Check valve clearances.

Having Problems with your BMW R1200RT/R1250RT? or have some Maintenance and Service questions?
Post Reply
Hoodmonster26
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2026 3:46 pm
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT. 2017
Has liked: 1 time
Great Britain

Check valve clearances.

Post by Hoodmonster26 »

Hello to anyone really. My valve clearances have only been checked three times since 2019. I’ve got 58,000 miles on the bike, and every time they have been within BMW tolerances. How often do you guys check yours, and does anyone do this every 12,000 miles ? I would love to know as I find it such a bloody hassle taking the spot lights and engine bars off each time. Cheers. Jeff
Bike is 2017 R1200RT lc.
User avatar
Doctor T
Posts: 2646
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:21 pm
Location: west sussex
Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
Has liked: 1695 times
Been liked: 549 times
Great Britain

Re: Check valve clearances.

Post by Doctor T »

Checked my valves 30 thou miles ago. Checked last week, still in tolerance. Boxer tappets hardly need checking.
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
May the shaft be with you
Hoodmonster26
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2026 3:46 pm
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT. 2017
Has liked: 1 time
Great Britain

Re: Check valve clearances.

Post by Hoodmonster26 »

Many thanks for your reply. I’ve spoken to a couple of owners who agree with you. One had almost 100,000 on his bike and said his haven’t been checked since his second main service. As BMW say every 12,000 miles I’ve often wondered if they do actually get checked by the main dealer this frequently or do they just tick the box. Hope not, but ?…
User avatar
Doctor T
Posts: 2646
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:21 pm
Location: west sussex
Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
Has liked: 1695 times
Been liked: 549 times
Great Britain

Re: Check valve clearances.

Post by Doctor T »

Well, if they just tick the box and nothing has been done, that's fraud.
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
May the shaft be with you
Hoodmonster26
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2026 3:46 pm
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT. 2017
Has liked: 1 time
Great Britain

Re: Check valve clearances.

Post by Hoodmonster26 »

To be honest I much prefer to believe that you do actually get what you’ve paid for. My previous remark was probably a touch cynical.
Ps. I’m from the Oxford area as well. 👍🇬🇧👍🇬🇧
User avatar
Stu
Administrator
Posts: 1998
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:13 pm
Location: Hull, UK
Bike Model and Year: 2016 R1200RT
Has liked: 696 times
Been liked: 729 times
Great Britain

Re: Check valve clearances.

Post by Stu »

43k on mine so far and not had to do any adjustments yet! But I will still keep checking them every 12k
Hoodmonster26
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2026 3:46 pm
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT. 2017
Has liked: 1 time
Great Britain

Re: Check valve clearances.

Post by Hoodmonster26 »

Many thanks for your reply. 👍👍👍
Post Reply