Rockster (R1150R) maintenance

[ca_rockster]

Hello all, I just aquired a 2004 Edition 80 (my 3rd R bike). It has only 900 miles (<1500km) on the odometer after almost 5 years! The bad news is that it has been sitting for a year without any riding or even starting it. As a matter of fact it was "dead" when I attempted to start it. However, after replacing the battery, it started right up. I have ridden it 30 or so miles, and it seems to run prefectly.
I still want to service it though (it DID have it's 600 mile service done, but that was years ago).
What should be done?
I have two BMW dealers in my area and they gave me very contradicting advice: One said it only needs an oilchange/filter for $100. The other wants to do a full annual service and a brake flush on both systems (it has ABS-II) for $650!
Both seem a bit off to me! Does anybody know what really should be done?
The bike really feels and looks to be in perfect condition.
Thanks!

[jfslater98]

Hello and congrats! The Rocksters and the standard Rs are almost identical. So this advice

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16901

Holds true. At 5 years, all the fluids could use some changing. The Brake and Clutch fluids for sure, as they have a 2 year shelf life no matter how little they're used. Both DOT4 brake fluid, they've sucked up enough water that they need to be "out-en-zee".

You should be able to change the fluids on your own, at the very least the engine oil. One of the gurus here wrote up a nice procedure

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6837

Changing the other fluids are detailed here
viewforum.php?f=18

and here is another good source for maintentance
http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/

I used the last one to do the ABS brake bleed, and it worked out fine. Try changing the oil on your own, and if you're feeling good and have the time, do the clutch next. Then work up to the ABS. The folks on this board are pretty nice, maybe reach out to them for a helping hand.

I am guessing you are in California?

[MikeCam]

The brake system on your Rockster is not ABS II. It is I-ABS with servo-assist and partially linked (front to back). It bears some research as a fluid change is not straightforward, but do-able.

The links above are good. Short version: change fluids and filters, including air filter and fuel filter. Inspect drain plugs for particulate matter that indicates metal damage, replace crush washers and refill with good quality stuff (Rotella 15-40 oil, Redline Transmission, some good 75-90 gear oil for the final drive). Replace 4 spark plugs. Inspect hoses, wiring, ground wires especially, connectors, etc. Get new tires - don't agonize, just do it. New brake pads maybe. Battery.

You can do all that yourself just by reading the FAQ here, ADVRider Hall of Wisdom, and BMWSport Touring.

Don't fall for the hysteria over final drive failures, clutch hub spline stripping, or clutch slave cylinder leaks. But educate yourself enough to understand that those items can occur to some bikes (fewer than 5%). Then deal with it if it happens.

[ca_rockster]

Yes, in California - LA area.
Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately, I'm not confident enough to perform all the fluid changes myself. The oilchange would probably be ok, but I need to leave the ABS system to a professional.
I got more conflicting info from a third BMW shop today - all the required work would run me $200! That would be fine, if it really was true, but I'm starting to doubt these guys now.
What if I leave the bike to them and they don't do the required fluid changes? I have had this happen before on a car - I just happened to mark the oilfilter before I took it in, and when I picked it up it was still unchanged! (long story, but the dealership was closed down not too long after my experience - probably unrelated but anyway...).

I will let you know what happens next week.

[Ves]

Sorry, thread jack..

The brake system on your Rockster is not ABS II. It is I-ABS with servo-assist and partially linked (front to back)...

I was going to say "What are you talking about, my Ed 80 doesn't have linked brakes?" then I find a BMW brochure online that says

"BMW Motorrad Integral ABS as standard
(in the sporty part-integral version)."

WHAT? Sporty part-integral? What's linked to what and what actuates what? Is the rear linked to one of the fronts, or does the rear come on when the front is squeezed?

[jfslater98]

Front lever activates both front and rear brakes. Rear/foot lever activates just the rear brake.

[Ves]

Front lever activates both front and rear brakes. Rear/foot lever activates just the rear brake.

You're not shzing me... I just tried it... Wow, I didn't know that. So, I may actually wear out a set of rear pads once in my life... I'm speachless, it's like finding out your girlfriend has three boobs... there's something appealing about it, but it just doesn't seem right...

[sweatmark]

but it just doesn't seem right...

Exactly! And that's just one of several reasons to consider the blasphemous option of iABS "simplification".

You know what I mean.

[fnfalman]

Do what MikeCam suggested. The bike had been sitting without running for way too long. Who knows what had been deteriorated.

[Roxster]

You didn't mention anything about the level of fuel in the tank if any at all. If it wasn't empty, your gonna have some jelly in the tank and lines that will need to be addressed.

Roxster

[lionlady]

I've got a Rockster LE (#196) and on a recent visit to my local shop to pick up a few things, I enquired as to the cost for a full 12K service (includes all fluids, spark plugs and something and a couple other things). The cost was $550 - over $340 of that was labor. That is why so many of us do our own service.

BMW oil heads are really easy to work on. Everything important is RIGHT THERE! And with the Rockster, you don't spend 30 minutes unfastening "tupperware" to get to the stuff you're gonna work on. I've done my own 6K and 12K services since the very first one. (The dealer did the 600 mile).

Being in CA, you've got access to a vast collection of fellow BMW owners who are happy to help a new owner into the fold. Do check out BMWSporttouring.net the CA crew does regular "Tech Days" where you do your own work, with the kind assistance and mentoring of long time fellow BMW folks. Perhaps someone near you will be able to help.

P

[fnfalman]

Regardless of doing it yourself or take it to the dealership, for a bike that old that had been sitting around unused for that long? I'd inspect a lot more than just changing the fluids. Rubber seals and gaskets may be dry rotted by now. Tires are probably cold and set and stiff as a board. How about the driveline fluid in the drive shaft? Grease at the spline lube?