27000 on 1200GSA, What Oil Should I Be Using Now

[EasySushi]

I now done 27,000 miles on my 06 1200GSA, I have been using 20/50 mineral since new and changing the oil and filter every 3000 miles.

Now I have noticed since the cold weather that when I start the bike in the morning seems a bit noisy and clunky until the oil has warmed and circulated a bit.

My question is should I move to a 10/40 semi syn or fully syn, and if I do will that help with the noise in the morn and would I get any problems with engine, clutch, gearbox seals

BMW recomend sticking with 20/50 Mineral ?

Cheers


Ty

 

[Chris Terry]

I now done 27,000 miles on my 06 1200GSA, I have been using 20/50 mineral since new and changing the oil and filter every 3000 miles.

Now I have noticed since the cold weather that when I start the bike in the morning seems a bit noisy and clunky until the oil has warmed and circulated a bit.

My question is should I move to a 10/40 semi syn or fully syn, and if I do will that help with the noise in the morn and would I get any problems with engine, clutch, gearbox seals

BMW recomend sticking with 20/50 Mineral ?

Cheers


Ty

 

[Sleepy]

BMW recomend sticking with 20/50 Mineral ?

Cheers


Ty

I'd ignore what BMW say.. what do they know about BMW motorcycles..?

 

[EasySushi]

What is it with this site , I asked a straight forward question and all you get is smart arse comments if you got nothing constructive to say keep your fingers away from the keyboard.

 

[Wapping]

Ah, the dreaded oil thread.

Stick some 10/40 in it. It won't die.

Leave the 20/50 in it. It won't die either.

 

[Spout]

As you change your oil and filters often, why not try the semi and fully synth at 10/40 and 20/50, and then let us all know which you prefer.
Wont be a problem running any of them.

 

[EasySushi]

Ah, the dreaded oil thread.

Stick some 10/40 in it. It won't die.

Leave the 20/50 in it. It won't die either.

I use the bike every single day, I know to some people it is a bit of a over kill but it gives me piece of mind.

 

[cookie]

given the choice, i'd use 10w40 in the winter & 20w50 in the summer. mine has 20w50 in it at the moment as that's what CWs put in.

thinner might make it spin faster on these cold mornings + circulate quicker.

 

[EasySushi]

given the choice, i'd use 10w40 in the winter & 20w50 in the summer. mine has 20w50 in it at the moment as that's what CWs put in.

thinner might make it spin faster on these cold mornings + circulate quicker.

Hi Cookie,

I think thats my problem, the temp where I live hit -6 this morn. I have had problems starting and engine not sounding right on start up since the cold spell the other week. Just ordered some Castrol ACT>EVO GP 4T 10W-40.


Have you had any problems or starting issues with yours


Cheers


Ty

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Similar miles to you Mr Sushi - personally, FWIW, I'm sticking with 20/50 dino oil but Cookie does make a fair point.

Andres

Edit: 20/50 is reccomended for down to -10, I guess -6 is not far off that.....

 

[cookie]

Have you had any problems or starting issues with yours


Cheers


Ty

earlier this week it barely started, battery was dying fast. sounded 'kin awful for a short while when it did start too.

used it a couple of times since, in colder temps & it's been ok. got 1000 miles to go before service, so doubt i'll bother changing the oil. i'll see how the weather goes (and turn off the grips & pull the clutch while starting).

what it really needs is a BIGGER BATTERY but the fcuktards at bmw don't seem to agree. must be warm & sunny in bavaria

 

[EasySushi]

Similar miles to you Mr Sushi - personally, FWIW, I'm sticking with 20/50 dino oil but Cookie does make a fair point.

Andres

Edit: 20/50 is reccomended for down to -10, I guess -6 is not far off that.....

Cheers Outtomunch

Quoting from the BM manual

It says:

SAE 10W-40 -10 to 30, Operation at moderate Temperatures

Another question, if I was getting -6 @ 05:30 this morn from the bike computer. I wonder if the oil temp would be -6 or would it be colder, say if the temp in the night droped to -10, how long would it stay at -10. I started my bike at 05:30 this morn so the oil temp could have been at its limit.

Not to sure how thermodynamics work !!!!!!

 

[Wapping]

Cheers Outtomunch
Quoting from the BM manual
It says:
SAE 10W-40 -10 to 30, Operation at moderate TemperaturesAnother question, if I was getting -6 @ 05:30 this morn from the bike computer. I wonder if the oil temp would be -6 or would it be colder, say if the temp in the night droped to -10, how long would it stay at -10. I started my bike at 05:30 this morn so the oil temp could have been at its limit.
Not to sure how thermodynamics work !!!!!!

Don't worry about.

If you really must read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropy

 

[Deleted Member I]

What is it with this site , I asked a straight forward question and all you get is smart arse comments if you got nothing constructive to say keep your fingers away from the keyboard.

If that is really what you are looking for .. I recommend this

 

[EasySushi]

If that is really what you are looking for .. I recommend this

Sorry Novice

your link's not working


Cheers

Ty

 

[bmwrich58]

what it really needs is a BIGGER BATTERY but the fcuktards at bmw don't seem to agree. must be warm & sunny in bavaria

You got that right!! ...or the designers/engineers live in the "tropics" !........

Also definately a thinner oil will help with cold morning starts.
Keeping the clutch in,all power robbing extra's turned off,all helpful when starting on a cold morning. Some people swear that covering the bike at nite will even make a huge difference in starting. Makes sense to me.

Factory manual has a chart with the viscositys vs. temperatures.

At that interval of oilchanges every 3K miles,synth oil would be a waste of money.

 

[Engineer]

I now done 27,000 miles on my 06 1200GSA, I have been using 20/50 mineral since new and changing the oil and filter every 3000 miles.

Now I have noticed since the cold weather that when I start the bike in the morning seems a bit noisy and clunky until the oil has warmed and circulated a bit.

My question is should I move to a 10/40 semi syn or fully syn, and if I do will that help with the noise in the morn and would I get any problems with engine, clutch, gearbox seals

BMW recomend sticking with 20/50 Mineral ?

Cheers


Ty

Any 10W40 that meets the spec in the manual is best for a typical British Winter - the manual gives the temperature range for each viscosity rating.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

TY

I run mine on 20-50 mineral and has similar mileage to yours. I also change the oil at 3000 and have had no starting problems and no oil usage.

However, I will be putting 10-40 in for the winter to help the oil flow from starting. I really don`t think it`s gets cold enough to worry too much but it`s worth doing it for peace of mind as mine lives outside.

I`ll use a good make semi synthetic so I won`t need to change at 3000 miles in the winter and revert to 20-50 mineral in the spring.