Valve adjust no longer done on 600mile service 2011 R2100R?

[ammolab]

Dealer says "NO" but the warranty book (emissions)
Under my seat says "yes".. I see conflicting statements
on the web.

What's up?

[dicebox]

Just had my 600 mile service done. Valves adjusted as per manual. Your dealer is just being idle :-)

[ammolab]

Just had my 600 mile service done. Valves adjusted as per manual. Your dealer is just being idle :-)

Idle, lazy, or just charging me for the service that is in the flat rate book but not
intending to do it? I would not be surprized in the least!

But Not Sure... A google search shows several buyers in different locations reporting "no 600 mile valve check on
2010 and 2011 CamHeads".

Are you SURE your dealer checked your valves?....or did he just check off the box on an old service check sheet?

[Catchina]

I don't believe that is required on the first service for the 2011 with the updated engine...I would have to go back and check the paperwork to be sure.

[Clem]

600 mile Check up ?
There is a lot of GREY area.
Are the makers, dealers & customers on the same page?
Sounds like, "Don't ask, Don't tell."

BMW Motorrad USA's website lists $1000 or $1200 "factory to dealer" incentives on certain models,
but states that dealers are NOT obligated to share with consumers the factory incentives received.
Fair enough.
So, Why then does BMW encourage customers to "ASK dealers about our July incentives"
when the dealer is not obligated to give the customer any of it?

Some lazy dealers may just use the 600 mile check up as a profit tool.
Can't imagine that the valves would actually have worn enough to need new shims in just 600 miles.
Some diligent dealers may use it to actually check for anything out of the ordinary.
To closely check for irregular wear patterns is a good idea, as it could affect future warranty claims.

SO, is your dealer a "Full Disclosure" kinda' guy who inspires confidence as someone that you can trust ?
Or is it gonna' be "Don't ask" rules, with the burden of proof upon you when an issue arises ?
Vote with your pocketbook & let the buyer beware.

[Catchina]

The first valve check is supposed to be at 6,000 miles...per my dealer.

[ammolab]

I think I can trust my dealer on the 'no valve adjust' issue now.

I also trust that the 600 mile service is truly a "PROFIT center" indeed! He wants
$340 just for labor.. That is insane for what is required. Maybe a 2 hr job at best.

I have been a BMW owner and rider since 1972. The few years I have left will
be shopping at any other dealer than this one! (Wild West Honda BMW / Katy TX)

[dbrick]

The BMW service schedules for a Camhead GS were scanned and appear in this thread:

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/u ... ber=614562

The 600 mile service for the Camhead GS does not include a valve clearance check/adjust. I'd assume the Camhead R is the same.

[ammolab]

Thanks for the link to that service list... I could only find older ones for the "R" and they
did list valve adjustments.

I did buy this bike in Santa Fe,NM as I have a mountain home in Ruidoso... Drove
it to Ruidoso and then trailered it to Houston where I am working for the Summer.

Santa Fe wanted $135 labor for the 600 mile service vs $340 at Wild West....it's
not like I don't have a history at Wild West...I have purchased 3 bikes there since
1972 and many vists for parts and service. I don't get their pricing. It does seem
like the service manager "sizes you up" and flings you what ever price (labor) he
thinks you can bear.

He broke my back with this one!

[boxermoose]

He broke my back with this one!

sounds like a bad cowboy movie

I've had good luck with WW - but I've never used them for major service, just things like changing bearings. Gulfcoast BMW is an alternitve although from previous dealings in there service shop....well I hear they are better now

[roger l]

I checked the valves on my 2008 at 6000 miles and the exhaust valves were a little loose. The I did not adjust the intake valves. I can not beleve that the valves would need to be adjusted at 600 miles.

Roger L

[ammolab]

Here is a good laugh: I emailed BMW USA to ask the question about valve service
at 600 miles (which I do now understand is not required) and they said:

"Just ask another dealer in your area if you don't like the 'opinion' of
your local dealer"

I didn't ask them for another "opinion"....I wanted to know what was
"THEIR REQUIRED SERVICE" for the 2011 cam head engine!

I thanked them for nothing.

[ammolab]

He broke my back with this one!

sounds like a bad cowboy movie

I've had good luck with WW - but I've never used them for major service, just things like changing bearings. Gulfcoast BMW is an alternitve although from previous dealings in there service shop....well I hear they are better now

WW has been kind of rough on me for this whole new bike deal.. They ordered me a set of 'system cases' (saddlebags) and had no idea the 2011 R1200R now requires a head shield on the left case. So they ordered the wrong case. I had to show them the correct part # for the left case which is actually cheaper than the one without the shield. It took me about an hour..but they did order the heat shield for me.

