Mobil 1 15w50 Synthetic
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Portman Motorcycles in Guildford!!
Jimb
Guest
Most Esso garages, they took over the Mobil ones.
Not for a GS though the engine is not good enough for Mobil 1, By that I mean the design is 1913 with developments but still sloshes 4 ltrs of oil around at every stroke, no advantage to using fully synth in a GS, semi synth Castrol GTX Magnatech or equivalent is the best in these engines.
Of course you might want it for something else. !!
Not for a GS though the engine is not good enough for Mobil 1, By that I mean the design is 1913 with developments but still sloshes 4 ltrs of oil around at every stroke, no advantage to using fully synth in a GS, semi synth Castrol GTX Magnatech or equivalent is the best in these engines.
Of course you might want it for something else. !!
Esso garages
marvellous, I`ll try that Jim. You are assuming correctly, it IS for the bike.
What oil to use is definitely a slippery subject!! I know the boxer is an old design but by my reckoning the more protection I can get for my engine from the oil that I use then hopefully the longer it will last and I`m willing to pay the extra if that is the case. Of course this may NOT be the case! No one seems to really know. So many different opinions! Believe me I have asked around. Anyone know of any genuine high milers(250K+) and what oil they use?
This is an arty photo of oil in case you were wondering.
marvellous, I`ll try that Jim. You are assuming correctly, it IS for the bike.
What oil to use is definitely a slippery subject!! I know the boxer is an old design but by my reckoning the more protection I can get for my engine from the oil that I use then hopefully the longer it will last and I`m willing to pay the extra if that is the case. Of course this may NOT be the case! No one seems to really know. So many different opinions! Believe me I have asked around. Anyone know of any genuine high milers(250K+) and what oil they use?
This is an arty photo of oil in case you were wondering.
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HMR
Registered user
lukate said:
I have a 4-litre can of 5W50 Mobile 1 that I intend to use in my car since the Mobil 1 does not (formally) meet the BMW specifications. If you use it you may end up with a warranty problem.
See http://www.gunsmoke.com/scot/k12/sj_oil.html
Jimb
Guest
Lukate
I know a gent who does advanced training and did 78,000 miles in 3 years using Semi Synth.
The thing with Mobil 1 is when you start using it in the engine must be completly run in 'cos it just won't wear after that, that's fine with an engine that is run in after 2K or so but these boxers don't get to their best till youv'e done 20k plus even then they still use oil.
I use Mobil 1 gear oil in my gearbox after 12K, but that's different to an engine, gearboxes don't burn oil.
The wisdom is Mobil 1 is not for boxers, if you want to use a fully synth oil then use Halfords own brand Synthetic motorcycle oil, its Esso and less than half the cost of Moibil 1.
I know a gent who does advanced training and did 78,000 miles in 3 years using Semi Synth.
The thing with Mobil 1 is when you start using it in the engine must be completly run in 'cos it just won't wear after that, that's fine with an engine that is run in after 2K or so but these boxers don't get to their best till youv'e done 20k plus even then they still use oil.
I use Mobil 1 gear oil in my gearbox after 12K, but that's different to an engine, gearboxes don't burn oil.
The wisdom is Mobil 1 is not for boxers, if you want to use a fully synth oil then use Halfords own brand Synthetic motorcycle oil, its Esso and less than half the cost of Moibil 1.
It sounds
like one of the issues regarding synthetic oils and boxers is that they burn it? It seems they do not burn semi synth. I have tried running mine on Halfords synthetic and the consumption was at LEAST a litre per 1000miles so I`ve stopped using it now(my GS is over 20000mls now). I am currently using Silkolene 15w50semi synth and consumption is almost nothing now. I will try the same viscosity next oil change but fully synth and see what consumption is like. Will post result.
Thanks for your advice guys.
like one of the issues regarding synthetic oils and boxers is that they burn it? It seems they do not burn semi synth. I have tried running mine on Halfords synthetic and the consumption was at LEAST a litre per 1000miles so I`ve stopped using it now(my GS is over 20000mls now). I am currently using Silkolene 15w50semi synth and consumption is almost nothing now. I will try the same viscosity next oil change but fully synth and see what consumption is like. Will post result.
Thanks for your advice guys.
Gecko
Registered user
I've been using full synth Catrol R4 Superbike oil since about 10,000km. In fact that's what the BMW dealers over here advise. I changed once to and Esso synth oil of the same specs only because I could get a batch cheap and have no problems with excessive oil use. It's once a year maybe twice at most so if you want to look after your pride n joy give it a good fix and buy the best you can get I say. The bike is close to 70,000km now and running sweet 
I Buy it Mail-order
Hi lukate,
I've used only Mobil1 15w-50 for the past 20K+ ( bike now at 45K - 2001 1150 ). I find it an excellent oil and consumption is virtually nil.
I buy it mail-order from Graham Goode Racing, online :-
http://www.grahamgoode.com/general/index.php
Not sure what HMR means about Mobil1 not meeting BMW spec??
I also use mobil1 full.syn. gear oil.
There are lots of good oils out there but I'm not sure I understand the logic of some oils being "too good" for the oilheads?? - it's maybe not high-tech but it ain't a "1913 design"!- not much sense in spending £8K+ on a bike and expecting it to carry you round the globe yet quibling about spending a few quid extra on quality oil.
