Is my new GSA using too much oil?

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

If not sure ask the dealer!!!

At new the 2010 GS has mineral "running in oil"

How did you do the 270 miles, hard or gentle? Gentle is bad for an engine, give it some stick. Yes it will use oil, some do some don't. At first service it all changes to fully syn anyway, just enjoy the bike, you seem to be spending even more time on here than me. I picked mine up on Sat afternoon, 200 miles so far, not even looked at oil level, just riding.

You can now rev it to 7500 ( 250-375 miles ) and after that MAX revs in short bursts. It takes thousands of miles to settle down! My old 58 GSA used no more than a litre in top ups in 17,000 miles, my buddy uses over half a litre every 1,000 miles!, but even that is within the spec range, they are all different!

Keep it topped up to the max, there is less space for the oil to thrown around and it will use less this way! Someone will say thats "bollox" but a top ex BMW engineer / service manager and race engineer with GP bikes gave me this advice, and I think he know more than most here!:ronno
 
Keep it topped up to the max, there is less space for the oil to thrown around and it will use less this way! Someone will say thats "bollox" but a top ex BMW engineer / service manager and race engineer with GP bikes gave me this advice, and I think he know more than most here!

How many GP bikes have a boxer engine :confused:

Less space for the oil to be thrown around, best overfill it then :thumb or maybe not :blast
 
Picked up my GSA last wednesday and asked for oil and given Castrol Power 1 Racing! Nice as its only £15.49 a litre. Its a 10W-50 fully synthetic oil. Told this is what the HP2 uses.
Done about 400 miles and used 1/2 litre. Also confused about running in as told it was 4000 rpm max as for previous GS. Manual however seems a bit different as enables you to go to 7500rpm from 240 miles.
Rang dealer this morning and no other feedback from other users yet but they were sure this was the right oil. Consumption normal apparently and told the running in recomendation from them was still 4000 rpm generally with short spurts beyond.

Overall impressions this far? Not sure why I traded in my trusty 2004 GS1200 as other than more buttons and more height cannot feel much difference.
 
I'm thinking of dropping my winter oil and moving to spring oil. Should I change my filter as well??
 
I'm thinking of dropping my winter oil and moving to spring oil. Should I change my filter as well??

You'll to ditch the grey one, and put the green one in.

I can do it for you if you like. It'll be £900 and I can write BMW in your log book:thumb2
 
Picked up my GSA last wednesday and asked for oil and given Castrol Power 1 Racing! Nice as its only £15.49 a litre. Its a 10W-50 fully synthetic oil. Told this is what the HP2 uses.
Done about 400 miles and used 1/2 litre. Also confused about running in as told it was 4000 rpm max as for previous GS. Manual however seems a bit different as enables you to go to 7500rpm from 240 miles.
Rang dealer this morning and no other feedback from other users yet but they were sure this was the right oil. Consumption normal apparently and told the running in recomendation from them was still 4000 rpm generally with short spurts beyond.

Overall impressions this far? Not sure why I traded in my trusty 2004 GS1200 as other than more buttons and more height cannot feel much difference.

My BMW dealer said not to worry about the running in RPM, not to thrash it but not be afraid to use the full rev range :nenau
 
Back on track.

snerkler, I have asked my mate's opinion.

He thinks your bike is using too little oil.

This would seem to make sense as I am sure I read a thread about it somewhere.
 
How many GP bikes have a boxer engine :confused:

Less space for the oil to be thrown around, best overfill it then :thumb or maybe not :blast

See I knew it, more sarcasm...The answer to your question involving GP bikes and boxer engines is NIL!

I just think that sarcasm ceases to be funny when you have to point it out

A sarcastic person has a superiority complex that can be cured only by the honesty of humility. :augie
 
Picked up my GSA last wednesday and asked for oil and given Castrol Power 1 Racing! Nice as its only £15.49 a litre. Its a 10W-50 fully synthetic oil. Told this is what the HP2 uses.
Done about 400 miles and used 1/2 litre. Also confused about running in as told it was 4000 rpm max as for previous GS. Manual however seems a bit different as enables you to go to 7500rpm from 240 miles.
Rang dealer this morning and no other feedback from other users yet but they were sure this was the right oil. Consumption normal apparently and told the running in recomendation from them was still 4000 rpm generally with short spurts beyond.

Overall impressions this far? Not sure why I traded in my trusty 2004 GS1200 as other than more buttons and more height cannot feel much difference.

It sounds like some dealers don't know what oil is in from new and have no idea ref engine break in revs!!! :thumb2
 
I puts red oil in my bike, I likes red, me.:roll

My GSA used maybe ½ litre of oil during the first 1000miles or so. But since then she’s only used a further ½ litre between services (no, not M/Way services) in over 10,000miles.:thumb2

I ran her hard from new :thumb
 
I puts red oil in my bike, I likes red, me.:roll

My GSA used maybe ½ litre of oil during the first 1000miles or so. But since then she’s only used a further ½ litre between services

I would have thought pink was more your colour? ;)
Sounds like my usage is fairly normal then. like I said, I knew they used oil, just wasnt aware it was so much initially.
 
You foolish man, what are you thinking? I can't believe you ever moved off an autumn set. Are you also running helium in your tyres?

Helium / Argon mix.

I'm also changing out all last years 316 stainless bolts for this years 317 type.
 
Normal oil is 20/50 but in the first 600 miles a "running in oil " is apparently used.I don't know what spec that is,my 1200 is for it's 600 service today,and that is what the guy told me. Phone your dealer up to check first.
 


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