[dirtdreamer50]

I just bought a 2012 R1200RT. Fantastic bike, and $22k worth of debt. I located a list of the 600 mile maintenance requirements and lo and behold, I find requirements I have never had to do on a new vehicle, and between bikes and cars I have owned over 60 new ones. ( Yeah I've been alive a long time.)

some of the 600 mile requirements:
1) Retorque heads
2) Sync throttle bodies
3) Check throttle cables for wear and kinks
4) Check diagnostics for fault codes
5) Valve adjustments

Shouldn't a new bike that has probably been ridden three or four times to get to the first oil change, not need to have the heads retorqued, TB's synced, valves adjusted,etc? Are these requirements specific to BMW boxer engines, due to their basic design or are the builders at the factory hit and miss on putting our bikes together to spec?

Please don't flame me for asking these questions, because I really would like to understand why my brand new bike needs all this work when when it is just a few weeks old? This is more intensive than even Harley requires for their bikes... tomp dd50

 

[dirtdreamer50]

An update to my earlier post. Just called a dealer who has been selling and servicing BMW's for decades, and was told that camheads do not need the heads retorqued, or the valves checked at 600 miles. Was also told that the FD fluid is changed at 600 miles, but haven't heard that mentioned before. I'm more confused about the cost now than before, with what I thought all was to be done, that is not done. tomp dd50

 

[Streck999]

I don't have the answer, but I had had the same reaction to the 600 mile service as you, and ultimately found it to be valuable.

I had it done on my new RT two weeks ago, and it made a big difference. Prior to the service, power delivery was uneven, and sometimes the engine felt like it was sawing itself to pieces. I also had a minor oil leak. In general, the bike felt rough and as if it would take a very long time to break in.

The 600 mile service made an immediate, dramatic difference. The oil leak seems to have been fixed, and power delivery is much smoother, across all gears. This may be just my experience, but I thought I'd pass it along.

 

[SPXDR]

This applies to pre-2010 bikes, but it should give you an idea on what the 600 mile check is. Your dealer should be able to print off a similar looking sheet that applies specifically to your bike

http://www.ascycles.com/pdf/ServiceSchedules/R1200RT_600.pdf

 

[hopz]

The reason for all this stuff is not related to either of the things you mentioned.

What it is, is that after the first 600 miles, your precisely engineered and carefully manufactured engine needs final adjustments and maintenance to perform correctly.

In that tender young age, some things need to get happy with each other and in the process manufacturing tolerances modify themselves.

It is all good.

Bet you will also be surprised to learn that your bike will not really be broken in until about 18k miles. That's true also.

 

[dirtdreamer50]

Hopz, I was being a little facetious about the reasons I mentioned, but as neither service center could tell me exactly what they do or a confirmed price, I was a little confused as to what took three hours to complete. Your response makes much more sense to me than what the service writers told me.

SPXDR, that was the form I was going by, but didn't know that camheads were different.

Guess my question is, if the bike is performing great and had 2 1/2 hours worth of computer updates done to it in pre-delivery, should I be ok if I do the fluids and check bolt torque settings around the bike, or just spend the money and hush. Just dropped $300 with a plumber yesterday and that took my service money. Who really needs a bath/shower to work anyway, right???

Thanks for all the input. tp

 

[hopz]

Well, you are on a good path.

There are certainly a lot of people who do their own first service. The oil is certainly easy enough but I would think that re-torque is more complex as is the throttle body synch. If you are not the least familiar with the phrase "torque-angle" then this is not a job for you.

I have heard that a lot of guys want the dealer to do this first service in case of any warranty problems later on. Its your call.

I do not know the laws on this subject but if it were me... I'd at least chat up your sales representative on the subject. Notice I said the guy who sold you the bike, not the service manager. He has different agendas. If you think you have good rapport with someone at the dealership it might be good to hear their story.

Many guys have found that they could negotiate the first service into the sales price- but that won't do you much good now.

Let us hear how it goes.

 

[homewrek]

I don't know if the service checklist changed after model year 2010, but I had 600 mile service early this spring on my 2011 and the checklist does not have items #1 or #2 on the current checklist.
Valve clearance is checked but not adjusted until 6000 miles unless needed. The throttle bodies sync and the heads are not retorqued until 6000 miles.

600 mile service is basic fluid changes and check for the other items on your list, e.g. throttle cable wear and kinks, the diagnostic fault codes, etc.

 

[JPSpen]

When parts are new, They can have any number of slight inconsistencies that will get "worn off" in the first few miles.. It's only after the new parts have rubbed against each other a few times, That you can get a good "tune" on the engine...

The throttle body sync is a good example of this...
And before you can get a good sync, You need to be SURE your valve train is in order..
Thus the valve check...

Change all the oils to get rid of any flash from the engine and gears..

Re-torque the heads because after heat cycling a few times, Those specs can change...Fasteners tend to stretch a little...

Off you go...

John

 

[AntRT]

Hopz is the Gandalf of RT's so I just do what he says and haven't been let down once.

 

[racer7]

A good 600 mile service msay be the most important one you'll ever do. These bikes change very little once worn in a little and set up right.

 

[dirtdreamer50]

Thanks for all the help and input. I will contact the dealer that knew what they were going to do for the time and money spent on my beautiful new bike. tomp dd50

 

[pipestone]

Keep the fluids checked/changed..keep the valve checks recorded on a log page.
Skip the re-torque and don't worry about TB sync untill ~12000 miles if this is on a '10 + .. across the boards say.
Learn plastic removal and observe all that lays in behind..take note of what service schedule recommend for key component look outs.

I have done my own maintenance since new, and simply...love it. Trend on valves for me were tight and loosening..12000 miles coming this summer.
By the Grace of God I won't have to visit a dealership.

You can take these rides on gravel roads..not so with the "K's"...

Keep it easy...don't worry, be happy :bike:

 

[Ponch]

An update to my earlier post. Just called a dealer who has been selling and servicing BMW's for decades, and was told that camheads do not need the heads retorqued, or the valves checked at 600 miles. Was also told that the FD fluid is changed at 600 miles, but haven't heard that mentioned before. I'm more confused about the cost now than before, with what I thought all was to be done, that is not done. tomp dd50

Just make sure they do what they say they will do. How does that happen? Good question.

I had the 600 mile service done at $300. I did the 6K myself and the valve clearances were way out, especially on the intake. If I didn't know better, if he did do the valve adjustments, he used one feeler gauge. I don't think he did it. When I dropped the FD oil, it was pink like the factory stuff and the plug was overflowing with grey crap that was soft like clay or antisieze. Having worked on cars for a living many years ago and knowing what some shops do and don't do, I have to wonder if all they did was an oil change. If so, it was an expensive one. The only thing that worries me is if he did the head retorque. I may be cynical, but some shops prey on customer's ignorance. It nice to have forums such as this one where people will relay their dealer stories and after awhile, if someone is no good, it'll come out.