R1200GS using oil

[BikerBear]

I recently bought a 2010 GS (new dohc motor) with 2700mls on the clock. It now has 4700mls on it. After the first 1000mls I noticed it had used quite a bit of oil so I thought I would do an oil change and start fresh to see the result.

Changed oil at 3700mls have done a further 1000 mls. When started the oil viewer was about 75% full i.e. only a small part of the viewer did not show oil. Looked at the viewer last night and it was only just showing a tiny bit of oil in the viewer. My understanding is that it would take about 1/2 litre to get it back to half on the viewer, which means the bike has used about 750ml of oil in 1000miles.

Is this normal and if so does it improve or get worse as the bike gets older.

I am very new to this boxer motor thing and would appreciate some guidance on this

 

[Beemerman59]

The first thing you need to do is be consistent over how you view the oil window. Only do it after a longish run, put the bike on the centrestand for 10 minutes, then look. This allows the oil to drain down from the cooler.

Some bikes seem to use oil others don't. Mine hardly uses any but in your case the mileage is low and the engine is not broken in yet so will probably get better.

 

[oyster]

Top Up Required!

Hi, Yep the 2010 1200GS needs topping up, on occasions when the thing is used hard, it will use 5mm,measured from top of sight glass, after a hard Sundays Group riding! Then another Sunday riding, two up touring,no oil use to report! My Fireblade used oil as well,my Mitusbushi Lancer car uses oil!
What are you comparing it too? welcome to a Garage full of top up bottles.

 

[AussieKen]

Oil Useage

Yes its quite normal. My bike stopped using oil @ 60,000k's. My bike was exactly the same as yours in useage. I ride it very hard and fast. All is good, it will stop using oil, just ride it hard, and harder is better.
Ken.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

This is an old topic which has been covered many times. If you use the search button, you will see loads of threads.

My thoughts are that most GS's use very little after being run in but get overfilled with oil as people keep topping them up! Mine has probably used a litre in 65,000 miles and that was when it was very hot for as period of a couple of weeks.

You need to be consistent in your oil check. I have a glance at mine before every ride and as long as oil is in the window, I'm happy. Even if the level isn't the same as the last time, I don't worry. The oil can hide in loads of places in the motor so the level may not be consistent.

The boxer is renowned for using a bit when new but generally settles down pretty quickly.

 

[Dainese Brave]

I've found riding conditions seem to effect my gsa's oil consumption.

Do around town and commuting miles and it's not too bad.....do many fast miles on autobahns in the heat and you've got to keep an eye on the viewing glass.

Oil consumption is an argumentive issue with Gs's.....some do, some don't it seems......personally, so long as I've got some oil to top it up it doesn't matter!

(WARNING......don't ask what oil to top it up with next! )

 

[Sprocket]

I found my first (2005) GS used oil having been run in as defined in the handbook. Next 2 models (2008 GS and 2010 GSA) run in as for a racing engine and neither use more than 200ml between services.

I do mixed riding, commuting through London and fast motorway and dual carriageway on weekends and don't find that motorway riding affects oil consumption.

Wot Beemerman says - if you top up when its not actually low it will burn off the excess.

 

[swissrob]

be careful before starting to panic.. the oil level in the sight glass varies enormously. i always check it in the morning afer being on the centre stand evernight, other times on the centre stand can show from about 1/4 to 3/4.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Done 11000 on mine over the last year or so, never topped up between services although the level does change quite a bit. bilco's post would sound about the most sensible advice to me

 

[ianran]

Done 11000 on mine over the last year or so, never topped up between services although the level does change quite a bit. bilco's post would sound about the most sensible advice to me

+1

Mind, whats the best oil to top up with



Sorry, I will get my coat!!!

 

[Tuono1961]

As other have said it's just "luck of the draw"

My 08 GS uses no oil at all between services. My other bike a Tuono uses loads.

Do an Alpine trip once a year on the Tuono with a mate on exactly the same bike. I'll need to top mine up at least 4 times over the 3k hard miles and he won't need to put a drop in his.

I work on the thought that at least the bike is getting regular oil changes between services

 

[snerkler]

What oil do you use