maintenance cost

[aikido73]

Hi, I've been a lurker for a while. The appeal of a Beemer is strong and the R1200RT looks great to me. My main concern is maintenance cost. I'll admit to being a kind of "get on and ride" kind of guy and the Jap. bikes seem to fill that bill. So what are the realistic main. cost for a non mech. like me and how are BMWs for the long haul. I really like the 1200 but part of me says take the easy way out and but a Honda. Thanks for all the responses.

[dyvking]

Hi, I've been a lurker for a while. The appeal of a Beemer is strong and the R1200RT looks great to me. My main concern is maintenance cost. I'll admit to being a kind of "get on and ride" kind of guy and the Jap. bikes seem to fill that bill. So what are the realistic main. cost for a non mech. like me and how are BMWs for the long haul. I really like the 1200 but part of me says take the easy way out and but a Honda. Thanks for all the responses.
My Beemers have always been reliable, but dealer maintenance costs do, indeed, tend to be high. The more tupperware on the model you choose, the more the services will cost. Here are a couple of suggestions:
1.) Visit your nearest dealer, select a model you like, and then ask directly what the required service costs will be.
2.) If you are considering a used bike that is out of warranty anyway, Check around your local area for a mechanic capable, though not necessarily certified and compare prices.

One good thing about the Honda.. every podunk town in the country has a Honda dealership in it or at least closeby. BMW dealerships tend to be few and farther between. If you plan to tour, that's a consideration. I tour a lot on my Beemers, and don't worry about it. I also pay the cost of dealer service to be sure I DON'T have to worry about it.

:bmw:

[amarider]

First and foremost - Go take a test ride if you haven't yet, a good long one. After the ride you'll know, maintenance or not, if you have to have that RT.

Maintenance on the R motors is simple and even a novice can learn to adjust the valves, change the plugs and sync the throttle bodies. You will have to spend a little money each year on a brake check and flush along with a few other things. Tires will cost ya because your going to burn them up riding sooooo much! :D

Ride them both, then you'll know what to buy.

[drhines]

I have owned 6 new BMW's in the last 6 years. 4 - K bikes and 2 - R bikes. The dealer maintenance cost on the K1200LT's were eating me alive, especially the 12k services (close to $1000 each). Therefore, I started doing them myself. It's easy to learn and got to where I could do the 12k service for around $125.

The R-bikes are not as expensive to maintain, especially the 2005 R1200GS I have now. However, with the tupperware the RT has it will be more expensive. I have put 17,000 miles on my R12GS since July. My total maintenance cost has been $1,150. Dealer did the 600 mile and the 12,000 serivice and I did all the rest myself. Adjusting the valves on the R bike is a piece of cake and can be done in about 30 minutes after you get use to it.

I understand your thinking about the Jap bikes. You just ride them. I also have a Yamaha FJR1300 with a 28k valve adjustment so therefore all I do is change the oil and filter every 4k which takes about 10 minutes to do and ride the bike. I have gone through 16 new bikes in the last 6 years. The FJR is my all time favorite bike for putting a smile on your face but if I could only have 1 bike in my garage instead of the 5 bikes I currently have it would be the R1200GS. It is one fanastic bike and does so many things well. I test rode the GS for 2 days and the RT for 1 whole day before buying. The RT is a fanastic bike and a much improvement over the 2000 RT I had and I liked it much better than the Honda ST1300. My biggest gripe about the R bikes are the 6k mile valve adjustments. On my way to Alaska this past summer I had to backtrack about 400 miles back to Washington to find a dealer to adjust the valves. I think it is a disgrace to put out a bike that you can't even take a two week trip without having to hunt up a BMW dealer to adjust the valves. I have since solved that problem by learning how to do it myself and just do it on the road.

If you plan on touring two up or solo I think the RT would be a great bike. So much so that I would still buy the bike even if I had to let a dealer to the service, but trust me anyone can learn to change oil, filter and adjust the valves on the R bike. Other than that, it's just a yearly trip for brake bleeds, etc.

I have worn my wife out with so much traveling on the LT that she has lost interest, therefore I went with the GS because it so versatile bike especially for the Alaska and Mexico trips I take. However, if BMW ever decides to put the K engine in the RT, I will have to have one. If you don't ride much two-up, you ought to go check out the GS. It is one tall ugly bike, but I've never had a bike surprise me so much about how enjoyable it is to ride. It will also out corner the FJR.

Doug Hines
Benton, AR

[meese]

However, if BMW ever decides to put the K engine in the RT, I will have to have one.
Doug, don't look here (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2398). You have been warned. :)

[bikesnumbnuts]

Dealer says £350 for a 12k service R1200RT and
K1200 LT costs £435 12k service (January discounted price due to low volumes of work )

04 your 05
LT in graphite
In Blighty

[Pneff]

Hi, I've been a lurker for a while. The appeal of a Beemer is strong and the R1200RT looks great to me. My main concern is maintenance cost. I'll admit to being a kind of "get on and ride" kind of guy and the Jap. bikes seem to fill that bill. So what are the realistic main. cost for a non mech. like me and how are BMWs for the long haul. I really like the 1200 but part of me says take the easy way out and but a Honda. Thanks for all the responses.

I also am a "get on and ride" type guy. I had an LT and it was very expensive. My new RT has had only the 600 mile dealer service. That was $350. I expect the RT will be almost as expensive as the LT. but ... to me it is worth it. I just love the RT. I like the two cylinder opposed style engine for its vibration, torque and compression (engine braking). I love it! The LT finally just bored me ... too heavy, too smooth and too comfortable. Cost of maintenance is only one factor in buying a bike. How you feel when you ride is more important.

Go with your heart!

Phil Neff