GS1150 oil removal with no access header

[drewandkellie]

I just changed the oil on a GS1150ES i just purchased. It has a vance and hines aluminum looking header on it(nice header) but it runs directly under the drain plug. I drained what oil would come out of the oil filter housing and then lossened the clutch cover and leaned the bike to the right. I got most of the oil out (which was pretty thick and black). I am wondering if there is an easier method to drain the oil out for next time. Is header removal the norm on these header types?
Thanks
Drew

[reddirtrider]

Can you change your filter without removing the header? Draining the oil isn't the problem, it's the filter change.

[derwood]

Header removal is the norm.
Taking the header off is no big deal,( kind of a pain in the a$$) just the front eight bolts and the hanger. I doubt that it's all aluminum but it is still quite light and comes off in one piece. With an ES, you probably won't have to deal with the plastic.

[Mysuzyq]

Some use a pump to siphon most of the oil out via the oil fill hole. Do a google search, and check ebay as well, for these. Not sure how much of the oil is drained this way, though. Another long-term fix would be to get a cheap pan on ebay, and drill/tap it for a drain plug at a more convenient location. I wouldn't want to take the header off/on too often myself.
Tony.