Clymer vs Haines

[plehman]

I just received the Haines repair manual that covers my R90/6. I also have the Haines manual for my R850R. While the manual is good for the airhead, it does cover a lot of models, far more than the Oilhead version. I wonder if the Clymer is better.

Anyone have experience with both?
thanks

[jforgo]

two ways the Haynes is better:

Clymer is mostly a straight rehash of the BMW shop manual - which is a reverse of how the bikes are assembled in the factory. Hence some of the unnecessary dissassembly for certain tasks. Haynes is a little better with practical tips and tricks.

Also, Clymer went to the sexy colored wiring diagrams - which look great. But they also have no terminal numbers (!) which means you are lost with, say, replacing a handlebar switch assembly on an Airhead. Haynes has the terminal numbers.

[crazydrummerdude]

Clymer's thicker, so I got it instead.

But, I received flak once for following what it told me to do. So, I might get the Haynes, as it seems everyone has both. I gotta fit in!

So, with anything, just think it through before you blindly follow directions.

[orbitangel]

I just received the Haines repair manual that covers my R90/6. I also have the Haines manual for my R850R. While the manual is good for the airhead, it does cover a lot of models, far more than the Oilhead version. I wonder if the Clymer is better.

Anyone have experience with both?
thanks

This is not an "either/or" question. These books are not expensive.

Just get them both. After that, get real well-acquainted with the volumes of good information available on the internet.

There are many good websites which support the airhead family of machines.

It is fine to have paper books but it is my humble opinion that:

MUCH MORE useful, valuable information is available on the net than you will ever find in either one of those manuals (or BOTH of them) OR the factory manual, for that matter.

You cannot have TOO MUCH information! :dance

[plehman]

That's a great idea. Can you point me at some online resources for basic maintenance? I need to get the bike (new to me) running better.

[dduelin]

Snowbum's site is very good. I might have bookmarked others but I always go here:

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/

[MIAirhead]

Be careful if Clymer's. It is full of errors.

[RoboRider]

I've always favored Haynes for their tips and tricks. Much better than Clymer. But, I got the Haynes for my 2005 RT and it is horrible. Want to bleed the brakes? Nope, need BMW for that. I can't tell you how many things it says "can't be done" by the home mechanic. Yet, I know these things can be done. I'd like information of final drive rebuilding. Or, at least give me specs and tolerances, and a tear down. I didn't by micrometers and bearing presses because I'm afraid to try. But Haynes, maybe scared of liability, won't touch these and many other topics. I didn't buy a manual to learn how to change the oil. This Haynes is worthless and so I bought the BMW manual.

Robo