How much oil should I use (burn?) per 1,000 kms

[SeanC]

My 2007 1200GSA has used around 700cc oil in the last 1800 kms.

NO oil leaks at all but some black deposits in the exhaust pipe.

It has covered around 18,500 kms ( 11,000+ miles) and my normally helpful BMW (independent) mechanic says they can use as much as 1 ltr per 1,000kms.

He believes they should not actually burn ANY oil so my question is, should I be concerned? (Actually, YES I am...!!)

Sean

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Sean

There are a million threads on this subject but in short, GS engines will burn a bit of oil until they really bed in which is plus 25,000kms.

It doesn't sound like yours is too excessive but just check that you are not overfilling it That's a common thing and it will just burn off the excess and throw it out through the exhaust.

My 1200GS-A has never used a drop since new (it's now done 50,000miles) but it's a rarity. I ran it in very hard

I also have an old 1100 and that only burns oil when the outside temperature really hot i.e +30c and even then it's not much.

 

[Big Nick]

Some use a lot, my last 08 GSA used about 2 litres from the 600 mile-6000mile mark

As long as there's no obvious leaks don't worry but check the level regularly!!

 

[John Armstrong]

Had a 1100, 1150 1150GSA and 1200GS all used a bit of oil, less than a litre between services. Had a 1200GSA, didn't need topping up between sevices.

Now have a 100GS that uses about 1/2 litre per 2000 miles and a 1100GS that uses 1/4 litre per 2000 miles.

Some like to drink the oil, some sup it, others hardly wet their lips to use analogies. Also, I've read that some engines don't like being at the full mark and once down a a certain level, won't use any more. Hard to confirm if that's correct given the vagaracies of checking the level in the sightglass.

 

[SeanC]

Thanks guys.

Appreciate there are a million threads,(Whatever you do, don't put the word "oil" in the search engine!) and I must have tried to read most of them this morning, but your practical advice is very reassuring!

Sean

 

[theop]

gazillion threads as indicated.

My addition to it, is that they all burn some oil, some more, some less...

My 12GS at 12k miles, is burning half what it was new. The oil consumption also varies between burning a lot more in town than in roadtrips. Currently doing abt 200ml per 1000miles in town, none per 1000 miles of travelling, and it used to do about a litre per 2000miles when newer...

 

[SeanC]

Thanks again for the guidance.

Of course, I had forgotten that our outside air tempertature has been hovering between 25 - 29 this week. And traffic is a bitch here at the best of times!

Was just a little taken aback by the oil can sign on the dash display this morning so have now learnt to check more often!

Sean

 

[TunturiSport]

Motor brake

Just one short comment (sorry for my bad english): I have noticed that my 2006 GSA burns oil quite a lot if I brake by motor (like on downhills). Just did a long trip to Norway (you know the mountains there) and used the engine a lot to control the speed on downhills. The engine burned oil 0.5 l/1000 kms and usually it does not burn it at all. Many others have noticed the same phenomenon.
Tunturisport

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

My '05 got through 1lt every 1500km or so, until it hit 20,000 now it doesn't get through any.

 

[madmax]

Just one short comment (sorry for my bad english): I have noticed that my 2006 GSA burns oil quite a lot if I brake by motor (like on downhills). Just did a long trip to Norway (you know the mountains there) and used the engine a lot to control the speed on downhills. The engine burned oil 0.5 l/1000 kms and usually it does not burn it at all. Many others have noticed the same phenomenon.
Tunturisport

My 06 GSA does exactly the same, it only seems to use oil in hot weather or under engine braking. Engine has done 22thou and is oil tight.

 

[tonkatoy]

My 08 GSA didn't use any oil until I took it for a thrash following a guy on a Gixer 1000. I spent most of the time above 6,000 rpm for obvious reasons and when I got home the oil level had dropped near to the bottom of the window. Back to normal riding and no more oil use despite 3500m of lively two up touring and a fair amount of back road fun.

 

[alimey4u2]

My round trip of >1200 miles I didn't notice any change in oil level. Engine has done 10,000 miles on dino oil.... Upon reading, savants on this site advised one need not carry oil, which I didn't....

 

[arrybash]

My dealer advised me to run in my new GSA by avoiding labouring it or it will use oil.

This I did and now having done 3000 miles in 6 weeks its dropped a tad on the sight glass but nothing to be concerned about.

Chris

 

[hiup]

I ran my GSA in very hard and have never had to top up in 8,500 miles.

I used this method http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm:thumb2

 

[SeanC]

Hiup

Linky not working....

Interesting variance in oil used or not used from various people. At least I feel much more reassured that I will not end up with bits of engine all over the floor because mine burns more oil that others do (or don't...)

Sean

 

[GSmonkey]

My 08 GSA didn't use any oil until I took it for a thrash following a guy on a Gixer 1000. I spent most of the time above 6,000 rpm for obvious reasons and when I got home the oil level had dropped near to the bottom of the window. Back to normal riding and no more oil use despite 3500m of lively two up touring and a fair amount of back road fun.

yep - I've found the same as well. I don't know whether there is a correlation between owners that get 10k plus from a rear Tourance and those that don't use oil........I have my theory.

Anyway, I've also found that motorway mileage increases oil consumption, and what do thrashing, motorways and engine braking have in common.........high rpm.

 

[Powerful Pierre]

None !

 

[hiup]

Sorry my previous linky no work - try this http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
It worked for me - I never have to top up(so far)

 

[SeanC]

hiup

Very interesting! Any comments from the gurus?
Sean

 

[Sgt Bilco]

hiup

Very interesting! Any comments from the gurus?
Sean

I ran mine in according to Moto tune principle. Nearly 50,000 miles and it's never used a drop between normal servicing. It also pulls like a train and the mechanic in my dealer who has always serviced it reckons it's one of the best GS's he's ridden