What engine oil?
- Thread starter Bertie
- Start date
ok with a 1200, but the 1150 oil chart only lists 10w40 up 'til 20°C
10W-X "Special oils" where X is indicated as greater than or equal to 40?
This says that 10W40 is OK up to 30C and beyond if it is "Special". So which brand name 10W40 oils are approved by BMW as "Special"?
Chris Terry
Registered user
This is probably a realy dumb question but....
If my manual (2006 R1200GS) states "Engine oils of API classification SF or better" , does this mean SL and SJ will be ok?
There is no such thing as a dumb question... just dumb answers!.
I think the answer to your question is yes. I found this info somewhere on the internet...
"A design criterion for new categories is that the performance requirements of later categories exceed the performance requirements of all previous categories. Therefore, API SM oils will be superior in performance to SL, SJ, SH, etc."
Chris Terry
Registered user
More stuff on oils (if you have trouble sleeping)
http://www.quakerstate.com/pages/carcare/whattoknow.asp#paraffinic
http://www.quakerstate.com/pages/carcare/whattoknow.asp#paraffinic
gavin@iow
Registered user
But BMW don't recommend the use of oils with the later spec, maybe because they are not necessarily better for the application - read this - http://www.gunsmoke.com/motorcycling/reviews/sj_oil/index.html"A design criterion for new categories is that the performance requirements of later categories exceed the performance requirements of all previous categories. Therefore, API SM oils will be superior in performance to SL, SJ, SH, etc."
gavin@iow
Registered user
It looks like Castrol is renaming its GP brand, and calling it ACT>EVO GP, with some additives to improve it - http://www.castrol.com/castrol/productdetailmin.do?categoryId=9014131&contentId=7027426 - maybe this will be the definitive oil for the boxer engine.
I thought that - just trying to see if the local Halfrauds stocks it, or perhaps it's available in one of those snazzy 25l drums?
Chris Terry
Registered user
I stand corrected (I trust this is BMW's latest position).
Looks like "Castrol GP 20W-50 API SG, JASO MA" it is then..
Now where is the best (cheapest) place to get it 
?gavin@iow
Registered user
Chris, see post no 49, with ref to Castrol GP/ACT>EVO, as for a supplier, try these guys - http://www.opieoils.co.uk/ i've used them, fast and efficient.I stand corrected (I trust this is BMW's latest position).
Looks like "Castrol GP 20W-50 API SG, JASO MA" it is then..
JIm
Registered user
oh no!, its all coming back, nights of worry and teeth grinding!.
I spent last year mentaly wrestling with the 10/40/or 20/50 question, to the point where I was not allowed to mention it any more to 'er.
I settled on what the dealer said; GPS10/40.......but.......my gut(which is rather extensive) feeling is 20/50. I dont ride it in -cs but do ride on the continent regulary in temps of 35c+ and as for sitting in jams, the oil temp reaches half way and the engine sounds like something the late-great Fred Dibner would respect.
I did try silkoline 15/50 semi in my first 1200GS, road approx 2K miles to a chilly Scotland and back, it needed about 250ml. With the GPS 10/40 it didn't use any, even in a very hot France last year after a simmilar millage.............
Look at what I've become!!
Just a thought....if the Dealer had a large stock of GPS 10/40, they might not push the GP20/50 too much until the 10/40 has gone, mmmm, an eyebrow raised maybe?
Jim
I spent last year mentaly wrestling with the 10/40/or 20/50 question, to the point where I was not allowed to mention it any more to 'er.
I settled on what the dealer said; GPS10/40.......but.......my gut(which is rather extensive) feeling is 20/50. I dont ride it in -cs but do ride on the continent regulary in temps of 35c+ and as for sitting in jams, the oil temp reaches half way and the engine sounds like something the late-great Fred Dibner would respect.
I did try silkoline 15/50 semi in my first 1200GS, road approx 2K miles to a chilly Scotland and back, it needed about 250ml. With the GPS 10/40 it didn't use any, even in a very hot France last year after a simmilar millage.............
Look at what I've become!!
Just a thought....if the Dealer had a large stock of GPS 10/40, they might not push the GP20/50 too much until the 10/40 has gone, mmmm, an eyebrow raised maybe?
Jim
I stand corrected (I trust this is BMW's latest position).
Looks like "Castrol GP 20W-50 API SG, JASO MA" it is then..
Halfrauds say it's only available in 1l packs at present woth an RRP of £6.49. As it's a special order it's only available in a case of 12 (it's like Majestic Wine...) So that's £77.88 for a 12 pack
Who with a 1200GS in this thread is likely to keep it for more than 20K miles before changing/part exchanging it for the latest newest model when the current warranty runs out.
The amount of time most most owners now keep their bikes, they could use cooking oil and their engines will still be fine when it's time to P/X them.
The amount of time most most owners now keep their bikes, they could use cooking oil and their engines will still be fine when it's time to P/X them.
Who with a 1200GS in this thread is likely to keep it for more than 20K miles before changing/part exchanging it for the latest newest model when the current warranty runs out.
The amount of time most most owners now keep their bikes, they could use cooking oil and their engines will still be fine when it's time to P/X them.
Me 'cause mine has has 24k on it from new and I still like reading threads about engine oil.
Also... a well respected mechanic once told me that using cooking oil in my engine would fry the clutch.
Who with a 1200GS in this thread is likely to keep it for more than 20K miles before changing/part exchanging it for the latest newest model when the current warranty runs out.
The amount of time most most owners now keep their bikes, they could use cooking oil and their engines will still be fine when it's time to P/X them.
P.S.
And while we're on the subject of blowing money, how's the 1200GS S/S bolt kit coming on ???
terayon
Registered user
Halfrauds say it's only available in 1l packs at present woth an RRP of £6.49. As it's a special order it's only available in a case of 12 (it's like Majestic Wine...) So that's £77.88 for a 12 pack
UKGSer's are members of OPIE OILS, just go on the website go to the members section and fill in the details of your membership and they will email you a number to use to gain entry to the member section. Then look at the price
Thanks terayon
Months back I asked several BMW Dealers what oil they recommended - same answer each time: Castrol GP 20W-50
As long as you use a decent oil to the spec specified by BMW imho there is no benefit to using more expensive/specialist oils especially the fully synthetic oils unless you regularly push your engine to the limits e.g. track days.
What is beneficial is changing the oil a little more often than the service schedule requires (e.g. every 5000 miles instead of 6000 for the R1200GS)........and changing the oil more often will still cost you less than going for the all flash fully synthetic "used by such and such race team" trendy stuff at prescribed oil change intervals ;-)
Don't use any cheapy oil filters either, I tend to stick with the manufacturers own brand filters.
I stand corrected (I trust this is BMW's latest position).
Looks like "Castrol GP 20W-50 API SG, JASO MA" it is then..
Months back I asked several BMW Dealers what oil they recommended - same answer each time: Castrol GP 20W-50
As long as you use a decent oil to the spec specified by BMW imho there is no benefit to using more expensive/specialist oils especially the fully synthetic oils unless you regularly push your engine to the limits e.g. track days.
What is beneficial is changing the oil a little more often than the service schedule requires (e.g. every 5000 miles instead of 6000 for the R1200GS)........and changing the oil more often will still cost you less than going for the all flash fully synthetic "used by such and such race team" trendy stuff at prescribed oil change intervals ;-)
Don't use any cheapy oil filters either, I tend to stick with the manufacturers own brand filters.
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