I have had better luck with MPH Automotive on Park Row for my older BMW Bikes.

[ScottR1200]

Just had my 600mi service "2011 R1200R" serviced at BMW Charlotte NC.. I was passing thru and scheduled the maintenance stop. Nice place and I would recommend them.
I was under the impression the valves need adjustment at the 600mi check and made sure to ask if it will be done. I purchased the R at a different dealer was on my way home “1200mi” and thought I remembered them telling me it needed to be done at the 600. In all fairness it looks like up until 2010 it was done.
when the tech entered my Vin number and mileage into their recently installed new and updated factory software, the 2011 service checklist came up and it did not have the Valve check on it. I do have a copy.. So it was not done on my service. one of their other terminal was still running the older software and it did have the valve check on it.
As long as I meet the requirements for warranty I’m satisfied..

It’s all good

[Catchina]

My 6000 mile service is scheduled for the 30th, they confirmed that valves are checked. The dealer was backed up four weeks, I thought that was a bit long. Business must be good.

[SF_Hooligan]

WW has been kind of rough on me for this whole new bike deal.. They ordered me a set of 'system cases' (saddlebags) and had no idea the 2011 R1200R now requires a head shield on the left case. So they ordered the wrong case. I had to show them the correct part # for the left case which is actually cheaper than the one without the shield. It took me about an hour..but they did order the heat shield for me.

Can you tell me more about this "head shield?" Didn't turn up anything in a quick Google search. I'm assuming you mean the heat shield on the bottom of the case - just want to be sure I'm not missing some oddball new requirement.

I talked with a couple people about this - it has always seemed to me like frequent valve adjustments are a bit of a profit center on a lot of bikes. VFRs, for example (which have long used a shim system, similar to the latest boxer motor) have always been a "we check them, but rarely actually adjust them" kind of bike. I'd expect a similar situation on this latest incarnation.

[websterize]

Can you tell me more about this "head shield?"

There's a retrofit kit (item 8 on the PDF), part 77427729294, $67.50, and it screws on to bottom of the clutch-side system case. Another rider made his own that looked pretty good, but I think he sold his R12R. /drift

[SF_Hooligan]

Can you tell me more about this "head shield?"

There's a retrofit kit (item 8 on the PDF), part 77427729294, $67.50, and it screws on to bottom of the clutch-side system case. Another rider made his own that looked pretty good, but I think he sold his R12R. /drift

Ah, I'll have to look but I'm pretty sure I recall seeing that on my clutch-side case. Thanks.

Forgot to add earlier - I had the 600 mile service done on my bike a couple weeks ago - no valve adjustment required. We discussed the differences between the new and old valvegear, and I think it makes sense. For what it's worth I worked in an automotive machine shop for a few years in my youth and and pretty familiar with various types of valvegear.

[ammolab]

Can you tell me more about this "head shield?"

There's a retrofit kit (item 8 on the PDF), part 77427729294, $67.50, and it screws on to bottom of the clutch-side system case. Another rider made his own that looked pretty good, but I think he sold his R12R. /drift

Ah, I'll have to look but I'm pretty sure I recall seeing that on my clutch-side case. Thanks.

Forgot to add earlier - I had the 600 mile service done on my bike a couple weeks ago - no valve adjustment required. We discussed the differences between the new and old valvegear, and I think it makes sense. For what it's worth I worked in an automotive machine shop for a few years in my youth and and pretty familiar with various types of valvegear.

\

Yes "Heat shield"... I had a typo in that older post. I have one now on my left side case and all is proper. SF? San Francisco? How many hours did they charge for your 600mile service? It has to be less than the FOUR hours labor my West side Houston dealer charged! I know the Houston economy is doing better than most, but I was shocked and I have been riding BMWs since 1972.

[SF_Hooligan]

Yes "Heat shield"... I had a typo in that older post. I have one now on my left side case and all is proper. SF? San Francisco? How many hours did they charge for your 600mile service? It has to be less than the FOUR hours labor my West side Houston dealer charged! I know the Houston economy is doing better than most, but I was shocked and I have been riding BMWs since 1972.

I was thinking "Man, the heads aren't anywhere near the case - your bike must run HOT!"

Seriously, though - yeah, San Francisco. I forget how much it was, but I'll look it up when I get home. I'm thinking two hours + parts and stuff. I certainly didn't feel like I had gotten off cheap, but I didn't feel especially ripped off either.

Update:
$234.82, $175 of that labor. Doesn't say how many hours, but in SF that's probably about an hour and a half. I think the break in service on my '07 Speed Triple was more than that.

4 hours seems pretty excessive.