18k service....

[argee]

....is nearly due, been quoted £240 at the main stealers, apparently its because the fork oil has to be changed.....

Given that its only been in there for just over a year, is this absolutely neccessary?

Any one else got any experience on this?

 

[skywalker]

If you've got 18,000mls on then yes otherwise no. Its part of the 18k schedule

 

[Sooty09]

I had the same thought as you. I asked if they insist the BMW 4 x 4 cars have their shock absorbers serviced every 18000 miles.
In the end to make the warranty 100% I agreed to have it changed. It made no difference at all to the ride quality. The riding position was different because the bars were refitted with a slight twist and one fork cap nut was very badly damaged (Replaced free of charge)
Like changing the brake fluid after one year and checking the valves at 12000 the fork oil change just costs money, and if you are lucky the bike runs just as good as it did before the service, probably be a bit worse with a bit of damage included.

 

[argee]

Hmmmmm.... I'm leaning towards not bothering. Can't believe it would have deteriorated to that extent after 15 months.

Thanks for the input guys

 

[Klanky]

....is nearly due, been quoted £240 at the main stealers, apparently its because the fork oil has to be changed.....

Given that its only been in there for just over a year, is this absolutely neccessary?

Any one else got any experience on this?

Every couple of years maximum or at a reasonably high mileage is the correct procedure......but many people don't bother until the forks start becoming noticably shite.

18000 miles sounds OK to me if you're following recommended manufacturers guidelines. If I was having a 'dealer' service - the I'd be suprised if they didn't change it. Same applies for brake fluid.

 

[Greggers]

I've got Bitubo cartridges in mine .... I wonder what they'd make of that!

G

 

[Richie N]

Did 55k miles on my previous bike (Transalp) and sold it with the original fork oil

 

[Sooty09]

I dont mind having to change the fork oil if the bike is designed with this in mind. My older bikes had a fork oil drain plug, just unscrew them and pump the forks to expel all the old oil, then off with the fork caps and add 110cc of hydraulic transmission fluid, Simple and only took 20 mins.
Its probably not possible with up side down forks, but as these are a cosmetic gimmick and work worse or no better than a good set of normal forks I would prefer not to have them. The only advantage I have found with USD forks is the ability to easily incorporate adjustable damping for compression and rebound, and no requirement for the fork leg to extend below the wheel spindle on long travel suspension. As the BM has none of these features they are just for show.
BMW could not care less about easy service though, the F650GS normal forks have no drain plug.