just wondering where people stash there spare oil on a 1200 RT, when I had me GSA, obviously there was the cut out behind the tank panel for the nippy norman bottle, but its a bit difrent on the RT, so just wondering if anything what others do???
Oil carrying on an RT
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ducatiparts.110mb
Registered user
Never felt the need to carry any. In 26000 miles mine's never needed much topping up, including a couple 2500 mile weeks when I never carried oil and never had any problems - at least not oil related ones 
Myke Rocks
Registered user
Just like the last correspondant:
I carry any oil needed in the engine.
I change the oil before leaving on a trip, and do not check it again for the duration.
This is usually over 3,000 miles. Would not normally check the oil level before 5,000 have elapsed.
Myke
I carry any oil needed in the engine.
I change the oil before leaving on a trip, and do not check it again for the duration.
This is usually over 3,000 miles. Would not normally check the oil level before 5,000 have elapsed.
Myke
I agree with above posts. Last rt had 55000 miles when I changed never had oil problems never worried about oil never had to. JJH
in the pannier....? obviously
What oil do they take? JJH
Awwww c'mon guys...........this is UKGSer.....shirley you can't possibly go to Tesco without an ostentatious rack of spare fuel, oil and a set of sand ladder cunningly disguised as a bash plate on your bike?
Should be ashamed of yerselves!
Should be ashamed of yerselves!
Depends on the mileage ? They burn a fair bit up to 20k miles. My GS 1150 did anyway.
kennyc
Registered user
I find those garage places seem to carry oil, amongst the muffins and veggies
Bmw do a natty little bottle with pouring spout , gloves etc which,as it is premium quality, would be leak free and safe to store in ya pannier with socks and undies. One of the dealers had some on ebay for £3.50 or best offer.
sven
Registered user
Mine uses a litre every 2-3000 miles, as did my GS 
If I didn't take oil on tour, I'd be pushing the bike home....
The RT rental bike I used in the States was brimmed with oil at collection and was at the bottom of the sight glass 3300 miles later, so probably just over half the oil consumption. That bike had done 23k miles, so maybe the consumption does improve with mileage.
What the RT needs is a bottle that'll fit in the fairing pocket as I'm fed up with losing pannier space on tour.
If I didn't take oil on tour, I'd be pushing the bike home....The RT rental bike I used in the States was brimmed with oil at collection and was at the bottom of the sight glass 3300 miles later, so probably just over half the oil consumption. That bike had done 23k miles, so maybe the consumption does improve with mileage.
What the RT needs is a bottle that'll fit in the fairing pocket as I'm fed up with losing pannier space on tour.
A couple of years ago with my first trip abroad on the RT i too listened to all the criticism about the boxer engine drinking oil and - "you had better take plenty of oil" blah blah.....
So I made room for a litre bottle of oil in my panniers - spent most of the holiday worried it would bust open all over my cloths because it was so hot.
Good job I took it though - I had 2 other bikes with me (one a Honda Varadero and one a Tiger sport) both dipped into my oil (1/2 litre each) we covered over 4500 miles and i kid you not the oil level warning came on at the garage that is 600 yrds from my house before i got back home!
To be honest since that day I decided - Garages sell Oil as well as fuel - sod it if I need it when I am travelling I will buy it then.
Rik
So I made room for a litre bottle of oil in my panniers - spent most of the holiday worried it would bust open all over my cloths because it was so hot.
Good job I took it though - I had 2 other bikes with me (one a Honda Varadero and one a Tiger sport) both dipped into my oil (1/2 litre each) we covered over 4500 miles and i kid you not the oil level warning came on at the garage that is 600 yrds from my house before i got back home!
To be honest since that day I decided - Garages sell Oil as well as fuel - sod it if I need it when I am travelling I will buy it then.
Rik
I had 2 RT's and never had to top either up between services.
Did a 2, 700 mile 10 day trip through The Alps to Mugello last year on an RT that had only done 4,000 miles prior to setting off. Again, hardly used a drop of oil.
I have been told that the amount of oil they use could be reflective of how they've been run-in
Did a 2, 700 mile 10 day trip through The Alps to Mugello last year on an RT that had only done 4,000 miles prior to setting off. Again, hardly used a drop of oil.
I have been told that the amount of oil they use could be reflective of how they've been run-in
kennyc
Registered user
presumably you stop to fill it with fuel? those places also sell oil you know, and once every 2-3000 miles isn't going to break the bank.Mine uses a litre every 2-3000 miles, as did my GS
The RT rental bike I used in the States was brimmed with oil at collection and was at the bottom of the sight glass 3300 miles later, so probably just over half the oil consumption. That bike had done 23k miles, so maybe the consumption does improve with mileage.
What the RT needs is a bottle that'll fit in the fairing pocket as I'm fed up with losing pannier space on tour.
sven
Registered user
They may sell oil, but it's not generally the correct grade or they may not sell motorcycle oil at all. Also, the difference between the top and bottom of the sight glass is only 1/2 litre, so you still end up carrying the bottle or chucking it away assuming its a litre bottle.
It's interesting that GS riders seem to go through plenty of oil, yet RT riders don't - maybe it's because most RT's are ridden in a much more sedate manner
I think the oil level warning light, is actually the oil pressure light, and if you run low enough to illuminate that you may be about to enter a world of very expensive shit.
Ahem there is a level light with computer. Would you ever stop worrering about oil. It does not have to be the EXACT oil. 3in 1 will not do but most stuff that comes in cans supplied on garage forecourts with a bit of comon sanse will do. JJH
kennyc
Registered user
if you can see the oil its good, top to bottom of the sight glass is close to a litre, car oil is fine you are topping up not changing, no need to make life harder than it already isThey may sell oil, but it's not generally the correct grade or they may not sell motorcycle oil at all. Also, the difference between the top and bottom of the sight glass is only 1/2 litre, so you still end up carrying the bottle or chucking it away assuming its a litre bottle.
It's interesting that GS riders seem to go through plenty of oil, yet RT riders don't - maybe it's because most RT's are ridden in a much more sedate manner
Myke Rocks
Registered user
Nearly correct!
Both of the boxers I bought used oil when I bought them.
Bouncing off the rev. limiter occasionally and a few high revving, high speed high load jaunts cured both of their problem.
On the R1100RT, 500 miles in 6 hours ( with 3 stops for food and fuel) soon after I bought it resolved the issue. Likewise the R1200RT.
Myke
Not so much how they have been run in, but whether the rider has twisted the tiger's tail succifiently.I had 2 RT's and never had to top either up between services.
Did a 2, 700 mile 10 day trip through The Alps to Mugello last year on an RT that had only done 4,000 miles prior to setting off. Again, hardly used a drop of oil.
I have been told that the amount of oil they use could be reflective of how they've been run-in
Both of the boxers I bought used oil when I bought them.
Bouncing off the rev. limiter occasionally and a few high revving, high speed high load jaunts cured both of their problem.
On the R1100RT, 500 miles in 6 hours ( with 3 stops for food and fuel) soon after I bought it resolved the issue. Likewise the R1200RT.
Myke
Definitely worth knowing, thanx.
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