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Best southbay service center for BMW?

danate said:
What BMW did you get? The trick with BMWs is to do most (if not all) of the service yourself.
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06 K1200R
Seems very clean and mechanically sound apart from cam chain noise on startup...

problem is it comes with no service records so I want to at least have the BMW stealership do an initial inspection and a 12k mile service while it's under the 60 day "if something's broken we'll fix it" warranty of the 3rd party dealer I bought it from. After that I'll probably do all the regular maintenance myself apart from tires (Santa Clara cycle) and brakes, or anything major I really don't have time to delve into.
 
EvilStig said:
06 K1200R
Seems very clean and mechanically sound apart from cam chain noise on startup...

problem is it comes with no service records so I want to at least have the BMW stealership do an initial inspection and a 12k mile service while it's under the 60 day "if something's broken we'll fix it" warranty of the 3rd party dealer I bought it from. After that I'll probably do all the regular maintenance myself apart from tires (Santa Clara cycle) and brakes, or anything major I really don't have time to delve into.
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You're getting the yellow K1200R at J&M? Nice. :thumbup

If you've got a bit of coin, I'd upgrade the display to the higher-res, if possible. Interesting mod on the left handlebar module, the red hazard button is not stock, as using both L&R signal buttons turn on the hazards.

I love mine, I agree with the magazine review that called it 'a gorilla in a tuxedo', etc. :party

Once you pull the trigger, let me know and we can discuss. :thumbup
 
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Cincinnatus said:
You're getting the yellow K1200R at J&M? Nice. :thumbup

If you've got a bit of coin, I'd upgrade the display to the higher-res, if possible. Interesting mod on the left handlebar module, the red hazard button is not stock, as using both L&R signal buttons turn on the hazards.

I love mine, I agree with the magazine review that called it 'a gorilla in a tuxedo', etc. :party

Once you pull the trigger, let me know and we can discuss. :thumbup
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You know the bike?

I picked it up Tuesday, just waiting on the rest of the paperwork at this point. Already scoping out mods, but considering the seat, exhaust, belly pan and hugger I'm planning on, I think it might be a while before I have the money to look at still more farkle. :laughing

I'm not wanting to touring frankenbike this one like my VFR though. Straight upgrades and classy/tasteful mods that look stock only. (;
 
I took a look at it, I'm happy with mine, to the tune of 57K miles on it... :teeth

Mine's at SJBMW recovering from a laydown/collision back on 8/13 http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=462156, buy it back from the insurance company. I bought mine used too, with 7,300 on the mill, also with no maintenance records. Bone stock, showroom condition, paid $9,600 for it back in 2008. I took it to the Lib'mo BMW shop and had the 6K service done, new tires, added a centerstand, etc. I swapped the stock exhaust for a Leo Vince, put on Galfer disks, added a Stebel horn (yours has already been swapped, BTW), just put on some Wilbers shocks F&R. Currently running Michelin PR4s and love them. You WILL like this bike... :teeth
 
Cincinnatus said:
I took a look at it, I'm happy with mine, to the tune of 57K miles on it... :teeth

Mine's at SJBMW recovering from a laydown/collision back on 8/13 http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=462156, buy it back from the insurance company. I bought mine used too, with 7,300 on the mill, also with no maintenance records. Bone stock, showroom condition, paid $9,600 for it back in 2008. I took it to the Lib'mo BMW shop and had the 6K service done, new tires, added a centerstand, etc. I swapped the stock exhaust for a Leo Vince, put on Galfer disks, added a Stebel horn (yours has already been swapped, BTW), just put on some Wilbers shocks F&R. Currently running Michelin PR4s and love them. You WILL like this bike... :teeth
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Oh man that really blows. How are the ribs doing? I crushed my foot pretty good around this time last year by dropping a duck on it in a parking lot and spent a couple months moving from crutches to cane to two legs... never did get it checked out, since I could still ride with my boots.

Hope your bike recovers as well as you seem to be. It sounds like you got a much better deal on it than I did on mine, but then this was a very last minute rushed purchase since my VFR was looking to be out of commission for a while and we'd run out of loaner bikes at our house (all 4 roommates ride :D ) so I didn't have much time to go seeking better deals or haggling around. The K12R's been my dream bike for the better part of a decade, so I'm very happy to finally have one.

Don't think this one has a stebel. didn't see one. Didn't hear one when I bumped the horn accidentally searching for the turn signal. :laughing I was wondering about the hazard switch though. It looked stock, but couldn't figure out if it staying on after ignition was switched off was supposed to mean something.

