BMW R 1200 RS (2015-2018) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the BMW R 1200 RS made between model years 2015 and 2018 with the liquid-cooled 1170cc boxer engine.
The BMW R 1200 RS is a sport tourer powered by a boxer engine. It’s based on the classic R-RS form that debuted back in 1976 with the R 100 RS, but with a few updates since then.
The R 1200 RS is powered by the same liquid-cooled engine found in the liquid cooled R 1200 GS of the same generation. It’s an 1170cc horizontally-opposed boxer twin with strategic liquid cooling, minimising the use of the radiator.
The engine is tuned to make peak power of 92 kW (125 hp) at 7750 rpm, and peak torque of 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) at 6500 rpm.
From 2019, the BMW R 1200 RS was replaced by the BMW R 1250 RS — conceptually the same bike, but with the upgraded 1254cc “ShiftCam” VVT motor.
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What you need to service your BMW R 1200 RS
If you want to service your BMW R 1200 RS, you need the following consumables.
| Part | BMW R 1200 RS |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | The manual calls for “SAE 5W-40, API SL / JASO MA2” without additives, preferably BMW Motorrad oils from the dealer. A well-respected alternative is Castrol Power RS 5W-40. |
| Oil filter | BMW part number for the oil filter is 11427721779. The HF160RC is a drop-in replacement from Hiflofiltro. |
| Rear drive oil | Use a high-quality API GL-5 synthetic 75W-90 gear oil. BMW recommends Castrol 75W-90. |
| Spark plug | Standard spark plug is an NGK LMAR8D-J with an 0.8 mm gap. |
| Air filter | BMW part number for the air filter is 13727726799. The K&N BM-1113 is an aftermarket alternative. |
| Gear oil | BMW Synthetic gear oil part number is 83222445460. |
| Coolant | The manual doesn’t mention what type, but get long-life BMW coolant from a dealer or online. |
| General lubricant | Use lithium soap-based grease to regularly lube external pivot points. |
| Brake fluid | Specified fluid must be DOT 4, e.g. Castrol DOT 4. |
| Brake pads (front) | Part number for front brake pads is 34118548028 (you need two pairs). An EBC alternative is FA630HH (double sintered, long-life). |
| Brake pads (rear) | Part number for rear brake pads is 34218562163. An EBC alternative is FA209/2HH (double sintered, long-life pads). |
Maintenance schedule for the BMW R 1200 RS
Below is the BMW R 1200 RS maintenance schedule, adapted from the manual.
It’s simplified and consolidated into one easy-to-read table. The one in the manual has all these footnotes and even a couple of errors (which we clarified between manuals and with BMW directly).
Service intervals for the BMW R 1200 RS are every year or 10 000 km / 6 000 miles, at which you change the oil and filter. Every two years, replace a number of items and check the valve clearance. The maintenance schedule has full details of all checks to do.
Notes on the maintenance schedule:
- Continue the maintenance schedule in the pattern indicated, doing service items every 10, 20, or 30 000 km (6, 12, or 18 000 miles).
- The break-in service is omitted (Dealers usually do this during the warranty period)
- Follow the earlier of each distance or time-based service interval. E.g. regardless of distance, do the annual service and change the oil.
| ‘000 km | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‘000 miles | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | Every |
| Conduct BMW standard annual service (see below) | Year | ||||
| Change engine oil and filter | X | X | X | X | Year or 10K km (6K mi) |
| Change oil in rear bevel gears | X | X | 2 years or 20K km (12K mi) | ||
| Check/adjust valve clearance | X | X | |||
| Replace spark plugs | X | X | |||
| Replace air cleaner insert | X | X | |||
| Change oil in telescopic forks | X | ||||
| Change brake fluid, front and rear | After 1 year, then every 2 years |
BMW R 1200 RS standard annual service
The above standard annual service needs to be done every year or 10000 km (6000 mi), whichever comes earlier.
