$1300 for 12k service - 2016 C650GT

JetFalcon

New member
Right now I'm near 13k miles on my 2016 BMW C650GT and I have not ridden it much as to not put more miles on it. But the quote for the 12k service is over $1000!!!!

I only paid $8500 for this motorcycle with around 400-500 miles, it was almost brand new in 2017. So it was discounted because it was last year's model, and someone bought it, then resold it.

But I think the average cost is around $1200-1300 for this 12k repair, which is like 15% of the bike's value!? I only called BMW motorcycle dealerships, but I'm trying to find a 3rd party place that has good reviews but does it for less and gives you the same quality maintenance. I live in the Orange County area so hopefully I can find one around this area, but I'm willing to travel to travel to adjacent counties if the cost savings are worth it. I am hoping to pay under $1000, maybe $600-900 if possible. I think the next service is 24k miles after 12k, but that means I have to pay almost a $1000 to drive about 12k miles. So its like paying $1 to drive 12 miles on average. People don't like it when gas prices increase by one dollar, and that $1 is probably worth more than 12 miles of travel. Are motorcycles more costly to repair than cars? I bought it because I thought it be more economical, and easier to get through traffic. I don't ride my motorcycle much, but its very useful for big events like concerts or theme parks, where people are trying to get in / out of the same parking spot.

I own a Tesla Model 3 that has about 38k miles on it, I never had to pay to maintain it yet. The only maintenance I did was swapping the small battery (that powers the electronics) and that was done for free because it was under warrantee. I only had to pay $800 to get new tires, but I don't really count that as maintenance like the 12k maintenance. But I was able to get 37k miles out of the stock tires for two years. But I like the Tesla more than the motorcycle because EVs drive much nicer and it has autopilot. I wish Tesla would make a commuter motorcycle like the C650GT where you can charge at superchargers & at home. I bet it would drive much nicer than a C650GT.

I heard the C650GT isn't that popular in the USA. And most maxi scooters aren't popular in the USA, so this BMW C650GT was one of the few choices I had when it came to commuter scooters. I mainly like them because it has a trunk and requires no shifting. I don't get why most motorcycles that are popular in the US don't care about practicality, like having a trunk.
 

EvilTwin

Active member
I think quite a few folks on this board would look at doing most of the maintenance themselves. Looking at what is required for the 12K service the big items are:

Oil Change
Brake fluid flush
New air filter
Check or replace cvt belt
Check sag for chain

The last two may not really be necessary if they aren't worn excessively. The first three are definitely DIY driveway items or could be done by any competent motorcycle shop. I'm sure Mike (Delray) will chime in as will others who have recently done this same work.

If you have never done your own service or just don't want to, thats ok. But one thing to keep in mind is that companies like BMW and Mercedes (cars) take preventive maintenance very seriously. They can get expensive if you always take them back to the dealer for work. They specify things like routine brake fluid flushes because if you do them, they reduce the potential problems you will have down the road. Remember these bikes have a pretty sophisticated ABS system that can get expensive to fix or replace if it gets gunked up with old fluid, not to mention the calipers at each wheel.



12,000 Mile Maintenance.jpg
 

EvilTwin

Active member
If you want a bike that you can ride without that much thought about service, then I would look at a Honda. In the scooter realm there are Silverwings and Forza's. Smaller would be a pcx 150 or the new adv 150. In standard bikes, look for anything with a dct transmission if you dont want a clutch to play with. NC750x, CTX700, the new rebel 1100 come to mind.
 

Ceesie76

Active member
One of the reasons the 12K service is so expensive is the cost of the cvt belt. At BMW the cost is several times that of a quality alternative (Mitsuboshi). So if you buy the Mitsuboshi belt then have an independent shop do the install and other service items, you're probably going to be paying less than half the amount BMW wants.
 

mjnorris

Active member
The cost is not set in stone. It’s that much if you do everything. See the checklist above. Originally it would have said “remove and replace” for a lot of the items. It is now “inspect and service if needed”. While some of the items require more experience and tools than the average rider has a lot of them can be done in your own garage. I repeat that not every item needs to be replaced every service.
 

Delray

Well-known member
Couple simple ways to get the bill down to your target range of $600 to $900 ....

1. Buy this belt and bring it to your motorcycle shop. For around $90 U.S. it's the same belt as the one with BMW stamped on it, which will set you back $438. That's $350 off your bill right there.

2. Get a T-30 torx bit or T-handled screwdriver and figure out how to take the plastic off (start by pinching off the black gas cap cover and work down, it's not rocket science). Be gentle and patient when you encounters tabs. On the day of your repair appointment, ride your bike to the shop with the plastic off. That'll save your motorcycle tech at least 1.0 hours removing and re-installing plastic, which saves you another $100 or so.

3. Air filter is super easy to remove. In fact, if you can't do this job, I'd have to wonder how you find your way home at night ;o). Order the filter online or from a dealer: BMW 13727724933 (BMW dealers have to advertise the same price, so there's no need to shop around OEM parts). However, there are cheaper, non-OEM versions available, like K&N. The upper right fairing comes off with four T-30 screws, one beneath the glove box, two on the little flat side wall on the dash and one on the outside, bottom front. Three screws remove the air filter cover to the bottom right of the battery. Slide out the old filter and slide in the new (or check the old one and put it back if it's not too bad). No need to pay a dealer $100 when it's an easy DIY for half the cost.

