MKL’s 2009 BMW R1200RT Hexhead Archives (January 2010 – September 2014)

September 9, 2014 – 31,897 Miles: Sold

August 7, 2014 – 30,214 Miles: Performed my own 30k “minor” service, including an oil & filter change using Amsoil 20W/50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil

May 27, 2014 – 24,715 Miles: Cross-Country BMW in Metuchen performed the balance of 24,000 mile service due, including the fuel pump recall and some weeping gaskets.

• 24,000 Mile Service Performed including Tranny & FD fluid change, alternator belt change, and fuel pump recall. Fuel pump was not cracked – sleeve was installed per recall instructions.

• 33-11-7-722-890 BMW Final Drive Shaft Seal replaced (leaking)

• 23-12-7-705-087 BMW Transmission Output Seal replaced (leaking)

May 1, 2014 – 24,023 Miles: Oil change – busy season, so the 24k will be a little late.

• Oil Change with Dynacycle 20W/50 Semi-Synthetic Blend

• 11-42-7-673-541 BMW Oil Filter

December 21, 2013 – 21,731 Miles

• Solid Solutions Accelerator Module Installed (PICTURE)

• Clearwater Voltage Sensor Installed

November 22, 2013 – 21,213 Miles: A flying rock destroyed one of my RT’s mirrors, so I replaced the pair with a perfect fit from Wunderlich. I also removed the Bakup Backrest.

• Wunderlich Mirrors 8410053 Installed (Left & Right)

October 7, 2013 – 19,982 Miles: The RT died on me in rural West Virginia, as I was participating in a Jim Ford Rider’s Workshop. After a tow to Virginia Motorrad the culprit was revealed as the Enersys Genesis XE battery I installed last winter. Stone cold dead, and not accepting a charge. Anton Largiader at Virginia Motorrad replaced it with an Odyssey PC680 (essentially the same battery,) checked out my charging system (no problems,) and sent me on my way. Why did the Genesis XE die so soon? Enersys suspects that my Deltran Battery Tender (non-approved for Enersys Genesis batteries,) which puts out about 13VDC (lower than the minimum recommended float voltage of 13.5-13.8VDC,) led to sulfation and premature death. To avoid this on the new battery, I unplugged the Deltran and replaced with an Enersys-branded charger. Hopefully that will do the trick!

• Enersys Odyssey PC680 battery installed

July 11, 2013 – 17,982 Miles: I got a good deal on a used Bakup Backrest at the BMWST.com classifieds, so I installed it and adjusted it to fit. Overall, I’m pleased, although honestly I don’t really need it.

• Backup Backrest installed (PICTURE)

June 3, 2013 – 17,772 Miles: New tires and a brake fluid flush.

• 18,000 Mile Service Performed

• Oil Change with Dynacycle 20W/50 Semi-Synthetic Blend

• 11-42-7-673-541 BMW Oil Filter

• Michelin Pilot 3 Tires installed (stock sizes – front & rear)

May 16, 2013 – 16,978 Miles: I found a like-new Z-Technik Z4002 Stainless Steel Slip-On Exhaust for sale at the BMWST.com classifieds, and jumped on it. Originally manufactured by Arrow, they retailed for almost $600 new. I had originally planned to turn it into an article for Motorcycle Consumer News, but was saddened to find that these pipes are discontinued. With the removable baffles in place, the Z4002 was known for being about the same volume as stock, but significantly lighter, much sleeker in appearance, and with a more pronounced tone. Upon installation, I found all of these traits to be true. The sound of the boxer is now far more pleasing to the ear, while keeping the stealthy, near silent volume that fits this RT’s character.

• Z-Technik Z4002 Stainless Steel Slip-On Exhaust installed

December 25, 2012 – 15,504 Miles: In keeping with tradition, the crappy OEM Exide battery failed before reaching its third birthday. When will BMW find a more reliable supplier? Replaced that dud with an Enersys Genesis XE from work – same as we use in our military UPS systems. Battery-wise, I should be covered for the next decade, minimum.

December 25, 2012 – 15,504 Miles: In keeping with tradition, the crappy OEM Exide battery failed before reaching its third birthday. When will BMW find a more reliable supplier? Replaced that dud with an Enersys Genesis XE from work – same as we use in our military UPS systems. Battery-wise, I should be covered for the next decade, minimum.

• Enersys Genesis XE-16 battery installed (PICTURE)

October 9, 2012 – 13,828 Miles: Yup. Another fuel strip. If this one fails, I’m just going to give up replacing them, I think. Here’s to fuel strip #5! I also installed a set of Clearwater Kristas for an MCN test.

• 16-14-7-675-547 BMW Fuel Level Sensor (warranty)

• 16-11-7-677-883 BMW Fuel Level Sensor gasket (warranty)

• Clearwater Krista Dimmable LED Light Kit installed (PICTURE)

September 13, 2012 – 13,140 Miles: The new fuel strip from August lasted a total of a week. So, here’s to fuel strip #4!

• 16-14-7-675-547 BMW Fuel Level Sensor (warranty)

• 16-11-7-677-883 BMW Fuel Level Sensor gasket (warranty)

September 13, 2012 – 13,140 Miles: The new fuel strip from August lasted a total of a week. So, here’s to fuel strip #4!

