Classic Documentation Misc FAQ

Compiled & edited by Kristian #562
Please read the Disclaimer before attempting any work in this FAQ.
Last Updated: 10 June 2006, by Winter #1935

• What Does the GS Stand for and Where on Earth does the name "Funduro" come from?
• How much does my F weigh?
• What is normally covered by the BMW Warranty?
• Standard Service Costs at BMW
• Can BMW void my warranty if I choose to have work done elsewhere and can document it?
• Does anyone know how to decode the VIN?

What Does the GS Stand for and Where on Earth does the name "Funduro" come from?

G/S=Gelände (Terrain)/Strasse (Street). In 1986 that was changed to GS (without slash)=Gelände+Sport. Funduro=Fun+Enduro (to a marketing department Enduro, Moto-Cross and off-road riding on a standard bike are all the same :-) by Pelle

You can find the BMW spec sheet at. 2001_bmw_F650_dakar. The specific link is: F650.pdf. You'll find the weight listed there. by DHP #711

Motorcycle Consumer News listed the wet weight as 430 lbs. James #523

Motorcyclist magazine's '01 GS weighed in at 416 pounds dry and 442 pounds with a full tank of gas. (From their July 2000 road test.). Richard #230

by Stuportech

This is always up to dealer and BMW but normally the following items are not covered unless failure is proven to because of bad part to start with. There are always exceptions. As a rule if it is a normal wear item it is not covered. I don't make BMW policy I just know what I see covered.

• Tires
• Brakes, pads and rotors
• Clutches
• Shocks
• Chains
• Sprockets

• 600 Mile Service
• For the 6000 Mile, 12000 Mile, Annual Services

OK, So What's involved? Not Much:
Classic is Similar to GS, Without the FI (Motronic), Fuel Filter & ABS Checks. BMW USED to do the Valve Check at this Service on Classics and EARLY GS's.
GS Maintenance Schedule (Note the Valve Check item in this Service has been specifically Removed by BMW)

Costs:

I cannot for the life of me figure out why the 600 mile service on my F650GS is so expensive. I'm getting quotes between $320 and $350 (Northern California). Is this initial service not simply a glorified oil change and once-over of the bike? I'm looking at other places to take my business. Does anyone have thoughts on the ramifications this may have on my warranty? Should the mechanic I choose have 'factory authorization'? Does he or she have to be factory authorized?  '03 F650GS, San Francisco

