Roadtip help

[markyparky]

I'm currently on tour in Europe and need a bit of help/advice.
My 1250gs adventure has started showing low oil warning. Popped up briefly a couple of time yesterday but after stopping and settingoff againit cleared. I does need oil and I know it recommends SAE 5W40 but will any fully synthetic oil 5W40 from a petrol station do.

Thanks in advance

 

[Hartley]

Don’t know about the oil but maybe if you say where you are someone might be able to sort you some of the correct grade?
Hope you get sorted, same happened to me on a Crosstourer.

 

[markyparky]

I'm currently in France bit west of Luxembourg and heading down to Black Forrest in Germany today.

 

[OnHellas]

I always think that a little bit of the wrong oil is better than no oil at all.

Search Google maps for the nearest BMW dealer. They will probably have the correct oil. It’s Sunday so they may not be open. If you’re not riding far today maybe wait for tomorrow to buy some?

If the oil warning only shows itself for a few moments it is probably, I say probably, just on the cusp of being low so probably not a disaster…probably.

If you are really worried I would buy some of the closest grade that you can get from a petrol station and top up.

If you do that you can always do an oil change once back home for the correct stuff.

Good luck wit it, keep on enjoying your trip and as my Mrs always says…it’ll be fine.

 

[albatross]

There is a main dealer in Trier

https://www.bmw-motorrad.de/hisgen-trier/de/home.html

If you wish to contact the mothership and have it checked
However they only open Tuesday to Sat.
Recommend BMW oils.
BMW OEM OIL 5w-40
Castrol Power 1 4t 5w-40
MOTUL 7100 4t 5w-40
Liquid - Moly 4t 5w-40
Most service station partic Luxemburg have a decent selection and the petrol is cheaper as well.
Good luck

 

[siddo]

Just buy some in a petrol station and top it up. You're overthinking this.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just buy some in a petrol station and top it up. You're overthinking this.

Massively

 

[markyparky]

Thanks for all the helpful advice, I'll get some at the next petrol stop and top it up

 

[Riko]

Maybe telling you to suck eggs here but it has to be Motorcycle oil i.e. '4T' NOT 'just any fully synthetic oil 5W40 from a petrol station' as per your post. Synthetic 'Car' oil is not compatible with the 1250's wet clutch.

 

[leadfarmer]

Maybe telling you to suck eggs here but it has to be Motorcycle oil i.e. '4T' NOT 'just any fully synthetic oil 5W40 from a petrol station' as per your post. Synthetic 'Car' oil is not compatible with the 1250's wet clutch.

Exactly, needs to be MA2 spec for the wet clutch

If you’re lucky you’ll find motorcycle oil in a garage, slightly different grade will be OK for a top up as long as it’s MA2, you don’t want to bugger your clutch

Otherwise find a bike shop tomorrow, the brand doesn’t matter as long as it’s the correct spec

 

[glenn2926]

Just buy some in a petrol station and top it up. You're overthinking this.

What he said.

 

[Santa-2512]

+3

I put magnatec ( car oil ) in a pocket rocket 2 stroke gearbox when i was young and daft

Gearchanges were amazing

Engine braking was f*ck all - eeeeeeeeeek

surley they have a halfords or equivalaent open

There is / was a huge aldi / lidl type supermarket in Sarlouis if i recall,

used to have a pretty big motoring section (aka halfords) inside as irs own section

ask a local thay may be able to point you in the right direction

 

[Two wheels good]

Try a supermarket for oil if the motor factors are closed. Based on my experience in France, surprisingly good choice.
I agree with the advice to avoid car engine oil; friction modifiers will affect your wet clutch.

 

[skr80a]

Needs to be JASO spec oil really for the wet clutch

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

The question for me is why does the bike require any oil ?
All four of my Lc's have never used any oil between services ?And for the warning to show, must mean very low on the window ?
Where's it gone ?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

First thing I would do is physically check the oil in the sight glass

 

[leadfarmer]

Good point gentlemen

 

[markyparky]

It was serviced last week and the sight glass is showing about 1/2 to 3/4. The light is only coming on for a bit and when I stop it does not come back on for a while. So I'll get some to top it up and see

 

[RedRick Esq.]

It was serviced last week and the sight glass is showing about 1/2 to 3/4. The light is only coming on for a bit and when I stop it does not come back on for a while. So I'll get some to top it up and see

rely on what you can actually see in the sight glass

Leave it on centre stand overnight and check in morning as if its half way up the sight glass you have plenty of oil and overfilling can do more harm than good

 

[markyparky]

rely on what you can actually see in the sight glass

Leave it on centre stand overnight and check in morning as if its half way up the sight glass you have plenty of oil and overfilling can do more harm than good

Will do