, and brought a very well used F650 for practice.

Now you may well ask where this is going?

During one of my frequent visits to my local (franchise) and caffeined up, I was seduced by a gleaming example of the “all new” 1200GS and as fate would have it a factory lowered one was in their showroom. Needless to say delivery is expected within the month. A fellow parish member namely THUNDER has already done an excellent exposé and therefore I would be one who would be appreciative of any information forthcoming.
Ignore those who are either cynical and/or mechanically competent as there are others out there who will appreciate your contributions.
 
Thanks for the vote of confidence Tonadapark, I appreciate it.

I think it's only fair to say that I rebuilt the front end of my Suzuki Bandit 600 after I got rammed off it, which was a good lesson in itself.

Basically the yolks, forks and axle were bent and needed replacing, oh and the mirrors but that was a minor job, but in the process I also learned how complicated the wiring loom was to reassemble after my stupid "I've got the manual I'll just follow that to put it back together" (D'oh!) and I went on to part ex the bike after repair and new MOT cert, for a nice tidy sum, easy way to recoup some of my losses as the bike was a CAT C write off that I bought back.

I started post school life as a small plant and power tool mechanic so know my way around a spanner.

I also stripped my VFR pretty much down to the frame and resprayed all the plastics and tank and reassembled her, I didn't take the engine apart or anything but everything else more or less came to pieces, was cleaned, lubed, checked and reassembled once sprayed black.
I also stripped the front brake calipers and completely overhauled them with new pistons and seals and pads and replaced the standard hoses with steel braided hoses as I felt the front brakes were a bit washy under hard braking.

So this will be a challenge but I shouldn't think it'll be anything beyond my capabilities.

To be honest the hardest thing at the moment is dealing with the stroppy parts guy who thinks that it's perfectly acceptable to have a computer system that doesn't automatically list all the service parts you'll need for a service just by clicking on the r1200GS option and then clicking 24000 mile service. Am I wrong in thinking computers should be this good? I really can't stand this complacent "mushn't grumble" :robattitude.

Challenge eveything!!:pullface
 
I hope you dont think I was having a dig WorkyTicket - its just I have heard of warrenty claims being refused (not neccessarily with bikes).

As you say, there will be a huge amount of confidence / satisfaction in carrying out the service yourself, and you know that it has been done right.

Mind you, I know someone who bought a Buell from a bike dealer (not Buell / HD), was told it would have full service prior to collection, but he later discovered that they topped up the oil with stuff suitable for a water cooled 4 cylinder rice rocket - not an air-cooled V-twin tractor.
Hooray for 'qualified' mechanics :rolleyes:
 
I hope you dont think I was having a dig WorkyTicket
not at all my friend- no worries
Mind you, I know someone who bought a Buell from a bike dealer (not Buell / HD), was told it would have full service prior to collection, but he later discovered that they topped up the oil with stuff suitable for a water cooled 4 cylinder rice rocket - not an air-cooled V-twin tractor.
Hooray for 'qualified' mechanics :rolleyes:
bl0ody numpties, this is another reason I want to carry out my own work, then at least it's me to blame.
 


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