• I paid $300 for the 600 mile servicing of my F650 in 1997 and $350 for the 6000 mile servicing a year later, at my friendly Bay Area BMW dealer. Now that my bike is out of warranty I do my own servicing. When my F650 Classic had its 600-mile service done in 1997, the shop adjusted the valves. I watched them do it to make sure that I got my $300 worth. The valves have not needed shims since then. When I took my R1150R in for its 600-mile service (which BTW, was about $100 less expensive than for the F650), my dealer found that the factory had installed my rear tire backwards. That is what the 600-mile service is for, correcting factory assembly errors. Richard #230
• It seems that based on Richard's comments, the service cost hasn't been affected by inflation....in 1997 dollars it's almost free! Greg #1245 SEVa '02 F650GSA, Norfolk, VA.
• Is this initial service not simply a glorified oil change and once-over of the bike? Pretty much, plus a valve lash check, and adjustment if it needs it. Flash 412 (CO)
• There is no valve check at the 600 mile service (GS). It's not due until the 6000 mile service per maintenance manual. The sad thing is I paid over 300 bucks WITHOUT the valve adjustment. Uggh. Razz, '03 black GS, Colorado
• BMW flatrate books calls for 3 hours to do a 600 miles service on this bike. Then you will have an oil filter and oil. Should be easy to compute. The flatrate chart I have is a bit old and I am sure the price includes checking valve clearances. BMW has removed the requirement for a valve adjust until 6000 miles so the flat rate time should be a bit less. I would ask what you are getting for this fee and what the shop rate is. If the shop rates is around $80 sounds about right to me. F650GS Dakar, Oregon. Steve 1130 Or
• When I took my bike in for the 600 mile service (I agree with Greg from VA that it's the most important one for the techs at BMW to do, despite the horrific cost), they did do a valve check. Or I should say I inquired as to if they did it, (my bike being a 2002), and they informed me that yes they did. However, they charge an extra 80 bucks to check, and who knows how much to replace any shims that may need to be replaced. In other words, I guess it's an optional thing at the shop I used. I personally think a 600-mile valve check is probably a pretty good idea. Just to make sure nothing broke during the breakin. Just my $.02, worth what you paid for 'em I'm sure. Seacuke, #1214, F650GS, California, East of the Bay Area.
• How about if you do your own oil change, remove the body panels, and then let them check it over. Buy the oil and filter from the dealer and save your receipt. Save you the labor for the oil and removing and replacing panels. glennbtw Glenn, '01 F650GS, '99 K1200LT, California Delta Country.
• " and who knows how much to replace any shims that may need to be replaced. ." I've never been charged for shims. Up until now I've always let the factory guys do my valves and they keep the old shims and toss them back in the bins for next time. "How about if you do your own oil change, remove the body panels, and then let them check it over. Buy the oil and filter from the dealer and save your receipt. Save you the labor for the oil and removing and replacing panels. " This may or may not work, it's up to the dealer and your tech. Most techs, especially the good ones, get paid according to the flat rate. Which means (if you understand this, I apologise) he gets a cut of the $300 (or whatever) as does the dealer, lets say 50/50%. This means if he can do your service in 1 hour, he makes $150/hr, if it takes him three hours, he makes $50/hr. So he may not want to do all the complicated, time consuming stuff and forego the cake stuff. A good tech can change the oil on 2 or 3 bikes at once and remove the bodywork from another while they drain ($450/hr). Another issue could be the dealer stamp. I personally think it's an important commodity, especially come resale time, and some dealers might not want to put their stamp on your book (and thereby assume responsibility) for work they haven't done. All that said, I have exactly such a deal worked out with both my BMW guy and my Triumph guy. I do the stuff I can (or want to) and have them do the rest. I fill out the (my own) paperwork on the stuff I do and they fill out the stuff they do. I also pay them .5 hour to check my work and they feel fine about stamping my service history. When I have them do some non-routine maintenance I find particularly heinous (like spline lube on the K) , I usually pay full boat AND buy them lunch. Works well for me, and I've learned a lot along the way. Now that both bikes are out of warranty and I have a full time spot where I can work on my bikes, I intend to do more of the work myself. David #476, '99 F650.
• The labor rate for authorized BMW dealers is around $90 an hour in the SF Bay Area. Even the Japanese dealers here are not far behind. I hear that a sharp technician that knows how to use the "flat-rate" system to his advantage, can make around $80,000 a year, excluding benefits. Richard #230
• My bike goes in for it's 600 mile service on Thursday. My dealer quoted me $170.00 including parts. Their labor rate is $57.00 per hour. 600 mile service completed today. $167.20. stuflinn 2003 GSA, Pittsburgh, PA.

How long can I leave the 600 Mile Service?

I have searched the FAQs and forums but have not found an answer to this question. Here I go showing my lack of mechanical knowledge AGAIN. My GS is due for the 600 mi service, but when I called to schedule an appt. there were no openings for 2 weeks. So my question is how far it is advisable to go over 600mi. Does it matter? Am I just paranoid? Any comments would be appreciated!! THANKS!! Black '03 650GSA, Southern Indiana, CG #1337.

