BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I am curious how many of you do your own valve checks? One thing I LOVE about the "R's" is how dang easy a valve check is. One of my other bikes... it is a full weekend job taking all the plastic off, removing everything else to get access to the cylinder heads, etc... Yeah, 10-12 hours. On my R1100R, I can check/adjust the valves in 60 minutes.

Anyway, I think on my 2007 1200RT, the valves were checked at 6,000 miles (according to a receipt) and were checked again at 12,000 miles. I just rolled it over 14,000 miles. I am guessing I don't need to check them until 24,000 miles and then every additional 12k after that. I do read that few RT's need adjustment after 24k miles. I read a thread today where a riders last adjustment was at 12k miles and he has never made another adjustment, as they stayed in spec and he just rolled over 200k miles on a 2005 1200RT.

I have done all my own servicing after the warranty ran out!

I do like how easy it is to do! for me there is no excuse not to do it on each service if you can

I got my bike with 14k on the clocks and it's just rolled over to 40k and not needed any adjustment yet

I have done my own maintenance on every bike I have ever owned. A valve check on a Boxer is pretty easy. The newer ones are getting a little crazy with the need for special tools,.

Randyjaco wrote: ↑Mon May 26, 2025 9:34 pm I have done my own maintenance on every bike I have ever owned. A valve check on a Boxer is pretty easy. The newer ones are getting a little crazy with the need for special tools,.

The newer ones only need feeler gauges, a micrometer, a low range torque wrench and some basic hand tools for the valve check...don't confuse the OP, especially since he's working on his 2007 HexHead.

I do the valve checks myself on a 2019 1250- the check itself is relatively simple, I opted to change a few to bring them more towards the middle of the range so had to buy the tools from bmw. Also checked and adjusted the cam timing whilst in there.

Valve checks on my 2013 R1200RTP are pretty easy. But, changing the little 'semi-sphere' is a PITA. Only because they are only available from BMW dealers. And there is no way to know what you need until the valve covers are off. Here in the USA, they are $12.73 each. So getting an assortment is very expensive. I think that there are 23 sizes.
A tiny dab of oil in the recess on the rocker arm helps to keep the semi-sphere in place while you re-install it.