• 16-14-7-675-547 BMW Fuel Level Sensor (warranty)

• 16-11-7-677-883 BMW Fuel Level Sensor gasket (warranty)

August 20, 2012 – 12,457 Miles: Cross-Country BMW in Metuchen performed the balance of 12,000 mile service due, and once again replaced the faulty fuel level sensor under warranty. I also got some little upgrades as described below:

• 12,000 Mile Service Performed

• 16-14-7-675-547 BMW Fuel Level Sensor (warranty)

• 16-11-7-677-883 BMW Fuel Level Sensor gasket (warranty)

• All front H7 headlights (3) replaced with Osram Rallye 65W Ultra High Output Special Service H7 Bulbs

• All front parking lights (2) replaced with Osram MiniXen 2886X Bulbs

• Tim Morgan Fuel Pump Clamp (Beemer Boneyard #BBRK12FUELPMPCLMP) Installed (PICTURE)

August 9, 2012 – 12,214 Miles: I installed some accessories for upcoming articles.

• Wunderlich Rear Protection Bars P/N 8160179 (Silver Powdercoat) Installed (PICTURE)

• Machineart Moto Avant-RT Front Fender Extension (PICTURE)

August 3, 2012 – 11,998 Miles: Time for another oil change. Service coming up soon too, but this is busy season so there’s a wait!

• Oil Change with Dynacycle 20W/50 Semi-Synthetic Blend

• 11-42-7-673-541 BMW Oil Filter

January 15, 2012 – 8,793 Miles: A slightly overdue annual oil change:

• Oil Change with Castrol 4T 20W/50

• 11-42-7-673-541 BMW Oil Filter

October 15, 2010 – 5,970 Miles: Cross-Country BMW in Metuchen performed the 6,000 mile service and replaced the faulty fuel level sensor under warranty. The front brake lines were also replaced under Safety Recall Campaign 10V-276.

• 6,000 Mile Service Performed

• 16-14-7-675-547 BMW Fuel Level Sensor (warranty)

• 16-11-7-677-883 BMW Fuel Level Sensor gasket (warranty)

• 34-32-7-722-286 BMW Repair Kit for Front Brake Lines (see Recall 10V-276)

March 26, 2010 – 810 Miles: The lighting was upgraded, and some other electrical farkles added, all neatly wired into a Centech AP-2 Panel using Eastern Beaver harnesses. The weatherproof switches for the lights were mounted on the blank radio control panel for easy access.

• 63-21-1-468-253 BMW Auxiliary Rear Running Light Kit transferred from 2004 RT (PICTURE)

• Signal Dynamics Dual LED License Plate Frame (Black) p/n 02029 transferred from 2004 RT (PICTURE – Brakes NOT Applied)

• 63-00-0-445-578 BMW LED Running Light / Strobe Brake Light Assembly (PICTURE – Brakes NOT Applied)

• Motolight Caliper Mount Aux Lights with Ushio 50W Amber Narrow-Spot Bulbs Installed (PICTURE)

• Trail-Tech MR11 HID Spot Lamps Installed on Ezy-Mount R1200RT Brackets (PICTURE)

• Stebel Compact Air Horn installed

• 46-54-7-706-271 BMW Badges mounted on System Cases (Qty 2)

March 16, 2010 – 590 Miles: Cross-Country BMW performed a 600 mile service and checked for any open recalls, of which there were none. I added some farkles of my own as well.

• 71-60-7-694-184 BMW Rear Mudguard installed (PICTURE)

• Z-Technik Z8502 Carbon Fiber Tank Protector installed (PICTURE)

• Tech-Spec Gripster Tank Pads installed (PICTURE)

January 21, 2010 – 32 Miles: The new Sapphire Black Metallic RT rolls home, replacing my beloved 2004 RT. The short trip was definitely enough to fall in love! And I was very happy to see that some of my old Oilhead RT’s farkles fit the new RT, including the  Bob’s BMW Brake Lever Extender, the large 3-D BMW logo beneath the license plate bracket, and my K1200GT “High” Mirrors. New accessories were added as well. We’ll see what else needs to change as the miles start accumulating, but I see some auxiliary lighting in the near future.

• Bob’s BMW Brake Lever Extender transferred from 2004 RT (PICTURE)

• 3D BMW Emblem on Bob’s Fender Logo Plate transferred from 2004 RT (PICTURE)

• 51-16-2-307-769 BMW K1200GT Mirror transferred from 2004 RT (Qty 2) (PICTURE)

• Z-Technik Z7101 Stainless Steel Engine Guards installed (PICTURE)

• 71-60-7-696-117 BMW Tamper-Proof Oil Fill Cap installed (PICTURE)

• 71-60-7-706-363 BMW R1200RT Tank Bag installed (PICTURE)

• Cee-Bailey’s 1/8″ Acrylic Headlight Cover installed (PICTURE)

• Pyramid Fenda Extenda installed (PICTURE)

• Motoequip RK-15 Black 3M Reflective Vinyl Tape Kit for BMW System Cases (rear)

• Motoequip RK-17 Black 3M Reflective Vinyl Tape Kit for 49L BMW Top Case