Planning to buy R1200S, couple of questions

[yugi]

Hi,

Found a good deal on R1200S. Currently have R1100S. But I'm not sure yet, if it's a good buy. I'm concerned about lack of center stand. How do you service one?
What kind of equipment will you need to:
1. Change engine or transmission oil
2. Change final drive oil

I was unable to find filler and drain plugs in a final drive. How do you change the oil in it? Is it a PITA?
Maybe it's better to buy one with a center stand like R1200R or R1200ST which seems to be more practical with bigger/more bags? But on the other hand will it be better than R1100S? R1200S clearly seems to be superior to R1100S, not sure about the R or ST. Minimal power gain and weight difference, I'm confused.

[markjenn]

If you're going to be working on your own bike w/o a centerstand, you probably want to buy a service stand. Lots of options here.

I believe the first run of hexheads in all flavors had "lifetime" final drive oil with no change interval. But over time, problems developed and later bikes started coming with drain plugs while BMW backpedaled a bit to make a recommendation that you should periodically change the fluid. I'm not sure what the 1200S had during its production run. In any event, I believe those without the drain plug can have the FD removed to drain them. But this should be confirmed with some of the 1200 owners here.

Beyond this, I'm not aware of any huge differences in routine servicing between the models. If you can work on your 1100S, you should do fine with a 1200S, but you will probably need to invest in a stand.

The R and ST are fine bikes, but you generally don't buy a much more touring-oriented ride instead of a sportbike just because it has a centerstand. Having the stand is just one of ten or twenty things that tilt a bike a little away from the sport side and towards the touring side. It might be a factor, but it should be a fairly minor one.

I'd characterize the improvements in the hexhead over the oilheads as pretty uniform across the board for all the models. The later bikes are smoother, lighter, and make slightly more power, whatever model you're talking about. The S is probably the one model that BMW changed focus though from sport-touring to pure sportbike in the oilhead to hexhead transition, so that can be a plus or a minus, depending on your desires. If you like the focus of your R1100S, then the R1200ST would be closer match, but the bikes sold poorly and can be hard to find. And you have to be comfortable with the styling which is quite controversial.

- Mark

[yugi]

Originally Posted by markjenn

If you're going to be working on your own bike w/o a centerstand, you probably want to buy a service stand. Lots of options here.

What are those options? Can you specify?

I'd characterize the improvements in the hexhead over the oilheads as pretty uniform across the board for all the models. The later bikes are smoother, lighter, and make slightly more power, whatever model you're talking about. The S is probably the one model that BMW changed focus though from sport-touring to pure sportbike in the oilhead to hexhead transition, so that can be a plus or a minus, depending on your desires. If you like the focus of your R1100S, then the R1200ST would be closer match, but the bikes sold poorly and can be hard to find. And you have to be comfortable with the styling which is quite controversial.

- Mark

That what I was talking about. ST is the same weight as R1100S, and has 12 more hp. Looks that it's not worth to change to it. I would change to R1200S, if it had a center stand without any hesitation, though.

[sdaddy]

I too went from R1100S to R1200S and bought the Pitbull stand - both front and rear. Very high quality and easy to use (easier than I expected). BMW sells a rear stand as well.

[yugi]

Originally Posted by sdaddy

I too went from R1100S to R1200S and bought the Pitbull stand - both front and rear. Very high quality and easy to use (easier than I expected). BMW sells a rear stand as well.

Did you try to change FD fluid with that stand?

[ckcarr]

Although I have the BMW rear stand and a Pitbull front stand, there are other alternatives available. A more serious search of this board will answer just about any question you have.

Therefore, just buy the bike, and ask questions later.

[sdaddy]

Originally Posted by yugi

Did you try to change FD fluid with that stand?

Unless your bike has a FD drain plug (which came later in the R12X series), the fluid can not be changed using only the stand because the bike is supported by the drive which needs to be unhooked to drain the fluid. I have changed my FD fluid but I suspended the bike from above to do this. All other services have been done on the stand though, including wheel removal.

[AZ-Twin]

Welcome to the board yugi!!

I use a home built pit bull like stand for doing tires, oil, and stuff like that.



For FD Fluid I will use a Shreddr Stand, which is a stack of wood under the engine. I have seen his bike on that a couple times here and it seems like it works just fine. Below is a pic from his engine thread but I am sure we will see more good pics when he does his wheel swap.

Shreddr Stand.


(photo courtesy of shreddr)


For the cost of a couple BMW services you could buy a nice motorcycle lift and really have a nice setup. I have considered one of these for a while but it is hard to justify it at this point in time. Some here have them but I don't know a good brand. Here is a link to an example of what I am talking about. I see them on craigslist sometimes but they are always gone by the time I call.

http://www.pantherlifts.com/Panther/index.php?action=item&id=46&prevaction=category&previd=4&prevstart=0


Buy the R12S, enjoy it, and you will figure out how to get the FD fluid changed when the time comes.

[Rick Lee]

I think you can buy a decent motorcycle jack at Costco for under $90.

[yugi]

So how about something like that?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=2792
http://t-rex-racing.com/catalog.php?item=117&catid=66&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D66

[Steve Carlton]

That looks very similar to the jack signit98 recommend recently in the budget tire changing thread. According to Ralf, it works like a charm on the R1200S. So, I'd go with that. Don't know if the spacing of the lift pads is good on the other one for this bike. What's nice about this setup is I believe it eliminates the need for front and rear lifts and will lift the whole bike higher for general maintenance.

[ckcarr]

Jack of all trades, master of none.

[Steve Carlton]

Better for use on the R1100S?

[ckcarr]

I'm sure it's fine. The R1100S seemed more rounded on the botom and was not stable with a jack like that. At least in my experience. But, it depends on the manufacturer, and width of supports, etc, etc, etc...
But, I was partly joking and part serious above. Get the bike first and then you can make better decisions on what you want.

[squall_line]

Steve-

I used my buddy's Craftsman ATV/M'cycle jack for my 1100S, and it seemed to work fairly well. He uses the jack to lift and move around his V-star, so putting my 1100S on it was like child's play.

I still strapped it down, though.

I really just need a way to get my bike up my front steps and from the porch through the front door so I can store it in my dining room or something while I tear the front end off of it...

[geothepencil]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

Jack of all trades, master of none.

Those things work poifectly for a Harley V Rod.


geo

[ckcarr]

Originally Posted by geothepencil

Those things work poifectly for a Harley V Rod.
geo

But I don't have a V Rod, I have a Dyna... Works great on my Dyna. I jack up and leave up all winter. Roll it around, super stable. That was one of the selling points when I bought it. They had a Road King jacked up at Sturgis, with a guy sitting on it revving the engine, and the bike didn't move. But when I compare that stability to putting my S's on it, it's just not the same. So I opted for the BMW jack.

sfarson had a V Rod long ago. Wonder what he has these days , he's low profile anymore.

[yugi]

I noted that there are 2 holes on each side of the engine case, right where a center stand should be. What are those for? Can they be used for something useful?

[signit98]

The case on the R12 engines is the same... these are the holes used to fasten the crash bars on the GS's... if you were to mount a center stand there, that would be an interesting view for onlookers every time you's try to put the bike up!

The above shown jack works well... so well in fact, that I am using it at the track, instead of PitBull's... also, when changing tires or doing other work.

[johnty288]

Two Questions:

1) I have a Sear's jack similar to the one pictured. It worked great on the 1100S but won't clear the exhaust on the 1200S. Anyone know how to make it work/

2) Are there alternatives to the Pitbull stand for the front of the 1200S?