• I wouldn't worry about putting a couple hundred miles over 600 on the bike before you drop it in for servicing. As long as everything is running great, that is. I took mine in with 785 miles on it I believe. Seacuke, #1214, F650GS, California, East of the Bay Area.
• My GSA also had something like 700-800 on it when I got in to the shop. I 'personally' think the point of the 600 mile is to 1. check the valve clearances and 2. for the shop to make sure they put your bike together right by checking tightness on everything. Docc- docc Austin, TX, '02 GSA Black, Inmate 1249.
• I had 850; Svc. Mgr. said "no problem..., no affect on warranty". Art 884
• "1. check the valve clearances and 2. for the shop to make sure they put your bike together right by checking tightness on everything" And also get the oil (full of metal shavings) out of the engine. David #476, '99 F650.
• The big thing is getting the oil changed. The first oil is thinner that normal. If you change the oil yourself go do it. I am told that the 600 mile service is one of the most important checks though. Don't let it go too long. Bryan Cady, #1157, 02' GS, Lawrenceville, GA.
• I took my CD into the dealer with 800+ miles on it for its 600 mile service. I checked with them, and they recommended not to rev it high until after the service, but that I could continue to ride normally with no ill effects. So I did, and no problems have arisen in the first 4000 miles. Ratcliffe Derek -- Leicester, UK -- F650 CS Scarver '01 -- Dare to be Different!
• My dealer said anything up to 800miles for first service is fine (but my dealer is a piece of Turd). Andrew C (UK).

• Classic: See Flash's Maintenance Log
• GS/Dakar: See GS Maintenance Schedule

Costs

• Just picked up bike from 6000 mile service. labor charge was $320 plus parts. andrewkoller

• Now that my bike is out of warranty I do my own servicing. Richard #230
• My personal policy is to hold my nose and let the dealer service my bike, car, whatever to absolutely avoid any problems with a warranty claim. I keep careful log books (yea, I'm anal) for all my vehicles, just to back up any disagreements (the BMW owners manual has the area in the back for dealer stamps, etc.). You can certainly do it yourself (ask Seacuke) or have someone other than BMW do the servicing, but I wouldn't want to be in that "discussion" if you have problems. The 600 mi is the one that could be argued is the most important since they're supposed to go over everything, including checking the FI programming, spoke tightness, etc. After that period, I do it myself or find an qualified outside service person. My $0.02 US (or maybe my $350), Greg #1245 SEVa '02 F650GSA, Norfolk, VA.
• I'm looking at other places to take my business. Does anyone have thoughts on the ramifications this may have on my warranty? Should the mechanic I choose have 'factory authorization'? Does he or she have to be factory authorized? Can BMW void my warranty if I choose to have work done elsewhere and can document it? In the USA, they cannot void your warranty if you can document that you have purchased the materials to do the work and/or paid to have it done by someone else. Bag of sphincters that BMW has become, should you need to make a warranty claim, they will likely MAKE you PROVE that you either did the maintenance or had it done before they pony up their re$pon$ibilitie$. Flash 412 (CO)
• Remember that it is not just the factory training, but also the factory diagnostic tool and equip that you are paying for. Now that the valves are not inspected until the 6,000 mile service, I do the 600 oil and filter myself. I can check the bike over for loose spokes and adjust a chain or check the battery. I will have the 6,000 done at a dealer and then I will do the work and document my parts purchases from then on. We have two Fs on warranty and I do not want to pay $350 every time one of them hits a mileage that requires a dealer service. If BMW has decided to increase the mileage interval for servicing the valves, I will follow that and let the 3 year warranty take care of any valve problems that may arise before 6,000 miles. FWIW :-) Bert Chaingang Member #1131 -- 02 F650GS, (Wife's) -- 03 F650 Dakar.
• My Triumph workshop manual came with a handy bit of paperwork to note clearances, shim sizes etc during a clearance check-adjust and the routine maintenance during a 6K service. During a factory service, the mechanic is supposed to fill this paper out and I've always asked for a copy "for my records". My feeling is that a clearance check could be overlooked/overcharged between the service dept and the cashier, but I wouldn't trust a tech who I feel would possibly falsify the paperwork for a buck to work on my bike. For me the paperwork is just an insurance policy making sure the work gets done. Perhaps you could whip up a spreadsheet (or use Flash's maintenance log in the FAQs) and do the same with your bike. David #476, '99 F650

Take a look at http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi.

• Interesting. I mistakingly put in the last seven digits of my TITLE number and it came up with a 1988 BMW 318i telling me I had a/c, etc. Then, when I applied my correct VIN numbers, it tells me in capital letters....Catalyzer NONE. Now I wonder. Ike647 (It's a US model)