[Robin]

I've had my 02 LT since 04 and have put 27K miles on it (it had 8K when I bought it) between 04 and 09. I was then deployed until recently (Hawaii, not hostile) and picked my LT up in Oregon and drove it back to Augusta, GA. I had always had the service done at Bobs BMW but I guess I'll have to use the Atlanta dealer now.
I can't for the life of me remember the weight of the oil for the engine; can someone enlighten my poor brain?
What is the best aftermarket windshield for the bike?
The Garmin BMW Streetpilot III that came with the bike is so old it doesn't have WAAS and the latest update was 2008. Any ideas about a decent replacement? The BMW Navigator IV doesn't have mounts for the 02 LT.
Oh, yes I did have a BMW in Hawaii, a 00 R1100RT Police version. I had it shipped to Georgia. I guess I'm one of the few people who can color in Hawaii on the ride maps.
Robin

 

[wa1200lt]

I can help you with the oil weight. 20W50 is the correct weight. Castrol 20W50 4T meets BMW's specs and is readily available at your local parts store. 4T includes formulation specific to motorcycles including phosphorus and zinc which can no longer be added to automotive oils as they destroy catalytic converters.

Many folks use automotive grade oils with no apparent problems. If you have a few hundred spare hours search on the word 'oil' and sit back for a few dozen hours of entertainment.

Congratulations on owning the most regal and fastest color LT made.

Welcome back to the mainland!

Loren

 

[Robin]

Thanks, Loren
I was just up in your neck of the woods, shuffling between Seattle and Portland. My son lives in Seattle and my LT was in Portland. I got to see the LeMays museum in Tacoma this trip.
I'm glad you reminded me about the oil weight, I kept thinking it was 10-40 and that's what I had in my bike the whole 3K miles back from Portland. ****** synthetic, so I hope I didn't hurt anything. I didn't thrash the bike, but there were days in which I spent hours between 70 and 80. Didn't over heat and I had just changed the oil and filter before I left. I'll do it again now that I know about the right weight.
Robin

 

[gary45]

I can help you with the oil weight. 20W50 is the correct weight. Castrol 20W50 4T meets BMW's specs and is readily available at your local parts store. 4T includes formulation specific to motorcycles including phosphorus and zinc which can no longer be added to automotive oils as they destroy catalytic converters.

Many folks use automotive grade oils with no apparent problems. If you have a few hundred spare hours search on the word 'oil' and sit back for a few dozen hours of entertainment.

Congratulations on owning the most regal and fastest color LT made.

Welcome back to the mainland!

Loren

what about the cats on our bikes

 

[Robin]

I'm more of a dog person, myself.
The bike shop in Vancouver recommended the synthetic A****** for the bike so I took their word that this was motorcycle oil.

 

[K100Dennis]

Dogs, right, use Agip oil then, they have a 6 legged dog, he'll fix up the cat I'm sure.

 

[dshealey]

I can help you with the oil weight. 20W50 is the correct weight. Castrol 20W50 4T meets BMW's specs and is readily available at your local parts store. 4T includes formulation specific to motorcycles including phosphorus and zinc which can no longer be added to automotive oils as they destroy catalytic converters.

Many folks use automotive grade oils with no apparent problems. If you have a few hundred spare hours search on the word 'oil' and sit back for a few dozen hours of entertainment.

Congratulations on owning the most regal and fastest color LT made.

Welcome back to the mainland!

Loren

One should NOT use motorcycle specific oil in the "Brick" engine. Some of the additives are for wet clutches, which the LT does not have, and the LT has a Catalytic Converter, which will be damaged by the added phosphorus and zinc. Motorcycle oils also are formulated to withstand the higher temps of air cooled engines, the LT is water cooled. The LT engine is far more like an automobile engine than most motorcycles. Water cooled, dry clutch.

IMHO is best for the LT to use standard automotive oil only.

 

[deputy5211]

:corn:

 

[RocketRon]

I can't be optimistic about the Atlanta dealers. My buddy had an '05 and used both Atlanta dealers at least twice. NEVER got the bike back from either without problems. Finally, he got so frustrated with the dealers that he sold the bike and got a Wing.

I personally have been too afraid to take my bike to them so I'm doing my own repairs. "So far"....my repairs have been more reliable than the dealers and a heck of alot cheaper.

Good luck and keep us informed if you use either of them.

 

[BecketMa]

Here you go:
http://www.bmwlt.com/ubbthreads/sho...K1200LT&Number=154958&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1

Under Technical heading, Hall of Wisdom

Best from tucson and Welcome back to the main land
Bob

 

[ghannah]

Welcome back! It looks like the oil question is covered, so I'll throw in my 2 cents' worth on the windshield and GPS questions.

For my money, it's hard to beat Cee Bailey's windshields. After putting up with the buffeting and wind noise from the stock shield for a year or so, I went with the Cee Bailey #2 Reverse Contour, at 22". If I had to do it over again, I'd probably go with the 20". I look over the shield while riding, but wish I could lower it a bit more while riding in hot, humid weather. It cut down the wind noise significantly, and got rid of any buffeting. We're about the same size, but use your own judgement.

My GPS is the Garmin Zumo 550 - also my mp3 music source. I like the left-hand buttons, water tight construction, and easy access to all functions. It's mounted on a RAM mount on a tray that sits on the front of the Stingray - not sure if that's available anymore, but mounting on the top of the clutch or brake reservoirs is a good alternative.

 

[pauleknight]

I got cats all over my bike in Miami...

This one and a friend of his under the desk are manning the Valet.

The Red Cat on the bike was just along for the ride..

 

[deputy5211]

Carry the cats around in case you need a quick snack?

 

[pauleknight]

Insert Cat here..

 

[gary45]

my allergist once said to me "what's with you people with allergies and cats"

 

[Robin]

Hi, Glyde. Thanks for the windshield input - I'll look into it (no pun intended).
The new Garmin GPS sounds pretty good - the 350 maybe. It's a bit less expensive and I have the CD player for tunes so I don't need MP3 players on my GPS. Maybe I'll just plug my iPod in.