Oil?

[England-Kev]

Time to give the old girl a service before the run down to the wee-kend...

But what I needs to know is this, Oil, what are your thoughts?

Mineral
Semi synth
or
Fully synth

I usually use Castrol GTX, but have been wondering if Synthetic oil is better for the motor, what are the long term effects of synthetic oil on seals, what is the long term effect of synthetic oil full stop. Does synthetic oil give a true reading on the oil pressure system?

 

[Slowdown]

First!

 

[Racey]

This is gonna be good...

 

[Balders1450]

Thursday!!

 

[Old Man]

I'm gonna be kind here.....there's lots on the subject but have a look at this from an earlier thread.

(J) Am I right in thinking that, as the good old BMW flat twin is not a particularly high revving engine (unlike say a Honda 600R, going up to perhaps 17,000 RPM) there is no great need or advantage in using anything better than decent semi-synthetic oil, once the engine is run in. BMW seem to recommend mineral oil for at least the basic running in period 600-1000 miles and, apparently, up to about the next six thousand miles (some dealers say 10,000). I'd say that is a good rule of thumb - BMW engines tend to take a long time to run in ( 10K ) and if not done properly can tend to burn oil later on - BMW specify a basic mineral, although many dealers use a semi synthetic as a service grade

 

[boxer]

Prepare

 

[England-Kev]

I'm gonna be kind here.....there's lots on the subject

Now you see, you all automaticaly think I have not used the search option, well as usual you would all be wrong

The problem with the search option, is that it gives you a whole pile of crap, the flotsom and jetsom of posts as far apart as Word games, stainless engine covers, solo seats, and so on, and so forth, but nothing usefull turns up, so we have to start another thread.

Now I know the question could be a little hard for some of you, as can be seen by the replies, but I am hoping that one or two who visit this sub section may in fact give some serious thought to the question, before posting a reply.

 

[BamBam]

Currently using Amsoil V twin 20w/50 in the R100GS.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-6380-amsoil-20w-50-synthetic-motorcycle-oil-mcv.aspx

 

[ians]

Time to give the old girl a service before the run down to the wee-kend...

But what I needs to know is this, Oil, what are your thoughts?

Mineral
Semi synth
or
Fully synth

I usually use Castrol GTX, but have been wondering if Synthetic oil is better for the motor, what are the long term effects of synthetic oil on seals, what is the long term effect of synthetic oil full stop. Does synthetic oil give a true reading on the oil pressure system?

Any good quality 20/50 mineral is all you need. Millers 20/50 classic is as good as any.

Synthetics can often lead to leaks in an old engine, (I assume you are putting it in an airhead).

Thats my experience anyway, some may dissagree.

 

[bumpmuncher]

this is the oil in my bikes dont think you will get it much cheaper same stuff that my local motofactors used to stock or wilcos do one here

 

[Old Man]

"Now I know the question could be a little hard for some of you, as can be seen by the replies, but I am hoping that one or two who visit this sub section may in fact give some serious thought to the question, before posting a reply. "

Well, I thought I had been helpful..........

 

[England-Kev]

Currently using Amsoil V twin 20w/50 in the R100GS.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-6380-amsoil-20w-50-synthetic-motorcycle-oil-mcv.aspx

That's interesting, they even recomend using instead of gear oil in the gearbox, but I thought gear oil was much thicker than 20/50

 

[England-Kev]

Well, I thought I had been helpful..........

I never said you were'nt

 

[BamBam]

That's interesting, they even recomend using instead of gear oil in the gearbox, but I thought gear oil was much thicker than 20/50

Now there could be another question we're using Amsoil Severe Gear SAE75w-90

 

[bumpmuncher]

right after having a mammoth Google session here are a few articles that may help with the choice of which oil
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/1266801
and
http://www.britishmotoring.net/current_issue/BritishM-0901_How-To.pdf
and
http://www.ttalk.info/Zddp.htm
and (not read this one fully myself)
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html
personally i go for the cheapest (within reason) one specified by the manufacturer.

 

[England-Kev]

bumpmuncher thanks, that first one is very interesting, especially with regard to the engine seals...

 

[Kenny]

Just walk into B & Q and buy their 20/50 ( SE spec ) for £9.95 ( in a blue plastic container ). Sorted

 

[bumpmuncher]

this is the oil in my bikes dont think you will get it much cheaper same stuff that my local motofactors used to stock or wilcos do one here

 

[fayeslane]

I'm in
Castrol 4T
Change oil and filter every 5K kms.
Best maintenance you can do is regular oil changes with a quality oil.

Trusted BM repairer advises on newer BMs run mineral for the first 40K kms and then switch to synthetic if you want.

 

[Beemerboff]

BMW recommend high quality GL 5 EP gear oil due to the helical gears - trashed gearboxes usually start from breakdown of these gears, so they might even know what the are talking about.

I have used synthetic in all my vehicles for the past 15 years and never had any trouble with seals or leaking.

You will definitely have less wear with with full synthetic - some oil analysis even showing nil FE after 10000 miles - that is, no wear oil the steel parts.

Weather or not the difference is significant enough to be noticed during the ownership of the vehicle is another question, but if you do a high annual mileage and intend keeping the bike it is a nice feeling knowing the steel parts are not wearing.

Synthetic also gives much better protection at high temps - and with a air cooled bike there is always the chance you will get the motor hot.
And if you do you will be glad you have the best oil in the sump.

Sort of like comparing a GBP10- crash helmet with a GBP 200- one , they both do the job until the day that you really need one, and then you will be glad you have the right one.