Cheers.........................................Grizzly
Hi lukate,
I've used only Mobil1 15w-50 for the past 20K+ ( bike now at 45K - 2001 1150 ). I find it an excellent oil and consumption is virtually nil.
I buy it mail-order from Graham Goode Racing, online :-
http://www.grahamgoode.com/general/index.php
Not sure what HMR means about Mobil1 not meeting BMW spec??
I also use mobil1 full.syn. gear oil.
There are lots of good oils out there but I'm not sure I understand the logic of some oils being "too good" for the oilheads?? - it's maybe not high-tech but it ain't a "1913 design"!- not much sense in spending £8K+ on a bike and expecting it to carry you round the globe yet quibling about spending a few quid extra on quality oil.
Cheers.........................................Grizzly
Hi Grizzly
Indeed!
Indeed!
A highly valid point. My bike gets hard daily use so I think the least I can do is treat to the best oil I can get for it. As someone else has pointed out on onother thread the cost of oil is a small part of the overall running cost so as you say there`s no point in quibbling about the price!!
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markgsnw
Guest
as long as we're speak of lubricants, I just had my rear drive unit rebuilt on my GS (failed main bearing), and in discussing things with the mechanics they pointed out that 75W-90 GL is lighter than 90W GL and thus too light for a BMW rear drive. 75W-140 or -150 is a much better choice in a multigrade GL.
scgross
Guest
mobil 1 oil
BMW issued a service bulletin that included in part:
The API specification SJ is not approved for use in any BMW motorcycle. This latest API classification does not guaranty the required levels of wear protective additives such as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, etc. as with most prior API specifications.
Mobil 1 15w50 is API SL/CF.
I have been using Mobil 1 since 1987 in a variety of engines- Range Rover V8, Ducati 998 and now the BMW R1200GS.
I have 89,000 miles on the 1999 Range Rover- no wear problems and no measureable oil consumption since new.
The Ducati 998 is a 2002 model with 23,000 miles on it. No wear was noted during the last valve check and no oil consumption.
The R1200GS has 4000 miles on it and has had Mobil 1 in the engine and Mobil 1 75w90 in the transmission. No oil consumption observed between service to date.
BMW issued a service bulletin that included in part:
The API specification SJ is not approved for use in any BMW motorcycle. This latest API classification does not guaranty the required levels of wear protective additives such as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, etc. as with most prior API specifications.
Mobil 1 15w50 is API SL/CF.
I have been using Mobil 1 since 1987 in a variety of engines- Range Rover V8, Ducati 998 and now the BMW R1200GS.
I have 89,000 miles on the 1999 Range Rover- no wear problems and no measureable oil consumption since new.
The Ducati 998 is a 2002 model with 23,000 miles on it. No wear was noted during the last valve check and no oil consumption.
The R1200GS has 4000 miles on it and has had Mobil 1 in the engine and Mobil 1 75w90 in the transmission. No oil consumption observed between service to date.
markgsnw
Guest
Re: mobil 1 oil
I would highly recommend using a heavier oil in your gearbox and rear drive, especially in your hot climate. 75W-90 is too light and sub-spec (at least it is sub-spec for an 1150GS).
scgross said:
I would highly recommend using a heavier oil in your gearbox and rear drive, especially in your hot climate. 75W-90 is too light and sub-spec (at least it is sub-spec for an 1150GS).
HMR
Registered user
Re: I Buy it Mail-order
Please note that I wrote formally not meeting BMW spec.
BMW require the higher amounts of some additives that was allowed in the older SG and SH specs. See also what scgross writes: "The API specification SJ is not approved for use in any BMW motorcycle. This latest API classification does not guaranty the required levels of wear protective additives such as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, etc. as with most prior API specifications."
What's really crazy is that neither the SG nor the SH spec is a guaranty for the required levels of additives - they just allow for higher levels.
Grizzly said:
Please note that I wrote formally not meeting BMW spec.
BMW require the higher amounts of some additives that was allowed in the older SG and SH specs. See also what scgross writes: "The API specification SJ is not approved for use in any BMW motorcycle. This latest API classification does not guaranty the required levels of wear protective additives such as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, etc. as with most prior API specifications."
What's really crazy is that neither the SG nor the SH spec is a guaranty for the required levels of additives - they just allow for higher levels.
markgsnw
Guest
two comments about the BMW requirements:
1) the quote is from a 1999 service bulletin...is this still valid?
2) many articles have said that the real issue with the additive packages has to do with the "energy conserving" ratings that some mulitgrade oils get. 15W-50 is not "energy conserving" rated (too heavy) so they different additive packages.
1) the quote is from a 1999 service bulletin...is this still valid?
2) many articles have said that the real issue with the additive packages has to do with the "energy conserving" ratings that some mulitgrade oils get. 15W-50 is not "energy conserving" rated (too heavy) so they different additive packages.
oh B*gger, I need to do an oil change soon and I'm now terified what oil to buy
I always used Mobil 1 in all my cars.... I know I read on this forum that 'Mobil 1 wasn't for bikes' I was suspicious at the time, fundmentally engines are the same (OK maybe not if the clutch is wet.)
Argh! what should I use????
I always used Mobil 1 in all my cars.... I know I read on this forum that 'Mobil 1 wasn't for bikes' I was suspicious at the time, fundmentally engines are the same (OK maybe not if the clutch is wet.)
Argh! what should I use????
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