think I've been using the wrong oil

[turnipbmw]

because of the trouble the 'oil' thread causes I have never bothered reading one.

I have always used 20/50 in airheads, then used it in 1150s to try and quieten down the start up cam chain rattle and so have carried it on with the 1200.

I even got the woman to go to Halfords the other day to get me some, even though I have a drum of 10/50 at home.

Just got suckered in to reading an oil thread and see most folks are using 10/50

Maybe its time to ease up on the oil thread/new member hostility

 

[Mr K]

I toppped up with 10/30 in Ullapool because it was the cheapest at the petrol station.

 

[turnipbmw]

I had to borrow a can of petrol from a guy 10 miles before Ullapool.

I thought my 1150 would do Inverness to Ullapool with low fuel light on.

Shows how stupid you get after 600 miles

also,

you know that handbook you get with the bike, the one that tells you what oil to use, tyre pressures etc

the one you only get out to change the clock in march/Oct

do you start at the beginning, the end or look in the index

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

A GS1200 should have 20/50 mineral oil in it!!!!! That suits the climate for this country it's very simple!........................not 10/50 10/40 15/30 15/40 etc...



Synthetic/semi isn't required but can be used once the bike has done about 10000mile
but can't see the point.

SIMPLES.

 

[Mr K]

A GS1200 should have 20/50 mineral oil in it!!!!! That suits the climate for this country it's very simple!........................not 10/50 10/40 15/30 15/40 etc...



Synthetic/semi isn't required but can be used once the bike has done about 10000mile
but can't see the point.

SIMPLES.

I know. matey...and approaching 52,000 miles on me 1200GS , would do nowt to feck things up.

She's stopped drinking oil mostly, but the odd ride or tour and she'll start suppin' it again..

 

[Stretchamus]

A GS1200 should have 20/50 mineral oil in it!!!!! That suits the climate for this country it's very simple!........................not 10/50 10/40 15/30 15/40 etc...



Synthetic/semi isn't required but can be used once the bike has done about 10000mile
but can't see the point.

SIMPLES.

Dealers just put 10 - 50 synthetic in mine after 600 miles.

I'll go and drain it out and put some mineral in.

 

[harrybo1]

A GS1200 should have 20/50 mineral oil in it!!!!! That suits the climate for this country it's very simple!........................not 10/50 10/40 15/30 15/40 etc...



Synthetic/semi isn't required but can be used once the bike has done about 10000mile
but can't see the point.

SIMPLES.

bmw are now recomending 10-50 racing oil,a contridiction to what they advise in the book, the price is £16 Ltr ,Iphoned the company i get my oil from they said they used to stock castrol 10-50 but bm stopped supplies 7 weeks ago funny that,il carry on with £5.86 ltr 20-50.

 

[turnipbmw]

£16.99 for 5 litres in Halfords yesterday.

they call it classic car oil now but it looks like Duckhams

 

[harrybo1]

£16.99 for 5 litres in Halfords yesterday.

they call it classic car oil now but it looks like Duckhams

~Off to halfords it is then

 

[Bear]

£16.99 for 5 litres in Halfords yesterday.

they call it classic car oil now but it looks like Duckhams

If you mean http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_166289_langId_-1_categoryId_165581 then don't bother. The handbook specifies API SF or better and this is only to API SE. Castrol ActEvo is a mineral 20W50 and is not hard to find, alternatively http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/index.php/cPath/23_250 lists a 20W50 even if it is described as suitable for HDs.

 

[E. Buygum]

~Off to halfords it is then

...although the Halford oil is rated SE. My handbook (1200GS 08) specifies SF. My first ever contribution to an oil thread. I feel so proud.

 

[turnipbmw]

been looking at a US site and it says SE and SF were obsolete API standards since 1980

 

[Balders1450]

A GS1200 should have 20/50 mineral oil in it!!!!! That suits the climate for this country it's very simple!........................not 10/50 10/40 15/30 15/40 etc...



Synthetic/semi isn't required but can be used once the bike has done about 10000mile
but can't see the point.

SIMPLES.

Not even worth a post on oil again, it's been done to death....BUT you are wrong according to the dealers.......and I fink they might know best!!

 

[Engineer]

A GS1200 should have 20/50 mineral oil in it!!!!! That suits the climate for this country it's very simple!........................not 10/50 10/40 15/30 15/40 etc...



Synthetic/semi isn't required but can be used once the bike has done about 10000mile
but can't see the point.

SIMPLES.

Not according to the 2010 1200GS manual it aint!

 

[turnipbmw]

wapping is going to be angry with me

 

[Engineer]

I have just copied this from my 2010 Manual - just to make it a bit easier for everyone. Section 10, page 151.

"Engine oil
Engine oil, capacity max 4.0 l, with filter change
of products recommended by BMW Motorrad and generally admissible viscosity classes
Castrol GPS SAE 10W-40 >=-20 °C
SAE 5W-40 >=-20 °C
SAE 5W->=50 >=-20 °C
SAE 10W-40 >=10 °C
SAE 10W->=50 >=-20 °C
SAE 15W->=40 >=0 °C
Engine oil, quantity for topping up max 0.5 l, Difference between MIN and MAX
Oil grades Engine oils of API classification SF or better. Engine
oils of ACEA classification A2 or better."

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

I have just copied this from my 2010 Manual - just to make it a bit easier for everyone. Section 10, page 151.

"Engine oil
Engine oil, capacity max 4.0 l, with filter change
of products recommended by BMW Motorrad and generally admissible viscosity classes
Castrol GPS SAE 10W-40 >=-20 °C
SAE 5W-40 >=-20 °C
SAE 5W->=50 >=-20 °C
SAE 10W-40 >=10 °C
SAE 10W->=50 >=-20 °C
SAE 15W->=40 >=0 °C
Engine oil, quantity for topping up max 0.5 l, Difference between MIN and MAX
Oil grades Engine oils of API classification SF or better. Engine
oils of ACEA classification A2 or better."

What does it say on page 150 2nd line down under the heading Engine oil. On mine it says Lubricant ........Engine oil 20w 50w.
Now it could well be and think it is the 2010 spec is different but for some reason i assumed the post writer had an older bike.I was referring to, but didn't make it clear i was talking about pre 2010 bikes.

 

[Engineer]

What does it say on page 150 2nd line down under the heading Engine oil. On mine it says Lubricant ........Engine oil 20w 50w.
Now it could well be and think it is the 2010 spec is different but for some reason i assumed the post writer had an older bike.I was referring to, but didn't make it clear i was talking about pre 2010 bikes.

Page 150 in my 2010 manual is about fuel, not oil.

Yes the 2010 1200GS engine is different with respect to the oil recommendation. The 2005 1200GS recommended 10W40 and then they changed it to 20W50 in 2008/9??? and now it has gone back again to 10W40 for 2010!

But the best advice as always is to follow the manual for the expected operating ambient temperature range.

Simples

 

[GSmonkey]

I too have been using the wrong oil for some time.

I regularly stir fry with olive oil, however experts have lead me to believe peanut oil is the thing to go for due to it's high temperature performance.

Now I'm confused!!

 

[C-J]

I too have been using the wrong oil for some time.

I regularly stir fry with olive oil, however experts have lead me to believe peanut oil is the thing to go for due to it's high temperature performance.

Now I'm confused!!

I've been using baby oil.....