Recommendations for a good tech to do some work on my 2011 R1200GS Adventure TU

[Markyboy]

Hi Guys,

Not a lot happening in the North East section but I thought I'd ask for recommendations for a Guru to get some work done on my new to me R1200GS Adv TU 2011.

The second question, is there anybody out there with the knowledge to do the basic work on the above bike that would teach someone like me with no mechanical skills to keep the above bike in good condition.

Thank you in advance....

 

[MikeH101]

Suggest you contact Steve at Rainbow Workshop (07535434341). BMW mechanic and top man for repairs & servicing. He's located off M180 near Brigg. Be prepared to plan ahead, he's booked up well in advance.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Suggest you contact Steve at Rainbow Workshop (07535434341). BMW mechanic and top man for repairs & servicing. He's located off M180 near Brigg. Be prepared to plan ahead, he's booked up well in advance.

Currently booking services for Oct 2026 now (I was there on Weds)

He’s so busy

 

[Markyboy]

Thanks for the recommendation guys!

 

[PIGGLET]

DM'd you.

 

[Guru Gora]

Another for Steve Rainbow.

Great guy, used him for years.

Super helpful with advice too.

 

[Santa-2512]

When i drop my GS into my indie on the south coast (

I make the following appt for the next service then

When he did my MOT & service lasttime, i booked it in for the stuff we saw was upcominng, rubber boots, brake disc, that was an 8 week lead time then

and he also reccomened a good indie for the Honda as well

 

[Markyboy]

Thank you for the advice and replied to Pigglet

 

[HxH]

Hi Guys,

Not a lot happening in the North East section but I thought I'd ask for recommendations for a Guru to get some work done on my new to me R1200GS Adv TU 2011.

The second question, is there anybody out there with the knowledge to do the basic work on the above bike that would teach someone like me with no mechanical skills to keep the above bike in good condition.

Thank you in advance....

Please do not take this the wrong way, try and do some of the work on your own bike, maybe get a fellow biker to stand by you as you wheel that spanner for the first time.

It can feel daunting for a novice to look at a bike and think where do I start, but once you crack on, the 2nd, 3rd and more times the easier it gets. Knowledge for life.

It is how many learned, fiddling with bikes, gods of knowledge here on this forum, I for one would be willing to assist wherever possible too, you just have to ask.

That is what is great about this forum, no matter the fun and jives, most are serious fixers and problem solvers.

Remember there are no daft questions, might get a few giggles, from others, but anything can be asked.

 

[Markyboy]

Please do not take this the wrong way, try and do some of the work on your own bike, maybe get a fellow biker to stand by you as you wheel that spanner for the first time.

It can feel daunting for a novice to look at a bike and think where do I start, but once you crack on, the 2nd, 3rd and more times the easier it gets. Knowledge for life.

It is how many learned, fiddling with bikes, gods of knowledge here on this forum, I for one would be willing to assist wherever possible too, you just have to ask.

That is what is great about this forum, no matter the fun and jives, most are serious fixers and problem solvers.

Remember there are no daft questions, might get a few giggles, from others, but anything can be asked.

Thank you for your comments and no doubt ill be asking for advice soon enough.

 

[gspod]

Check out ‘The old mechanic’ on you tube - he’s the best I’ve found, very easy to follow. I would advise having a Haines manual as well.
Oils, filters and brakes (pads and discs) are easy to change yourself. You can then get a mechanic to do the valve clearance, throttle bodies and brake fluid.
This will save some money but all those jobs are fairly easy.
Enjoy the bike

 

[Markyboy]

Thank you for the comments - I have just changed the air filter, engine oil and filter, gearbox oil, diff oil and rear pads! The front didn't need changing but I took them out anyway to clean the calliper, regrease and put the old pads back in just so I know how to do them. This may seem to be minor work for someone handy but its the first bike I've ever done, so a very small milestone for me. Did it go smoothly? No..... The last owner owned the bike for 13 years and had self serviced the bike telling me the bike was serviced every year regardless of mileage and for the last 6 - 7yrs it was only doing 1000 miles a year or so. He convinced me he was really good with the spanners... So.....

Firstly the sump plug was rounded but managed to hammer in the next size torx and get it out.
Gearbox went very smootly
Final drive - emptied the oil out of the drain bolt however that was nearly rounded too but came out. The filler bolt was completely rounded and a mate is coming round to help try and get it out at the weekend but luckily the old mechanic on youtube has a video showing the same thing and he filled it via the ABS sensor.
Brake pads sorted like a dream.
Air filter change was a dream too however the air filter was very very dirty so hadnt been changed in a while... putting in question whether the previous owner was as accurate with the truth.

So I am awaiting the drain bolt for the engine and final drive plus the filler bolt for the final drive and their crush washers to arrive from Motorworks. I also needed to order a deep 14mm socket to change the plugs as the one in the tool kit is a 16mm and doesn't fit. The guys at motorworks have been brilliant and once the parcel arrives I'll get the job finished. Frustrating but enjoyable......

I have also now found a local bike tech that has the kit to do the valve clearances and balancing the injectors plus I also noticed the rubber boot on the telelever is split so I ordered one of them from motorworks too and the tech will do those jobs so I know everything is sorted and I can enjoy the bike. I will endeavour to learn how the do the valve clearances myself which will be the next lesson.

 

[HxH]

Tip: Always torque the bolts that you remove, mark the bolts with a blue/yellow ink felt pen marker, showing that it's been torqued, not sure of the torques ask on the forum someone will have them.

Pay attention to the sump plug, Do not over tighten this, like many have done in the past to their detriment, does not require a lot to tighten, again use correct torque setting for your bike.
Well done with what you have managed, trust a seller with a pinch of salt, they just want it sold, anyway it only gets easier from now on.

 

[Markyboy]

Tip: Always torque the bolts that you remove, mark the bolts with a blue/yellow ink felt pen marker, showing that it's been torqued, not sure of the torques ask on the forum someone will have them.
Pay attention to the sump plug, Do not over tighten this, like many have done in the past to their detriment, does not require a lot to tighten, again use correct torque setting for your bike.
Well done with what you have managed, trust a seller with a pinch of salt, they just want it sold, anyway it only gets easier from now on.

I've got a print out of all the torque settings and I'm following that exactly. The only thing to finish off now is the primary plugs but I ordered the coil removal tool 8 days ago and it still hasn't arrived, EVRI at its best.

 

[HxH]

The harder stuff like you mentioned, I agree best left to an expert, watch and learn if he allows, that is how I learned, possibly others here too.

The old Mechanic, (mentioned in above post #11), on Youtube is worthy of a watch, many different videos and mostly on his own GS bike. Easiest if you subscribe to his channel to find what you wish to see, it's free.

Evri, Dpd, they're all crap, I read it here. Kinda believe it too.

 

[Rusty]

Markyboy .... the chaps here are right but I see you have already done a few bits yourself. I am 62, been riding all my life, busy at work and only now in the last year have I actually purchased any tools .. stuff I never had before to change pads and oil and basic stuff .. a torque wrench for gods sake .. I have hex tools and pliers !!! Went to YouTube and it is EASY .. I just needed the courage to do it myself .. now I am all smiles and thinking "what can I do next" ? Crack on my friend.

 

[Santa-2512]

You may find the Drive gator boot may not last as long as the OEM item

Mines lasted 24K (OEM) lets see how long the replacemnt (OEM) lasts (its being changed next month)