Oil carrying on an RT

[ghost-rider]

Thanks for all the replies lads, some intresting comments, agree with the one about a bottle to fit in the cubby box on the fairing, that would be ideal!

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[steadysteve]

Thanks for all the replies lads, some intresting comments, agree with the one about a bottle to fit in the cubby box on the fairing, that would be ideal!

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I think that's where the Bmw one is designed to fit- probably keep it upright..

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Carefully run in bikes tend to use oil, bikes that have been used hard in run in don't, plenty of threads on running in

 

[Pansmiker]

Carefully run in bikes tend to use oil, bikes that have been used hard in run in don't, plenty of threads on running in

Plus +1 here.

have had a few from new, 1200...RT + GS which never used oil between the oil services. My brother had about 600 miles on a new 1200RT and we went to the Continent touring and his never used any oil.

If my memory serves me correctly the bro had a litre of oil in the original plastic Castrol bottle stashed in his fairing locker standing straight up.

Oh the punch line is that the oil was used by "other" makes.

 

[sven]

Carefully run in bikes tend to use oil, bikes that have been used hard in run in don't, plenty of threads on running in

I think this is another myth. My GS was run in reasonably carefully as per book and the RT was run in hard - both use(d) oil, the RT probably 50% more, although as it's a TC engine you can't make a direct comparison. The RT was also ridden harder as it overtook a lot easier than the GS at higher speeds.

Anyway, back on topic, many bikes use oil (e.g. all three boxers I've owned/ridden) and in these cases many owners prefer the comfort of carrying some spare oil on tour. So, the BMW bottle which fits in the fairing pocket is a very sensible solution.

WTF is the point in telling someone their bike won't use oil when there's a very high chance that it will? As he carried spare oil on his GSA, he's already decided he wants to carry it on his RT and I don't blame him

 

[Riktus]

If you really must carry oil (I can understand the logic and the back up of doing so) then I have before used a "Panda Pop" bottle - emptied the contents and then washed with a little petrol and left to dry overnight - this has been adequate for sticking some oil out of a 5 Litre canister in providing you keep it upright - cant remember the capacity off by heart but it was enough for a top up and I am pretty sure it would fit in the RT cubby hole.

Sorted.......?

Rik

 

[ghost-rider]

I wouldn't carry oil on the bike for every day use, as obviously its easier to top up at home etc., but as for greater mileage trips, I wouldn't really feel comfortable not carrying any oil atall, yes I know you can buy oil in the petrol stations etc. just to get you out the shit so to speak, but with a little thought I think its easier to carry it yourself, as for oil useage, I also think possibly the "runnin in process" versus oil useage is a bit of a myth, I found with my twin cam gsa it used oil but not in any set way, I rode all the way from brum to john o groats and then then to applecross, probably used quarter of a litre, but then from applecross to skye and then back to brum, never used a drop, and there was 3k on the clock when I bought it, and nearly 18k when I sold it, and during that time again there was no set pattern, at time when I thought its worked hard this week/month ill check it, it turned out to have not used a drop, yet other times when id just check it for the crack and it hadn't particularly done anything strenuess it had used a half a litre, me RT only has 900 mile on the clock at the mo, so time will tell if its to be the same or not, but to be honest ill be surprised if it is

as for this BMW bottle, think I might see if I can find one of them

 

[steadysteve]

Only disadvantage with the bmw bottle is that, once you have used it, you have to find somewhere to put the oily pouring spout.....
It's a minefield out there and no mistake..

 

[Our Gee]

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

The RT (Pre WC) does not require dedicated Motorcycle Oil. I would top up to the max mark before your trip. If during the trip the level has dropped to near the minimum, buy a litre from a garage, I would try for 20-50 but really anything will do for a top up. Use what you require and bin the rest. Continue journey.