'07 R1200R final drive

[FLbmw]

Concerning my '07 R1200R:
Been reading some stuff on the net about a change in the amount of oil in final drives of the R1200's. From 230ml to 180ml. Can anyone elaborate on this issue?
Plus, what's the best oil to put in the final drives?
75-90?
75-140?

Thanks

[Semper_Fi]

Search is your friend

Here are two posts on the subject

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35751

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=36387

I use 75W90 in the rear drive and 75W140 in the transmission

[31310]

The service adviser at the local dealer is aware of the forum posts re the capacity change for the final drive in the U.S. but said BMW Canada has not issued a TSB. So until they are advised, in writing, will continue with the 230ml fill of synthetic. Does anyone know what the situation on this may be in Europe? No wonder there is confusion out here in rider land.

[gr8ridn2]

BMWNA issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) verifying this capacity (180cc) and a for the frequency of rear drive oil changes. Last time I checked BMW Canada follows the same procedures. I know we trained the Techs from Canada along side the US students in new model introductions, basic service procedures, and the master technician course ware. I no longer work at BMWNA, but a contact there verified the new TSB.

Have your dealer check for the latest TSB regarding this matter.

[FLbmw]

I checked with my local shop wrench yesterday and he confirmed the 180ml.

[Wallowa]

BMWNA issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) verifying this capacity (180cc) and a for the frequency of rear drive oil changes. Last time I checked BMW Canada follows the same procedures. I know we trained the Techs from Canada along side the US students in new model introductions, basic service procedures, and the master technician course ware. I no longer work at BMWNA, but a contact there verified the new TSB.

Have your dealer check for the latest TSB regarding this matter.

This has banged around a while on this and other forums...but is it just me or am I missing something.

Final Drive failures are a fact of life; just as real as were the antenna ring failures [EWS]....so how on earth does reducing the amount of lubricant help correct that problem? It is not to stop lube from leaking past seals since many FDs fail without any lube loss/leaking. It is difficult for me to understand how reducing the lube can stop gear and/or bearing failures.

Not wishing to start a war but in my estimation too few BMW owners ask BMW "why" when they issue TSBs....perhaps it is simply because very, very few of us ever see TSBs or even hear about them...they are in fact privileged communications between BMW and BMW dealers.

Gr8ridn2...Could you ask your BMWNA contact for the logic behind using less lube? Thanks...


Oh yes, you asked about 75w90 VS 75w140 in FD...BMW dealers use both...mine put in BMW Synthetic 75w140 at 600 mile drain...per BMW directives...I personally use Redline Heavy Shockproof gear lube in trans and FD... ['07 GSA]

[marchyman]

Final Drive failures are a fact of life; just as real as were the antenna ring failures [EWS]....so how on earth does reducing the amount of lubricant help correct that problem?

Who said this change fixed the "Final Drive failure" problem?

What exactly is the "Final Drive failure" problem?

Aren't there 2 or 3 (or more) specific issues? One of the issues is a leaking shaft seal. I don't consider that a "Final Drive failure" problem, you may disagree. Reducing the fluid level is thought to address that specific problem. I can accept that.

I think you may be looking for the mythical silver bullet that solves all FD problems. I'd be quite surprised if such a thing exists for the simple reason that there is no single reason that a FD might fail.

[marcopolo]

The service adviser at the local dealer is aware of the forum posts re the capacity change for the final drive in the U.S. but said BMW Canada has not issued a TSB. So until they are advised, in writing, will continue with the 230ml fill of synthetic. Does anyone know what the situation on this may be in Europe? No wonder there is confusion out here in rider land.

It is indeed now 180 ml -- even my independent BMW tech in Ottawa knew this some time ago. In fact he changed my FD fluid just today and put in -- you guessed it -- 180 ml. I don't think the service advisor where you go is up to speed.

[Wallowa]

Who said this change fixed the "Final Drive failure" problem?

What exactly is the "Final Drive failure" problem?

Aren't there 2 or 3 (or more) specific issues? One of the issues is a leaking shaft seal. I don't consider that a "Final Drive failure" problem, you may disagree. Reducing the fluid level is thought to address that specific problem. I can accept that.

I think you may be looking for the mythical silver bullet that solves all FD problems. I'd be quite surprised if such a thing exists for the simple reason that there is no single reason that a FD might fail.

What "Final Drive failure" problem? There isn't one....BMW final drives almost never fail....bullet proof...statistically insignificant...the reports are highly exaggerated if not out right lies...

The total lack of information from BMW on any issues with our bikes is what makes this or any discussion nothing but a game of words and totally meaningless..only speculations....that is only speculations about the causes not the effects...

Unless of course it is you who gets stranded with a failed FD or with that other recent "non-problem", immobilized ignitions, that we can only guess [speculate] was caused by 5 different faulty versions of antenna rings... then it becomes very meaningful and significant.

