What engine oil to use in servicing

[Barleymo]

In the motorcycle hand book it says not to use oil with additives as this can harm the special coatings in the engine, what oils are people using.

[Duccrazydave]

My last service, I used Liqui Moly branded product. Ordered the service kit from Beemer Boneyard. https://www.beemerboneyard.com/gswefoilkits.html

[Barleymo]

Was looking at shell advanced or Castro power 1

[Grumpy Goat]

Was looking at shell advanced or Castro power 1

This is what I have been using - Castrol Power 1 SAE 5W-40 4T - Link to it on Amazon.

[Barleymo]

Cool, wow $50 for a litre we pay less than that for 4 litre.

[Lee]

Cool, wow $50 for a litre we pay less than that for 4 litre.

It's $50 for a 6 pack.

[Lee]

For the first 2.5 years I bought the BMW stuff from the dealer. The 25% off discount from MOA helped a little.
I now use the Castrol Power 4T oil in Grump's post. I used the same oil when we had the K13000Ss.
At the time the Castrol oil was what the BMW shops in my area sold.
Keep an eye on Amazon, from time to time there will be a 20% off coupon for the oil.

[mspratz]

I've always used the BMW oil, mostly because I'm not sure how to determine whether other oils meet the requirements. The owner's manual states:
"... SAE 5W-40, API SL/JASO MA2, Additives (for instance, molybdenum-based substances) are prohibited, because they would attack the coatings on engine components".
So I get it that I need oil that is SAE 5W-40 which I understand, and API SL/JASO MA2 which I don't understand. What I'm not sure of is whether anything in "API SL/JASO MA2" explicitly tells me that there are none of the prohibited additives. I have yet to see an oil bottle that says "...will not attack the special coatings that BMW Motorrad uses in their liquid cooled R1200 engines". :-)
The Liqui Moli doesn't seem significantly less expensive than the BMW Advantec. The price of the Castrol would make it an attractive alternative, if only I knew the answer to the above question.

[Grumpy Goat]

I've always used the BMW oil, mostly because I'm not sure how to determine whether other oils meet the requirements. The owner's manual states:
"... SAE 5W-40, API SL/JASO MA2, Additives (for instance, molybdenum-based substances) are prohibited, because they would attack the coatings on engine components".
So I get it that I need oil that is SAE 5W-40 which I understand, and API SL/JASO MA2 which I don't understand.

What I'm not sure of is whether anything in "API SL/JASO MA2" explicitly tells me that there are none of the prohibited additives. I have yet to see an oil bottle that says "...will not attack the special coatings that BMW Motorrad uses in their liquid cooled R1200 engines". :-)

API = American Petroleum Institute. Has standards against which oils are manufactured. See the oil categories here. Latest standard is "SN" but "SL" is fine.

JASO = Japanese Standard for special oils. Can be used in 4-stroke motorcycle engine with one oil system for engine, gearbox and wet clutch system. JASO MA means the oil is non-friction modified (as opposed to MB).

4T specifications
Modern passenger car engine oils contain more and more friction modifiers. While this is the good thing for those segments (reduces wear and fuel consumption) it's bad for the motorcycles. At least for those motorcycles which use engine oil to lubricate their transmission and wet clutch. JASO introduced the MA and MB specification to distinguish between non friction modified and friction modified engine oils. Most four-stroke motorcycles with wet clutches need a JASO MA oil.

The Liqui Moli doesn't seem significantly less expensive than the BMW Advantec. The price of the Castrol would make it an attractive alternative, if only I knew the answer to the above question.

If you use this Liqui Moly product in your RS you will be fine, since it adheres to the required standards.

Keep the molybdenum disulphide for your drive shaft splines. :D

[Lee]

This is what I have been using - Castrol Power 1 SAE 5W-40 4T - Link to it on Amazon.

$39.71 plus tax for a 6 pack now.
I have 28 quarts on hand but I still ordered a 6 pack.

[MrVvrroomm]

Yay! Yet another internet oil thread....

[darrell]

$39.71 plus tax for a 6 pack now.
I have 28 quarts on hand but I still ordered a 6 pack.
[/quote]Holly buckets. 34 quarts of oil is 9 oil changes and 54,000 miles. You could buy a whole barrel for $10 right now and use some filter paper to run it through when you need an oil change.

[Grumpy Goat]

$39.71 plus tax for a 6 pack now.
I have 28 quarts on hand but I still ordered a 6 pack.

34 quarts?!! What are you doing ... drinking the stuff?

Just kidding of course - but when the price is good. It’s not likely to spoil.


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[Lee]

34 quarts of oil is 9 oil changes and 54,000 miles.

32 quarts with 2 left over is 4 oil changes for us.
It will be next year before I use it all but like Wayne said it won't spoil in that time.
It takes up very little room so I usually buy it when it's cheap.

Most of the time I have at least a years worth of oil on hand.
I can't run to the dealer or parts store when I need oil.

   

   

[Upinsmoke]

What about final drive fluid? I’m reading a lot about not using synthetic there ?


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[MrVvrroomm]

What about final drive fluid? I’m reading a lot about not using synthetic there ?

https://www.beemerboneyard.com/lqmsgo1500ml.html

Don't overthink it.

[Duccrazydave]

Beemer Boneyard is a very easy and convenient way to take care of regular service items.


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[Grumpy Goat]

What about final drive fluid? I’m reading a lot about not using synthetic there ?


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Have to be careful of the source when reading such things. As noted above the LiquiMoly product is synthetic, but if you want to see what BMW produces for this purpose, check the link below. It is synthetic also. That is what I have been using but if the LiquiMoly product is more cost effective I will use that next. Beemer Boneyard is a good outfit to get supplies from.

https://www.bobsbmw.com/store/product/bm...-one-quart


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[Lee]

Beemer Boneyard is a very easy and convenient way to take care of regular service items.


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And they give MOA members 10% off.

[Chris216]

OK, I guess I'll have to ask, Lee how do you get the bikes up onto your storage shelf?

Chris