That's around $500 in savings. Oil changes are easy but I'm not sure if it'll save you money. I use really good oil (MOTUL 15W50) so it's kind of break-even vs. the dealer. But I enjoy knowing the job was done with TLC, with good oil, properly torqued, and not rushed through as part of a dozen oil changes that day or week.

Viel Glück!
 
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Greg goes wild

Active member
One of the reasons the 12K service is so expensive is the cost of the cvt belt. At BMW the cost is several times that of a quality alternative (Mitsuboshi). So if you buy the Mitsuboshi belt then have an independent shop do the install and other service items, you're probably going to be paying less than half the amount BMW wants.
You can buy the Mitsuboshi belt for $119 bucks instead of paying what BMW wants $400. OUCH paying for at
BMW to maintain the bikes performance. I found out that my Honda dealer does sell BMW motorcycles n they
work on them as well. I have been dealing with Wild West Honda for 20 some odd yrs.. But NOT to do the
mantinence just to have a new tire put on. My bother has done MOST of the work on the x Silverwings i
had 2 of them and other bikes were totaled NOT my fault
 

Greg goes wild

Active member
Couple simple ways to get the bill down to your target range of $600 to $900 ....

1. Buy this belt and bring it to your motorcycle shop. For around $90 U.S. it's the same belt as the one with BMW stamped on it, which will set you back $438. That's $350 off your bill right there.

2. Get a T-30 torx bit or T-handled screwdriver and figure out how to take the plastic off (start by pinching off the black gas cap cover and work down, it's not rocket science). Be gentle and patient when you encounters tabs. On the day of your repair appointment, ride your bike to the shop with the plastic off. That'll save your motorcycle tech at least 1.0 hours removing and re-installing plastic, which saves you another $100 or so.

3. Air filter is super easy to remove. In fact, if you can't do this job, I'd have to wonder how you find your way home at night ;o). Order the filter online or from a dealer: BMW 13727724933 (BMW dealers have to advertise the same price, so there's no need to shop around OEM parts). However, there are cheaper, non-OEM versions available, like K&N. The upper right fairing comes off with four T-30 screws, one beneath the glove box, two on the little flat side wall on the dash and one on the outside, bottom front. Three screws remove the air filter cover to the bottom right of the battery. Slide out the old filter and slide in the new (or check the old one and put it back if it's not too bad). No need to pay a dealer $100 when it's an easy DIY for half the cost.

That's around $500 in savings. Oil changes are easy but I'm not sure if it'll save you money. I use really good oil (MOTUL 15W50) so it's kind of break-even vs. the dealer. But I enjoy knowing the job was done with TLC, with good oil, properly torqued, and not rushed through as part of a dozen oil changes that day or week.

Viel Glück!
THANK you for the link and the information you provided . I am STILL reading the bmw owners manual.
I stopped at my Honda dealer and Pat the service guy said skip the 600 m. work. The next will be the 6 k.. I have
the DVD on order service manual. I am a special needs man so how do you change in the link you provided
from E 77.34 to U.S.A. dollars?
 

Delray

Well-known member
"how do you change in the link you provided from E 77.34 to U.S.A. dollars?"

Google "77.34 euros to dollars." When you buy, the order and invoice shows USD because they can tell you're buying from the U.S.

I would not skip the 600 mile oil change. Seems odd a service guy would recommend that. The intitial oil change is to remove metal shavings in the oil from the brand new engine. There is a magnetic head on the drain plug that catches metal shavings and needs to be cleaned off.
 
Last edited:

Greg goes wild

Active member
"how do you change in the link you provided from E 77.34 to U.S.A. dollars?"

Google "77.34 euros to dollars." When you buy, the order and invoice shows USD because they can tell you're buying from the U.S.

I would not skip the 600 mile oil change. Seems odd a service guy would recommend that. The intitial oil change is to remove metal shavings in the oil from the brand new engine. There is a magnetic head on the drain plug that catches metal shavings and needs to be cleaned off.
My bike had 2.220 miles on it when i bought it. Now it has 2.800 miles on it Pat the service guy said to ignore
the 600 m. oil change. That is from a Honda dealer that sells BMW and works on them as well. I noticed that
when i bought the bike 2 weeks ago the oil said OK now on mothers day i had to add about 1/4 of the
quart of oil to the motor. Then i checked it again on flat pavement and all is GOOD. But the 3 dash lines
are showing most of the time instead of the OK like i have seen. Is that a problem?? Thank you for the info
i forgot to check on the net on the E vs USD.
 

Delray

Well-known member
"the 3 dash lines are showing most of the time instead of the OK like i have seen"

100% normal. The bike has to be standing still for a certain time (10 seconds? Can't remember) for the dashes to change to "OK." If I'm waiting at a red light I will sometimes cycle through to the oil reading to see "OK" pop up.
 

