Engine Oil for Hot Weather

[Commuter]

Quick questions chaps as I cannot find my handbook in the unpacking we aew doing.

The bike has arrived from UK via ship and I drove 340 odd miles back from the Izmir to Antalya yesterday in above 30oC heat the most part. I noticed that the bike maintained a 5 bar level on oil, occasionally moving to 6 in built up spaces.

Question......? What is the best oil for this weather. I have 10./40 in it at the moment from the last service and as she has been sitting for a month I would like to get it changed.

Any suggestions. Bike is a GSA 1150 with 15k on the clock.

Thanks in advance. Steptoe u out there??

Nick.

 

[John Armstrong]

20 / 50 semi synthetic. Makes the engine sound quieter too

 

[Colban]

SAE 15 or 20/50.Mineral or semi-synth.API SF,SG or later.

 

[Bronco Billy]

I have a 04 GSA with 13,000 miles on it and yesterday I asked Keith the service manager with Pidcock BMW what BMW were recommending currently regarding oil. He told me for my mileage Castrol GP 20/50. I asked at what mileage should I consider Semi or full Synthetic, his reply was ... never, BMW do not recommend synthetic oil. Thats what he told me and he is the service manager at this dealership. Hope thats of use .....

 

[madman]

But in the handbook it refers to special oils which are full synthetics, I wish BMW would make their mind up.

 

[davegs]

oil

20/50 should be fine I've ridden my bike on this through many hot places (death vally twice) and now done 72000 miles and all is well (or it was till I've written this!) usually use plain or semi synthetic can't see why synthetic is necessary as these are not high reving sports bikes just good old chuggers.
BMW used to recommend not using synthetric of any type before 12000 miles if you were a hard rider or after 18000 if you were a more steady (normal ) rider. Don't worry too much these engines only chug a way and keep going whatever you put in it.
dave gs.

 

[nunesaf]

But in the handbook it refers to special oils which are full synthetics, I wish BMW would make their mind up.

On boxer engines one can put fully synthetic as it has a dry clutch. I don't know why they insist on the Castrol GPS semi (the redy one) though i like it.

Most bikes have the clutch in oil (from the engine) and hence the recommendation to NEVER use fully synthetics otherwise it will slip.

 

[alimey4u2]

I love an oil thread.....

Do not use any semi or 100% synthetics until about 15000 miles was a recommendation to me by a leading BMW boxer mechanic. Contrary to popular belief, I have been using full synthetics for decades ( about 15 years now) in my wet clutch air cooled bike without a hint of problems, even though the motors bhp has been increased by +33% with a stock clutch...

 

[Den]

Tarka's yer man for this question.

He really likes it if you PM him with your oil question. There is nothing he doesnt know about oil and is delighted when someone uses his knowledge.

 

[Bronco Billy]

Tarka's yer man for this question.

He really likes it if you PM him with your oil question. There is nothing he doesnt know about oil and is delighted when someone uses his knowledge.

Can second that Den .....

A fantastic response from someone I don't know at all!

He must be some kind of oil aficionado .... perhaps its what he does for a living?

 

[Commuter]

So....

Went to the dealership in Antalya today and they have filled the bike up with

Castrol 4t 10w 50. New instruction from BMW Turkey aparently!

Any comments.......!??

 

[John Armstrong]

Better than 10 / 40

 

[motobiker]

What I use...

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0198942

API - SJ 15w/40

£8.49 for 5L

 

[ELIMINATOR]

my experience on my 42,000 mile 1150 is......... it sounds shite when caught in heavy traffic at 7 bars running on 10/40, sounds a damn sight better on 20/50.

Last oil change I found that Hein Gericke do a fully synth. 10/50 at £23 for an oil change on the bike. Suits me, as the winter bias of the 10 appears to be better than the thicker 20.

My opinion.

 

[motobiker]

my experience on my 42,000 mile 1150 is......... it sounds shite when caught in heavy traffic at 7 bars running on 10/40, sounds a damn sight better on 20/50.

I have never EVER seen 7 temp. bars on the RID !!!



Commuter - if your Bike was at 5 bars then thats fine - the dealership in Antalya saw you coming!!

But I guess it was cheap enough... so who cares.