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BMW's Response to asking about R18 repair manual release.

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snider1970

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Mar 26, 2024
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Sun City AZ
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R18 First edition
So here is my initial email, their response, and my response:

"Being part of the R18 owners community I am asking when the shop/repair manual or manuals will be released? This is a major frustration amoung owners. The inability to have this information available has been noted as a reason not to purchase one of these bikes compared to others brands.
I love mine and plan to own it for a long time given I can service it properly in my garage. I know many other owners in the forums feel the same.

Please advise."

Their response:

"Thanks for contacting BMW Motorrad USA regarding the BMW R18 service manual. We recognize the significance of such resources for our owners who prefer personal maintenance.
Unfortunately, BMW Motorrad has ceased the distribution of repair manuals. This policy ensures that maintenance is performed by specialized technicians at our authorized dealers, safeguarding your motorcycle's performance and safety.

While we understand this may be disappointing, we encourage you to utilize our professional services for the care of your R18. You can locate your nearest dealer through the "Find a Dealer" feature on our website: www.bmwmotorcycles.com.

Your feedback is important to us, and we hope for your understanding,"

My response:

"I am really sorry to hear this is BMW's business plan. Looks like selling the motorcycle may be in my not so distant future. I got a qoute for changing the battery and flushing my brakes at $800.00. That was on top of a $550.00 annual service. That is not acceptable for such a simple job. As a bike ages maintenance is usually not done at dealerships so an owner will be out of luck.

I am really disappointed in this decision as it greatly influences my choice in being a future BMW motorrad customer. Hopefully BMW will reconsider this negative choice.

Respectfully"

So gentleman, if you are as disappointed as I am I would suggest making your voices heard.
 
So here is my initial email, their response, and my response:

"Being part of the R18 owners community I am asking when the shop/repair manual or manuals will be released? This is a major frustration amoung owners. The inability to have this information available has been noted as a reason not to purchase one of these bikes compared to others brands.
I love mine and plan to own it for a long time given I can service it properly in my garage. I know many other owners in the forums feel the same.

Please advise."

Their response:

"Thanks for contacting BMW Motorrad USA regarding the BMW R18 service manual. We recognize the significance of such resources for our owners who prefer personal maintenance.
Unfortunately, BMW Motorrad has ceased the distribution of repair manuals. This policy ensures that maintenance is performed by specialized technicians at our authorized dealers, safeguarding your motorcycle's performance and safety.

While we understand this may be disappointing, we encourage you to utilize our professional services for the care of your R18. You can locate your nearest dealer through the "Find a Dealer" feature on our website: www.bmwmotorcycles.com.

Your feedback is important to us, and we hope for your understanding,"

My response:

"I am really sorry to hear this is BMW's business plan. Looks like selling the motorcycle may be in my not so distant future. I got a qoute for changing the battery and flushing my brakes at $800.00. That was on top of a $550.00 annual service. That is not acceptable for such a simple job. As a bike ages maintenance is usually not done at dealerships so an owner will be out of luck.

I am really disappointed in this decision as it greatly influences my choice in being a future BMW motorrad customer. Hopefully BMW will reconsider this negative choice.

Respectfully"

So gentleman, if you are as disappointed as I am I would suggest making your voices heard.
Nicely stated and well-framed argument. As a long-time, multiple-BMW owner over the years, I've learned to do my own maintenance and service work to save myself money on ownership. I recently upgraded the suspension on my 2023 R18 Basic, learning as I went. Dealership labor charge estimates were astronomical in my opinion - I saved myself $900 labor charge for front fork springs replacement. I do the work on my 2021 R9T, too, with the help of the last of the BMW Haynes manuals and lots of YouTube how-to videos. I wonder if this sales model with lack of service manuals is going to succeed here in the US as prices, parts, labor charges, tariffs, insurance, etc. continue to rise. I understand that not everyone has the time, tools, garage space, or interest, etc. to DIY. I'm sure there will always be those that can afford to pay for service/maintenance, but not me. :(
 
