BMW R1200RS - Final Drive Oil Change

[@Paughco]

Next time you're in the garage, get out a 6 mm hex and a T-40 Torx and see which one fits the final drive fill plug better. I think it'll be the 6 mm hex. Right after I got my R1250RS a friend gave me a master list of torque values and fastener sizes for the BMW 1200/1250 R-bikes, and it says 6 mm hex for that little filler plug. No matter - I have all of your RS maintenance videos saved. Thank you for the clear and concise narration, good camera angles, etc.

[@santanumaitra3962]

Thanks for the video - simple, easy, and clean job! I am getting close to getting a older R1200R and trying familiarize myself with the basic maintenance procedures. I realize that the video is ~ old, but was helpful for me anyway. Much appreciated.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Not sure what year your "older" R1200R is but if it is the 2015 and onwards model then many of the basic maintenance videos for the RS would apply or at least be helpful.

[@santanumaitra3962]

@@GrumpyGoat Supposedly 2017 - so water-cooled engine. If it doesn't work out, I will be getting either an R or RS with water-cooled engine. So, yes, the videos will be useful for sure.

[@2007sox2007]

The best ‘how-to-guide’ on KZbin, excellent job.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Thanks a bunch. 🙂

[@turbo3492]

220ml of oil is for the initial break in period only. 180ml of oil is used at first service and all other services.Exceeding this amount runs the risk of causing oils seals to blow.Motul V300 75-90.by far the best oil to use.

[@stephencarrahar286]

Nice to see you removing the filler plug before the drain plug. Thats the correct way. Nice video good quality.

[@mly1725]

Stephen Carrahar Can i ask why the filler plug first?

[@GrumpyGoat]

By opening the filler plug you allow atmospheric pressure to assist in pushing the old oil, and debris if any, out the drain hole as soon as same is removed.

[@graantmnz]

@@mly1725 simple physics ...allows air in to assist flow of oil out

[@dennismorris6849]

Found a bottle in a beauty supply that has a curved tip. Works great! Nice job G.Goat!

[@GrumpyGoat]

Dennis Morris Thanks. That bottle should work a treat.

[@HJC1950]

I have a similar squeeze bottle for adding the oil, but I put some clear plastic tubing over the nozzle in order to get all 180 ml of oil into the final drive.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Great idea.

[@roger4375]

Thanks, I changed mine before watching this video. The last time I had it changed was at a BMW dealer in Clarkston Washington and they overfilled it. They installed 220 ml instead of 180 ml. Just goes to show, you’re better off doing it yourself. One note…. When you use a torque wrench, do not continue to click the wrench, it adds more torque everytime you click it. It is “one and done”………

[@GrumpyGoat]

Depending on the fastener I stop at the first click. Others I want just a tad more hence the second click. After a while you settle on which fasteners you like to snug a tad more. 🙂

[@TucsonDude]

Awesome job! The only critique I'd give is to replace the copper fill gasket as it slightly "work hardens" a bit when compressed...making it a bit harder to seal.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Thanks. Good comment and I agree. However in a pinch it can be reused and since it is at the top and there is no pressure inside, it is not that critical to have a replacement every time. I have had no issues so far. 🙂

[@johnbivens3715]

Thank you for this. Do you have a video on how to turn off the service light thank you

[@GrumpyGoat]

Check this video out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faC0lah3iJ6gaNksi=JXJUW5p3yQtiIwpu

[@ottomondo1368]

Great work! Thanks for the effort.

[@kevinvoeks7422]

Thanks man! I used Mobil 75w90 worked great

[@a.c.e.7568]

That must have been the first oil change of the final drive because the oil that came out was "black" as was mine in my 2016 R1200 GSA LC. I cannot say with 100% certainty (too many on the internet do so without knowing the facts), but I would bet BMW used a MoS2 additive at the initial fill much like the Dow Corning M Gear Oil Additive I add to my R100 GS final drive and transmission at 5% to a mineral oil (I believe DC stated it to be used with mineral oils only unless that has changed). Mineral does not turn black even when run tens of thousands of miles or kilometers.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Correct. It was the first oil change.

[@worldadventurerider]

Thanks for this, I need to do mine as my O-Ring on the bottom is half way off.

[@d1daveoh]

I forgot to add my drain is a torx while the filler is an allen head

[@300cmarty]

Thank you, fantastic video!

[@mylord9340]

Great video. Thanks.

[@mylord9340]

I have the 2016 BMW K1300S . Changing the rear drive gear oil is not as easy as for the R1200RS. It appears that I have to remove the rear tire to access the drain and filler plugs. I'm, searching for a video for the K1300S. However without a center stand I won't be able to do it myself. Oh well, to the dealer I go. Thanks again. Your video was really well done.

[@igordementiev9207]

Very helpful info...Thank you sir!

[@georgechacko4276]

Thanks very much for a very useful video. I see that you have three threaded holes without screws in them in the final drive. My R1250RS has the same. What is the purpose of these threaded holes and should they have a screw in them to prevent dirt getting in at minimum?

[@GrumpyGoat]

George thanks. This swingarm is shared with the GS which has a so-called "possum scraper" rear fender fitted, and it is attached to the swingarm. I have not put any screw in them to stop dirt but its a good idea ... screws are cheap. 😁

[@georgechacko4276]

@@GrumpyGoat I used M6 10mm screws.

[@GrumpyGoat]

@@georgechacko4276 Good to know the size. Thanks.

[@robortkristensen3818]

The oil coming out of this rear wheel drive was exactly like mine at 4000 km. ( late first service ) I filled about 400 ml oil and ran the bike for a few minuttes, and drained this just to wash the internals, before filling the correct 180 ml into the drive. I will now change the rear wheel drive oil together with motor oil untill oil coming out looks clean.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Robort Kristensen I like the idea about washing it in this way. Might be a good idea to just get some cheap gear oil of similar weight to do the washing before refilling with 180 ml of the good stuff.

