The bike will start at 20

[Dale_K]

Coldest it's been since I bought the bike and it's been sitting outdoors under a little carport since the new car took it's place in the garage. I didn't plan on actually going for a ride but I was interested to see how the bike would act in the low temps. The first two attempts didn't work. I used the normal technique of hands off grip and press button. It cranked pretty damn slowly but did fire off. It wouldn't run more than a second before cutting off. I gave it some throttle on the third try and it ran OK. It would idle on its own after about 20 seconds. A little more mechanical noises than normal but nothing dramatic.

I let it warm up a little but I know running a bike like this isn't really good for it. I won't do it again but I needed to know how the bike deals with this kind of weather.

[08_r1200r]

Last year I used the same technique you used at 20 degrees @ 14 and it started up just fine and got me the 23 miles to work without any complaints. Ran like a champ.

[MattPie]

Last year I used the same technique you used at 20 degrees @ 14 and it started up just fine and got me the 23 miles to work without any complaints. Ran like a champ.

In the R1150R manual book, they have various oil weights based on temperature ranges. I''d guess the same applies for the hexhead engines. You you really want to ride in the cold, you should swap your oil out for something lighter. It'll help the bike crank, and get up into the engine quicker to reduce wear. Just make sure to change it back out when it gets warm again.

I think the chart claims 15W-50 for a temperature range of 30 F thru 100+, so I'm covered.

[Dale_K]

Agree on the oil. I just changed to 10w-40 a week ago. I would have bought 5w-40 if I could have found some in the Walmart.

[celticus]

My bike wept for your bike when I told it of the hardships yours was having to endure.

Mark

[websterize]

The bike will start at 20

Would you consider $15?

[08_r1200r]

In the R1150R manual book, they have various oil weights based on temperature ranges. I''d guess the same applies for the hexhead engines. You you really want to ride in the cold, you should swap your oil out for something lighter. It'll help the bike crank, and get up into the engine quicker to reduce wear. Just make sure to change it back out when it gets warm again.

I was concerned too, so I spoke to the service manager at the dealership and he said to always run the same weight. Hot or cold. fwiw

[celticus]

"I was concerned too, so I spoke to the service manager at the dealership and he said to always run the same weight. Hot or cold. fwiw"

Huh?? That;s news to me.

Mark

[deilenberger]

Once I'm out of warranty I'm probably switching to Castrol TWS - 10W-60, a German synthetic oil that is specifically made for certain BMW M series engines. It's supposed to have outstanding extreme pressure qualities that prevented valve train wear on these engines (340HP from 3.2L.. normally aspirated).

Funny thing is - it's cheaper than the BMW moto synthetic, with a BMW-CCA discount, it's about $11/liter.

[celticus]

Where can you buy this? My three year anniversary with my bike is coming up soon.

Mark

[Mollygrubber]

Well I hope you get her some flowers and take her someplace nice... perhaps a nice schnitzel house...

[Mollygrubber]

Well I hope you get her some flowers and take her someplace nice... perhaps a nice schnitzel house...

ps: my wife would be so mad if I gave her 3.75 litres of synthetic oil on our anniversary... makes me laugh just thinking about it ... "gee honey, the guys on the forum give it to their loved ones on their anniversaries...".

Women are so complicated - why can't they just be happy with the damn oil?!?

[celticus]

"Women are so complicated - why can't they just be happy with the damn oil?!?"
We have some wimmin riders on this forum. Maybe they can educate us.
One of the things my college age son is getting this Christmas is oil. His happiness IS going to have to take a back seat to the continued good health of his car.

Mark

[takemeaway]

[quote="Women are so complicated - why can't they just be happy with the damn oil?!?

Gee, I would be happy with oil for the anniversary. Along with the dirty fingers from changing it. You might have some ab-normal outlooks from the wimmin on this forum. But would also be good to get something a little nicer along with it...like new tires and a balance. They resemble rings...

[ka5ysy]

"Women are so complicated - why can't they just be happy with the damn oil?!?"
We have some wimmin riders on this forum. Maybe they can educate us.
... Mark

Mark, you would have a better chance of understanding Einstein's general and special relativity than female logic


Best definition I have is another area of science : "Chaos Theory" !