On all air/oil cooled bikes top up the bike before you leave on a long trip - always carry a litre bottle of oil with you in case you need a top up en route.
Another oil consumption question
- Thread starter Joepi5
- Start date
99% of garages in Europe sell oil if you need it … 
I think yes - only a detail on the GSA tank. But don't hold me to that. Just not heard of it on the GS
I have the exact same bike and it uses about an egg cup full over 6000 miles now with 41000 miles on the clock
I use Castrol 15w 50 power 1 4t and never miss any fluid changes. M
I use Castrol 15w 50 power 1 4t and never miss any fluid changes. M
Yep. If I remember correctly, on the standard GS the charcoal filter was elsewhere?
Anyway, not all GSAs have it it seems.
I remember distractedly looking for the canister space under the tank of my GSA a few years ago to no avail.
Had a look again today and there is no space. Mine is a 2007. I suspect the early GSA might not have it as probably the filter on the early US-spec bikes was placed elsewhere.
Oh well.
I spent many years with the habit of stopping to top up oil buying random oil cans at random service stations along the way, when I had 1150/1100 engines.
My hexhead GS didn't consume that much oil until recent years, so didn't have to do that anymore for quite a while. It does now. I guess new piston rings will be a good thing at some point.
I honestly prefer to bring the small metal fuel bottle with me these days. Unless you are doing a massive amount of miles, about half a litre is generally enough for the usual 5/6k km trips on my bike. The fuel bottles do not leak easily... so far
compared to the plastic oil cans you buy from the station (I would normally leave whatever left with the service station rather than bring that with me, to avoid messy situations). 2 minutes job. Done.I'll just chuck it in the pannier (wrapped in plastic) as I did last year... and probably will do for the trip after this too. Easy.
I've even put in a little bit of a different type of oil in the past in a far away place.99% of garages in Europe sell oil if you need it …
My engine seems to have survived with no Ill effects.
The mind boggles sometimes.
Short of putting olive oil, I mixed literally anything available along the motorways over the years 
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I've even put in a little bit of a different type of oil in the past in a far away place.
My engine seems to have survived with no Ill effects.
The mind boggles sometimes.
Short of putting olive oil, I mixed literally anything available along the motorways over the years
Start off with oil level full, that’s going to get you a looooong distance before you even need a top up … and then whatever oils on the garage shelves will do
It is surprising how many people don't do the basics.
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