Another newbie with a dumb question

[jeepster]

Hello everyone. I am the proud owner of a 04 R1150RT.

Due to an extended warranty and fear of the unknown I haven't done my own service on the RT.

Now that the warranty is history and a wish to save $$$ I'm ready to change this situation.

I am hoping that someone can recommend a good service manual. I have heard that the BMW manual is almost incomprehensible. While the Clymers has a very casual view of proper procedure.

Can anyone recommend one or the other? Or is there a better choice? Basically I'm interesed in routine maintainence not engine or trans rebuilds. But I,m not opposed to syncing the injectors and adjusting the valves and other routine stuff.

Hope I can get up to speed on this stuff so I can join in some of the conversations on here. In advance thanks for all your help.

[tbarstow]

Either manual will work fine. The Clymer probably goes into a little more detail than the BMW manual on certain procedures.

Also check www.bmwsportouring.com for more oilhead specific information.

The service videos that people have put out are great as well. Find a local tech day and you will learn more than you ever wanted to know about your bike.

[jeepster]

Thanks for your reply tbarstow. I just had to ask, I try to never make the same mistake twice, or even once if there is a chance of avoiding it. If the dealers around here didn't shrink wrap the manuals I wouldn't have been so hesitant.

I have been looking over on the other sites and and here which is what got me thinking "I can do that". Most of my mechanical experience is pre- on board computer and ABS servo assisted brakes. It seems like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and step (kicking and screaming) into the 21'st century.

[hopz]

For bikes of this vintage there are two manuals that people consider, the Clymer and the Haynes.

I had a Haynes to help me on a R1100R and it was O.K. but not great. A little vague in parts but better than nothing and quite helpful in some places.

I have a buddy who loaned me his Clymer and it seems to be more detailed. I would go with a Clymer. Generally good prices at Amazon or Ebay. Look for the manuals to be for engine series rather than the bike model, for instance R1150's, not specifically R1150RT's.

If you go with a seller on Ebay- be sure he actually has the book in stock. There is one fool there who acts like he does but actually does not and waits till he gets several sales before getting them from his source. I had to cancel my order once and leave some nasty feedback.