Oil for a 1150 RT MODEL WITH 13000 MILES

[moth]

I know you change from mineral to semi synth around 1200 miles but what is the favorite semi synth of the board

 

Andy M

[BFish]

didn't switch to amsoil until approx 15,000mi which coincided with the dramatic decrease in oil consumption. i know mine was not broken in propely (by me).

 

question is how is yours as far as it's oil thirst?

[Boffin]

My RT gets Shell Helix 15W-40 Diesel oil. Meets the specs given in the bikes handbook, has higher levels of ZDDP than bike oils (BMW like high ZDDP used in ther bikes) and costs less than bike specific oils.

 

Andy

[T__]

I know you change from mineral to semi synth around 1200 miles but what is the favorite semi synth of the board

 

Andy M

 

Andy, why semi synthetic? That oil type is the biggest money maker for the oil companies without a lot of merit for the consumer. It’s kind of like semi boneless, you pay a lot more money & still have bones to deal with..

 

I won’t recommend an oil brand to you but will suggest you either stay with conventional mineral oil or go to real synthetic oil.. Semi synthetic is basically a marketing gimmick..

 

Twisty

[4wheeldog]

Oil type in a boxer beemer is more religion than science.

My particular cult says you should stick with 20/50 conventional until you experience dramatic reduction in consumption, usually around 15 or 18k. I use 15/50 Mobil 1. If you simply must use synthetic before that, Redline 15/50 or 20/50 seems to resist burning more than anything else. I don't know why.....It just does. Good Luck!

[Linz]

I use the Shell Helix oil as well. It's inexpensive and good oil. Personally speaking, I'd rather use cheaper oil (but which conforms to the standards set by BMW) and change more often. I do a lot of miles when I ride by Beemer but it does a lot of sitting when not being used as I have several bikes and I live in a sport bike area (mountain twisties). My Triumph is used weekly, the Beemer, monthly.

I believe that more damage is done to the engine with "used" oil sitting in the crankcase than having more expensive synthetic oil and trying to extend the life of it out to say, 10,00 miles between changes. So I reckon, cheaper oil changed more frequently (for me) will be better for my engine. I guess we'll see later on whether my decisions are correct.

Linz

[amboy]

I agree with Twisty and the others, don't waste your money on a semi-synthetic for the reasons stated. Also, as previously stated, hold off on switching to a full synthetic post 15,000 miles. I switched at 18,000 miles and shortly thereafter, my burn-off rate between oil changes went down to practically nothing. Good luck!