Only thing I'm not looking forward to is paying for the service and to feed it 91 octane and PR4s (been a loyal Pilot Road follower since the PR2s), and I think I may just go straight broke when I catch the farkle bug on this bike.

How do you like the Vince? I'd heard the Remus Hexacone or Powercone recommended a lot and kinda like the looks of the titanium hexacone, but I really just want to get the best possible sound without being obnoxious. My VFR came with TBR and it was just a Terrible Bloody Racket.

Still debating a centerstand since I think I'd much rather get a proper lift, but for the price of a lift I could buy a third bike....

I've put 20K/yr on my VFR since I've owned it, so I won't want to ride the K12R as a daily, or I'll wear it out too quickly. Thinking of maybe picking up an R1150RTP when I finally run my VFR into the ground.

EDIT: Just tried the horn for real, definitely an air horn, but sounds harmonically different from a stebel. Might just be wherever they hid it that changes the sound. I still have no idea where it is :D

Took it to the stealership and it does have the outstanding recall on the cam chain guide, so they're going to do that and a $1k 18k mile service since the last service was at 10k in 2010 in mountainview. Fingers crossed the steering head bearings are good.
 
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EvilStig said:
Oh man that really blows. How are the ribs doing? I crushed my foot pretty good around this time last year by dropping a duck on it in a parking lot and spent a couple months moving from crutches to cane to two legs... never did get it checked out, since I could still ride with my boots.
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Ribs are about 85% now, the inside left ankle is about 50% healed. You should have had your foot x-rayed, man. :x Just to be sure you'll have full mobility, etc. Do you stretch & work on flexibility? Range of motion is going to deteriorate if you don't work that. :thumbup

Hope your bike recovers as well as you seem to be. It sounds like you got a much better deal on it than I did on mine, but then this was a very last minute rushed purchase since my VFR was looking to be out of commission for a while and we'd run out of loaner bikes at our house (all 4 roommates ride :D ) so I didn't have much time to go seeking better deals or haggling around. The K12R's been my dream bike for the better part of a decade, so I'm very happy to finally have one.
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I grew up on Yamaha street bikes and this bike just came up for sale at the perfect time for me. It's got more power & torque than any 'reasonable' rider will ever need, but nobody ever accused me of being perfectly reasonable...:loco :laughing Bike should be ready by the end of this week, ready to romp & stomp. I got mine at MotoJava in SF and there were 5 other interested folks, I just happened to be able to pull the trigger on it. Rode it home after setting up the financing and the first real 'ride' after that was when Scott Nelson & I did Mines Road on New Years Eve. :party

Only thing I'm not looking forward to is paying for the service and to feed it 91 octane and PR4s (been a loyal Pilot Road follower since the PR2s), and I think I may just go straight broke when I catch the farkle bug on this bike.
Click to expand...
Yeah, servicing the beast can be a bit pricey, sorry. If you have the tools & space, I'd recommend doing as much yourself as possible. As far as fuel, there's an octane sensor in the fuel pump and it regulates the spark temp & duration, so it can use any fuel you put in there, you just get max power with high-octane. :teeth Yeah, you've got a high-tech beastie there, go ahead & enjoy the hell out of it. :party

Don't think this one has a stebel. didn't see one. Didn't hear one when I bumped the horn accidentally searching for the turn signal. I was wondering about the hazard switch though. It looked stock, but couldn't figure out if it staying on after ignition was switched off was supposed to mean something.
Click to expand...
You sure don't have the stock 'meep-meep' horn, that's for sure. I didn't see where yours was mounted, but it's definitely louder than stock. :laughing That hazard button is NOT stock. Don't know if it's weatherproof, might want to check that. Hazards are supposed to stay on after the key is off, might want to test that for yourself, tho. :thumbup

How do you like the Vince? I'd heard the Remus Hexacone or Powercone recommended a lot and kinda like the looks of the titanium hexacone, but I really just want to get the best possible sound without being obnoxious. My VFR came with TBR and it was just a Terrible Bloody Racket.
Click to expand...
The LV dropped 12 lbs of dead weight and sounds pretty good, but the 'jet-airplane' howl went away, which I liked.

