BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S (2021+) Maintenance Schedule
This is the complete maintenance schedule for the BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S, made from 2021 with throttle-by-wire and cruise control.
The R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S have a different maintenance schedule to the original 2017-2020 Urban G/S and Scrambler, and different parts, which is why we’re separating it out.
You may be searching for one of the following maintenance schedules from the BMW R nineT family:
| Model family | 2014-2016 | 2017-2020 | 2021+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| R nineT (Classic) | 2014-2016 R nineT | 2017-2020 R nineT | 2021+ R nineT |
| R nineT Pure | n/a | 2017-2020 R nineT Pure | 2021+ R nineT Pure |
| R nineT Urban G/S & Scrambler | n/a | 2017-2020 R nineT Urban G/S and Scrambler | 2021 R nineT Urban G/S & Scrambler |
| R nineT Racer | n/a | R nineT Racer | n/a (discontinued) |
The maintenance schedule for the R NineT Scrambler and Urban G/S is very similar to that of the 2021+ “Classic” R NineT. But there are a few small differences in parts.
The Scrambler and Urban G/S share a lot. Aside from the position of the exhaust pipe (higher on the Scrambler), the tyres they ship with, and a few details like the front cowl and the colour schemes, everything else is the same — suspension, rider geometry, and of course, the engine (which is the same across the whole R nineT line).
All BMW R nineT motorcycles share the air-cooled 1170cc flat twin “boxer” engine with four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts, pushing about 81 kW (110 hp) of power at 7550 rpm, and 116 Nm (86 lb-ft) of torque at 6000 rpm to the rear wheel via a dry single-plate clutch and a shaft drive.
The engine hasn’t changed dramatically since the last gen, though some parts did (e.g. plugs, air filter).
This was originally published on September 1, 2021, but has since been considerably updated with more detail.
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BMW R nineT Scrambler / Urban G/S Service Intervals
Like the rest of the BMW R nineT from 2021+, the BMW R nineT Urban G/S and Scrambler have an air/oil-cooled engine with service intervals of a relatively short 6000 miles / 10000 km. At every service, you change the oil and filter and also check the valve clearances.
Note that BMW also specifies an annual oil change in their service schedule, regardless of distance travelled. There’s also an annual full multi-point inspection to check for leaks or parts that need lubrication.
Luckily the valve clearance inspection isn’t too hard. Once you’ve dropped the oil, the cylinders are out there poking out the sides of the bike.
Every two services, change the air filter and the spark plugs.
Finally, make sure you regularly attend to key fluids like shaft drive lubricant and brake fluid.
What you need to service the BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S (2021+) — Consumables and Special Tools
For the 2021+ BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S, the manual recommends the following specific consumables.
| Part | BMW R nineT Scrambler/Urban G/S Spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Per the manual for all R nineT bikes, a maximum of 3.8 L (1 US gal) L of SAE 15W-50, API SJ/JASO MA2. Additives (for instance, molybdenum-based substances) are prohibited, because they would attack the coatings on engine components, BMW Motorrad recommends BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC 15W-50 oil. |
| Oil filter | All BMW R bikes use a BMW/Mahle oil filter, part number 11 42 7 673 541. The best replacement is a Hiflofiltro HF164. |
| Spark plugs | NGK MAR8AI-10DS This is what the manual suggests for 2021+ models. Make sure it’s gapped correctly to 0.8mm (get a gapping tool). |
| Air filter | The OEM filter part number is 13728406673 (for 2021+, different to earlier models). |
| Brake pads | Use the standard brake pads by Brembo, which you can order from your dealer. Or use EBC double hardened brake pads to get the best out of your advanced braking system. Use two FA244HH for the front, and one FA363HH for the rear. * Note — Pads are different across the R nineT line (R nineT Classic vs Pure, Racer, Scrambler, and Urban GS) — get the right ones. |
| Drive oil | Called “Rear axle differential oil” in the manual. BMW recommends “SAE 70W-80 / hypoid axle G3”, but many hypoid gear oils work, e.g. Mobil 1 75W-90. |
| Alternator belt | Super annoying when this breaks! The part number is 11 31 8 528 385. It’s easiest to pick this up from a dealer. |
BMW R nineT Urban G/S and Scrambler Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the BMW R nineT Urban G/S and Scrambler as per the manual, but made more clear so that you can understand what needs to happen more easily.
The R nineT range, being air-cooled (though thoroughly modern), have surprisingly short maintenance intervals — quite similar to other air-cooled performance bikes. You have to service the valves every 6,000 miles or 10,000 kilometres.
The good news is that you can get to the valve heads very easily, as the cylinders are sticking out into the wind. And according to owners, adjustments aren’t that commonly necessary.
The Urban G/S and Scrambler’s maintenance schedules also don’t require you to change fork oil, as the forks are simpler than on the R nineT’s upside-down fully-adjustable forks.
Simplified, the maintenance for the BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S involves:
- A standard service every 12 months (irrespective of distance)
- Oil change every 10,000 kms or 12 months, whichever is earlier,
- Checking the valve clearances every 10,000 km/6,000 miles (with no time restriction)
- A series of other periodic checks
Previous manuals used to require adjusting synchro every 10,000 km, but this has been omitted from recent manuals.
Notes
- For items that have a time-based and distance-based interval, follow the earlier of the two
- The break-in check is omitted as it’s usually done by the dealer, but it involves an oil and a standard service and checking of all fluids and torques.
