Sips fuel, guzzles oil...?

[apoll013]

Actually my 1200GS doesn't exactly sip fuel, being a wee bit jucier than the outgoing R1, if you can believe it?
My concern at this time is oil. My bike has just come back from its new gearbox. The oil level was half-way up the window. After 220 miles it is now just lapping at the base of the window. Anyone think this is mildly alarming? Or merely normal?
If I were to replenish has anyone got any favourite type of oil that works for the GS, given its prodigous appetite for the stuff!
Phil

 

[Mouse]

Make sure you are checking the level correctly. If the bike has only been for a short run, the oil window can look empty.

The correct way to check is go for a decent ride, and get the engine up to normal temperature. Then park the bike on the centrestand, engine off, and wait 5 minutes. Then check the level.

I use Castrol GP in my GS.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Actually my 1200GS doesn't exactly sip fuel, being a wee bit jucier than the outgoing R1, if you can believe it?
My concern at this time is oil. My bike has just come back from its new gearbox. The oil level was half-way up the window. After 220 miles it is now just lapping at the base of the window. Anyone think this is mildly alarming? Or merely normal?
If I were to replenish has anyone got any favourite type of oil that works for the GS, given its prodigous appetite for the stuff!
Phil

Welcome to the World Of BMW...................no wonder they officially endorse Castrol !!

 

[apoll013]

Thanks for that. Do they burn it or leak it? I never knew they drunk oil?

 

[Mouse]

Usually they burn it

You'll find the oil consumption will slow down once the engine is properly run in. After about 15,000 miles.

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

You'll find the oil consumption will slow down once the engine is properly run in. After about 15,000 miles.

Great! Only 12k to go!

Mine is consuming at the max rate of 0.5 litres per 600 miles...

Kai

 

[Mr K]

1,000km per litre is regarded as normal.



Rock & Roll

 

[David T]

oil consumption

After owning an 1100, an 1150 and now a 1200 I have come to the conclusion never trust the sight glass. Even parking the bike in exactly the same spot no matter how far it's been ridden gives different readings. I often appear to come back with more oil than when I started!
After years of paranoia I'm now cool about it. I check regularly and top up when it's about 1/4 empty to just over 1/2 way. That way although it sometimes can read 3/4 full I don't find I've over filled it. I'd still like to know the real reason how this oil level fluctuates, oil must get trapped somewhere sometimes.

DT

 

[GSmonkey]

17k on the clock and mine still drinks 1lt/2k, so I shouldn't hold out too many hopes.

Seems to drink more round town than on the open road.

 

[apoll013]

1ltr every 1k sounds right

Hello,
Just filled it and it took 300ml of Castrol GTX to get the oil-line halfway up the window. This makes about 1/2 litre every 500 miles if this is a trend rather than a blip. Strange because I did what the mechanic asked and ran her in pretty hard. Just as I was also told by Yamaha mechanic on R1. The latter worked as the R1 used hardly any oil at all.
Now that I think of it the bike does smell of oil after a thrash. I previously put it down to being part of the Belstaff/Condor moment of owning a BM - now I am not so sure.
Thanks for all the comments. My learning curve is stratospheric.
Phil

 

[Engineer]

I ran mine in by the book and it has used about 350ml in the last 3,100 miles. It seems that there are huge variations in oil consumption - what does it mean?

 

[wannabefast]

Mine is better now

I had 5000 miles on the clock & the beast was comsuming 1/2 liter to evey tank of gas, about 200 miles. I was not happy. You should not have to add oil every time you fill up with gas. Took the bike to Cycle Specialties in California. There was non of that; Its supposed to use oil crap from them. They verified & rebuilt the motor. Now at 18000 miles the bike uses 1/2 liter per 4000 miles. Totally acceptable. You support the dealer & they should do the same.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

There is a poll around which shows the range of oil consumption likely.

The boxers I've had have averaged around 0.5l per '000, falling a bit as the miles go on. Strangely in doing around 2.5k in Europe one trip, the 1150GS did not use a drop but started using again on return to the UK. Never sure whether this was down to different riding or different fuel. They also seem to go through phases of drinking oil and then easing off, the former normally coincides with improved fuel consumption!

A mate of mine uses the thrash it running in poilcy (In the first 5 miles get to the top of a hill, redline it on the way down making sure to use maximum engine braking). He claims NEVER to have put any oil in a Boxer ever (apart from at Services of course). His dealer says it the 2nd sweetest engine they come across (Charlie Boorman's being the sweetest).

All FWIW.

Paul

 

[degsy]

Re: oil consumption

After owning an 1100, an 1150 and now a 1200 I have come to the conclusion never trust the sight glass. Even parking the bike in exactly the same spot no matter how far it's been ridden gives different readings. I often appear to come back with more oil than when I started!
I'd still like to know the real reason how this oil level fluctuates, oil must get trapped somewhere sometimes.

DT

i agree Dave no matter how its parked always different

 

[minkyhead]

this is weird ..mine has used atotal of no oil in 6000miles ?
my old 1150 did o.5 every 1000
i have been told no to leave standing on the side stand cos i leaks down the vave stems and if the vave is open it can drain the residual oil from the cylinder head ??