Question about the type of oil to use in my R12R???

[gersh10]

I tried to do a search but I kept getting "too many links" error message so if there is a link to a good topic please send it.

My question, are there other oils besides the BMW brand to use in our bikes? When you ask at the dealership they say "no" because of some additive in their oil that adds to the longevity, and while under warranty I'm not wanting to change it up... Ok,,, so this is my first BMW and I intend to start doing all my own maintenance once the warranty is up and am wondering if I'm stuck buying from the dealership, I'll also be looking for the best maintenance manual for my bike as well.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Todd

[TAG-Caver]

Use whatever oil the manual shows as acceptable. I've had good luck over the years with Golden Spectro semi-synthetic, so I switched to that at the 12K mile mark. As you found out in your search, there's zillions of opinions and if you search in here you'll undoubtedly find some oil threads. Use good stuff rated for your bike and you should have no worries.

[gersh10]

LOL!!! Yeah it was the zillions of post that was the problem it wouldn't direct me one, I tried wording it several different ways but it just gave me a blank page telling me to many links refine your search...

[celticus]

I think the appropriate weight Mobile 1 will be fine for your bike and it is easily found.

Mark

[gezerbike]

Castrol 20 w 50 has been used for years and it is available just about everywhere. And Castrol is one of the oils recommneded by BMW for their autos.................

[LumpyCam]

Use whatever oil the manual shows as acceptable.

In line with most other posts I would say there aren't many 'bad' lubricants on the market anymore. I use Spectro because that is was all the dealers in my area use, but whatever is probably fine.

HOWEVER, one thing that doesn't get mentioned i had experience with is that different weights could burn off faster or slower. The 20w50 that i usually use burns a predictable 100ml every 1,000km. At the 10k service the dealer put in a lighter oil and I burned through it shockingly fast, hitting the bottom of the sight glass after a few days of (very) spirited riding.

[BigEasy]

One of my good friends is THE director of research for BP, as in the smartest chemist they have. I periodically bore him with internet BS about "best oil" discussions. His typical response is "change your oil frequently/at mfg spec, and the filter with the oil". As stated above todays lubricants are lightyears above what we grew up with so his thought is keep them fresh and the filter changed and you're in good shape.

FWIW, in my vehicles I typically use the recommended oil (mostly 20w50 in bikes, and 10w30 in trucks/cars) and synthetics or semi synthetics. I drive in excess of 45,000 miles a year and ride 6-8,000 miles. With bikes I change them in the spring or every 3,000ish mi, cars/trucks about every 5,000 mi. I currently have 3 bikes, 2 cars and a pickup. My '93Honda Civic with 280,000 miles uses less than 1/2 us quart/oil change, my R12R with not quite 6,000 mi has not used a pint of oil by observing the sight glass.

The short of my rant is keep it changed, you'll find plenty of differing opinions on good/better/best, but as long as it's fresh (even dino juice) it will work fine.

[towerworker]

I run Castrol 20/50 in the spring, summer and fall months. Castrol 10/40 in the winter. Also use an AC Delco PF53 oil filter. I'm sure the purists will roast me on that one but I have used the above combination for nearly 80,000 miles between two R's.
No problems whatsoever.

Wayne

03 R
04 R

[deilenberger]

Yawn....

Another oil thread with anecdotal "evidence" - without an oil analysis - they're just opinion IMHO.

But - whatever floats your boat. It isn't like you're going to change even a single person's mind.

[BigEasy]

Yawn....

Another oil thread with anecdotal "evidence" - without an oil analysis - they're just opinion IMHO.

But - whatever floats your boat. It isn't like you're going to change even a single person's mind.

You're absolutley right Don. I fell in a moment of Captain Morgan induced weakness I really should refrain from PUI.

[ShinySideUp]

Now Captain Morgan... there's some nice juice! (Though lately, I'm favoring Zaya). I should know better than to post about booze when I'm well oiled!

As a sheer worthless aside, the man responsible for my buying a BMW is a German automotive engineer who works for Mercedes, VW, among others. He lives in Bavaria right at the foothills of the Alps and has a garage full of BMW bikes, having ridden for 40 years there.

When I asked him what oil he recommends, he replied, "Whatever's on sale. The engines are bullet proof. Keep it topped off and ride."

But, hey, that's no fun!