TEMPERATURE READING 7 BARS

[Commuter]

(does anyone still remember gallons?)

Yep, the entire United States of America as they still use them. It is currently 2.63 per gallon here of gas and they are screaming about it all the fecking time.

I have had 8 bars on my RID before now, done on a hot day in traffic in the smoke, don't worry about it.

N

 

[ELIMINATOR]

8 bars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would probably have got off & peed on the heads.

 

[Pukmeister]

Yeah, I doubt it would cool the engine much but the smell of steaming hot piss will soon clear the traffic !!!

 

[sproggy]

Yep, the entire United States of America as they still use them.

Er, I think Le Singe meant proper gallons, not the 'gallon lite' version you have in the US

 

[Le singe]

I think Bush has always been 1 pint short of a full gallon

 

[Tony T]

I use Miller 20/50 Heavy Duty, which has the right spec for the GS. Its stated use is for Harleys and BMWs (aircooled). The difference in noise level is fantastic (almost as quiet as my K75S!) hardly any rattling, even when it gets hot!
Apparently Miller and Rock both sell 20/50 oil of the correct spec. You can usually obtain them from the smaller M/cycle repair shops. Even my local BM dealer admitted that one of their customers had changed to 20/50 and it sounded like a different bike!
I've tried Castrol GPS (scary noises), GP (scary when hot) and now swear by 20/50.

 

[sproggy]

OK, OK, I'm convinced - I'll give it a go next change. Which'll be in the winter.... Doh!

 

[gavin]

OK, OK, I'm convinced - I'll give it a go next change. Which'll be in the winter.... Doh!

If you stick with Castrol, you can use GP 20W50 mineral, which, according to the viscosity/temperature chart in my handbook (1200GS) is ok down to -10c!!!, or if you go the synthetic route you can use R4 Superbike 10w50 which should cover almost anywhere you're likely to ride, temperature wise.

 

[sproggy]

I don't like to use mineral oil in the bike as it has to put up with a hell of a lot of abuse and I believe that its effectiveness reduces more than is acceptable over 6000 miles. Conversely synthetic is over-kill for oil that only stays in there for that mileage. Do you know of a readily available semi-synthetic 20W50?

I have no particular desire to stick with Castrol - the main reason I use it is that it's readily available (Halfords Superstore) and there are no other retail outlets anywhere near us which sell bike oil.

 

[sjwb]

Makes one wish for an A10 (iron head job) with no temp gauge and single weight oil.
Funny, they never used to make any unusual noises when glowing; they were always noisy
Moral? Stop worrying.

 

[Tony T]

Further to my last (DOH!!) I use Morris Lubricants not Millers. See www.morrislubricants.co.uk . Under 4-stroke oils see Super Sport10-50w Fully synthetic and V-twin 2050w Heavy duty multigrade.

 

[John Armstrong]

I don't like to use mineral oil in the bike as it has to put up with a hell of a lot of abuse and I believe that its effectiveness reduces more than is acceptable over 6000 miles. Conversely synthetic is over-kill for oil that only stays in there for that mileage. Do you know of a readily available semi-synthetic 20W50?

I have no particular desire to stick with Castrol - the main reason I use it is that it's readily available (Halfords Superstore) and there are no other retail outlets anywhere near us which sell bike oil.

Try in here:

http://www.silkolene.co.uk/ then "product range" - "two wheel motorcycle products" - "ride products" and the penultimate product is:

Super 4 10W-40 and 20W-50
MC-Syn Technology - Molecularly Converted semi-synthetic 4-stroke engine oil for all modern motorcycles. Silkolene Super 4 is better than conventional mineral oils. It protects the engine and transmission with advanced additive chemistry from start to full power. API SF & SG, JASO MA.

Is that what your after?

 

[Steptoe]

Super 4 10W-40 and 20W-50
MC-Syn Technology - Molecularly Converted semi-synthetic 4-stroke engine oil for all modern motorcycles. Silkolene Super 4 is better than conventional mineral oils. It protects the engine and transmission with advanced additive chemistry from start to full power. API SF & SG, JASO MA.

Is that what your after?

NO -you don't need motorcycle specific oil - those oils are intended for use engine and gearbox/clutch bikes - BMW bikes are engine only -

 

[sproggy]

Is that what your after?

Determining a suitable oil isn't a problem - most if not all of the major oil manufacturers produce something appropriate. The problem is that where I live (which is by no means in the middle of nowhere) there are no bike shops or other retail outlets that sell oil suitable for the bike (or any other bike, come to that) with the exception of the aforementioned Halfords who stock Castrol products.

If I accept paying huge postage rates for oil by mail order (e.g. M&P) or travelling a fair distance to a decent shop there's no problem. Perhaps the real message here is that I should quit my suicidally boring job and open a bike shop in Welwyn Garden City.....

 

[gavin]

I use these guys:- http://www.castrolclassicoils.co.uk/

 

[stinger]

ive been using halfords bike oils for years with no probs its cheaper and probably made by a large brand name anyhow

 

[~Stef~]

Thanks for that Steptoe, I just needed reassuring.

Yip and at 6 bars mines start to make some unusual noises

 

[sproggy]

NO -you don't need motorcycle specific oil - those oils are intended for use engine and gearbox/clutch bikes - BMW bikes are engine only -

Sorry, but you're wrong. I just went out and double-checked and my bike has definitely got a gearbox and a clutch as well, not just an engine

Is this turning into another oil thread?

 

[cookie]

Sorry, but you're wrong. I just went out and double-checked and my bike has definitely got a gearbox and a clutch as well, not just an engine

let's hope they're not sharing oil

 

[sproggy]

let's hope they're not sharing oil

No, the engine's selfish - it won't share with anyone. The gearbox had to go and find its own and the clutch was left high and dry.....