What kind of oil in the R1200GS?

[LiquidLAN]

had a chat with my dealer last weekend, turns out that my 12GSA has had the oil changed from GP to GPS at the last service - I guess that explains why it seems a bit noiser now.

I have noticed that it can knock a fair bit if started from the side stand, doesn't normally do it for long, but doesnt sound good. Oil levels seem ok - is this normal for a boxer engine?

 

[terayon]

With a thinner oil for winter the cam chain tensioners will take slightly longer to get up to pressure, and as it's on the side stand it would be the right side taking the longest

 

[cookie]

The SAE number (does that really stand for something like Society of Automobile Engineers? I think we should be told) of 20W50 for example is the same as a SAE20 oil in the winter and SAE50 oil in the summer, or supposedly so.

i thought it meant the oil has the viscosity of 20W(weight) cold, but the protection of 50W when hot

 

[Ali-bear]

Ooh I like being right

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_oil#Multi-grade_motor_oil

 

[LiquidLAN]

With a thinner oil for winter the cam chain tensioners will take slightly longer to get up to pressure, and as it's on the side stand it would be the right side taking the longest

cool... makes sense... I'm happy with that, thanks

 

[Engineer]

Why?.......

Cos the Owners Manual says so - take a look at the temperature range chart.

 

[littleredrooster]

I've been using Halfords classic car 20-50 to top mine up and its been running fautlessly for well over a month now

Shep

The can that I looked at yesterday was the wrong spec for an oilhead - it was only SE. I wouldn't risk it in mine!

As someone has already mentioned, Millers do a 20W50 called 'V-Twin Oil' and it is available from most bike shops.. That is what is currently in mine and it is deffo using less of that than the 10W40 Halfords stuff that was in previously.

 

[gavin@iow]

Cos the Owners Manual says so - take a look at the temperature range chart.

Yep, had a look at the manual, 20w50 is fine, all the way down to -10 c.

 

[jetjock]

Yep, had a look at the manual, 20w50 is fine, all the way down to -10 c.

 

[RAC]

oil thread

hi
check this out

http://www.motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/
scroll down to lubricants click all about oil .
that will keep you happy.

 

[RAC]

not more oil

hi
just when you get fed up of reading all about oil ,hereis another to do your brain in .
http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm
happy reading .rc

 

[cookie]

Yep, had a look at the manual, 20w50 is fine, all the way down to -10 c.

my manual doesn't actually mention 20w50 at all

it's what's in mine though.

 

[gavin@iow]

my manual doesn't actually mention 20w50 at all

it's what's in mine though.

You may have the later manual, yours mentions 10w50 grade, which should suit everyone who says we need a 10w 40 for our winters, but will also cover hot summers too, good for all year use.

 

[Paul90]

Looking at the page Cookie posted I read that as only use 20W-50 down to 0 deg C.

Anything below zero and you should have a 10W-xx

10W-50 for me.
I run the Ducati twin on that as well.

 

[jetjock]

Looking at the page Cookie posted I read that as only use 20W-50 down to 0 deg C.

Anything below zero and you should have a 10W-xx

10W-50 for me.
I run the Ducati twin on that as well.

You ride your Duc in temperatures below zero??

 

[Paul90]

You ride your Duc in temperatures below zero??

Umm, not often - I have the GS for that

The page posted and the temperature ranges apply to BMW not Ducati

The reasons I tend to go for 10W-50 rather than 20W-50 are:
Quicker for oil to circulate when cold (not just below freezing).
Easier on the battery / starter.

Can't beleive I'm taking part in a thread about what oil to use . . .

 

[gavin@iow]

Looking at the page Cookie posted I read that as only use 20W-50 down to 0 deg C.

Anything below zero and you should have a 10W-xx

10W-50 for me.
I run the Ducati twin on that as well.

There's no mention of 20w50 in Cookies manual.

 

[Ali-bear]

Try page 145.

 

[Paul90]

Also page 139 in my manual specifically mentions 20W - 50.

I also take the third line from the bottom in Cookie's table to include 20W - 50 since 50 is "equal to or greater than 40" and therefore 20W - 50 to be ok at a temperature of "equal to or greater" than 0 deg C.

YMMV

 

[gavin@iow]

Try page 145.

...there are 2 manuals, early and late, page 145 in my manual describes how to replace the air filter.