Still debating a centerstand since I think I'd much rather get a proper lift, but for the price of a lift I could buy a third bike....
Click to expand...
Centerstand is awesomeness, I always have them on my bikes. Makes tire/wheel removal easy, maintenance easier, takes up a little less in the garage or parking space. :thumbup

I've put 20K/yr on my VFR since I've owned it, so I won't want to ride the K12R as a daily, or I'll wear it out too quickly. Thinking of maybe picking up an R1150RTP when I finally run my VFR into the ground.
Click to expand...
With good/regular maintenance, it'll last a LONG time, as you know. I commute rain or shine with mine and it eats miles. The long wheelbase makes my commute a breeze (880-237-101) and the sport-touring ergos make it fun. :thumbup
 
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EvilStig said:
$240 a coil!? What have I gotten myself into...
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THIS:
EvilStig said:
Took it to the stealership and it does have the outstanding recall on the cam chain guide, so they're going to do that and a $1k 18k mile service since the last service was at 10k in 2010 in mountainview. Fingers crossed the steering head bearings are good.
Click to expand...

I haven't spent a total of $1k on my DR650 in the five years / 28k miles I've owned it, including tires/oil/filters/insurance/licensing and one serious crash. Maybe including gasoline. :laughing (Just kidding on that last item.)

Of course, I'm comparing apples and oranges here...

Lex
 
Lex Talionis said:
THIS:


I haven't spent a total of $1k on my DR650 in the five years / 28k miles I've owned it, including tires/oil/filters/insurance/licensing and one serious crash. Maybe including gasoline. :laughing (Just kidding on that last item.)

Of course, I'm comparing apples and oranges here...

Lex
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Yes, you are, so STFU. :x :twofinger :laughing
 
The cost of the coils is from faulty memory, so $240 may be exaggerated. :shrug

But the quality of service from SJBMW is phenomenal and easily kicks CalMoto's butt, sorry to say. I wish CalMoto's service department was up to the level of their parts & sales, but until they are, it's SJBMW FTMFW, biches. :thumbup :party Hell, even after they reach SJBMW's level, I'll stick with SJBMW, I like the folks there... :laughing
 
Another vote for Cal Moto here - my husband takes his R1100S there and they always do a great job. Also they have loaner bikes, which can be very handy.
 
Aruna, he hasn't gone to SJBMW yet, has he? :teeth

I got a loaner R1100GS from them while my coils were being swapped, so it's not only CalMoto that has loaners. :thumbup
 
Cincinnatus said:
Aruna, he hasn't gone to SJBMW yet, has he? :teeth

I got a loaner R1100GS from them while my coils were being swapped, so it's not only CalMoto that has loaners. :thumbup
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Good to know! :) For us, SJBMW is just a bit too far. We're in Oaktown and he works in Redwood City, so when it's due a service he'll ride it in, pick up a loaner, go to work, ride back and pick up his bike at the end of the work day. CalMoto's already 10 miles out of his way each direction, so SJBMW would add just too much more.

He'll go to SFBMW if he has a day off, or if he can get something done on a weekend.

Out of interest - for those of you who don't like CalMoto, what is it specifically that's turned you off? Since hubby is taking his bike there about 4 times a year (he puts 350 miles on it in a week!), it'd be good to know what to be on the lookout for.
 
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Ummm... I'm in San Leadro, work in Mountain View, so CalMoto is a mile away from work, and I still go to SJBMW. :laughing It's not the proximity, it's the professionalism. :thumbup

What is it I don't like?? Oh, the inability to diagnose a bad coil and the unwillingness to go outside their comfort zone to find an answer for a customer, for starters.
 
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Triple Threat said:
I'm very surprised about Calmoto but everyone knows that. SJBMW is so, so, much better.

Triple
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I agree. I had CalMoto work on my R1100S once for a service about 8 years ago and then had to argue with them about setting the damn idle too low. If it's low enough that the bike constantly dies, it's too damn low! I also knew MUCH more about my bike and just motorcycles in general than the service writer and I'd only had the BMW for 6 months. She seemed like she really knew very little about them at all. I've been taking my bike to San Jose BMW ever since.
 
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Cincinnatus said:
Ummm... I'm in San Leadro, work in Mountain View, so CalMoto is a mile away from work, and I still go to SJBMW. :laughing It's not the proximity, it's the professionalism. :thumbup
Click to expand...

Fair point. :)

Cincinnatus said:
What is it I don't like?? Oh, the inability to diagnose a bad coil and the unwillingness to go outside their comfort zone to find an answer for a customer, for starters.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I know hubby hasn't had any issues with them the dozen or so times he's been there, but then he usually goes for routine services rather than repair. Maybe SJBMW would be a better place for repair? Appreciate the heads-up. :)
 
Aruna said:
Out of interest - for those of you who don't like CalMoto, what is it specifically that's turned you off? Since hubby is taking his bike there about 4 times a year (he puts 350 miles on it in a week!), it'd be good to know what to be on the lookout for.
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Well, my big problem with them was about 18 months ago. Bought a new bike there. 1k miles in the back brake feels really ground down. Had just had the bike in for 600 mile check, so feeling annoyed. Rear pad worn down to almost nothing, they write in big capital letters on my service invoice: RIDER ERROR, DO NOT DRAG FOOT ON REAR BRAKE!!!!