Greg goes wild

Active member
"the 3 dash lines are showing most of the time instead of the OK like i have seen"

100% normal. The bike has to be standing still for a certain time (10 seconds? Can't remember) for the dashes to change to "OK." If I'm waiting at a red light I will sometimes cycle through to the oil reading to see "OK" pop up.
I have seen that myself i was just curious . Here is a dumb question lol i have made new threads in the past.
But now i search all over and i can NOT find where to make a NEW thread. Sorry about a dumb question.
 

Delray

Well-known member
"can NOT find where to make a NEW thread"

1. Click on FORUMS on the menu bar on top of this page
2. Scroll down and click on your area of interest ... C600/C650 General Discussion ... Sell Your Scooter, etc.
3. You'll see your icon with an open box that says "Thread Title." Type in your title and the box for your message opens up.
4. Write and post.
 

Noguru00

New member
I was told when I bought my GT650 that it had to be service by an authorized BMW dealer or my warranty is voided. I have heard since that this is not true (at least in the USA). I am pretty handy and have changed the belt on a Silver Wing. Can anyone confirm the US exeption to the BMW dealer service rule?
 

Turbo Jim

New member
If you want a bike that you can ride without that much thought about service, then I would look at a Honda. In the scooter realm there are Silverwings and Forza's. Smaller would be a pcx 150 or the new adv 150. In standard bikes, look for anything with a dct transmission if you dont want a clutch to play with. NC750x, CTX700, the new rebel 1100 come to mind.
I have to agree... My next service was a big one and decided to sell my BMW and with the service money alone got a Honda Integra 700cc with the DCT transmission and pocketed the sale money. Not the same bike, no toys etc, but gets me A to B and next service is a 10th of BMW charges... its a shame as my BMW Mini had a 5 Year service plan, and I just extended to 10 years for just €500 that covers everything, but my bikes first service costs more than that and you can't get a service plan??? Makes no sense!! My pennies worth....
 

Noguru00

New member
I was told by my BMW dealer that the bike had to be serviced at authorized BMW dealers only or the warranty would be void. I also heard this is not legal for manufacturers to require that in the USA. Can anyone confirm this?
 

slant911

Active member
Noguru. I know absolutely for sure that is an illegal practice with cars in the US. I do not see why bikes would be different but I have heard weirder things in my life.
 

Hawkboy72

New member
Right now I'm near 13k miles on my 2016 BMW C650GT and I have not ridden it much as to not put more miles on it. But the quote for the 12k service is over $1000!!!!

I only paid $8500 for this motorcycle with around 400-500 miles, it was almost brand new in 2017. So it was discounted because it was last year's model, and someone bought it, then resold it.

But I think the average cost is around $1200-1300 for this 12k repair, which is like 15% of the bike's value!? I only called BMW motorcycle dealerships, but I'm trying to find a 3rd party place that has good reviews but does it for less and gives you the same quality maintenance. I live in the Orange County area so hopefully I can find one around this area, but I'm willing to travel to travel to adjacent counties if the cost savings are worth it. I am hoping to pay under $1000, maybe $600-900 if possible. I think the next service is 24k miles after 12k, but that means I have to pay almost a $1000 to drive about 12k miles. So its like paying $1 to drive 12 miles on average. People don't like it when gas prices increase by one dollar, and that $1 is probably worth more than 12 miles of travel. Are motorcycles more costly to repair than cars? I bought it because I thought it be more economical, and easier to get through traffic. I don't ride my motorcycle much, but its very useful for big events like concerts or theme parks, where people are trying to get in / out of the same parking spot.

I own a Tesla Model 3 that has about 38k miles on it, I never had to pay to maintain it yet. The only maintenance I did was swapping the small battery (that powers the electronics) and that was done for free because it was under warrantee. I only had to pay $800 to get new tires, but I don't really count that as maintenance like the 12k maintenance. But I was able to get 37k miles out of the stock tires for two years. But I like the Tesla more than the motorcycle because EVs drive much nicer and it has autopilot. I wish Tesla would make a commuter motorcycle like the C650GT where you can charge at superchargers & at home. I bet it would drive much nicer than a C650GT.

I heard the C650GT isn't that popular in the USA. And most maxi scooters aren't popular in the USA, so this BMW C650GT was one of the few choices I had when it came to commuter scooters. I mainly like them because it has a trunk and requires no shifting. I don't get why most motorcycles that are popular in the US don't care about practicality, like having a trunk.
I've done 14000 km (8699 miles) on mine and the last service cost me $268.00 AUD at BMW Motorrad.
 

LongRanger

New member
In the U.S., the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits manufacturers from voiding the warranty if a consumer chooses to service the vehicle themselves or elects to take it to a non-affiliated independent service facility. It also prohibits manufacturers from requiring the use of OE replacement parts in order to maintain the warranty.
 

speedtoys

Member
In the U.S., the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits manufacturers from voiding the warranty if a consumer chooses to service the vehicle themselves or elects to take it to a non-affiliated independent service facility. It also prohibits manufacturers from requiring the use of OE replacement parts in order to maintain the warranty.
Unless the part can be directly correlated to a warranty claim...which means you were modifying, not just maintaining.
 
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