Looking for options for purchasing a service manual for a 2018 RS. I have a RepRom for my RT and though there would be one for this bike also but no luck. I did find a Haynes for the 2014-16 model years which should work for most of the bike. Are there any other sources that might work? Thanks, Warren

The RS DVD is available from a dealer.
   

   

Part number on the back.

Welcome to the site.

I have a Haynes #6281 and it is better than nothing. It's largest fault is that it covers the entire range of wetheads so it is lacking in model specifics in my opinion. Plus matching the text with the included pictures is frustrating.

Frank

(06-28-2020, 08:20 AM)Duckbubbles Wrote: Plus matching the text with the included pictures is frustrating.

Frank

I agree.

(06-28-2020, 08:18 AM)Lee Wrote: The RS DVD is available from a dealer.




Part number on the back.

Welcome to the site.

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing it's similar in format to the RepRom i use for my RT. Works for me. Warren

(06-28-2020, 08:47 AM)wolds Wrote: 4

. I'm guessing it's similar in format to the Rep-Rom i use for my RT. Works for me. Warren

Not sure. My 2003 K1200RS was a PDF file.
This DVD can be updated once you load it on your computer.

Any particular place have a deal on the DVD, or is the price consistent?


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(06-28-2020, 01:02 PM)Duccrazydave Wrote: Any particular place have a deal on the DVD, or is the price consistent?


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Most of the time it's List Price but sometimes you see dealers offering a 10% or 15% discount on parts.

I usually buy mine when we buy bikes to get a discount.

(06-28-2020, 08:20 AM)Duckbubbles Wrote: I have a Haynes #6281 and it is better than nothing. It's largest fault is that it covers the entire range of wetheads so it is lacking in model specifics in my opinion. Plus matching the text with the included pictures is frustrating.

Frank

Agreed on both points, but once you figure out the photo matching system it is not as bad.

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.

(06-28-2020, 05:10 PM)mspratz Wrote: 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.

Sounds like a great tip. Thanks Michael. Here is a link to the UView Airlift on Amazon.

(06-28-2020, 08:39 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:

(06-28-2020, 05:10 PM)mspratz Wrote: 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.

Sounds like a great tip. Thanks Michael. Here is a link to the UView Airlift on Amazon.

I have a coolant vac system that uses an air compressor to pull a vacuum on the system and then introducing the new coolant in it eliminates any air pockets. Used it on my C4S and worked great, would think it would work well for this application also.

(06-29-2020, 04:48 AM)wolds Wrote: I have a coolant vac system that uses an air compressor to pull a vacuum on the system and then introducing the new coolant in it eliminates any air pockets. Used it on my C4S and worked great, would think it would work well for this application also.

The AirLift also uses an air compressor to pull a vacuum. What you have sounds equivalent.

(06-28-2020, 05:10 PM)mspratz Wrote: 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.

The same is true for the DVD.

I'll be purchasing the BMW dvd. $111.00, not the end of the world. Warren

I tried to buy the DVD manual for my 2020 1250RS and have been told by several BMW dealers that BMW have discontinued all the DVD repair manuals.

(09-05-2021, 06:26 PM)Motorhead1977 Wrote: I tried to buy the DVD manual for my 2020 1250RS and have been told by several BMW dealers that BMW have discontinued all the DVD repair manuals.

Hmmmm ... didn't know that. Maybe they figured that with all the people doing their own work they are seeing a drop in revenue at the dealerships.

That said, you have to check the fiche ... Max BMW appears to have it:

01 59 9 467 581 DVD, REPROM, R MODELS, K53/K54/11 - $111.17

Also, A&S Cycles has it as well for 2 cents more.

Many times when you ask in a dealership the answers you get are not necessarily reliable ... just like on some Internet forums.

Thanks for the heads up. I spoke with A&S BMW today and they confirmed that the BMW parts system shows "Cannot be ordered" when the part number is entered. :-( MAX BMW indicated the same when I spoke with them as did Sierra BMW.

(09-07-2021, 01:10 PM)Motorhead1977 Wrote: Thanks for the heads up. I spoke with A&S BMW today and they confirmed that the BMW parts system shows "Cannot be ordered" when the part number is entered. :-( MAX BMW indicated the same when I spoke with them as did Sierra BMW.

Thanks for updating the thread. It is indeed a shame. The only recourse now is the Haynes Manuals.

There's been a surge of interest in right-to-repair legislation recently, both at a state and federal level in the US. Although focusing primarily on consumer electronics it really should apply to everything, including bikes. Regulation-heavy states like California have requirements for manufacturers to supply service parts but unfortunately not the manuals.

It's all about protecting their dealers' profit centers, which I can understand given how many shops have closed. No easy answers that I can see. One of my best friends was looking at sport-touring bikes recently and would have gotten a BMW but chose a Tracer 900 GT instead for the sole reason of dealer shop availability. He's comfortable doing most of his own wrenching but didn't want to be left out to hang should something major come up.

I just spent nearly a half hour trying to find a dealership near me that had R1200RS or R1250RSes in inventory. None in Wisconsin do. Closest is a single bike at a dealership in another state over an hour and a half away. Even there, the pictures of it are out of focus, missing descriptions, etc. Are they even trying to sell these? You'd think BMW would see this as a problem and offer an online bike locator for potential customers looking for test rides. Total chicken-and-egg situation; BMW has the resources to address this but for whatever reason doesn't.