oil & lub selection

[loansumrider]

Getting ready to perform my first do-it yourself lub change.

What are - is the perfered oil and lube's to use? do I stay with the
BMW brands purchased at the dealer, use Amsoil, Moble 1 syn, other?

Looking forward to May 5, and want to be ready.

Loansumrider - Jim
Its all in the ride

:dance:

[deputy5211]

Before the oil wars start again . . .

I use BMW full synthetic (so far).

[Morley]

I switched my 02 over to Amsoil Synthetics (engine, trans, final drive) a few months ago. I chose Amsoil because I have a friend that is a dealer, no other reason for using that brand.

[was]

Interesting that not many have replied so far. There was a time when questions about brand or type of oil started off heated debates (the "oil wars"). Some very general rules of thumb can be found in the FAQ (try this link: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq=k1200lt_faq_performance#faq_k1200lt_faq_oil)
There also are some discussions of oil related topics in the HoW. Since there is no universal agreement, you pays your money and you makes your choice. Just my .02.

[Rick-L]

Just change it & change it often.

15w50 is my oil of choice and I use synthetic. My only reason for choosing synthetic over dino is for cold temperatures.

Here's an experiment I did many years ago with Quaker State & Mobil1. Put a quart of each (same viscosity) in your freezer and see which one pours easier when it's cold. I find the synthetic wins hands down. To me that says it'll get where it needs to be faster on cold startup, which is when a good deal of engine wear occurs.
Now put both on the oven (in a mason jar silly, not in the plastic bottle!) and heat 'em good. Don't spill any or the SO will be quite upset. See which is thicker at, say, 400°F. Now the synthetic is thicker than dino. This tells me that it will hold it's shock absorbing & lubrication properties better at higher temps.

As far as brands go I buy whatever is on sale as I've seen countless comparisons that show the differences from brand to brand are minimal.

OK, flame away people, but that's MY opinion.

Again, the important thing is to change it often no matter what you're running.

Rick

[STARFIGHTER]

BMW full synthetic in the crankcase
Redline shockproof heavy in the trans...

[loansumrider]

since my question to start this thread, I have been googling and some good info about oils. looks like the BMW syn 50w is rated high. And since the BMW's don't use the engine oil for the transmission, there is less to worry
about.

thanks to all

loansumrider - Jim

[Doug_Gentry]

I switched to that last year.. MAN did I ever notice a sweet change in shifting. It's much smoother now with the synthetic.

[Daman858]

Whatever you use, just know that you do NOT have to pay big bucks for "motorcycle oil" because the BMW LT has a dry clutch and does NOT need the additives that are in "motorcycle oil". You will get a wide variety of answers but just about any oil that meets the requirements set forth in the owner's manual will do just fine.

[loansumrider]

how many use the bmw brand oil filter or another brand. Will
a Purolator L10214 work ? any comments.


Loansumrider - Jim
:dance:

[deputy5211]

how many use the bmw brand oil filter or another brand. Will a Purolator L10214 work ? any comments.

BMW Brand in my '05.

[SmokinJoe]

Getting ready to perform my first do-it yourself lub change.

What are - is the perfered oil and lube's to use? do I stay with the
BMW brands purchased at the dealer, use Amsoil, Moble 1 syn, other?

Looking forward to May 5, and want to be ready.

Loansumrider - Jim
Its all in the ride



Bike type? Year? Miles?

[loansumrider]

01 LT 22000 miles

loansumrider
:dance:

[cfell]

I run Amsoil.. MC flavor in 20-50... also the gear oil (I change it EVERY 6k).. and I run the BMW filter... hey, it's a moneymaker for the dealer, sure... but if I have a filter failure (not likely) then the dealer's got one LESS excuse.

Filters are almost all "painted".. not something I want to flake and trash my engine. Many will "poo-poo" my caution...and that's okay...

[SmokinJoe]

I run Amsoil.. MC flavor in 20-50... also the gear oil (I change it EVERY 6k).. and I run the BMW filter... hey, it's a moneymaker for the dealer, sure... but if I have a filter failure (not likely) then the dealer's got one LESS excuse.

Filters are almost all "painted".. not something I want to flake and trash my engine. Many will "poo-poo" my caution...and that's okay...
I second the Deacon although using synthetic I double the 6K mileage to 12K especially on long road trips.:cool:

[katnapinn]

I use Bosch filters from Beemer boneyard, Castral 20w/50 full syn. in motor and Mobal 1 full syn in trans and rearend. Moter every 6000 miles and other every 12000 miles.

[rglassma]

Just switched to Mobil 1 V-twin for the first time at about 21K. Use the BMW filters so no paint flakes... I had no problems with the Castrol Motorcycle oil from Walmart for the first 21K.. At 2.35 per quart, was a no brainer. Now the V, it is like 8.00 per quart... Who knows.. It is rated up there and easy for me to get... Rated better then Beemer synth. on all the tests, so gave it a try.

Stay within spec and you should be fine... Too much worry about oil !!!!

[ibbones]

Amsoil all around.

[ferggie]

I used to smoke ($150.00 a month) like adrink now and again ($25 -$50.00/mo) ect. Is spending an extra $20 - $40 every 6K miles on a $22,000.00 motorcycle worth sweating about, NO.
It is all reletive when you break it down.

[Lumpy]

Hello all, while I'm new to the site and to the LT, I use Mobil 1 in my BMW and have used it in the over 30 bikes I have owned as well as I always do my own maintenance & repairs. I have a '84 Yamaha Venture that has 126,000 miles and I have owned it since 1990. I bought it from the original owner and the bike has never had ANY major failure of ANY kind, ever. No stator, clutch, gears, electrical, etc. It's just my opinion and experience, but meticulous self performed maintenance may actually provide a better ownership experience if one has the time and the inclination.

