1150gs Correct engine oil

gingerbeemer08

Active member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
May 26, 2008
Messages
193
Reaction score
18
Location
Hampshire, England
Can anyone recommend the correct engine oil for a 2001 plate 1150gs?
BMW told me a straight mineral 20w/50 however other books etc specify a semi synthetic 15w/40?
The only 20w/50 oil I could find was for 'classic cars'!! I know the boxer's a bit lumpy but it's no mk1 Ford Escort!
 
Dude, you're goin to get some sh1t for asking that, but don't let it get to you. As for the oil,yes a good 20/50 minneral car oil that is at the correct API if you ask me, I use castrol or rock oil. No need for Motorcycle oil as you have a dry clutch. Don't worry about the flack that will follow, you're meant to read the unwriten rules before posting. :comfort

cheers
Ian
 
Tickets please

monks%20lucntime.jpg
 
Much easier to find 15w/40 MINERAL CAR oil... and thats what I use. Says its fine to use in the owners manual. Perfect for our climate. cheap enough to really fettle the bike and change it a bit more frequently than the recommended 6K interval and still be quids in. I pay £8.49 for 5L. and change it around the 3K mark.

I won't use Halfords 'Classic' as its the incorrect API spec. minimum for the GS is 'SG' - the Halfords stuff is the older and obsolete SE. (its also double the price of the correct API spec oil I use.)
 
Feck sake.

All the threads are the same. People ask about oil someone tells them to search, then puts a grade of oil they should use prompting other people to comment about the oil and start all over again!

Its a never ending circle.
 
gingerbeemer08 said:
Can anyone recommend the correct engine oil for a 2001 plate 1150gs?
BMW told me a straight mineral 20w/50 however other books etc specify a semi synthetic 15w/40?
The only 20w/50 oil I could find was for 'classic cars'!! I know the boxer's a bit lumpy but it's no mk1 Ford Escort!
Click to expand...

semi synthetic 15w/40
is what i used in my 1100 and now in my 1150.:thumb
2002 GS1150 ;)
forgot to add-
they all use oil !!!!! so don't fret
i have just done the highlands of Scotland and back and use 1/2 ltr of oil. [as usual].
 
Ah.,.. how nice. the usual run of stupid answers to what is really a simple question.

so what if it gets asked regularly.. the OP is new to this site and probably new to the bike. Why do a search when asking is so simple?

NOWHERE in the users manual does it say use CAR oil in the bike... yet most of us use it.

20w/50 SG (or later) mineral oil isn't easy to find as he's discovered.

He's been given conflicting answers prior to asking the forum.. and what a surprise he gets conflicting replies here. and stupid 'smart alec' answers too.. nice one.

no... not nice. immature and pathetic. and so very 'welcoming'

gingerbeemer - the correct answer is there is no correct answer. make your own mind up based on the sensible replies so far and what your manual says... mineral or semi? is up to you entirely. if you can get 20w/50 then fine. but so is 15w/40 equally fine these bikes aren't as fussy as other motorbikes. :thumb
 
I haven't posted to an oil thread for a while, so here goes with the Voice of Reason:

I note you are from Wiltshire. A mate lives just south of Swindon, he has found the same problem finding oil other than 10W/40 in Swindon.

He's resorted to ordering from Busters. They have a variety of motorcycle specific 20W/50 oils suitable for his fussy MV Agusta.

I have a 2000W R1150. I used to use 10W/40 oil. Now, my indy service bod uses 20W/50. Oil consumption is noticeably lower.

If you cannot source 20W/50 locally then do not fret. Use 10W/40 but keep an eye on the level as your bike might consume a bit more oil, especially in this warmer weather.

Have you tried a local motor factor? You don't need a fancy motorcycle oil. Carplan/Tetrosyl is stocked by many motor factors. They do a couple of 20W/50 oils. Also, contact Morris Oils in Shrewsbury to see if they have a local stockist.

That's the end to the Voice of Reason.

:P :P :P :P :P to everyone else
 
You've asked the dealer and he's told you the correct oil to use. You've read in manual to use something different to what the dealer said.

So you ask on here what oil to use. :blast

That'll help clear your mind of any doubt :D:D
 
10 / 40 can be used, but 20 / 50 makes the engine less "clattery".

But, the 10 / 40 if you believe the bikes manual is not much use for most of the year in mainland Europe,due to its temperature limitations.

Me I've used 20 / 50 in all my boxer engines, but if I'm away on holiday and it needs a top up, then it'll get 10 / 40 or whatever is sensible, and available.
 
BWM did change their oil recommendations from 10/40 to 15 or 20/50.
The 50 weight makes the motor quieter and my 67K 1150 uses very little between changes.
Use mineral or semi-synth if you're feeling rich;no lower than sf/sg grade though. s
It seems everyone has their own preference depending on the price they paid for it. :augie
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

For Sale For sale 1ltr of 15w-50 engine oil
2
Replies
24
Views
1,156
Wierpig
Wierpig
K100 engine oil
Replies
6
Views
642
Buckingham
Buckingham
R60/5 engine oil?
Replies
13
Views
877
Vulpine2
Vulpine2
Engine oil leaking
2
Replies
24
Views
1,795
Christkou
Easy_Rider
Engine Oil
2
Replies
23
Views
2,173
bobsnew
bobsnew


Back
Top Bottom