Oil use r1150 RT

[Rance Ward]

I'm new to the board as of a few minutes ago and I bought a 2003 BMW R1150 RT a few weeks ago. I love the bike, but I'm concerned about it using a little oil. I've driven it 750 miles and I've had to add about 3/4 a quart to keep the oil at the mid-point of the inspection glass. The bike has 16,000 miles on it and runs great, doesn't smoke, and I can't find any leaks. Is this in the normal range for these machines?

[KingBiscuit]

I've had my 04 1150rt for a little over a year. It has just over 14K on it. Every ride of a couple hundred miles, I have to add 3 or 4 ounces of oil.

 

I have asked your exact question many times and the response is always the same..."It will quit doing that eventually" or "ride it like you stole it and it will quit sooner".

 

It appears that these engines take a long, long time to seat the rings in the cylinders.

 

If you're like me, that doesn't comfort you much, but it was the same with my 2000 R1150R.

 

Dan

[Rance Ward]

I guess only time will tell.

[keithb]

Rance

The engine will not break in until is has 20K miles or more on it. I have an 05 RT with 31K miles on it now and it is the first time during a valve adjust I only had to adjust 2 out of 8 valves so I know it is finally settling in. Has the bike been babied? If so, you need to take that bike up in the hills of Ar. and run the darn thing. BMW rings, pistons, and cylinder walls are notoriously hard and you need to put it through its paces. Hills and mountains are great for loading and unloading the engine. Then you will see oil consumption reduced. Have fun on your RT. They are awesome.

[MikeRC]

Have you checked the oil level the same way every time? Check on level ground. Leave on side stand when engine hot for over 2 minutes. Put on center stand and wait about 5 minutes. Then check the level. Oil stays up in the oil cooler sometimes, and doesn't drain into the engine the same every time.

 

Don't be surprised if the next time you check, the level is over the top of the sight glass. BTDT.

 

The thing has a 4 liter reservoir. As long as there is oil up to the top of the sight glass while it is on the sidestand you have enough.

 

BTW, at 57,000+ miles mine still uses about 1 liter/quart every 6,000 miles.

 

Mike Cassidy

[Les is more]

Welcome! The oil consumption can be very surprising at first. Your mileage may vary but most bikes simply magically stop using oil at 20,000 to 30,000 miles-kind of like a faucet being shut off. That seems to be when things wear in and seat properly. The same hardness that will keep the engine going for 150,000 to 200,000 miles before you need to think about a top end rebuild, makes for a rather long break in period.

[JDog]

Yes, my R1150RT has 41,000 miles, and the only oil it uses comes out the filler cap (next on my agenda to fix). I have not had to add any oil between changes for the last 20,000 miles.

[tazplas]

And then there's me

 

My bike LOVES oil. Breakfast,noon and night. Simply can't get enough.

Really, it's not all that bad.

I manage about 1000-1500km for every half litre, sometimes less. Smokes while revving hard when cold but settles down after that.

Overall, can't complain, still runs great at 113,000 kms.

 

Cheers

 

Steve

[John in NC]

My 2004 RT uses less than 8 ounces between changes. I find the bike uses no oil when I take it out for a hard run keeping RPM's at 3k or better. Riding around town the bike seems to uses oil more.

[Kenneticut]

'04RT@26K - Use none when ridden well and use a few ounces when loafing along especially in 6th @32K. Get above that in any gear and the bike just gets tighter and tighter.

[Rance Ward]

Thanks for all of your replies. This is my 1st BMW after buying and selling 3 Harley's over the last 3 years. It's unbelievable how much better the RT handles. I'm planning a trip from Arkansas to Colorado and back next month (my 1st road trip ever), so maybe I'll get a chance to break it in. I was concerned about buying a 5 year old bike that has only been ridden 15K that I might have some seals leaking but I can't find anything and there's no oil on the garage floor.

[azpilot06]

Time for an Italian tune-up!

[Mark K]

......what everyone else said.

 

Enjoy your new ride and welcome to the board.

[Dave39]

The oil level on my 2001 RT is all over the place, sometimes way at the bottom when on then center stand, sometimes in the middle, sometimes none visible....and, yes, that's when doing the "dance" I've about given up trying to use that window as a useable oil level measurment. I now just routinely add a few ouncees every few hundred miles. Oh, how I miss a dipstick.

[Boffin]

The oil level on my 2001 RT is all over the place, sometimes way at the bottom when on then center stand, sometimes in the middle, sometimes none visible....and, yes, that's when doing the "dance" I've about given up trying to use that window as a useable oil level measurment. I now just routinely add a few ouncees every few hundred miles. Oh, how I miss a dipstick.

 

A dipstick would not be any different to an oil window. They both just show the top of the oil in the resevoir. If the bike is holding oil in the cooler sometimes and not others the level on a dipstick would be equally variable.

The window works if the bike is fully warmed up (heat-soaked even) so that the oil thermostat is fully open, then the bike is left on the sidestand for 10 minutes, then mainstand for 5 minutes. If the bike has just been on a short run, then the thermostat can shut before the oil has drained back.

