K1300S - Dealer or Independent Service

[Cevets]

Hi
Bike is a 2014 Anniversary model which I've owned since 2015. It was serviced every year by a BMW Dealer until 2019 at which point it had 14k miles on the clock. Since then my riding has been limited to an additional 2k for a number of reasons, none of which involve Jail I am happy to say.  I am now thankfully in a position where I can start clocking up the miles again.

The only work done on the Bike since the service in mid 2019 is an Oil Change & new Brake Pads and Fluids in mid 2021. I am looking to book the Bike in for a service and have a couple of points I'd appreciate your perspectives on.

Due to the age of the Bike and it's current market value, and the gap in servicing history, would it be worth the cost to pay Dealer rates. Also, if I decided to go down the Independent route, are there Independents around who would have the same diagnostic capabilities as the dealers and would they be able to identify any manufacturer related / safety updates since 2021.

I'm also aware that the Valve Clearances are scheduled to be checked around 18k miles. Is this purely based on mileage or would age of the Bike also come into the equation.
 

[Phmode]

Hi Steve and welcome to the Madhouse that is EuroKClub!

Firstly, there have been no safety updates since 2021.

As to whether main dealer or independent, that is an excellent question and you are right to be asking whether it is worth the extra for the main dealer stamp. If you plan on changing the bike anytime soon it might well be worth the extra to get the best price for it. However, if it is a keeper then the independent route is definitely worth investigating. Being from the south means I have no clue about things way oop north but I am sure someone in here will know of someone if they do exist in your neck of the woods.

There are independent workshops around who are more than capable of handling most things on a K apart from warranty work but as you haven't mentioned having the extended warranty then I guess you won't be troubling anyone for that aspect of the work.

Anyone with GS911 can manage most things and there are many more specialist diagnostic tools available so you only have to ask the right questions.

As for the valve clearance check, if it were me and having had a lengthy discussion with a local independent BMW dealer recently, I wouldn't bother with it unless there is something amiss with the way the engine behaves. For sure, some folks have had minor adjustments at 18,000 miles but the guy I was speaking to assured me that he has never seen anything worth bothering about at 18,000 miles on a K but he did add that he has only been working for BMW for 35 years...

Good luck in finding a local independent and let us know how you get on. Brian

[andym2]

Although it's universally known as the valve check, that's actually a minor part of the 'big' service. It also includes changing the spark plugs, coolant and cleaning the radiator. The valve clearances almost certainly won't need adjustment, but if you're keeping the bike long term then doing the other stuff will avoid or delay some future problems. If it hasn't been done at 12k, it would be worth changing the final drive oil too.

I'd still get a price from a BMW dealer; some offer a discount for bikes over 4 years old and it's sometimes less than you'd expect. The last service on my K13 was £249 including the MOT. Oddly, they never seem to change the air filters unless you specifically ask them to, or grease the lower suspension linkage.

If you're going to use an independent, make sure they know about the k13s quirks... The semi-dry sump, vacuum filling the cooling system, mineral oil rather than DOT4 clutch fluid, battery where the fuel tank should be, etc, etc.

[Phmode]

Air filters? Surely not!

Greasing something? Certainly Not!

You want your bike to be actually 'serviced'?

I think the smaller guys might well do a better job on the routine stuff but mine has always been done by the dealers. And I have K&N filters and used to have to tell Vines not to bother going in there cos they used to moan about taking the snorkels off for no apparent reason...

[Cevets]

Thanks for the feedback gents.

I've provided my usual dealer with the information identifying the time lapse in servicing and current mileage and asked them to give me a quote for an 18k Service excluding the Valve Checks. Based on information gleaned from this site it seems that the Valve Checks can wait for a couple of years. I'm also going to ask a local independent Motorcycle Service Technician with a good reputation to provide a quote on the same basis.

I'll post an update on the quotes / feedback once I receive them.

[Phmode]

I know it isn't likely, but I hope your usual dealer is not Cotswold Motorrad in Cheltenham because you will be needing a quote for the 42,000 mile service before they get back to you...

[chriscanning]

Regardless on the final decision,make sure than when you take the bike to who ever make sure the bike has fresh fuel as no older than 4 weeks,got a mate who runs a small bike set up as in they put the 1300 gearbox in my K12 Sport and he’s always saying how much old fuel he scraps cuz folks just don’t understand how quickly fuel goes off.

[Devon 1200s]

I’ve just had my k12s serviced , the one that you’re having but at 36000 miles.

I’ve always had it serviced at my local main dealer.

Total cost for my job was just over £1100, but that included a new radiator as mine was too far gone. I was given the option to leave the rad, but I have a couple of big mile euro trips coming up this year, so I opted to replace it while the bike was stripped.

I’ve had the bike since it was around 6000 miles. This is the second big service and the first radiator. Oh, and this bike’s a keeper 👍

[richtea]

Total cost for my job was just over £1100, but that included a new radiator as mine was too far gone. I was given the option to leave the rad, but I have a couple of big mile euro trips coming up this year, so I opted to replace it while the bike was stripped.

For Steves' benefit, the new radiator will have been around £550 of that bill (plus labour getting the old one off, and new one on). So excluding that, an 18k / 36k service is probably around £450-550.

[Phmode]

Radiator is removed as part of the service so it is a straight swap. Wise move anyway.

PS Just because that £550 was the price we paid on eBay doesn't mean that was the over the counter dealer price.

And I've only just realised that by buying the Motorsport instead of the H2 SX SE+, I haven't wasted £1,000 on two new K1300 radiators. Nice one! 

[Devon 1200s]

Radiator is removed as part of the service so it is a straight swap. Wise move anyway.

PS Just because that £550 was the price we paid on eBay doesn't mean that was the over the counter dealer price.

And I've only just realised that by buying the Motorsport instead of the H2 SX SE+, I haven't wasted £1,000 on two new K1300 radiators. Nice one! 

I’m picking my bike up later along with the bill. I’ll break it down later. It may help someone in the future.

[Cevets]

A bit of a delayed response as it took a while to get the Bike booked in due to availability at their end and holiday commitments on my part. Decided to go with my usual main dealer in York. There was very little difference between their quote and a local independent. Figured it made sense to stick with the main dealer who has always provided decent service in the past. Cost was £520. Bike was in the workshop for 5 - 6 hours all in.

[richtea]

£520 is about right for the larger 18k service. And a main dealer. Not a bad result. 

[nealchaykin]

Valve clearances check is at 30,000KM for the K1300S.

[GlynH]

In ‘English’ 18,000 miles is equivalent to 30,000 km - or 18,641 miles to be exact.

Sorry Neal…I just had an OCD attack! 😉

-=Glyn=-