Tyres, Brakes and Suspension » Fork Oil…how often?

I know the manual says at 18K (miles), but how long can one safely go under normal conditions before it really must be done? This looks like it would be easiest to let BMW do the job.

Zitat von zer0netgain im Beitrag #1

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I know the manual says at 18K (miles), but how long can one safely go under normal conditions before it really must be done? This looks like it would be easiest to let BMW do the job.

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I changed to custom suspension at 10,000 miles.

Now at 34,000 and have no plans to strip the suspension down until I feel a change in the ride quality or something leaks (as above).

It’s not overly complicated to remove shock and forks, but I’d get someone else to do it these days.

We changed my the fork oil in my daughter's 1981 BMW R65LS last year when it hit 140Km on the clock. It didn't look all that bad. She still hasn't greased the wheel bearings or steering bearings since the bike left the factory. The wheel bearings still seem to be OK, but the steering is starting to get kind of stiff when I checked it yesterday, so those bearings likely need to be cleaned and re-greased. BMW sure used good components and materials back in those days.

Just had the 16RS fork oil changed at 33K along with mentioning to the mechanic the seals seemed to leave a light film after a spirited ride. He determined the seals were normal/fine and changed the fork oil only.

As I trust my mechanics knowledge and experience explicitly, if he says the light film isn't leaking seals that don't need to be replaced, that's what I go with.

HI FROM ATHENS GREECE

I HAD THE FORK OIL CHANGED ON MY 2016 RS AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE 0F 30K . ACCORDING TO DEALER.THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO DO IT. ONE WAS TO SUCK THE OLD OIL OUT AND THE SECOND WAS TO DISASSEMBLE FRONT END, TAKE OUT FORKS AND EMPTY OLD FORK OIL OUT THE TRADITIONAL WAY. ONCE I GOT THE BIKE BACK I NOTICED THAT IS SEEMED SOFTER SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THATS WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID IT THE FIRST WAY, EXPLAINED ABOVE. I INSISTED THEY CHANGE THE FORK OIL THE TRASITIONAL WAY, AS EXPLAINED ABOVE. THEY DID SO WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE. MIND YOU THE LABOUR COST WAS FAR LESS THE FIRST WAY.

Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #2

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I think the original service schedule for fork oil has been revised. .

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Mine was coming due in 1600kms, so I asked my dealer what it will cost. They recommended just leaving it unless you have a seal leak.

Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #7

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #2

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I think the original service schedule for fork oil has been revised. .

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In the back of the 2022 R1250RS owners manual it still shows changing it at 18,000 miles.
On our 2016 R1200RS the shop said it was not a problem to stretch that out to a longer interval.

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Zitat von Boxerboy55 im Beitrag #3

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I changed to custom suspension at 10,000 miles.

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Zitat von georgep im Beitrag #6

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HI FROM ATHENS GREECE

I HAD THE FORK OIL CHANGED ON MY 2016 RS AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE 0F 30K . ACCORDING TO DEALER.THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO DO IT. ONE WAS TO SUCK THE OLD OIL OUT AND THE SECOND WAS TO DISASSEMBLE FRONT END, TAKE OUT FORKS AND EMPTY OLD FORK OIL OUT THE TRADITIONAL WAY. ONCE I GOT THE BIKE BACK I NOTICED THAT IS SEEMED SOFTER SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THATS WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID IT THE FIRST WAY, EXPLAINED ABOVE. I INSISTED THEY CHANGE THE FORK OIL THE TRASITIONAL WAY, AS EXPLAINED ABOVE. THEY DID SO WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE. MIND YOU THE LABOUR COST WAS FAR LESS THE FIRST WAY.

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With 44,000 miles on my 1200 and 26,000 since the last fork oil change I thought I’d look at doing it myself.
Basically I’d need a few tools, and as I’d want to do the fork seals too the price would amount to at least £100. I’d possibly never use the tools again.
So I’m going to get Brook Suspension in Bradford to do them for about £200. They’ll do a full service and charge extra if bushes or dust seals need replacing. They helped me with my CBR suspension. Good people.

Maxton btw - front and rear non-ESA - with regard to an old question above.

Zitat von Sanemancured im Beitrag #12

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With 44,000 miles on my 1200 and 26,000 since the last fork oil change I thought I’d look at doing it myself.
Basically I’d need a few tools, and as I’d want to do the fork seals too the price would amount to at least £100. I’d possibly never use the tools again.
So I’m going to get Brook Suspension in Bradford to do them for about £200. They’ll do a full service and charge extra if bushes or dust seals need replacing. They helped me with my CBR suspension. Good people.

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Zitat von Alda im Beitrag #14

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Zitat von Sanemancured im Beitrag #12

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With 44,000 miles on my 1200 and 26,000 since the last fork oil change I thought I’d look at doing it myself.
Basically I’d need a few tools, and as I’d want to do the fork seals too the price would amount to at least £100. I’d possibly never use the tools again.
So I’m going to get Brook Suspension in Bradford to do them for about £200. They’ll do a full service and charge extra if bushes or dust seals need replacing. They helped me with my CBR suspension. Good people.

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BMW club tool hire for the tools required?

Alan

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