BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Just left my 2012 with BMW for a service and check over. I purchased an independent warranty, so am keen to iron out any issues sooner rather than later.

They suggested a valve clearance check, which is apparently due every 6,000 miles (bike's done 4,300). I would have thought it needed to be cold, but they said "come back in 2 hours"?

I also asked them to check the clutch & gearbox. I actually scared a pedestrian this morning when I CLUNKED it into 1st!

Sullivj wrote:They suggested a valve clearance check, which is apparently due every 6,000 miles (bike's done 4,300). I would have thought it needed to be cold, but they said "come back in 2 hours"?

If you are going to do more than 1,700 miles in the next 12 months, it would seem reasonable to check the valve clearances.

(The service intervals are every 6,000 miles or 12 months).

The Haynes Manual says, "The engine must be cold for this procedure, so let the machine sit overnight before beginning".

As I would have expected David. After my 'spirited' ride to the dealer, it would have been far from cold - oh well... There's not much I can do about it now.

Sullivj wrote:There's not much I can do about it now.

Ask them not to bother & DIY, https://1200rt.com/viewtopic.php?t=79.msg12674#msg12674

Sullivj wrote:
I also asked them to check the clutch & gearbox. I actually scared a pedestrian this morning when I CLUNKED it into 1st!

Clunking into 1st seems to be 'feature' of the earlier bikes, not sure about the later WC RT.

If I remember correctly on my camhead, valve check was every 12000 miles
6000 mile service should be oil & filter and service reset

Well, apparently all the VCs were spot on. They fixed the pannier that wasn't properly locking on, and changed the engine oil too.


As for the uber clunky gearbox..."they all do that Sir".  I've found that a blip of the throttle does help it slide in easier, so I'll learn to ride around it. I didn't expect it to be more utilitarian than my agricultural CB500, but hey!


£252 and 3 hours later , it's all done.

T6pilot wrote:If I remember correctly on my camhead, valve check was every 12000 miles.

Valve clearances should be checked every 6,000 miles on a TC.