Castrol 20-50

OK for R1200???

I've just bought 5L of 'Comma 20w50 Enhanced mineral motor oil' for £10.95 at a local car accessory shop. Says it's 'SL' rated on the label.

Have I bought suitable stuff???

www.commaoil.com

I've seen 'Comma' products before. Halfords don't sell them, but they can be found at 'motor factors', the sort of places where the oily-fingered car brigade get their spares from. HTH.
 
just serviced bike with elf 20w50 sf grade. 11.50 euros from local supermarche!
 
Engineer said:
Hmmmm ... I would not automatically assume that heavier grades are better
Click to expand...

Neither would I, but the manual does say use 20W50.

Greg: Dolomite Sprint? Your 'avin a larf, incha? Anyone attempting to race one of those old bangers (new banger when new) deserves what they get.
 
Grizzly GS said:
Greg: Dolomite Sprint? Your 'avin a larf, incha? Anyone attempting to race one of those old bangers (new banger when new) deserves what they get.
Click to expand...

Andy Rouse did quite well in one!

Scan0005%20Dolo%20A%20Rouse.jpg


Greg
 
My dealer suggested uses 10w/40 Semi synth

I needed oil for my 2008 GS at around 1800 miles, had a read of the manual saw 20w50, went to Halfords and drew a blank. Went to the dealer (Allan Jefferies in Shipley) and they gave me 10w/40 semi-synth. I questioned this and they said they always put it in GSes wih no problems and that the 20w/50 is unnecessary in the UK given it's climate.
 
Finally received a reply from Castrol yesterday. They agree that BMW Boxers should not have Semi or Fully Synthetic Oil until 10,000 k. They go on to say that they recommend Act-Evo GP 20-50 and that after 10,000 k they recommend Power 1 GPS 10W-40. which bit all a bit confusing as this is formulated for Combined Engine / Gearbox and Wet Clutch Performance. After much searching it looks like BMW recommended "Castrol", do not produce the Oil recommended by BMW. I,m off down to ASDA for a can of 20-50 Chip Fat.
 
Didn,t really put "chip fat " in but I did send an enquiry to "Opie Oils" this morning and just received a reply (on a Sunday as well). They recommend Motul 3000 20-50 Mineral which is to API SG spec and is suitable for Wet or dry clutches, Intergrated or Separate Transmissions, and is suitable for use with Catalytic Convertors. So thats one to think about.
 
Just an Update on the Castrol GP 20-50 "Saga". Just had my first Annual Service carried out, part of which was filling my Bike with 4 Units of Castrol GP 20-50. The part number is Z81229407685 and the Oil is Red in Colour. The Oil used for the 600 Mile Service was "oil coloured" !! Looked on Castrol,s Web Site and nowwhere do they mention GP 20-50. Now I,m getting to the point where I don,t give a toss what bloody oil is "fitted" in my engine but why does this "mystery" exist.
 
It looks like Castrol and Opie oil are suggesting use of motor cycle specific oil, as they comment on suitability for wet clutch and combined engine/gearbox use. Thats great for bikes like the GS650 or your run of the mill jap bike, but the BMW boxer twins have seperate engine oil and gearbox oil and a dry clutch, just like Harleys and Moto Guzzis. ( actually the harley clutch is wet but does not share the engine oil)
I don't think it is necessary to run motorcycle oil in our GS bikes, it's usually more expensive, motor oil packaged for car use is in most cases perfectly suitable so long as the viscosity and API rating is within spec.
 
oil

Ye.Use car oils.Why not make use of the friction inhibitors they are loaded with that would kill a wet clutch.(killed my 650 dakar one anyway!)
I use castrol slx 0/40 in my 1200.perfect.smooth,quiet,improved mpg and best of all,comes from a pump at work for nowt.on and on.
 
To add to the mystery Iv,e just noted a section on the "Adventure Bike Tours" Web Site. www.adventurebiketours.co.uk/pages/bmw_adventure.html where they give advice on the correct oil for the 1200GS and they too talk of Castrol GP 20-50 and describe it as the "Thick Red Stuff". My Bike is in the Dealers this week so I,ll take the oppourtunity to ask at the "Parts Counter" for a Litre of GP 20-50 (as is on my service invoice) and see just what I,m given.
 
This is the latest stuff I got from my dealer:
344049746_hEkVG-M.jpg
 
Rock Oil make both 20/50 and 15/50 semi synthetic oil thats ideal for BMW twins, Harleys and Moto Guzzis, API rating is SL/CG4 ACEA A3 & B4, which means it is suitable for both petrol and diesel engines.

They also market a cheaper 20/50 synthetic enhanced mineral oil 'Strata' API rating SJ/CG4
ACEA A3 &B4

Harley davidson dealers also sell a synthetic 20/50

I don't know what these retail for, I buy in bulk as I have had a trade account with a local supplier for several years (legacy of my restoration hobby/business), so I'm only paying around £1.50 per litre. I used to sell for £2.50 litre at auto jumble and local bike club.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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