06-28-2020, 05:10 PM
I have a 2016 RS, and have both the #6281 Haynes manual and the BMW shop manual (DVD) for the R1200RS. Many of the procedures in the BMW manual require BMW special tools which often cost big money, whereas the Haynes procedures usually require only regular tools that can be obtained locally. You may still need to buy new tools, but they won't cost near what the BMW special tools cost.
I have come across at least one procedure in the Haynes manual that I think is inadvisable. After draining the coolant, the Haynes manual says to simply fill the radiator back up, shake the bike from side to side, top it up, run the bike until warmed up. Allow it to cool, and the check and top up as needed. On the ADVRider forum a guy complained he drained 1.5 Litres out of his cooling system and could only get 1 Litre back in using the Haynes approach. The problem is, because of the shape of the cooling system as a whole, the Haynes approach is going to leave bubbles of air in the system which are impossible to expel, and will lead to hot spots in the engine. The BMW manual says to use a vacuum-fill approach. The BMW tools cost a small fortune, but alternatives, such as the UView Airlift, can be had for US$150 or less.
I would advise if buying the Haynes manual, do so from the Haynes website. If you buy cheap from eBay, you may get a poor-quality pirated photocopy.
I have come across at least one procedure in the Haynes manual that I think is inadvisable. After draining the coolant, the Haynes manual says to simply fill the radiator back up, shake the bike from side to side, top it up, run the bike until warmed up. Allow it to cool, and the check and top up as needed. On the ADVRider forum a guy complained he drained 1.5 Litres out of his cooling system and could only get 1 Litre back in using the Haynes approach. The problem is, because of the shape of the cooling system as a whole, the Haynes approach is going to leave bubbles of air in the system which are impossible to expel, and will lead to hot spots in the engine. The BMW manual says to use a vacuum-fill approach. The BMW tools cost a small fortune, but alternatives, such as the UView Airlift, can be had for US$150 or less.
I would advise if buying the Haynes manual, do so from the Haynes website. If you buy cheap from eBay, you may get a poor-quality pirated photocopy.