Haynes or Clymer?

[Deleted account 210214001]

I'm trying to decide upon a maintenance manual for my '01 1150GS. The two obvious choices are Haynes and Clymer. I've always used Haynes manuals for my cars, but over here, it seems most people like the Clymer manuals better.

I'll probably end up getting both, but I'm curious to hear your opinions.

Thanks!

Bohdan

PS Yes, yes, I still need to write up my introduction...

 

[Hew]

I have both for the 1100 as I bought them before the 1150 was available.
My vote is for Haynes.
I do not like the Clymer manual far too much is 'refer to dealer'.
I find the Haynes easy to follow and get the 1150 specific bits from the BM manual.

 

[how much]

gotta disagree...

i think the 1150 haynes manual is bloody awfull! its the worst haynes manual EVER!
it covers far too many models (not just the GS)in one book, gone are the days of the superb isometric exploded diagrams.... this one is all photo's and they are p*ss poor photos at that....... is just plain hard work to use
and as an engineer of 35years i have seen a lot of manuals


the disk based manual is a lot better.. being GS specific, and the photos are vastly superior having unecessary detail grey'd out and the stuff you need to see highlighted


just my opinion mind




how much

 

[ahebron]

Hi Gonzomup give these guys a go for a Clymer manual. I imported one into NZ and %30 compared to what they are available for locally.

http://www.repairmanual.com/motorcycles/2001/11/0/9240

 

[squid]

gotta disagree...

i think the 1150 haynes manual is bloody awfull! its the worst haynes manual EVER!
it covers far too many models (not just the GS)in one book, gone are the days of the superb isometric exploded diagrams.... this one is all photo's and they are p*ss poor photos at that....... is just plain hard work to use
and as an engineer of 35years i have seen a lot of manuals


the disk based manual is a lot better.. being GS specific, and the photos are vastly superior having unecessary detail grey'd out and the stuff you need to see highlighted


just my opinion mind




how much

Is the disc a copy of a proper bmw service manual?

I've found haynes books of recent years to be little more than an owners manual.

For cars I have always tried to get the gen service manuals.

Where can I get a disc from?

 

[how much]

Squid

pm sent regarding copy of disc





how much

 

[Sleepy]

I found the disc to be a waste of time.. far too technical, full of 'use BMW tool no.*****'. and who's going to take a computer into their garage?

No.., much better is a manual designed for home maintenance.

 

[trotsky]

I've got the full set so here's a quick subjective comparison.

The Clymer manual is biggest and most clearly written. Better quality printing so the photographs are sometimes easier to make sense of. The line drawings are fundamentally the pictures from...

The BMW maintenance manual. I printed out the whole thing (the joys of access to work laser printers when it is quiet) and have used it in anger. It can be the best for discovering torque settings and sizes but it isn't a step by step "How to..." for everything

The Haynes manual is better for explaining what needs to be done and its cover of the electrics is best (the full colour electrical schematics are very good) but it isn't as well illustrated and can waffle on a bit.

Other than the BMW they tend to cover all R1150 models.

On balance, if you are a reasonably handy with a socket set but don't know the bike well, and youcan get them cheap, buy both the Haynes and the Clymer. There are times when reading the same coverage in both will make something clearer than either one individually. Get the BMW one for completeness.

 

[Deleted account 210214001]

Thanks for all the tips, guys! I ended up with both Haynes and Clymer. In my quick perusal of the two volumes, it seems you were right to suggest both.

Thanks again!

Bohdan

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Get both if you can afford.

I'm a poor bastid and I have the Haynes one, coz it was more compact, so I can take it with me on long travels too. Nice reading in the tent in the evenings when you've got nothing to do

 

[Rugged Path]

Google 'Oilhead' and you will get some excellant sites to download articles for basic maintenance.