jamesf
Guest
I have just ventured into GS ownership with a R1100. Can anyone advise me which are the best engine and gearbox oils to use? Thank you.
madman
Registered user
For gearbox oil in all my BMWs I have allways used 75/90 full synthetic as it makes the change quieter and smoother. As for engines that is a very personal thing. I use 5W50 synthetic, but there are many opinions on this subject and none of them are the same.
Bob
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/
Bob
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/
Engine oil - put cheap car semi-synth ones, just make sure it's right viscosity in the temperature conditions you ride.
Here in North-Eastern Europe i use 10W-40 mostly for the engine, but going to Turkey and Iran i put 20W-50 for example.
Into gearbox and shaft axle put GL5 spec transmission oil, 80W-90 is my allrounder (covers below and above +5C outside temperatures), i dont buy the cheapest ones usually, something medium-better stuff, coz gearbox and axle tend to be more fragile spots. The robust boxer engine eats gladly all sort of sheet you give it and they do 250,000kms at least before top end overhaul is needed, thus make more love with the transmission parts rather than the engine
Just make sure you have the correct oil amount in the engine. DON'T underoil and DON'T overoil it. Underoiling means blocked or wrecked engine, excessivly overoiling means blown output shaft's seal and slipping clutch.
Look around the net how to monitor the boxer's oil level properly.
Here in North-Eastern Europe i use 10W-40 mostly for the engine, but going to Turkey and Iran i put 20W-50 for example.
Into gearbox and shaft axle put GL5 spec transmission oil, 80W-90 is my allrounder (covers below and above +5C outside temperatures), i dont buy the cheapest ones usually, something medium-better stuff, coz gearbox and axle tend to be more fragile spots. The robust boxer engine eats gladly all sort of sheet you give it and they do 250,000kms at least before top end overhaul is needed, thus make more love with the transmission parts rather than the engine
Just make sure you have the correct oil amount in the engine. DON'T underoil and DON'T overoil it. Underoiling means blocked or wrecked engine, excessivly overoiling means blown output shaft's seal and slipping clutch.
Look around the net how to monitor the boxer's oil level properly.
I have two R1100GS`s and used to run them both on Castrol GP 10w40 mineral oil in the engine.
When one of them got to 42,000 miles,I switched to Duckhams 'Q' 20w50 mineral and it`s running great on it.
I don`t agree with using synthetic oil ... or even semi-synthetic ... in these engines and seeing as I change the oil every 3000 miles,it would be rather expensive anyway.
Gearbox and bevel box get Hypoid 80w90 GL-5.
When one of them got to 42,000 miles,I switched to Duckhams 'Q' 20w50 mineral and it`s running great on it.
I don`t agree with using synthetic oil ... or even semi-synthetic ... in these engines and seeing as I change the oil every 3000 miles,it would be rather expensive anyway.
Gearbox and bevel box get Hypoid 80w90 GL-5.
Bananaman
Guest
tarka said:
...thank goodness there is another GSer that changes engine oil every 3,000 miles, I thought I was on my own
northengit
Registered user
tarka said:
Can you still get Duckams oil's I can't seem to find it locally anywhere lately, did hear a rumour on the jungle drums that Halfords have got a something going on with Duckams oils at the moment.
northengit said:
I have no trouble at any of the local Motor Factors.
Don`t know about Halfrauds as I don`t really use them.
Anyway...the brand is irrelevant,so even if Duckhams went out of existance,any 20w50 of the correct spec would be perfectly ok.
madman
Registered user
I have just put an article on engine oil on my blog, feel free to copy and paste it if you wish.
Bob
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/
Bob
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/
20/50 engine oil for me - as per engine manufactures specififcation, not the oil manufactures
Bananaman said:...thank goodness there is another GSer that changes engine oil every 3,000 miles, I thought I was on my own
yer not
Finest extra virgin olive oil - cold-pressed (the only sort you should use).
Change it every time you get sick of smelling like an upmarket chipshop.
Don't know why you're worrying about oil, it's that front brake binding you need to sort out. Go and place your bike (very nice it is too - I'm just jealous) under the healing hands of St. Eptoe in Saaarf Lahndan.
Change it every time you get sick of smelling like an upmarket chipshop.
Don't know why you're worrying about oil, it's that front brake binding you need to sort out. Go and place your bike (very nice it is too - I'm just jealous) under the healing hands of St. Eptoe in Saaarf Lahndan.
greggs
Registered user
jamesf.... yer oil,
when I had an 1100gs, I ran valvoline 20w/50 in the engine, changed the oil every 5k and did the oil & filter at the 10k. I started off using valvoline 80w/90 Gearbox and Diff oil in the other places, changed every 20k. I switched to valvoline 75w/90 semi synthetic in the gearbox and it made a noticable improvement.
hope this helps
gregGS
when I had an 1100gs, I ran valvoline 20w/50 in the engine, changed the oil every 5k and did the oil & filter at the 10k. I started off using valvoline 80w/90 Gearbox and Diff oil in the other places, changed every 20k. I switched to valvoline 75w/90 semi synthetic in the gearbox and it made a noticable improvement.
hope this helps
gregGS
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