[@robortkristensen3818]

@@GrumpyGoat Did my final drive again for 3rd time yesterday at 20 000 km, and oil coming out now and last time was perfectly clean. Smart to line up teath inside filler hole aiding filling.

[@GrumpyGoat]

@@robortkristensen3818 Yes. I recently did mine again at 36000 miles and mine was pretty clean too. Not much gunk in the plug either.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@a.c.e.7568]

By the way, were did you come up with the 180 ml quantity for the final drive oil? Yes I know, everybody seems to be using it, but you know the internet. I have not seen it published anywhere in a BMW manual.

[@GrumpyGoat]

I believe I got it from either the shop manual or the Haynes manual I have.

[@aleksandarpetrovic2311]

Hi Grumpy Goat Besides oil change for FD did you do any other maintenance for shaft drive, like lubing the spline, etc. If I may ask how many miles/ km have you done on rs . Regards

[@GrumpyGoat]

I am planning to lube the spline(s) on the shaft drive pretty soon. Have not done this yet, but will be doing it with every final drive oil change. My RS has 48k miles.

[@aleksandarpetrovic2311]

@@GrumpyGoat Thank you sir

[@kevinvoeks7422]

Good job. Saved me $55.00 hour

[@GrumpyGoat]

Glad to hear that. 👍

[@kawasxr]

good job

[@SteveAldous]

Great video I'm going to do mine. Could you recommend a decent socket set to fit the bolts on the GS?

[@GrumpyGoat]

Thanks! I use KOBALT Torx bits and sockets for my bikes. Great quality and decent price. KOBALT is sold by Lowe's. These bikes require metric tools.

[@25170987]

OK thanks much sir will ask how much with me doing the oil myself

[@peterpan2277]

Have you done a video on fork oil change please?

[@GrumpyGoat]

I have only had the fork oil done once and that was at the dealer. Next time I have it done I’ll do a video.

[@peterpan2277]

@@GrumpyGoat Thankyou for your reply, and thankyou for your excellent tutorials. Very kind of you. Best wishes

[@user-dg4bb5td7q]

good

[@25170987]

Hi there grumpy goat do you think it's worth spending £280 for a 6000 miles service from bmw when I think the guy said only oil and filter will be changed which I can happily do myself, and I'll watch your video on how to change the shaft oil . Do you do your own service or you take it back to bmw

[@GrumpyGoat]

I would ask him how much it would cost if you did the oil change yourself. That is what I usually do and it saves a good bit of money. They are then left to do the checks, adjustments, and computer check-up including software updates if applicable. The 6000 mile service is a bit more than an oil change so it would be worth it to ask.

[@thewoodster8607]

It's not just oil and filter. You've got brake fluid all round and software updates.

[@kilometerfresser2220]

Nice clip ! There,s viewer oil draining out off the shaft drive, than the 180cc you filled in after service, am i right 🤔 ?

[@GrumpyGoat]

Niko Laus Thanks for the comment. I did not compare what came out to what I put in. I just put in what the stated capacity was.

[@davidsalisbury1208]

Hi. Good Video Quick question is the drain plug a size 45 torx?? Many Thanks...Dave.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Dave - Yes, the drain plug uses a 45mm Torx bit and the fill plug conveniently uses something different - 40 mm Torx. Why they could not make the size common for both is beyond me. Sizes are stated 38 seconds into the video. 😉

[@a.c.e.7568]

@@GrumpyGoat Yet on my 2016 R1200 GSA LC, the filler plug is a 6 mm hex. I bought the motorcycle new so that is how it came from the factory.

[@meltonian11]

180 ml than 220ml ? is it better oil quantity in the final drive of the 1200 ?

[@GrumpyGoat]

meltonian11 I believe the manual said 180 ml and since there is no level sight glass or dipstick I just put that much in after draining the old oil out. No problems so far after more than 6000+ miles on the replaced shaft oil.

[@meltonian11]

οκ-My Hayne's Manual says 220 ml- for the amount of Oil at the final drive . But if I put this 220ml some tiny oil is coming out from the gasket- so I try your quantity 180 ml. sure- thank you much -

[@2007sox2007]

Anthis. I drained 220ml from my 2017 R1200 GSA which had been BMW main dealer serviced.

[@aerialogy6144]

First of all i want to thank you for screwing up the job and leaving my bike oiless and stranded. you had me strip the filler plug following the tools i meed t45 and t40.. t45 worked great and drained the oil, now going to the plug with t40 and striping it out, thought it is over torque so i put more pressure, then turned up to be a 6mm hex screw for the filler plug! Do u have any idea how can i fill it now other than flipping the bike upside down and fill it from the drain plug!

[@GrumpyGoat]

🤣🤣 Funny guy. Just make sure when you flip the bike, that the gas cap is closed. 😄

[@aerialogy6144]

@@GrumpyGoat thanks for the reminder, i decided to tow the bike to the workshop to have the plug pulled out and replace a new plug, impact drive didn't help, i really dont know what other methods they goma perform, finger crossed no damage to the threads inside! My first ever maintenance on a bike and failed with $$$ cost. GUYS LIKE ME, leave it to the dealer 😅

[@GrumpyGoat]

😆

[@wol9ver6ine]

@@aerialogy6144 Rookie mistake, never remove the drain plug first, always the fill plug, lesson learned I guess!

[@CaoVietCuong]

What's your gloves ?

[@d1daveoh]

I can't believe how black your oil was.

[@GrumpyGoat]

Yes that first oil is special oil fill from the factory. Subsequent drains yielded oil pretty much the same colour as I poured in.