Does anyone really know yet? I performed a valve adjustment on an 1150RT with ~20,000 miles on the odometer, and all but one of the valve clearances was still within spec. The owner assured me that no valve adjustment had ever been done prior to that. Perhaps the new shim under bucket system will stay within spec even longer, much like the K-bikes did.
That is what my mechanic source has told me. On the R1200HP2 Sport and the Camheads, he has never had to replace a shim. Granted, the HP2 Sport was generally low miles, though high RPMs, and the Camhead is new, so the statistics are not very reliable yet, but I would not be surprised at 24K+ valve intervals with minimal or no adjustment needed. This is especially true with the large range within adjustment of .01mm. Also, keep in mind that the shims are the same ones used on the new K1200/1300 series, and they rarely go out of spec, some with more than 50K miles and still in spec. Jim
Also, keep in mind that the shims are the same ones used on the new K1200/1300 series, and they rarely go out of spec, some with more than 50K miles and still in spec. [/quote] K series bikes require far less adjustment because they're a 4 cylinder with multiple valves sharing the load of engine operation. The type of shims have nothing to do with that. It's the same reason an FZ1 or an FJR aren't real needy for valve adjustments. Any 2 cylinder bike, or 1 cylinder bike, will need adjustments more frequently.
In July I traded in my 08 w/21k mi. on it for a 2010 and the difference was $5500. That was worth it to me. I'd be hard pressed to justify it to myself if I was in your situation though.
My dealer says that $5000 discount on 09's is over. Ain't no mo big discount.This month,anyway. Too badd.
You would have to offer a better explanation than this to convince me of that. Valves share the load of engine operation? What is that supposed to mean? Please explain.
He probably means that the bigger chambers of the 1200cc twin puts more load on 8 valves, than a 1200cc four cylinder puts on 8 valves of two of it's chambers. Which I guess is true ...
My dealer also directs me to the service dept for shims, but last two times I've needed to swap shims, their "boat load" didn't have the ones I needed. (Makes you wonder how many shims they actually swap when they do valve adjustments in the service dept - I have long harbored a sneaking suspicion that many service departments look the other way unless the valves are dramatically out of spec.) Six-day wait for parts with the bike torn down. YMMV. - Mark
Mark, what bike are you waiting on shims for? Jim PS I wouldn't be surprised if some shops avoid changing shims as you say.
I use an independent mechanic who spent years working at several motorcycle dealerships before he opened his own shop. He tells me that it was common practice not to do valve adjustments unless it appeared obvious that the bikes really needed it. In all these cases, the customer was billed for the service regardless. :huh
The shims are also the same as the F800 series, G450X and the S1000RR. I just recently replaced eight shims on my K1200R at 24k miles. The dealer had to order all of them. They don't seem to stock any shims.
I defenitely dont want to see any elks on the roads I ride, so I fitted my -10 with an Akrapovic slipon
I took all my farkles off my 08 except the McCruise elec. cruise control ($1100). Stock it came with spoke wheels, no ESA, heated grips, computer, and oem bag mounts. The bike had 21k miles on it and 2k on new Tourances. The 2010 had non-spoke wheels (which I prefer), no ESA, computer, heated grips, oem bag mounts. Not having the ESA or the spoke wheels dropped the price $1300.
The "loud pipes save lives" crowd hasn't heard of the doppler effect. As for quieting the pipes on the 2010 I don't find them any louder than my oem pipe on the 2008. They may be even quieter. I have added exhaust extension pipes (excel cycle werkes in the U.S. makes them) and they have made the bike even quieter. I like quiet, stealth, from a sound perspective. From a visual perspective I wear high-vis!
I thought that was what he was getting at. Makes absolutely no sense to me but perhaps someone else can explain it. I don't believe the size of the cylinder either puts a load on the valves or has much effect on wear. Valve wear causes: 1. High RPM. Stay off the rev limiter and your valves will stay in spec much longer. More cycles = more wear. 2. Dirty air. Keep your filter regularly serviced and oiled, and your valve seats will last much longer. Most of the material that causes engine wear comes from the air. 3. Ethanol. Most of us run premium unleaded pump gas, and in most parts of the country it is treated with ethanol. Ethanol is corrosive to valve seats.