BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

The riding season is by no means over, but I have some maintenance to do this winter, so this is what my list looks like. I'm interested in whatever other suggestions you might have.


Dismount windshield and all body panels. Thorough cleaning (both sides) of all panels.Engine oil, trans and final drive fluid change
Slight bend in the lip of the front wheel, so that has to go to a wheel shop for repair and true.
New front tire - it will be done by the end of the season (I have gotten 13,000 KMs out of it, so I'm happy about that).
Soapy sponge and thorough cleaning of the bike (undressed),inspection for anything unusual.
Exhaust dismantle and thorough cleaning with Autosol.
Grease side stand and centre stand pivots
Inspection of all electrical contacts, maybe a lick of grease if they look like they need it.
Brake pad inspection, and brake fluid flush.
Valve clearance check and semi-sphere swap if any adjustments needed.


I live by the adage - treat it well and it will treat you well in return. Its treated me well, so I owe it some attention... Anything else I should be adding to the maintenance list?


Mbro (in Edmonton, Canada)43,000 KMs
2010 R1200RT

Sounds like it will keep you busy!


I would spray it all (apart from the tyres and brakes) with ACF50 whilst you have it apart.


Do you take the whole exhaust off, or just the end can?

Dismantle and clean / lube gear change linkage. (Two ball joints and two shaft bearings to be greased).

I haven't heard of ACF50.  Will google it.  I'll also be doing spark plugs as well.  I'll just dismount the can, the rest can be cleaned without dismounting from the bike (with body work off, and getting down low).

mbro wrote: I haven't heard of ACF50.  Will google it.  I'll also be doing spark plugs as well.[/size]

There is also this http://xcp-protection.com/products/

I buy ACF50 in it's liquid form (not the spray cans). Then I spray it through a parafin gun, linked to my compressor. I've done all my bikes with it for years. It's the best rust preventer I've seen.


I have heard of XCP, and it's a bit cheaper than ACF, but I've yet to be convinced it's as good.

Sullivj wrote:I have heard of XCP, and it's a bit cheaper than ACF, but I've yet to be convinced it's as good.

Earlier in the year, I was speaking to a guy who uses ACF-50 professionally, he was trialling XCP Rust Blocker with a view to offering it as an alternative to ACF-50.

When my RT is due a treatment, I'll ask the question which he would recommend for my purpose & have that applied.

I'm happy to be convinced that XCP is better, so if you see any comparison tests, please let me know.

Come on chaps, any more suggestions for "real" maintenance tasks, this ACF-50 stuff has been done to death.

Remove & clean the brake pads, plus the calipers, exercise the pistons, then push them back before remounting on the bike.

The wheels will be free to rotate & give the pistons somewhere to move when the brakes are first applied in the Spring, to avoid binding.

Hmmm.  Give it a good wash, spray some ACF of FS365 over the metally bits (less discs!), quick spin on a dry day, stick it in the garage, put the greenhouse heater underneath, turn it on, put the cover over the top.  Seems to have worked for a good few years.  I'll ride it in the winter, but when its dry and salt free.  OK I'll have a poke and a clean behind the panels once a year, usually in the summer when its warm!

DaygloDavid wrote: Remove & clean the brake pads, plus the calipers, exercise the pistons, then push them back before remounting on the bike.

The wheels will be free to rotate & give the pistons somewhere to move when the brakes are first applied in the Spring, to avoid binding.

That's more like it, Good tip David.

Servicing the bike before Winter storage is always a good idea, come the Spring, I can look forward to 6,000 miles of riding.

Don't forget to look after the battery.

Change the air in the tyres!

I'm more of a :
Fill with fuel,
Wash when dirty
and ride every [possible day you can.
There are many days suitable for riding during our "winter".
We've even been known to visit a hotel in Bala on Christmas morning.

Change the air in the tyres? Never knew air had a use by date.