 

Andy

[AndyS]

A dipstick would not be any different to an oil window. They both just show the top of the oil in the resevoir. If the bike is holding oil in the cooler sometimes and not others the level on a dipstick would be equally variable.

The window works if the bike is fully warmed up (heat-soaked even) so that the oil thermostat is fully open, then the bike is left on the sidestand for 10 minutes, then mainstand for 5 minutes. If the bike has just been on a short run, then the thermostat can shut before the oil has drained back.

 

Andy

 

 

Firstly let me say that I use the BMW technique as per the owner’s manual and have no problem following it. I generally am of the mind that if I can see oil anywhere in that window then there is more than enough in the bike. More over if the oil is high; my bike seems to run rougher.

 

However, from various posts, folk explain that the Oil cooler may hold oil if the bike is run briefly and the thermostat hasn't opened. Now, surely after the bike has run for an hour or more, then park up overnight - why should the oil level not be at the correct point for checking the following day? How does it get magically sucked back up into the cooler?

Any thoughts?

 

Andy

[Bob Palin]

How does it get magically sucked back up into the cooler?

Any thoughts?

 

Andy

It doesn't(!). On the centre stand the cooler doesn't drain properly, it needs to be on the side stand for a few minutes while it's hot or it keeps its oil.

[stubblejumper]

This is my 1st BMW after buying and selling 3 Harley's over the last 3 years.It's unbelievable how much better the RT handles.

 

Why would it be so hard to believe?The RT is at least 150lbs lighter than most Harleys,with much better steering geometry and suspension.You have gone from a brand known for poor handling,to one of the best handling touring bikes available.

[keithb]

"Why would it be so hard to believe?The RT is at least 150lbs lighter than most Harleys,with much better steering geometry and suspension.You have gone from a brand known for poor handling,to one of the best handling touring bikes available."

 

EXACTLY! Both brands have two wheels but that is pretty much where the comparison stops IMHO.

[gmarktbone]

My 02 has used about 1.5 quarts since its last oil change in November. I am due for the 24K and am still waiting for the bike to stop using oil like everyone says it will. I think I will try the "Italian tune up?" this weekend.

[Bob Palin]

The Italian Tuneup won't help reduce your oil consumption (unless you do it every day and accelerate wear-in that way) The Italian is good for cleaning carbon deposits because it gets the cylinders really hot. I'm betting that in most of these high consumption cases the oil is just hiding during inspection as it likes to do and they are overfilled. The oil then hides in the bottom of the airbox, there is a drain under the bike - one of those dangley pipes - many people have been surprised how much oil comes out when they pull the stopper.

[flars]

"...there is a drain under the bike - one of those dangley pipes ..."

Actually, there is a large plastic screw-like cap on the bottom of the airbox that you can see on the left side of the bike (but behind the triangular plastic piece on the RT). You put a shallow container up under that, and unscrew it (by hand), and any oil that migrated there when the crankcase gets overfilled will come out.

My suggestion is to not be too anal about checking the oil level - it can drive you crazy sometimes. Just look at it every 500 miles or so, and if you can see oil in the sight glass when the bike is on the side stand, leave it alone.

 

[Bob Palin]

Drain pipes - you are quite right - I should have had another cup of coffee...

[greengary]

I got a 99RT with 40K miles.There was so much oil in the airbox,when I parked the bike on the sidestand it smoked when I started it up.I found the drain plug after I mopped most of the oil out with a rag.The plug is on the back of the left side.

[outpost22]

When I looked at buying my '96 RT, the dealer told me the bike had shown abnormal oil consumption. It had 36K on the odo. As part of the sale he said he would rebuild the top end as he had problems with other bikes doing the same thing (high oil consumption). Since that point, the bike uses about three ounces of oil every 2500 miles. He stated that the bores are VERY hard in these cylinders and it takes some good loads to seat the top end in properly. Don't baby the bike - make it work. So far at 54k miles, all is well.

 

Also, like others have mentioned, make sure you check the oil level in the prescribed fashion to get an accurate reading.

[Rance Ward]

I was really concerned about heading out to Colorada prior to the comments received on this subject. After reading the replies, I'm going the head out with a quart of oil with me at all times and check the oil level every time I fill up. Hopefully, by the time I get back and probably 3-4,000 additional miles on the bike, it will be a little more broken in. I'll try and do an "Itelian Tune Up" and see if it works.

[mrduck]

My 04 has that same drinking problem, try topping off the oil at the end of the day when you're done riding instead of every gas stop.

 

Works for me!

[4wheeldog]

If you can work in a trip across Nevada on HW 50, with a few extended full throttle/top gear runs for as long as you can stand it, oil consumption will very likely no longer be an issue. DAMHIK.

[RPG]

Last month I took a two week trip to Utah, CO, and AZ from Detroit. My '04 RT had 27k when I left and 32k when I returned. It stopped using oil around 14k but I broke it in pretty aggressively using one of the methods showcased on this site. Since I bought the bike new the process was pretty easy to control.

