2008 R1200GS self servicing

Ollie GBR

Registered user
Joined
Jul 30, 2008
Messages
214
Reaction score
0
Location
Milton Keynes, UK
I want to service my 24k mile bike myself.
The next service includes throttle balance and brake fluid change.
All relatively straight forward until you read the Haynes and it states that the brake fluid can't be changed as it's needs specialist equipment, (for ABS models). It also warns against the throttle balancing yourself too, recommending main BMW dealer.

However, they want close to £400 - so self service is my only option this year.

Any suggestions on work arounds?

Thanks
Ollie
 
Apparently the partially-integrated ABS system on 07 bikes and later is not too difficult to bleed yourself.

Throttle balancing can be left out if you don't think its a problem. These bikes are wonky anyway :eek
 
I do the brake fluid changes myself on my '08 - seemed easy enough to do at the time with a piece of fuel pipe I had lying around. Since the first time I did it I bought a GS911 which does something to the ABS (not exactly sure what) to make the brake fluid change even better. I think it opens up the ABS modulators so you're changing the brake fluid in there as well as the brake lines/calipers. The GS 911 also allows you to switch off the idle stepper motors to make throttle body balancing easier - I use a Harmonizer to do that bit.

You can do most of a full brake fluid change without the GS911 and a good stab at the throttle body balancing without one to but it makes life a whole lot easier plus you can reset the service dates. If you're planning to carry on servicing your bike I would recommend buying both (and a BMW Reprom manual) as an investment. There's a few other tools to make life easier (although not essential) such as a coil puller (metal one is better) and a long thin walled plug spanner. The 24K service is a plug change and alternator belt change which is a little more involved but more technique than anything else.
 
Food for thought

Whilst servicing the bike yourself to save money or whilst traveling is not difficult. The only issue is BMW warranty.
My ABS unit failed the other day on a late 2007 model. My dealer went back to BMW with the full service history of my bike and BMW is supplying a new ABS unit Free of Charge(FOC). I only have to pay the dealer to fit it.

There is something good to be said in having BMW service your bike.
 
.

There is something good to be said in having BMW service your bike.

It also says that even the extra expense of BMW main dealer servicing isn't going to prevent your ABS/servo unit from going tits up.

So if i was the OP i wouldn't worry about changing the brake fluid. :D
 
I ts all about cost now (consider it insurance) if BMW do the service against possible cost later if/when something expensive fails.

Clutch - probably be classed as wear & tear and there's a lot of labour so not cheap even if the parts are paid for.
Shocks - Def cheaper for BMW to replace but people rave about Wilbers WESA so there's an excuse to upgrade.
Corrosion - week & tear
ABS - Get a used modulator
Final drive B earings to full rebuild not silly money

After that it depends on your attitude to risk.
 


Back
Top Bottom