Which Manual (Clymer or Haynes)

[RayJay]

Hi,
I'm new here. Got my first BMW a month ago (1995 K75RT) and want to get a manual for it. Which is better, or doesn't it really matter.
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Thanks ..
Ray

[tommcgee]

Hi,
I'm new here. Got my first BMW a month ago (1995 K75RT) and want to get a manual for it. Which is better, or doesn't it really matter.
--
Thanks ..
Ray

I just went through this. Get both. Presentation style and pictures differ. The factory manual also helps.

[motoedde]

Haynes manual is MUCH better...couple that with the IBMWR tech section and you'll have plenty of info at your disposal.

For places where there are gaps, the Kbmw yahoo group archives offers plenty of depth...for Klassic K's...

[Teslaesque]

I'd second the advice to get both.
If I only could have one, I think it'd be the Clymer.

[roy]

I have all three.

The clymer in my opinion is the best for the DIY person. It includes wiring diagrams and fairly detailed instructions.

The Haynes is not as large or complete as the Clymer. Does have colored pictures though.

Factory: This manual is written for the factory trained technician and sometimes is kind of vague on what components need to be removed to access a given component. It is the most thorough for torque specs. Does not include wiring diagrams.

my two cents worth

[tommcgee]

I have all three.

Moi aussi. When you're going to do a job you're unfamiliar with, having several perspectives and presentations helps a lot. The online resources are also an immense help.

None of these sources makes great bedtime reading for most of us (the plot sucks), unless it's prepping for a job.

[johnpeter]

<------diesel mechanic

I only have the Clymer and it can be demanding for the non-mechanic.
Haynes is a primer, imo. So get both if you are a novice wrench.

The Clymer will offer model specific fairing remove/install instruction, the Haynes does not. The Clymer has an addition at the end for late model stuff, iirc, the Haynes does not.

[motoedde]

<------diesel mechanic

I only have the Clymer and it can be demanding for the non-mechanic.
Haynes is a primer, imo. So get both if you are a novice wrench.

The Clymer will offer model specific fairing remove/install instruction, the Haynes does not. The Clymer has an addition at the end for late model stuff, iirc, the Haynes does not.

Exactly why the Haynes is a better option...not knowing the mechanical capacity of the initial poster, the Clymer will give him false confidence that he can go and do more things than his mechanical capacity can bear. Its almost equivalent to saying the K1200RS is a better bike for the track than an 600cc without knowing the capacity of the initial poster or how far he's willing to wrench.

The Haynes is a good primer, and the rest can be figured out by a mechanically minded individual...what can't be figured out is best found in the shop manual.

[RayJay]

After reading all the replies, I decided to get both the Clymer and Haynes. After looking them over I'd say the Clymer is best for in depth work and the Haynes is more suited for regular maintenance type work. If I had to go with just one it would be the Clymer.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Braddog]

The factory manual was thrown in when I bought my RS, and I purchased a Clymer's. I borrowed a Haynes for awhile, but prefer the factory manual used with the Clymer's.