which Engine oil?

[retiiredgixerbloke]

Ok fellow gsers which engine oil would you recommend me to use in my newly aquired R1150 gs i have been pointed in the direction of 20w-50 but thought i would ask the exerienced members on here? thanx in advance

 

[ELIMINATOR]

OK you're new.
As it doesn't use the same oil for the engine and gearbox, motorcycle specific oil is a waste of money. You are going to be offered so many different opinions now

I have used oil ranging from 10 -40 which I found to be too thin when driving in heavy traffic, as the engine sounds shite when the temp bars get up to 7!

20-50 is better, but I now run 10-50 fully synth, as MY personal preferance.

most will say, just use 20-50 car oil. this works.

so many opinions! Sit back and wait for the replies.

 

[Yodagoat]

I've got 10-40 at the moment, but as eliminator says, the temp does seem to go up a bit. I usually use 15-40 with no real probs.

 

[g.s.john]

good quality 20w50 mineral engine, gl5 semi syn 80/90 gearbox/final drive smooth as a bucket of snot

 

[Wrigsby1]

As already said, "normal" oils are fine as long as you use the correct spec. The engine oil is mainly up to you, I use 10-40 semi synth.

The bit to be careful of is the gearbox and bevel as GL4 is most common and cheap but they spec GL5.

To be honest, BMW have changed their minds several times over the years from 10-40 to 20-50 etc.

 

[MattW]

Many 11xx owners tend to use a decent spec 'car type' 20/50. I use this all year round (Rock Oil Guardian). As the post above notes, if you want to splash out on oil - do it in the final drive / gearbox - they don't hold much and it has a hard life. Mine gets treated to Castrol fully synth SAF-XO 75w90.

 

[t'other dave]

Link did not work

 

[DollyRocket]

I Love a good oil thread - was wondering when the next one would come along.

I use what ever Steptoe shoves in for the service.

 

[Udders]

I Love a good oil thread - was wondering when the next one would come along.

I use what ever Steptoe shoves in for the service.

In other words you don't know either! So if you were to do it yourself, like I do or the chap who started the thread, you would have to ask too if it was your first time!

 

[Aidjay]

20/50 works for me. 10/40 makes my engine sound clunky when the temperature rises, especially in summer. Seeing as your 1150 is newly acquired, keep an eye on the oil level, certain bikes might need more oil than you think. Like mine.

 

[uncle dick]

My 1100GS is on 10/50 fully synthetic and sweet as a nut! Definitely better than 10/40 semi and doesn't use a drop. 90,000mls coming this weekend so she's doing well

Dick

 

[mr_magicfingers]

I Love a good oil thread - was wondering when the next one would come along.

I use what ever Steptoe shoves in for the service.

Neil used 20/50 from a big barrel in the corner when he serviced mine. Off-hand I can't remember the brand but did note the grade for future reference.

 

[MattW]

Neil used 20/50 from a big barrel in the corner when he serviced mine. Off-hand I can't remember the brand but did note the grade for future reference.

I think I've seen him write that he uses Rock Oil (although I stand to be corrected). I use Rock because it's the correct spec, they're 1/4 of a mile from me and 20/50 isn't as common as it once was when every car seemed to use it.

There's a guy on here who can get it at a discount if you're local (St Helens, Merseyside area) - not worth it otherwise as it's not worth posting.

 

[takahe]

Search the font of all wisdom for Wappings oil post I think this is the link.
(old nearly retired bloke)
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2338367#post2338367
Go to the first post.

 

[Speedy]

I use a good quality semi-synthetic 20/50 such as Silkolene Super 4 20w-50. Available from many bike shops or order from www.opieoils.co.uk and use code UKGSER for extra discount when ordering.Or Rock Guardian 20w-50 (which is what Steptoe uses I believe) available through www.demon-tweeks.co.uk amongst others.

 

[Wrigsby1]

You blokes are lucky as my 10-40 semi synth hardly shows 3-4 bars in the winter with Shetlands ambient temp! Perhaps i should sort an oil change at the border

Is it just hte 1150's recommended for 20-50 now or is it the 11's as well? When I worked for a dealership the post "breaking in" service oil was GPS 10-40. At least until it ran out

BMW have a habit for Eurasia/East Asia changes of thought though....

 

[retiiredgixerbloke]

Thankyou all for the replies i have aquired some castrol Actevo 4t 20w-50 ex stock from one of the local lads who works at bluebell mini crewe(used to be in parts before they lost the bike sales to chester). so will give it a go and see how it fares.

 

[Tallbloke]

10W-50 every time

Well when you have run it on that for a few months put some Fully synth 10W-50 in it and 'feel the difference' especially on start up in the winter. Fully synth vs mineral/semi will flow better in the cold, and the 10 vs 20 will help a bit too
Fully synthetic will give you better power release, but perhaps not so you will notice on yours?
Just wait though, many opinions will be along in just a minute I am sure
TB

 

[g.s.john]

As already said, "normal" oils are fine as long as you use the correct spec. The engine oil is mainly up to you, I use 10-40 semi synth.

The bit to be careful of is the gearbox and bevel as GL4 is most common and cheap but they spec GL5.

To be honest, BMW have changed their minds several times over the years from 10-40 to 20-50 etc.

you will probably find the reason they chop and change on oil recomendation is which ever oil company gives them the biggest backhander

 

[The Sea Dog]

Fully synthetic will give you better power release,

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