Peter W Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I don't want to start a long oil thread, but I've recently acquired a K1200RS that has had synthetic most of it's life. I've always used dino oil in all my vehicles, but would like to continue the synthetic trend in this bike. The PO used BMW synthetic, but I don't want to pay the $100/quart fee, so what would you guys recommend I use? I recently bought a quart of Castrol Syncrotek 5-50 to top it off, is that suitable? Any advice appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment
RFW Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Shell Rotella. Has more extreme pressure lubericant (ZDDP) that any "car" oil, synthetic or not. Check out Shell's Rotella site for more info. Nice thing about it is that thisis the oil that allows big diesel rigs to go 100,000 miles between changes, and it is a bargain! About $10 to $12 a gallon. Also since it is not identified as an "energy saving" oil, it is safe to use with wet clutches (no added friction modifiers added). Also remember that almost all "synthetic" oils now in the market contain little or no true synthetic oil, and instead are made mainly from high quality Group 3 or better hydrocracked Dino oil. It's a long story, involving a lawsuit where it was judged that the word "synthetic" related to oil performance, not the oil's source. so there is no need to get fixated on the wonders of synthetic oils, because it is nearly impossible to buy a true synthetic now. Even Mobil 1 is mostly no longer truly synthetic. Link to comment
Tony_K Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 You know you have started one (oil thread) so it's time for the flogging! Shell Rotella also comes in synth. (my choice) 20 bucks a gallon when bought in case of 6 RFW Bob is speaking of their standard oil. Have fun with you "oil thread" Link to comment
Carnadero Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Rotella. I'll have to give this stuff a try. Out of curiosity, where do you guys usually pick it up? Link to comment
Bruce C Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Walmart or any good auto parts store! Link to comment
tallman Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I hope your bike doesn't have a wet clutch. Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I hope your bike doesn't have a wet clutch. Tim, didn't have your first coffee yet? Peter has a 2000 K1200RS in his signature. No wet clutch... Link to comment
Big_E Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I hope your bike doesn't have a wet clutch. Tim, didn't have your first coffee yet? Peter has a 2000 K1200RS in his signature. No wet clutch... Up until this bike, my bikes have all had wet clutches & I have always used synthetic oil (Royal Purple), never had a clutch problem. Link to comment
bmwmick Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I don't want to start a long oil thread, but I've recently acquired a K1200RS that has had synthetic most of it's life. I've always used dino oil in all my vehicles, but would like to continue the synthetic trend in this bike. The PO used BMW synthetic, but I don't want to pay the $100/quart fee, so what would you guys recommend I use? I recently bought a quart of Castrol Syncrotek 5-50 to top it off, is that suitable? Any advice appreciated. Thanks. Peter, I've used Mobil 1 15-50 in all my bikes since new. When I pull the valve cover off to check the valve clearances, you can almost eat off the interior surfaces of the engine. This is one of the biggest benefits of synthetic. The high flash-point (450 degrees) means that the oil does not break down and sludge does not form in the engine. http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Synthetics/Product_Testing_Las_Vegas.aspx This short promo movie clearly shows the difference between conventional and synthetics. BMW SSEO is formulated by Valvoline. If you want to stick with the same brand, go with Valvoline Syn Power 20-50. Mick Link to comment
tallman Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I hope your bike doesn't have a wet clutch. Tim, didn't have your first coffee yet? Peter has a 2000 K1200RS in his signature. No wet clutch... Paul, That's what I meant. The reply above mentioned that the synoil was good for wet clutches. Didn't want to put a smilie after that because a wet RS clutch is never funny. Guess I should have. Link to comment
Carnadero Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Walmart or any good auto parts store! Finally got some time to go to WalMart (only my second time in one, unbelievably enough) and I saw "Rotella T" on the shelf in little quart-sized bottles, gallon-sized, and gargantuan paint-sized buckets. Is this the goods? Link to comment
Peter W Posted March 17, 2007 Author Share Posted March 17, 2007 Thanks all. Mick, I took your suggestion and did Mobil 1 15-50 and Mobil 1 75-90 for the tranny and final drive. Funny thing, though, the suffix is not what my Clymer's says it "acceptable" for the bike. I'm not worried though. The gear oil is the right suffix. Pete Link to comment
bmwmick Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 In a hundred thousand miles or so, you'll be happy you switched. Mick Link to comment
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