OIL Question / slightly different, I promise

[DMilan]

Hello All,

 

Heres the deal

 

Just bought a Flea-Bay Special '05 R1200RT

Owners manual says to use the usual viscosities 20-50, 15-50 etc.

BUT, Its states an API rating of "SL or higher". My '08 GSs owners manual directs what I'm more accustomed to seeing.

It states an API rating of "SF or better" Both R1200s.. puzzeling

 

I know, just put some damn oil in it, and shut up.

Anyone care to offer?

Dmilan

[Paul Mihalka]

"I know, just put some damn oil in it, and shut up."

You already have your answer

 

[Mister Tee]

I guess they figure GS owners mix sand in their oil anyway so why bother specifying a high rated oil.

[DMilan]

So far, you'll have been sort of mean to me.

I'm fairly upset.

 

Upsetidly,

Dmilan

[roadhome]

Ya, they seem to be a mean bunch. here's a tissue. Hm, how DO you know which oil has a higher rating than the next? Frankly the alphabet soup confuses me, but so does choosing between a gin and tonic and a shot of tequilla and a beer. doesn't take much.

[markgoodrich]

My guess? Two different translators writing the English versions of the manuals. They mean the same thing: SL or a letter subsequent to "L" in the alphabet, following the "S."

 

 

[ShovelStrokeEd]

I've said it before and I'll say it again here.

 

Your engine cannot read. It doesn't know what oil you are pouring in there. Just sneak up behind the bike when giving it new oil and you'll be fine. Just don't let the headlight "see" the bottle.

 

The only places in the entire engine that are subject to high pressure, which is the reason for staying away from the green logo labeled stuff are the wrist pins and the rubbing surfaces of the valve train. Since BMW doesn't use any super high pressure valve springs and wrist pins have been around since Methuselah was in Kindergarten, you really have no worries.

 

Never mind the alphabet soup. Any quality automotive or diesel oil (my preference) will get the job done. Furrow not thy brow.

 

[marcopolo]

Hello All,

 

Heres the deal

 

Just bought a Flea-Bay Special '05 R1200RT

Owners manual says to use the usual viscosities 20-50, 15-50 etc.

BUT, Its states an API rating of "SL or higher". My '08 GSs owners manual directs what I'm more accustomed to seeing.

It states an API rating of "SF or better" Both R1200s.. puzzeling

 

Manual for my '06 R12RT says "SF or better".

[Mister Tee]

So far, you'll have been sort of mean to me.

I'm fairly upset.

 

Upsetidly,

Dmilan

 

Sorry, it was not my intention to be mean to you. Please get over it.

 

-Tee

[DMilan]

So far, you'll have been sort of mean to me.

I'm fairly upset.

 

Upsetidly,

Dmilan

 

Sorry, it was not my intention to be mean to you. Please get over it.

 

 

-Tee

 

NO.

You've hurt me deeply, permanently.

 

(Tearfully) Can't we all just get along.....sssssoooobbbb

[DMilan]

Hello All,

 

Heres the deal

 

Just bought a Flea-Bay Special '05 R1200RT

Owners manual says to use the usual viscosities 20-50, 15-50 etc.

BUT, Its states an API rating of "SL or higher". My '08 GSs owners manual directs what I'm more accustomed to seeing.

It states an API rating of "SF or better" Both R1200s.. puzzeling

 

Manual for my '06 R12RT says "SF or better".

 

I'm going with the "SF or Better" designation.

 

Just thought it was weird to see the 2 different API ratings for the same engine.

 

Dmilan

 

 

 

[Mister Tee]

That in itself doesn't surprise me, since you are talking about model years that are three years apart. What does surprise me is that it seems to be reversed - the newer model specifying a lower grade than the older model. I'm assuming that's the point at which you were getting.

[Huzband]

So far, you'll have been sort of mean to me.

I'm fairly upset.

 

Upsetidly,

Dmilan

 

So, it's taken you four years, & 163 posts to get offended?

 

I love your dry sense of humor.

[Ken H.]

In general is it even possible to buy an older API rated oil? It seems to me mfg pretty much always upgrade to the latest rating. If I had to find a SF oil for some reason, I’m not sure where I’d even look.

[Boffin]

In general is it even possible to buy an older API rated oil? It seems to me mfg pretty much always upgrade to the latest rating. If I had to find a SF oil for some reason, I’m not sure where I’d even look.

 

Super 4 range

[DMilan]

So far, you'll have been sort of mean to me.

I'm fairly upset.

 

Upsetidly,

Dmilan

 

So, it's taken you four years, & 163 posts to get offended?

 

I love your dry sense of humor.

 

I really appreciate these BMW Forums.

I even send $ from time to time.

 

Give Farley a pat for me.

 

[DMilan]

In general is it even possible to buy an older API rated oil? It seems to me mfg pretty much always upgrade to the latest rating. If I had to find a SF oil for some reason, I’m not sure where I’d even look.

 

Yeah, getting hard to find. Just FYI

Available at my local Advance Auto Parts is, and 5 quarts in my garage is

 

Valvoline / Motorcycle

20W-50 Motorcycle Oil.

Pt #VV743

Meets or exceeds

JASO MA

API SF/SG/SJ

 

They have 10-40 as well

 

DMilan

[DMilan]

That in itself doesn't surprise me, since you are talking about model years that are three years apart. What does surprise me is that it seems to be reversed - the newer model specifying a lower grade than the older model. I'm assuming that's the point at which you were getting.

 

Yes, precisely.

Thanks for clearly pointing that out.

 

Dmilan

[sardineone]

I might be missing something here on the SF or 'better' letter designation. I thought the newer letters past SG were actually not recommended for bikes due to less additives for auto catalitic converters. I'd stay with a name brand 'motorcycle oil' of the viscosity stated in the bike's owner's manual, JMHO.

[JayW]

In general is it even possible to buy an older API rated oil?

 

Our local grocery store sells API SA rated oil, which is unsuitable for any engine. Yet folks still buy it and put it in their cars because they don't know any better. It costs just a few pennies less than the modern-rated oils. I think it is a disservice to their customers to even offer the stuff.

 

Jay

[DMilan]

I might be missing something here on the SF or 'better' letter designation. I thought the newer letters past SG were actually not recommended for bikes due to less additives for auto catalitic converters. I'd stay with a name brand 'motorcycle oil' of the viscosity stated in the bike's owner's manual, JMHO.

 

I know what you mean.

That thought crossed my mind too.

Which brings me back to my '05 RT owners manual, SL or higher.

And to my original post.

Talking to myself now.. "just shut up and put some oil in it"

I'm exhausted.

 

Thanks All,

Dmilan

[sardineone]

My 06' R12ST owner's manual calls for Brand name HD oil in API SF, SG or SH; CD or CE admendments permissible (what ever that is). I'm using Mobil One synthetic motorcycle oil in 20/50 weight. I like the synthetic for it's low temp flow charateristics and maybe a bit of reserve for high temps. Other than for those two advantages the dino motorcycle oil should be fine for a cheaper choice.