Is my new GSA using too much oil?

[snerkler]

I've had my bike for a week now and only managed to put 270 miles on her so far. I've noticed that the oil has gone down considerably, from full in the spy glass it has gone down to about 1/4. I check the oil as per the manual, ie after a long ride, let it settle for 5 mins and on centre stand. Should it really have used this much oil in 270 miles? :-/
I've read the handbook, and the sticky threads on oil but am still a little confused about what to use? I think it should be Castrol 10w-40 mineral (ie non synthetic), is that right?And ideally I want motorcycle oil, not car? (some say should be ok with car as is a dry clutch)
Cheers

 

[magpie]

They all do that sir

 

[Shep]

Yes, they do use oil in the first few miles, if its still using after 10'000 miles then start to worry. Kepp an eye on the level and don't overfill!!

As to the 'what oil' question i'm sure some wag will be along in a minute to berate you for not using the search facility on here

 

[Wapping]

Very cunning....

They are getting crafty these 'What oil?' posters.

Now burrying the enquiry into 'How much should it use?' threads.

.......I've read the handbook, and the sticky threads on oil but am still a little confused about what to use? I think it should be Castrol 10w-40 mineral (ie non synthetic), is that right?

Full marks for effort, mind.

Extra marks for reading, but then questioning the veracity of the Owner's Manual, too.

12/10

PS Yes, oil use is not uncommon.

There is often a sticker on the tank advsing on regular checks. The dealer should explain about it, too. But you were in a rush I recall, so maybe it was missed in the excitememt of the new ride (and reconfigured brake and gear levers)?

 

[snerkler]

Yes, they do use oil in the first few miles, if its still using after 10'000 miles then start to worry. Kepp an eye on the level and don't overfill!!

As to the 'what oil' question i'm sure some wag will be along in a minute to berate you for not using the search facility on here

haha, I did and read the sticky thread, but the more I read the more confused I got. From wapping's thread it appears as though you can use whatever you want
I ended up not knowing what's best?

 

[Shep]

haha, I did and read the sticky thread, but the more I read the more confused I got. From wapping's thread it appears as though you can use whatever you want
I ended up not knowing what's best?

Wapping is more of a saturday night expert in baby oil so he gets a little touchy about people dragging up the subject

 

[snerkler]

They are getting crafty these 'What oil?' posters.

Now burrying the enquiry into 'How much should it use?' threads.

Haha, that wasn't my intention, it just seemed to follow on from the usage

PS Yes, oil use is not uncommon.

I know, just thought it was excessive

There is often a sticker on the tank advsing on regular checks. The dealer should explain about it, too. But you were in a rush I recall, so maybe it was missed in the excitememt of the new ride (and reconfigured brake and gear levers)?

Was in a rush but unfortunately it was to get back to work

 

[Wapping]

Wapping is more of a saturday night expert in baby oil so he gets a little touchy about people dragging up the subject

You promised that was our little secret, that night under the stars.

 

[Wapping]

haha, I did and read the sticky thread, but the more I read the more confused I got. From wapping's thread it appears as though you can use whatever you want
I ended up not knowing what's best?

From the 2008 owners' manual. Sorry, it was the best I could do on-line.

Engine oils of API classification SF or better.

Engine oils of ACEA classification A2 or better.

BMW Motorrad recommends not using synthetic oils for the first 10,000 km.

Please do not hesitate to contact your authorised BMW Motorrad dealer if ou have any questions relating the choice of a suitable engine oil for your motorcycle.

 

[swissrob]

throw some plain 20-50 mineral oil in and you will be fine, sometimes the oil level is low other times its high.... its all a mystery

 

[Wapping]

throw some plain 20-50 mineral oil in and you will be fine, sometimes the oil level is low other times its high.... its all a mystery

I hear (but only via the pages of UKGSer) that the new oweners manuals have gone back to 10-40 from 20-50.

It's a struggle keeping pace in the slippery world of semi-refined hydrocarbons.

 

[Wapping]

What oil? The sneaky question

Haha, that wasn't my intention, it just seemed to follow on from the usage

Never apologise, never explain

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Never apologise, never explain

I think you should apologise and explain that statement

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

I thought BM were now only putting in fully synthetic from new on all bikes. Mate bought an 09 1200 and that's what Pidcocks told him (and charged for at first service )

 

[Engineer]

I hear (but only via the pages of UKGSer) that the new oweners manuals have gone back to 10-40 from 20-50.

It's a struggle keeping pace in the slippery world of semi-refined hydrocarbons.

Correct

The 2010 Manual says Castrol GPS SAE 10W-40 for ALL temperatures greater than -20C

 

[snerkler]

Correct

The 2010 Manual says Castrol GPS SAE 10W-40 for ALL temperatures greater than -20C

really? I need to go back to school for reading lessons as all I saw in my manual was a confusing chart with different temps and different oils

I'm pretty sure the manual says NOT to use synthetic unlike the post above suggested, or am I getting confused with another thread on here?

 

[Engineer]

really? I need to go back to school for reading lessons as all I saw in my manual was a confusing chart with different temps and different oils

I'm pretty sure the manual says NOT to use synthetic unlike the post above suggested, or am I getting confused with another thread on here?

The first line of the oil chart in the 2010 Manual reads just like I said - there are other oils in the table but they appear to be alternatives.

What does your 2010 Manual actually say? There is no mention of synthetic or semi- synthetic as far as I can see.

 

[Giles]

Bloody Hell ...... my heads going to explode in a minute .......

 

[Engineer]

really? I need to go back to school for reading lessons as all I saw in my manual was a confusing chart with different temps and different oils

I'm pretty sure the manual says NOT to use synthetic unlike the post above suggested, or am I getting confused with another thread on here?

Of course, whatever oil you finally choose to use, make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer and is well within it's shelf life

Don't use some shonky 10 year old oil, of dubious provenance, obvious innit

 

[snerkler]

The first line of the oil chart in the 2010 Manual reads just like I said - there are other oils in the table but they appear to be alternatives.

What does your 2010 Manual actually say? There is no mention of synthetic or semi- synthetic as far as I can see.

like I said it could well be me getting confused, the old grey matter isn't what it once was. I'll check the manual when I get home tonight concerning the synthetic vs non-synthetic.