Maybe the banner at the top of the page should be changed, remove the photos and list the correct oils for all models of GS instead. 
1150gs Correct engine oil
- Thread starter gingerbeemer08
- Start date
oil
Just what exactly is "Oil" ?
Just what exactly is "Oil" ?
An oil is a substance that is in a viscous liquid state ("oily") at ambient temperatures or slightly warmer, and is both hydrophobic (immiscible with water) and lipophilic (miscible with other oils, literally). This general definition includes compound classes with otherwise unrelated chemical structures, properties, and uses, including vegetable oils, petrochemical oils, and volatile essential oils. Oil is a nonpolar substance.
The term oil is often used colloquially to refer to petroleum
The Sea Dog
Registered user
An oil is a substance that is in a viscous liquid state ("oily") at ambient temperatures or slightly warmer, and is both hydrophobic (immiscible with water) and lipophilic (miscible with other oils, literally). This general definition includes compound classes with otherwise unrelated chemical structures, properties, and uses, including vegetable oils, petrochemical oils, and volatile essential oils. Oil is a nonpolar substance.
The term oil is often used colloquially to refer to petroleum
wikipedia strikes again
Castrol do a 20/50 for motorcycles, GP I think its called. Have a look in your manual and youll see that differeent weight oils are reccomended for different ambient temperatures. When its hot like now in England or in a hot country use heavier weight oil like 20/50. If you were using your bike in lapland then go for a lighter weight like 10/40 or so. Having said that you will notice that the reccomendations in the manual have such a big crossover spec that its not so important. Quite a few people, myself included like a heavier oil like 20/50 cos it seems to make the engine a little quiter. I would find one oil of decent reputation and try and stick to it. Best of luck old bean ...... 
Boon
Registered user
Any oil is better than none.
Jees!! If I'd have known I'd cause this much trouble i'd never have bothered asking!
Thanks to most for your helpful replies (particularly motobiker, good advice given).
Now sourced some 20/50 at areasonable (non-BMW) price.
Thanks to most for your helpful replies (particularly motobiker, good advice given).
Now sourced some 20/50 at areasonable (non-BMW) price.
Semi synthetic 15w/40 and if you get some now from Halfords for £21, you'll get a free pack of Professional Screwdrivers worth £20. 
Welcome!
Do bother asking - there's great advice and support on this forum although sometimes quite a bit of stick that goes with it
. Most of it is well intentioned, often has nothing to do with you and after a bit you'll see where its coming from. Do a search on Oil, for example and you'll see the fun and games that has been had in the past on this topic.
Enjoy the bike in this good weather
.
Cheers,
Psyko.
Do bother asking - there's great advice and support on this forum although sometimes quite a bit of stick that goes with it
. Most of it is well intentioned, often has nothing to do with you and after a bit you'll see where its coming from. Do a search on Oil, for example and you'll see the fun and games that has been had in the past on this topic.Enjoy the bike in this good weather
.Cheers,
Psyko.
D6
Registered user
wait till u ask about the gearbox and f/d oil
scots_jon
Registered user
Unipart in Swindon do a 20/50 mineral SF for about £12 for five litres. I use that when I need oil locally. But today I just ordered 4x4.5L of Duckhams Q and 5l of 75/90 Semi GL5 for £73 delivered from Wilco Direct. They also have a mineral 80/90 GL5 for £14 for 5L.
Was up in BMW garage getting a few bits a few months and someone rang up asking about oil to use and tech said 20/50 so using that and its better for me , runs cooler uses less and iam happy . so pick your poison , I got cheap price on bottles from local car shop .
Invicta Moto
Registered user
wait till u ask about the gearbox and f/d oil
Please don't ask about ......
.... Ultraseal either.
On the subject of oil I have been using Halford's 10w40 motorcycle oil in the 1150 for a while and just used the last of the 5 litre bottle. For the trip to Holland I bought a litre of Castrol GTX claiming to be 10w40 and API of SL/CF....... Too much intelligent engineering for the GS?
cheap way to run a gs
oils like petrol, dont put any in until its run out, theres a little red light that indicates its time to put oil in, just like the little orange one that indicates its time to put petrol in.
I ask at the garage theyve loads that they give away free, saves them going to the tip with it or pouring it down the drain.
1150 gs 95000 miles
luv and kisses
Hodge
oils like petrol, dont put any in until its run out, theres a little red light that indicates its time to put oil in, just like the little orange one that indicates its time to put petrol in.
I ask at the garage theyve loads that they give away free, saves them going to the tip with it or pouring it down the drain.
1150 gs 95000 miles
luv and kisses
Hodge
littleredrooster
Registered user
Seriously bad advice. The 'little red light' actually tells you that there's no oil pressure, not low oil level. Fifteen milliseconds after the 'little red light' shows at high speed, the engine will detonate into a thousand pieces.....
Research your facts, my friend.
I have a friend who goes to the local garage too, and takes the bucket loads of black oil off them - he pours it, filtered through a funnel with a gauze in it, nothing more, into the FUEL TANK of his diesel car. He has been running this cars engine on old engine oil for nearly 70,000 miles now...for free.
Every now and then he puts a tank of diesel from the pump in, just to flush everything through. I love his fuel bill, but cannot bring myself to put old engine oil in my old Merc. He is driving a Peugot of some small denomination. Amazing. Easier than the chip oil dodge too.
Every now and then he puts a tank of diesel from the pump in, just to flush everything through. I love his fuel bill, but cannot bring myself to put old engine oil in my old Merc. He is driving a Peugot of some small denomination. Amazing. Easier than the chip oil dodge too.
ChrisH Kerry
Registered user
Good job he doesn't get it from me - I throw any old shite into the waste oil drum
Oh, BTW when you bought the right grade of oil - where do you put it
Invicta Moto
Registered user
Invicta Moto
Registered user
ASDA 20w50 doesn't have an API rating on the container and the suppliers won't give one so it might be complete shite.... or then it might be okay...
Oel
Just been toLapland and it was 80F!.
Dave GS
Castrol do a 20/50 for motorcycles, GP I think its called. Have a look in your manual and youll see that differeent weight oils are reccomended for different ambient temperatures. When its hot like now in England or in a hot country use heavier weight oil like 20/50. If you were using your bike in lapland then go for a lighter weight like 10/40 or so. Having said that you will notice that the reccomendations in the manual have such a big crossover spec that its not so important. Quite a few people, myself included like a heavier oil like 20/50 cos it seems to make the engine a little quiter. I would find one oil of decent reputation and try and stick to it. Best of luck old bean ......
Just been toLapland and it was 80F!.
Dave GS
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