Less lube in a FD to save seals? ...perhaps you are correct and perhaps no amount of lubricant will stop FD failures and perhaps the FDs have multiple weaknesses that lead to the failures and perhaps I am incorrect to characterize "..2 or 3 (or more) specific issues" as a "Final Drive failure" problem when it should read "Final Drive Failure problems"; better?......but who the hell really knows? Nobody from BMW is talking about this issue or previous problems with our bikes.

I believe it was a BMW owner [Georgia?]on this forum who had a FD fail and BMWNA said they would have it fixed or replaced but that he would first have to sign a "Non-Disclosure" agreement to neither discuss the FD failure or BMWNA's role in fixing it. He told them to shove the Non-Disclosure agreement and paid for the repairs out of his own pocket...a man of principle and one who refused to 'play that game'. Hard to not question BMW; even if they will not answer.

[marcopolo]

Oh yes, you asked about 75w90 VS 75w140 in FD...BMW dealers use both...mine put in BMW Synthetic 75w140 at 600 mile drain...per BMW directives...I personally use Redline Heavy Shockproof gear lube in trans and FD... ['07 GSA]

BMW specifies SAF-XO for the final drive -- that's a 75W90 synthetic GL-5 gear oil. It's a Castrol product that's not available through U.S. BMW bike dealers; they sell a BMW-branded 75W90 synthetic gear oil for this purpose. The Castrol product is available at BMW bike dealers in Canada. I had my FD fluid changed just today and it was the Castrol SAF-XO that my independent tech used.

Dealers who use 75W140 either don't know what BMW specifies, or don't care. All you have to do is check either the repair CD, or the online parts fiche. You will find quite clearly that it's Castrol SAF-XO. It does make me wonder how competent a service organization can be if they can't even look up what the specified fluid is. Whether you care what they put in is an entirely different question.

[marcopolo]

Not wishing to start a war but in my estimation too few BMW owners ask BMW "why" when they issue TSBs....perhaps it is simply because very, very few of us ever see TSBs or even hear about them...they are in fact privileged communications between BMW and BMW dealers.

The TSB was posted in the Hexheads forum several weeks back. It explains the "why" of the reduction from 220 ml to 180 ml and for the service interval of 2 years, or 20,000 kms -- (going by memory) it's to reduce pressure on seals, lower temperature and to eliminate metal particles (I'm paraphrasing).

[New2rt]

I was taught by a very wise man to do what the book says and you will never be wrong. I bought the BMW service Cd and it lists the FD quantity as .22l and so it will be. If it fails or leaks it will be BMW's problem not mine. Being that I bought the Cd I would expect to be notified of an update to the service data. Again, if not, their problem.

[marcopolo]

I was taught by a very wise man to do what the book says and you will never be wrong. I bought the BMW service Cd and it lists the FD quantity as .22l and so it will be. If it fails or leaks it will be BMW's problem not mine. Being that I bought the Cd I would expect to be notified of an update to the service data. Again, if not, their problem.

You may be whistling past the graveyard. I don't believe you get updates to service CDs. Why not simply read the Tech Service Bulletin for yourself; you'll see BMW has made a change, which no doubt will be incorporated in future releases of the CD (but not yours). That's why they issue TSBs to dealers. Someone was kind enough to post it here for anyone to read.

[New2rt]

You may be whistling past the graveyard. I don't believe you get updates to service CDs. Why not simply read the Tech Service Bulletin for yourself; you'll see BMW has made a change, which no doubt will be incorporated in future releases of the CD (but not yours). That's why they issue TSBs to dealers. Someone was kind enough to post it here for anyone to read.

Trust me, it doesn't matter. I bought THEIR CD and it lists it as .22L and that's all I need. I've worked for 3 major manufacturers and have been involved in enough claims to know the drill.

[henzilla]

I was taught by a very wise man to do what the book says and you will never be wrong. I bought the BMW service Cd and it lists the FD quantity as .22l and so it will be. If it fails or leaks it will be BMW's problem not mine. Being that I bought the Cd I would expect to be notified of an update to the service data. Again, if not, their problem.

May the force be with you!

Seriously, they will not send you any updates for your CD, things get updated all the time...this is just one of those times. My first CD came out before the R1200R was introduced to the lineup and has a few changes and I never "officially" got any updates.

I have seen the service bulletin and it indeed says 180 now. If your bike is in warranty as it sounds like it is...do what you feel is best. I have two of these and only one is still in warranty...I am following the bulletin to lessen the likelyhood of a leak in my other two . My '05 GS did it 3 times...and luckily had the extended warranty when a friend bought it as two of those happened to him.

From the bulletin dated 4/15/09:

The gear oil capacities have changed for initial filling and when changing the oil in the rear-wheel drive.
The new capacities:
For initial filling: 200 ml
For changing oil: 180 ml
(The new RSD 05/2009 contains this modification)
For point 2: Regular oil change in rear-wheel drive:
At 600 mi.
every 12,000 mi or every 2 years
(This service interval is all ready in place)
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