- Keep repeating the maintenance schedule in the pattern shown.
| x 1000 km | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x 1000 mi | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | Every |
| Standard scope of BMW Motorrad service (see below) | Year | ||||
| Engine oil change, with filter (BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC Ultimate oil, BMW/Mahle oil filter, part number 11 42 7 721 779) | X | X | X | X | Year |
| Oil change in the rear bevel gears | X | X | After 1 year, then every 2 years | ||
| Check valve clearance | X | X | X | X | |
| Change transmission oil (Mobil 1 75W-90) | X | 2 years | |||
| Replace spark plugs (NGK MAR8B-JDS) | X | X | |||
| Replace air cleaner insert (BM-1204) | X | X | |||
| Replace alternator belt (11 31 8 528 385) | X | 6 years | |||
| Change brake fluid in entire system (Castrol Dot 4) | After 1 year, then every 2 years |
Standard BMW Annual Service (R nineT)
The activities in the BMW Motorrad Service standard scope (that are to be done periodically according to the service schedule above) are listed below.
There might be additional work to be done on your 2021+ BMW R nineT Scrambler or Urban G/S in addition to the standard service — whatever you (or the mechanic) observe.
Note: Some of the below tests, including those that need the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system or re-setting the service due date, require BMW-specific equipment. These are marked with a [B].
| Standard BMW annual service (R nineT) |
|---|
| [B] Perform vehicle test with BMW Motorrad diagnosis system |
| Visually inspect the clutch system (adjust free play and lubricate as necessary) |
| Check steering-head bearing |
| Visually inspect the brake lines, brake hoses and connections |
| Check front brake pads and brake discs for wear (replace pads with FA244HH if necessary) |
| Check front wheel brake fluid level |
| Check rear brake pads and brake disc for wear (replace pads with FA363HH if necessary) |
| Check rear wheel brake fluid level |
| Check tyre pressures and tread depth |
| Check side stand for ease of movement |
| Check tension of the spokes (if spoked wheels fitted) and adjust as needed |
| Check the lighting and signal equipment |
| Functional check for engine start suppression |
| Final inspection and road safety check |
| [B] Set the service due date and service countdown distance (using the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system) |
| Check battery charging state |
| [B] Confirm BMW service in the vehicle literature |
BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S Tire size and pressures
The following are tire sizes and tyre pressures for the BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S.
On the BMW R nineT Scrambler you can also opt for a low ride height option which changes the rim sizes.
The tyre sizes are as follows:
| Wheel/Tire | Tyre Size (Urban G/S, standard Scrambler) | Tyre Size (Scrambler, Lowered) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 R 19 (60) | 120/70 ZR 17 |
| Rear | 170/60 R 17 (72) | 180/55 ZR 17 |
Recommended tyre pressures for the BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S are 2.5 bar (36 psi) up front and 2.9 (42 psi) bar in the rear.
There are various wheel options for the bikes, including cast wheels, cross-spoked wheels, and standard spoked wheels (which can be lowered).
About the BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S (2021+)
The BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S are two very similar bikes from the BMW R nineT line-up.
They’re both relaxed upright motorcycles powered by the air/oil-cooled engine from an earlier generation R 1200 range, last seen around 2014.
Like other motorcycles in the R nineT range, both the Urban G/S and Scrambler are based on the same 1170cc DOHC boxer twin. It’s an air/oil-cooled engine that’s quite powerful despite not having liquid cooling, making a peak of 81 kW (110 hp) at around 7,500 rpm.
The R nineT engine has a few peculiarities that make maintenance different from other motorcycles:
- A dry single-plate clutch. This is like an automotive clutch — it’s between the engine and the drive shaft. (It’s NOT like a Ducati dry clutch, which is on the side, due to the engine driving a sprocket and chain system)
- An alternator belt. You have to replace this periodically. If your charging system stops working, this is usually the culprit.
- Changing transmission oil and rear bevel gear oil. Not that often, but make sure you do it.
The R nineT Urban G/S and Scrambler have a lot in common. They both have, compared to the R nineT (which is the top-of-the-range model)
- A relaxed urban roadster riding position
- Shallower rake
- A conventional fork with gaiters and travel-dependent damping (though non-adjustable)
- A rear shock that’s adjustable for preload and damping
- A single gauge display
- 19-inch front spoked wheel (with tubeless tyres) as standard
The differences between them are cosmetic — the Urban G/S has a lower pipe and also has a front owl.
They also come stock with different tyres, but you can opt for other tyre combos (and this matters less if you’re doing any maintenance, as you’ve done more than 6K miles/10K km, and so will have changed tyres at least once).
Riding both the Urban G/S and Scrambler is a similar experience. You still short-shift the big-bore boxer twin.
The experience of riding the big air-cooled engine is something like an athletic cruiser — it doesn’t rev too hard, but you don’t have to shift too early, and the upright position gives you enough control (and just enough cornering clearance) to have a lot of fun.
However, don’t shift too enthusiastically… replacing the clutch of a big boxer isn’t fun and basically means splitting the bike in half.
Manual for the BMW 2021+ R nineT Urban G/S and Scrambler
Below are screenshots of the maintenance schedule from which the above was derived (there’s more information in the manual about what the numbers mean) for the BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S. As you can see, the maintenance schedules are the same.
The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manuals for the 2021 BMW R nineT Scrambler and Urban G/S.
You can download them from BMW’s website directly here.
