Oil Consumption

[Swooper]

I have a 2002 GS1150. Bought with 6000 on the clock and now up to just about 8000.

When I bought the bike I was told "it will use oil" The hand book suggests max consumption of 1 litre per 1000kms or 1.41 pints per 500 miles.

To date I have had to put in just about 1 litre.

Is this normal, good or bad?

When will it stop using oil?

What does anyone suggest. Synthetic, Semi-synthetic or something else?

 

[City Slicker]

I seem to get through about .5 litres every 1000 miles which is what the book says.

 

[Steve]

I seem to get through about .5 litres every 1000 miles which is what the book says.

About the same for me. Just coming up to the 10 000 mile mark, and consumption seems to be falling off a bit now. Those in the know reckon it stops using oil between 10 and 20K, when it's finally "run-in".

Steve.

 

[THE PICT]

All oilheads use a lot of oil.Some more than others.Some stop using at about 5000,some 20000.The way you ride and type of oil you use can have something to do with this although there not the only factors.

If you ride up and down motorways all day at the same rpm then it will be using oil for some time.Try using a suitable mineral oil till it stop using so much then go for a semi-synthetic.I am using Castrol GP at the moment but at my next oil change Ill go for Castrol GPS which is a semi-synthetic .

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

My 2002 bike has done 12,000 miles now and in last 3000 miles has used 4/5 of a litre - so I'm not worried and this bike has never really been an 'oil-drinker'/
Always use semi-synthetic , anything better is a waste of money.

 

[Malky]

At 23k at the moment. Recently it was mentioned on this BB that putting on the centre stand can avoid oil burn at startup. I think this may be true. Since using the centre stand regularly my consumption does appear to be less.

Give it a try if like me you were used to using the side stand most of the time.

PS I would agree with the concensus regarding using less at 15k or so for me it was noticable about 18k

 

[Simon Eassom]

Give it a try if like me you were used to using the side stand most of the time.

Malky . . . you should never start it up on the sidestand or let it idle on the sidestand !!!!! The pump cannot lubricate the right hand valve gear properly and you'll induce excess wear through oil starvation. You shouldn't really leave the bike parked for long periods on the sidestand either.

 

[wessie]

I bought mine with 10k last year.

Used about 0.5l per 1k miles

Now at 18k it uses a lot less

Run your finger (when cold obviously) around the inside of the tail pipe - you will find a nice layer of soot from oil burn at start up.

Mine still produces soot, but not in the same quantties.

 

[blackduck]

Mine has 48K and she still uses 200-300ml every few thousand miles

 

[Captain Beaky]

Yup, It looks like they all do it.

My 1150 GS used quite a bit, especially since I do a lot of motorway miles on it.

In fact, compared to other bikes I've had, the GS drinks it, and you have to keep a close eye on the level to avoid the "Near miss" that I had.

On a trip back from Padstow, I noticed that the oil temp started to rise. Not much, only one segment on the display, but the readout had never deviated from the usual 5 bars. The oil light never came on. I stopped at the next services to find the engine needing nearly a litre of oil to restore the level.

OOer.

Luckily, it's one to chalk up to experience as a close call, so I now check the level almost every time I take the bike out.


As for oil type, when I talked to the dealer, I explained that I double up on the oil changes, changing it every 3,000 miles.

His exact comment:

"Oh, the 1150 will run on anything. Even extra Virgin!
If you are changing every 3,000 then a standard motor oil will do, for a 6,000, a semi-synth is a good idea."

Fortunately, I can get a good Semi-Synth for about £5 an oil change (Less than the price of the oil filter), and if it's good enough for my Turbo Saab, then it'll do for the bike quite nicely...

Cheers...

Mike.

(Captain Beaky - Silver '01 1150GS)