[Micky]

I am a new owner to a 2005 LT. It has 3 K miles on it.
At what milage is recommended to switch to sythetic oil
from dyno oil. Om my Rt it was recommended after 12 K miles.

Miklos, Shoreline, WA

[TimVipond]

I think Amsoil has the best motor oil, gear oil and filters, especially if you want to go up to 12,000 mile/1 year oil and filter changes, 24,000 mile transmission and final drive changes, maintain your original factory warranty and get a free parts and labor warranty should the oil or filter ever fail.

You can compare fifteen SAE 50 motorcycle oils in 10 ASTM tests at http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g2156.pdf .

Micky - Amsoil says you can switch immediately to their synthetic oil. BMWNA says to wait after 6,000 miles. If you use another oil, you might want to contact that oil company.

[SmokinJoe]

I think Amsoil has the best motor oil, gear oil and filters, especially if you want to go up to 12,000 mile/1 year oil and filter changes, 24,000 mile transmission and final drive changes, maintain your original factory warranty and get a free parts and labor warranty should the oil or filter ever fail.

You can compare fifteen SAE 50 motorcycle oils in 10 ASTM tests at http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g2156.pdf .

Micky - Amsoil says you can switch immediately to their synthetic oil. BMWNA says to wait after 6,000 miles. If you use another oil, you might want to contact that oil company.
Tim, does Amsoil have the air filter yet?

[TimVipond]

I wish they did. It would save us all time, money and get us a better air filter than is currently available elsewhere. They just released some more for Harley and the 1500 and 1800 Gold Wings. If y'all would contact them, they might consider one for the BMW's. Info on the air filter at https://www.amsoil.com/lit/databulletins/g2235_rev6_06.pdf . You can call them at Technical Support:
(715) 399-TECH
or email them at webmaster@amsoil.com .

[rglassma]

I have been told by at least two dealers to not switch until 18K miles...

[RealWing]

My bike is not broken in yet so I'm still using dino oil. BelRay EXL purchased from the dealer.(Costs a little more but helps with dealer relationship)
I've cut open many oil filters as well as the BMW one and will only use the BMW filter after looking inside it and others. The design of the Amsoil filter appears to have been changed. It used to be nearly identical to the BMW design, but not any more according to the two that I purchased and cut open.
Here is a link to my assessment:
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19967

[davek1]

Whatever you use, just know that you do NOT have to pay big bucks for "motorcycle oil" because the BMW LT has a dry clutch and does NOT need the additives that are in "motorcycle oil". You will get a wide variety of answers but just about any oil that meets the requirements set forth in the owner's manual will do just fine.

Can someone tell me more about the "Any oil will do" statement?
I always buy the expensive stuff.
Can I just buy a 6-pack of Mobil 1 (15/50) synthetic at Costco andforget about it?
(KLT)

[kriach]

Realwing I read your "review" of the oil filters from BMW and from AMSOIL and you did not indicate what the filtration level of the media is. How did you test to actually see which filter did a better job of filtration? Did you determine what the actual media is or did you assume that they are the same media?


Your review seems to be only a visual comparison without any data on the actual performance of the filters. I would be more interested in a comparison of the actual performance of the filters and in finding out which one provided the best filtration with the least bypass. To me this would be much more important than knowing which piece of media is longer.



Just my opinion

Ken

[TimVipond]

Ken,

The Amsoil filter is the only one using synthetic nanofiber filtration media, filters smaller particles (99% efficient at 15 microns), holds more particles and flows better than the other microfiber synthetic blend and paper filters. You can read about them at https://www.amsoil.com/lit/databulletins/g2235_rev6_06.pdf .

[RealWing]

Realwing I read your "review" of the oil filters from BMW and from AMSOIL and you did not indicate what the filtration level of the media is. How did you test to actually see which filter did a better job of filtration? Did you determine what the actual media is or did you assume that they are the same media?


Your review seems to be only a visual comparison without any data on the actual performance of the filters. I would be more interested in a comparison of the actual performance of the filters and in finding out which one provided the best filtration with the least bypass. To me this would be much more important than knowing which piece of media is longer.



Just my opinion

Ken

Ken

I did not do any comparative filtration tests. I would need a SAE qualified lab to do that. Tim is correct that the Amsoil filter with its synthetic media would filter smaller particles than a non synthetic medi filter -like the BMW. The difference would be something in the order of 20 micron for the BMW filter vs 15 micron for the Amsoil (at 99% effy)

[TimVipond]

Realwing - do you have any data showing 99% efficiency for the BMW filter at 20 microns? I believe most filters are 99% at around 40 microns.

[darryldaggs]

Hey I just performed my first Oil change Tuesday , what did I use? I used the AMSOIL syn and K&N oil filtetr (13.95) Also I did not have an oil filter wrench so I went to Advance Auto and bought a 74/76 14t filter wrench (5.99) The oil was my biggest cost at 8.95ea(4) Also if you use the K&N filter you will not need the oil filter wrench it has a hexnut mounted to it for easier removal. Be sure you get a long hose to add your oil. This wqas the first time I worked on my BM'r so I was a little scared, but it went smooth and effortless.

[RealWing]

Realwing - do you have any data showing 99% efficiency for the BMW filter at 20 microns? I believe most filters are 99% at around 40 microns.

Tim

I do not have any hard data on efficiency of BMW filters. I used "engineering judgement" after looking at the BMW media. You may however be correct that the efficiency is closer to 99% at 40 microns.

[bjedruszczak]

I agree with you completely Dave. This bike doesn't mess up oil with clutch plates, nor with the gears - it's like a car engine. I believe that any known brand of 15W50 should be perfectly fine.