 

At 14k I switched from BMW dino to Amsoil as oil use had slowed to almost nothing. On this trip the bike practically used no oil. I mean that the level was just above the dot in the glass before I left and when I returned it was about a mm lower, if that. Going out and back through Nebraska and Iowa were mostly spent in the 85+mph range.

 

So I wouldn't be worried about the oil. It should stop using it eventually, but as most have stated, it takes time. When the bike does finally stop using oil, you can also expect a smoother running motor, which is quite noticeable on mine. I mean, it just amazes me how smooth and effortlessly this bike likes to run at 90+. I like to obey the law as much as anyone, but it's quite easy to get in trouble on this bike.

 

RG

[BMT]

... I'm going the head out with a quart of oil with me at all times and check the oil level every time I fill up.

With respect, I really think that'll make the situation worse: when you check it, the oil will most likely be down a bit in the sight glass, but still be spread around the engine. So, you put a bit in (it's now a bit overfull) and the excess just gets blown through the crankcase vent and into the airbox.

 

Bear in mind that the sight glass calibration is only half a litre from top to bottom. By comparison, my Renault diesel engine has a sump capacity of 5 litres, with the dip-stick max and min marks 2 litres apart. Hardly apples and apples, but an interesting comparison.

 

Following a point of view expressed on this board, I only top up the bike when oil can't be seen in the sight glass with the bike on the sidestand, when I add about half a litre. Using 15W-40 supermarket brand dino oil (the same as goes in the Renault, coincidentally), I rarely have to add oil twice between 6,000+ mile changes.

 

I can't believe that I got drawn into an oil thread!

[KingBiscuit]

My 04 RT has just under 15K on it. I routinely do the oil check dance when it get back from a ride. Park the bike on the side stand, go in the house, change clothes, get something to drink, then go out and put the bike on the center stand. Wait about 10 or 15 minutes then check the oil level. Never fails, no oil in the sight glass. I add 3 or 4 ounces to bring it to center.

 

I ride in hilly/twisty SE Ohio most of the time. Engine is normally above 4K. A couple weeks ago, rode everything a gear lower and kept engine pretty much above 5K and maxing at around 7K.

 

This does not appear to have helped the oil consumption at all. I keep hoping it will stop at some

 

For some reason, it really grates me that the engine continues to use or hide oil. These are great bikes, expensive bikes...for Christ's sake, they could at least make checking/maintaining your oil an easy proposition. My wife's $3,200 Honda rebel takes 2 seconds and is accurate every time. Whew...sorry, I had to get that out....LOL

 

Dan

 

 

 

 

[Mark K]

A couple weeks ago, rode everything a gear lower and kept engine pretty much above 5K and maxing at around 7K.......This does not appear to have helped the oil consumption at all........they could at least make checking/maintaining your oil an easy proposition.

 

 

You're not getting it. Reread the previous threads in this post and probably hundreds of other oil threads. I'll boil it down for you:

 

1) It takes a lot of miles to fully break-in these engines. Be patient.

2) There are a couple things you can do to speed up that process, but only very little.

3) These engines hold vast reserves of oil. Stop checking it so often! What is 3-4 oz. in 4 quarts? Nothing. It will be fine with much, much less.

4) Relax and enjoy your ride!

[KingBiscuit]

I get it perfectly. Understanding it does not equate to accepting/liking it. Don't get me wrong, this is the best bike I've ever owned. I just happen to think it's BS to have to jump through hoops to check your oil and keep adding oil. Do I choose to put up with it? Yes, because I like the bike.

 

I'm not a great mechanic, but I try to keep the bike maintained as best I can...that means reading the manual and doing what the manufacturer recommends.

 

Until that magical day arrives, I'll continue riding with the hopes that, as predicted in lots of other posts, my bike will stop using oil at some point in the future.

 

Dan

 

 

 

[BMT]

... I'll continue riding with the hopes that, as predicted in lots of other posts, my bike will stop using oil at some point in the future.

I have a theory that high oil consumption stops at around the time the owner stops checking and topping up so frequently -- it may even be at about 20k miles ...

[ElevenFifty]

'04 RT - 76K. Synthetics since 30K. Used about a half quart per 1000 miles until around 55K. The engine 'broke in' on a high speed (80mph+), sustained, 14hr, 850 mile run. I measure the used oil when changing, and it's usually down a few ounces after 6K or so.

[sdpc2]

I'm on my second RT, (about 26k miles and it still uses some oil). My last one didn't stop using oild until i did a SS1000. Although i have done 800+ mile days on this one, I am wondering if i need to do another IB ride before it too will stop.....

[stubblejumper]

Not knowing how much oil my new r1200st would use,I took a liter of oil on my first 3000 mile tour.I checked the oil at the end of every day,and if it was mid way up or higher on the sight glass,I didn't bother adding.When I arrived home,I added 1/4 liter to bring it to the top level indicated on the sight glass.From now on,I won't be taking any oil on tour.

[gthorpe]

I changed the oil in my '04 R1150RT right after I bought it (9,700mi)with Mobil 1 15w-50. after 2000mi the sight glass level hasn't noticibly changed.