| BMW R 1200 RS standard service |
|---|
| [D] Perform vehicle test with BMW Motorrad diagnosis system |
| Visually inspect hydraulic clutch system |
| Visually inspect brake lines, brake hoses and connections |
| Check front brake pads and discs for wear |
| Check rear brake pads and disc for wear |
| Check front brake fluid level |
| Check rear brake fluid level |
| Check steering head bearing |
| Check coolant level |
| Check ease of movement of side and center stand (if fitted) |
| Check tire pressures and tread depth |
| Check lights and signaling equipment |
| Function test, engine start suppression |
| Final inspection and roadworthiness check |
| Check battery charge state |
| [D] Set service due date and countdown distance |
| [D] Confirm BMW Service in on-board documentation |
BMW R 1200 RS tire sizes and pressures
The BMW R 1200 RS is a sport bike, and ships with sport tires. BMW recommends a W speed category (168 mph / 270 km/h), just in case you were wondering how fast this bike could go!
| Wheel | Tire size | Tire pressures (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR 17 | 2.5 bar / 36 psi |
| Rear | 180/55 ZR 17 | 2.9 bar / 42 psi |
About the BMW R 1200 RS
The BMW R 1200 RS was the return of the sport boxer after a very long hiatus.
The R 1200 RS represents the rebirth of the R 100 RS from 1976 in a way that the R 1200 RT never really could. There were some other sporty boxers along the way, like the BMW R 1200 S, but they’re more sport-oriented than the RS, which tries to balance sport and everyday comfort.
The R 1200 RS is powered by an air/liquid-cooled DOHC boxer twin with 1170cc of displacement. Its liquid cooling is strategic, targeting just the hottest parts of the engine, and keeping the system size and weight impact to a minimum.
The engine is generally a modern one, with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. In base trim it makes a healthy 92 kW (125 hp) at 7750 rpm. But what’s more impressive is that the motor makes 80% of its torque from around 2000 rpm. It’s really an effortless motor to use — you can be lazy about shifting and not even notice.
Apart from the engine, the R 1200 RS is a bit of a departure from the rest of the R line. It has a svelte, compact design, with minimal fairings, but enough to give it good aerodynamics for high-speed runs. A taller screen can give riders the bubble of still air they’re used to from the R 1200 RT
The front suspension is an inverted fork, like on many sportbikes, whereas the R 1200 RT has a Telelever setup. The rear setup on the R 1200 RS remains a Paralever, though.
While it’s not dripping with power and sport ability like the S 1000 RR of the same generation, the R 1200 RS is unquestionably a sport bike. Its handlebars aren’t down low, but they do encourage a canted-forward position. And the brakes (320mm rotors with Brembo radially mounted calipers) also say “sportbike” loud and clear.
The disguishing feature of the R 1200 RS over its superbike stablemate is that it’s more designed for everyday riding and touring. The boxer engine isn’t designed to be revved to infinity; by 8000 rpm the party is nearly over and it’s time to shift. So despite being a sporty bike, don’t expect to have to ride its engine high in the RPM range to have fun.
On the other hand, in contrast with nearly every sportbike, the RS does produce bags of torque from down low. By 2000 rpm it’s already producing nearly 100 Nm (73 ft-lb) of torque, which means that you need a lot of discipline — or rider aids — to keep the front wheel down through aggressive launches.
Riding the R 1200 RS is an interesting experience. It really is a bike that can deliver many feelings, especially when you use the suspension adjustment. On the highways, with cruise control engaged, you can feel relaxed and like you can ride forever, but in the mountains, it just takes a couple of adjustments to get to an aggressive throttle map and sportier suspension setting and suddenly you’re on a fire-breather.
The BMW R 1200 RS proved popular enough that BMW refreshed it with the rest of the line-up in 2018, replacing it with the even more advanced BMW R 1250 RS.
Reference — BMW R 1200 RS Manual
The above maintenance schedule is based on the one in the manual for the BMW R 1200 RS, also consulting parts diagrams for replacement items.
You can download the manual for the R 1200 RS from BMW Motorrad here.