Nicely stated and well-framed argument. As a long-time, multiple-BMW owner over the years, I've learned to do my own maintenance and service work to save myself money on ownership. I recently upgraded the suspension on my 2023 R18 Basic, learning as I went. Dealership labor charge estimates were astronomical in my opinion - I saved myself $900 labor charge for front fork springs replacement. I do the work on my 2021 R9T, too, with the help of the last of the BMW Haynes manuals and lots of YouTube how-to videos. I wonder if this sales model with lack of service manuals is going to succeed here in the US as prices, parts, labor charges, tariffs, insurance, etc. continue to rise. I understand that not everyone has the time, tools, garage space, or interest, etc. to DIY. I'm sure there will always be those that can afford to pay for service/maintenance, but not me. :(
I agree. I have built a few bikes and want to have the torque specs and procedures on hand. I love my bike but part of the hobby is being able to tinker on it in my garage. I didn't want a Harley or Indian because the didn't make a naked bike as big as the R18, but if I can't do any wrenching the bike is worthless to me.
I'm sure however, if word of this gets out and enough people push the issue a repair manual will surface eventually.
 
Mind you, that the presence of a service manual doesn't take work away from dealerships, as those bike owners don't WANT to do their own work. Vehicles have been sold with service manuals for as long as I can remember, and dealership service centers still exist. Rather, I'm curious if BMW is trying to strangle INDEPENDENT shops by closing off their service manuals/access to the motorrad version of "ISTA", and we, the consumers are collateral damage.

I've done a spot check of several independent beemer shops at https://ibmwr.org/original/dealers-independent.shtml and haven't found a single one that mentions they work on modern bikes. Rather, a lot specialize air/oilheads and restoration/maintenance services for older beemers.

Also, I don't expect any positive momentum on "right to repair" consumer advocacy for at least the next four years.

Mike
 
I expect where you live Snider1970 (is AZ code for Arizona?) you enjoy a more free and independent life to over here. We can’t even say what we think nowadays and have to be very careful what we write too. Certain words are verboten. Think California turbocharged.

Regarding your laudable quest for the service manual I think you are on a hiding to nothing though because of EU regulations and their mindset. BMW being based in Germany have to play by their rules if they want to continue to sell cars & bikes. Over here in the UK the authorities/Government/insert your own expletive don’t want us to have private transport, they are trying to force everyone off the roads altogether by making it so unpleasant driving anywhere (with speed cameras, ever lower speed limits, deliberately poorly maintained roads, engineered in congestion, expensive insurance, expensive petrol & diesel, road tax being ramped up this April 2025 blah blah blah). As the WEF say. Have nothing be happy.

If you must have your own transport then very soon it will be EV only and it’s been an open secret for years they don’t want people working on their own vehicles anyway. Motorcycle dealers are closing all the time here, it’s really bad. EV’s are expensive to buy and many can’t afford one, don’t want one, can’t see it being viable because of their circumstances. So very soon, only the wealthy will be able to move about, poor people (plebs) can walk or use public transport or just stay at home and eat cold turnips. Orwells 1984.

The vultures are already circling around the banning of new petrol & diesel vehicles in only a few years and the date flip-flops around 2030-2035. That’s close. So they make it increasingly difficult, and ban workshop manuals, just one more inconvenience amongst a long list of others, keep everything dealer only. As you say ‘it sucks’. Makes the forum even more valuable so that we can share experiences and help one another along. Motorcycling as we know it (here anyway) is in its death throes, that’s the bottom line.

I’ve only ever seen Arizona on tv, it always looks sunny, hot, dry. And massive. It’s a world away from where I live in every way. Lucky you 👊
 
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Motorcycles & Riding is 100% of a hobby for me; a huge part of my hobby, is performing the maintenance and upkeep of my machine.
I hardly ever ride my bike to work, but if I do; it's probably because I didn't get enough riding in over the weekend.

I own a TESLA, that is basically my commuter car, I love it - it's fast - tons of tech - simple and NEVER has issues... HOWEVER, the idea of an EV Motorcycle isn't even in my vocabulary...
 
Motorcycles & Riding is 100% of a hobby for me; a huge part of my hobby, is performing the maintenance and upkeep of my machine.
I hardly ever ride my bike to work, but if I do; it's probably because I didn't get enough riding in over the weekend.

I own a TESLA, that is basically my commuter car, I love it - it's fast - tons of tech - simple and NEVER has issues... HOWEVER, the idea of an EV Motorcycle isn't even in my vocabulary...
Over here our choice is being taken away from us. I presume you chose your Tesla because you wanted one, could afford one and you could adapt to how it needs charging (rather than filling up in the traditional sense). I wouldn’t describe it a simple though, not in a million years 😉
 
When BMW says they want to keep their bike owners safe by restricting repair manuals, that is a bunch of malarky. The mayor of Los Angeles wants to keep people safe by not letting them go back to their burned homes.
But the looters are able to go there.
 