Well, I thought that was pretty rude but I was a newbie rider so I just sucked it up. 500 miles later...rear brake feels worn down again. Take it BACK in. This time, they admit to a factory notice saying that some bikes went out with excess fluid/pressure in the brake system. Thought they would automatically refund me for BOTH times I took the bike in, but they only refunded me one.

Never apologized for blaming me and being rude about it.

Since then, I've had it in a couple times for miscellaneous things I didn't feel competent enough to do myself, like some funky CAN bus issues, and they were great. There has been some mechanic staff turnover though. I can't remember mechanic's name without pulling out my old service records.

It really kicked me in the ass to go learn basic maintenance myself, though =)
 
I once had mine in for a service at CalMoto Lib'mo and it took a month to get it fixed (tranny). I asked that it be put on a charger during the time waiting, they said "No problem, we'll be sure to do that for ya!". Uh-huh, sure.... Got the bike back, battery dead. Not their problem, of course, batteries are owner responsibility. :rolleyes

It's just been an accumulation of things like that.
 
Cincinnatus said:
Ribs are about 85% now, the inside left ankle is about 50% healed. You should have had your foot x-rayed, man. :x Just to be sure you'll have full mobility, etc. Do you stretch & work on flexibility? Range of motion is going to deteriorate if you don't work that. :thumbup

I grew up on Yamaha street bikes and this bike just came up for sale at the perfect time for me. It's got more power & torque than any 'reasonable' rider will ever need, but nobody ever accused me of being perfectly reasonable...:loco :laughing Bike should be ready by the end of this week, ready to romp & stomp. I got mine at MotoJava in SF and there were 5 other interested folks, I just happened to be able to pull the trigger on it. Rode it home after setting up the financing and the first real 'ride' after that was when Scott Nelson & I did Mines Road on New Years Eve. :party

Yeah, servicing the beast can be a bit pricey, sorry. If you have the tools & space, I'd recommend doing as much yourself as possible. As far as fuel, there's an octane sensor in the fuel pump and it regulates the spark temp & duration, so it can use any fuel you put in there, you just get max power with high-octane. :teeth Yeah, you've got a high-tech beastie there, go ahead & enjoy the hell out of it. :party

You sure don't have the stock 'meep-meep' horn, that's for sure. I didn't see where yours was mounted, but it's definitely louder than stock. :laughing That hazard button is NOT stock. Don't know if it's weatherproof, might want to check that. Hazards are supposed to stay on after the key is off, might want to test that for yourself, tho. :thumbup

The LV dropped 12 lbs of dead weight and sounds pretty good, but the 'jet-airplane' howl went away, which I liked.

Centerstand is awesomeness, I always have them on my bikes. Makes tire/wheel removal easy, maintenance easier, takes up a little less in the garage or parking space. :thumbup

With good/regular maintenance, it'll last a LONG time, as you know. I commute rain or shine with mine and it eats miles. The long wheelbase makes my commute a breeze (880-237-101) and the sport-touring ergos make it fun. :thumbup
Click to expand...

Foot seems doing well enough by this point I'm no longer worried about it, and I figured at the time (had no insurance) that there wasn't much they could do for a hairline in the foot anyway so wasn't much point in paying to have it checked out. Range of motion might be a tad lower than it was, but I barely notice since I'm always wearing my boots.

I'm curious what you have for a seat. I can't last more than 15-20 miles on the stock one before I hate myself. Trying to decide between Sargent and Corbin, but without one to sit on I don't know if I'm ready to make an $800 plunge :laughing

Been considering the Remus hexacone., like the look of the titanium, but also want to hear it in person before I buy... not sure where to do that.
 
The original seat on mine was like plywood and killed me. A BARFer with a K1200 went Corbin and gave me his original, and it's a freaking Barcalounger compared to my original. Same model, nothing different, no idea why one is harder than the other. Rick Mayer is also highly regarded. For a while, Corbin was shit because it focused more on making couches out of car trunks, etc., and I don't know what their backlog & customer service level is like right now. You will always save time & money by sending the vendor the seatpan, tho.
 
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