Great, we have an R18...most expensive bike to get serviced? Service plan option

[motoring]

Local dealer has a service plan for 36 months though too think maybe they offer the bmw plan.
Is a bmw 36 month service plan worth the cost and is there a best place to purchase it?
Like to support a in State dealer though last time I purchased a bike later found out I could have gotten it out of State for like $3k less.

Have not yet taken it in for my initial 6 month service.

Slight chance I could do the engine oil change after seeing a view youtube videos. Less certain about any other 600 mile service items to be performed. Do not have a lift for the bike am thinking lol
thanks in advance for any insights

 

[PistolPeteSTL]

The R18 isn't any harder to service than any other cruiser, oil drain plug and filter is easier to get to than a Harley, as an example. Also- no belt or chain to adjust, no extra primary to change fluid in. The only thing that takes a special tool would be bleeding the brakes to get the fluid out of the ABS pump. Overall I've found the R18 an easier bike to do maintenance on that average.

What does suck with the R18 is the bright orange alarm light on the dash constantly once you hit 1 year since the last time a dealer reset it. That is crazy annoying because it's the same light that would light up if there was a major fault. Really bad design. Other brands and older BMW's do the service notification much better.

 

[Ulrich]

The R18 isn't any harder to service than any other cruiser, oil drain plug and filter is easier to get to than a Harley, as an example. Also- no belt or chain to adjust, no extra primary to change fluid in. The only thing that takes a special tool would be bleeding the brakes to get the fluid out of the ABS pump. Overall I've found the R18 an easier bike to do maintenance on that average.

What does suck with the R18 is the bright orange alarm light on the dash constantly once you hit 1 year since the last time a dealer reset it. That is crazy annoying because it's the same light that would light up if there was a major fault. Really bad design. Other brands and older BMW's do the service notification much better.

Buy a GS-911 interface and that 'Bright Orange Light' will be no issue anymore other than that I agree with you, this bike is not difficult to service and there is more and more documentation about fill levels and torque specs available ... no need for breaking the bank with dealerships ... IMO ... and yes I do all my services myself

 

[PistolPeteSTL]

Buy a GS-911 interface and that 'Bright Orange Light' will be no issue anymore other than that I agree with you, this bike is not difficult to service and there is more and more documentation about fill levels and torque specs available ... no need for breaking the bank with dealerships ... IMO ... and yes I do all my services myself

Right, it's the easiest bike to work on that requires a $600 gadget, which unfortunately doesn't interface with the gadget to do the same stuff for my other 10 year old bmw, to clear basic codes.

But really, outside of that, it's a well engineered and easy bike to work on.

 

[Star-Lord]

The R18 maintenance is amazing.... Oil, Oil Filter, Rear Bevel Gear oil and Air-Filter preventative maintenance, is one of the best ways to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning...

The GS-911 OBD-II tool pays for itself and just adds to the fun...

 

[motoring]

Will post a new question on service plans.
Meantime, can all of these oils be used without voiding the r18 warranty? Honestly, guessing bmw will say if you don’t use ‘our’ oil the warranty is toast
And NO, not trying to make this an ‘oil’ thread of one better than the other. A dealer simply is having a buy one get 2nd for 50% off sale.
And thanks for the tips on servicing.

Don’t know if their sale is limited to just oils below…will give them a call today to find out.

 

[Star-Lord]

As long as the oil meets the documented specifications, BMW can't void your warranty; it's always a good idea to keep up on the scheduled maintenance and document it in the event of an issue.

 

[BER18 100]

I have always done my own wrenching and find the R18 and the R1200C to be the easiest bikes to work on of the many I have owned. It is probably time to get that GS911. Never needed it for the R1200C..