Mind you, that the presence of a service manual doesn't take work away from dealerships, as those bike owners don't WANT to do their own work. Vehicles have been sold with service manuals for as long as I can remember, and dealership service centers still exist. Rather, I'm curious if BMW is trying to strangle INDEPENDENT shops by closing off their service manuals/access to the motorrad version of "ISTA", and we, the consumers are collateral damage.

I've done a spot check of several independent beemer shops at https://ibmwr.org/original/dealers-independent.shtml and haven't found a single one that mentions they work on modern bikes. Rather, a lot specialize air/oilheads and restoration/maintenance services for older beemers.

Also, I don't expect any positive momentum on "right to repair" consumer advocacy for at least the next four years.

Mike
I think you may be on to something there ...
 
I do now. I found it, thanks!
Where is located?
I expect where you live Snider1970 (is AZ code for Arizona?) you enjoy a more free and independent life to over here. We can’t even say what we think nowadays and have to be very careful what we write too. Certain words are verboten. Think California turbocharged.

Regarding your laudable quest for the service manual I think you are on a hiding to nothing though because of EU regulations and their mindset. BMW being based in Germany have to play by their rules if they want to continue to sell cars & bikes. Over here in the UK the authorities/Government/insert your own expletive don’t want us to have private transport, they are trying to force everyone off the roads altogether by making it so unpleasant driving anywhere (with speed cameras, ever lower speed limits, deliberately poorly maintained roads, engineered in congestion, expensive insurance, expensive petrol & diesel, road tax being ramped up this April 2025 blah blah blah). As the WEF say. Have nothing be happy.

If you must have your own transport then very soon it will be EV only and it’s been an open secret for years they don’t want people working on their own vehicles anyway. Motorcycle dealers are closing all the time here, it’s really bad. EV’s are expensive to buy and many can’t afford one, don’t want one, can’t see it being viable because of their circumstances. So very soon, only the wealthy will be able to move about, poor people (plebs) can walk or use public transport or just stay at home and eat cold turnips. Orwells 1984.

The vultures are already circling around the banning of new petrol & diesel vehicles in only a few years and the date flip-flops around 2030-2035. That’s close. So they make it increasingly difficult, and ban workshop manuals, just one more inconvenience amongst a long list of others, keep everything dealer only. As you say ‘it sucks’. Makes the forum even more valuable so that we can share experiences and help one another along. Motorcycling as we know it (here anyway) is in its death throes, that’s the bottom line.

I’ve only ever seen Arizona on tv, it always looks sunny, hot, dry. And massive. It’s a world away from where I live in every way. Lucky you 👊
Over 75% is mountains and forested! More sq miles ( kilometers) than the whole state of Pennsylvania.
 
BMW may as well responded with “It’s our intention to force you to visit the BMW dealership service department where you will be gouged with $200 an hour labor rates”

Remember this is BMW, the same company that wants you to pay a subscription fee to use the heated seats that you paid for when you bought your car.

My R18 is my first ever BMW and most certainly my last.
 
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BMW may as well responded with “It’s our intention to force you to visit the BMW dealership service department where you be gouged with $200 an hour labor rates”

Remember this is BMW, the same company that wants you to pay a subscription fee to use the heated seats that you paid for when you bought your car.

My R18 is my first ever BMW and most certainly my last.
And you have a REALLY great looking R18...
 
BMW may as well responded with “It’s our intention to force you to visit the BMW dealership service department where you be gouged with $200 an hour labor rates”

Remember this is BMW, the same company that wants you to pay a subscription fee to use the heated seats that you paid for when you bought your car.

My R18 is my first ever BMW and most certainly my last.
Yeah ... I feel the same way, I for one will never buy a new BMW from a dealer again ... I really like this bike, but I feel like it was released a bit 'half baked' and I also hate being forced to continue soliciting their services for an item that I bought and payed for! I like doing my own wrenching and customizing ... and I won't let corporate take that from me ... oh and what Star-Lord said ;)
 
Easy serviceability is one of the main reasons I own a Nine T and a R18. We owe a huge gratitude to whatever service technician that leaked the full R18 Transcontinental service manual. Luckily the models share so many of the same parts the service manual can be used for all of them. It seems so crazy to me that BMW designed a bike that is easily serviceable at home, but then simultaneously decided not to offer service manuals anymore. Hopefully Haynes or Clymer eventually fill the gap here.
 
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