Fork Oil: 35023/56364 (miles/kilos) <- Time to replace? ;-)

R1200RS + R1250RS Forum � 1200 RS technology � Tyres, Brakes and Suspension � Fork Oil: 35023/56364 (miles/kilos) <- Time to replace? ;-)

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#1 | Fork Oil: 35023/56364 (miles/kilos) <- Time to replace? ;-) datum

Sat Oct 19, 2019 7:47 pm

I'm one of those riders who, well, worries about breaking his not-yet-paid-in-full bike.

So, when I read that "even at 24k, the fork oil was clean/clear" I was only more relieved to just ... ride it.

Now I'm at 35000 miles, or 56000+ kilometers. For the sake of discussion, help me by stickin' with miles ;-)

Anyhow, I'm going to HAVE to replace the fork oil eventually - but - either my senses are numb 'n' dumb (love riding and just can't tell if there's an issue) or the fork oil is STILL clean and clear.

Anyone here ever take it further than where I'm at only to discover that the fork oil was still 100% just fine and dandy?

MORE IMPORTANT: IF I'M GOING TO REPLACE THE FORK OIL (when it gets cold), SHOULD I GO AHEAD AND REPLACE THE SEALS? <- figuring "yes", but could use a committee opinion no matter.

Present: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2016 Triumph Street Triple R, 1988 Honda NT650 Hawk GT, 2008 Genuine Buddy 125
Past: 2003 Suzuki GSF1200S Bandit, 1997 Honda CB250 Nighthawk, 1982 Yamaha XS400RJ Seca, 1967 Honda C100 Super Cub, 1976 Honda CB500T
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#2 | RE: Fork Oil: 35023/56364 (miles/kilos) <- Time to replace? ;-) datum

Sat Oct 19, 2019 8:05 pm

I let my dealer change the suspension fluid of my RS at 18K miles, but they didn't show me the dirty oil. So I can't answer your question.

Although, I did change the oil years ago in the cartridge male-slider forks of my 2002 Yamaha FZ1 also at 18K miles and it was really dirty and stinky. However, the oil specified for that bike was 0W, which I thought was really odd and may have contributed to its short life.

Personally, considering how much I have invested in my RS, I am sticking to BMW's maintenance recommendations.

Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2005 Triumph Bonneville T-100; 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2016 BMW R1200RS; 2018 Zero S 16.6 kWh

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#3 | RE: Fork Oil: 35023/56364 (miles/kilos) <- Time to replace? ;-) datum

Sat Oct 19, 2019 8:14 pm

Hmmm..........and you have all winter to obsess about this? Could get ugly.

Old Forum Orphan

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#4 | RE: Fork Oil: 35023/56364 (miles/kilos) <- Time to replace? ;-) datum

Sun Oct 20, 2019 12:11 am

Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #2
I let my dealer change the suspension fluid of my RS at 18K miles, but they didn't show me the dirty oil. So I can't answer your question.

Although, I did change the oil years ago in the cartridge male-slider forks of my 2002 Yamaha FZ1 also at 18K miles and it was really dirty and stinky. However, the oil specified for that bike was 0W, which I thought was really odd and may have contributed to its short life.

Personally, considering how much I have invested in my RS, I am sticking to BMW's maintenance recommendations.

I had mine changed at 36k along with the seals. Do not regret it. I agree with Richard on this. These forks are part of the active suspension system and are more complex than the simple spring and dashpot arrangement of a more passive system, so the "old logic" does not necessarily apply.

Regards,
Grumpy Goat
RSWasserboxer.com

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#5 | RE: Fork Oil: 35023/56364 (miles/kilos) <- Time to replace? ;-) datum

Mon Oct 21, 2019 5:03 pm

Thanks, all.

I bought some fork oil that's in-spec a while back plus copied/pasted a replacement tutorial. I intend to get to it and suppose that if I fail, I can walk the parts into a dealership.

Where might I look to buy the seals? <- sort of a rhetorical question. I'll bet Bob's got 'em.

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Ref 18k mile fork service. � � How to tell if ABS Pro / cornering ABS fitted?