[RonHolly]

:deadhorse
All right, I know this subject is very subjective to each individual "butt" being new with the LT bike I know you'll be kind. I bought the K&N -163 filter and Castrol GTX, 20w-50 oil with API service codes SN,SM,SL &SJ. Question is am I good to go with this oil? (Engine has 39,850 miles) Just trying to keep it simple and adequate!

Come on Dick and Scouter-50, tell me what I need to know!

 

[johnbaker15]

I prefer BMW oil and filters.

They meet the requirements, come in the color gray, have the BMW logo on them and cost more. :wave

:corn:

 

[Bones1955]

Seems the word is theses motors like a high detergent oil.
HD rating or something.
I bought Walmart Tech oil and added CD-2 oil detergent..half of the 15.5 oz. container.
Adds more detergents and some say on here it helps keep the sprag clutch on the starter from just reving..never had a prob though..but I have yet to put 3k on the bike.

 

[RonHolly]

Seems the word is theses motors like a high detergent oil.
HD rating or something.
I bought Walmart Tech oil and added CD-2 oil detergent..half of the 15.5 oz. container.
Adds more detergents and some say on here it helps keep the sprag clutch on the starter from just reving..never had a prob though..but I have yet to put 3k on the bike.

I just read the lable again and it "doesn't" have a HD anywhere on the container. Hmmm

 

[Bones1955]

I just read the lable again and it "doesn't" have a HD anywhere on the container. Hmmm

I could only find it in single grade rating...thus the additive.
Trust me..others will set us both straight! lol
They will try to ignore this thread..but their curiosity will get the best of them!

 

[Dick]

:deadhorse
All right, I know this subject is very subjective to each individual "butt" being new with the LT bike I know you'll be kind. I bought the K&N -163 filter and Castrol GTX, 20w-50 oil with API service codes SN,SM,SL &SJ. Question is am I good to go with this oil? (Engine has 39,850 miles) Just trying to keep it simple and adequate!

Come on Dick and Scouter-50, tell me what I need to know!

The 'book' sez: HD oil, API classification SF, SG or SH. Shop manual sez ditto.

SAE numbers (viscosity classes) are dependent on outside ambient temperatures, with 20 W-50 ranging 15F degrees and above.

 

[deputy5211]

I just read the lable again and it "doesn't" have a HD anywhere on the container. Hmmm

Here's an HD for you...

 

[RonHolly]

Here's an HD for you...

THAT SHORE IS PURDY!

 

[cws]

what Dick said... quoted from the book

"The current recommendation is as follows: Brandname HD oil, API classification SF, SG or SH; CD or CE suffixes are permissible; alternatively, brand-name HD oil. CCMC classification G4 or G5; suffix PD2 is permissible.

Not Approved: The API specification SJ is not approved for use in any BMW motorcycle. This latest API classification does not guaranty the required levels of wear protective additives such as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, etc. as with most prior API specifications."


So, according to the book, leave the other stuff for your 4-wheeler.

 

[Scouter-50]

:deadhorse
All right, I know this subject is very subjective to each individual "butt" being new with the LT bike I know you'll be kind. I bought the K&N -163 filter and Castrol GTX, 20w-50 oil with API service codes SN,SM,SL &SJ. Question is am I good to go with this oil? (Engine has 39,850 miles) Just trying to keep it simple and adequate!

Come on Dick and Scouter-50, tell me what I need to know!

You asked! I dunno. I have not changed the oil yet on the K12. On my K11 and on the wife's R11 and my other BMW twins I am partial to Castrol 20-50 motorcycle oil rated SH. I believe I will stick with full synthetic for the K12 just 'cause I can. I don't mind being ornery and contrary even to myself. Install oil and change it when necessary and all will be well. If it meets the specs in the owners manual you can't go wrong.

Robert

 

[Bones1955]

So I guess it's ok to use oil for a diesel ie: cd,ce.

 

[jzeiler]

I have found the best way to see what is in any oil is to read the MSDS. It lists things like ZDDP or the "Zinc" we need for our solid lifters. Both Mobil 1 and Castrol GTX contain between .85 and 8.5 % by weight of ZDDP. That is about as good as you are going to find in this day and age.

 

[K100Dennis]

John Z is correct on the issue of needing solid lubricant in our oil to cope with the sliding friction between cam lobes and tappet arms (followers). The "politics" behind this is roughly as follows - Catalytic converters are killed by zinc, among other things, so oil companies now make oils with very little of this as an additive, and for that matter, many other solid lubricants not longer exist in the quantites the once did/could. To this effect most engine manufacturers now make engines with rollor rocker technology, which helps their engines perform better and also meets the properties that the oil can provide. So we need the zinc, and diesel engines (at least the heavy duty variety) don't run cats on the exhaust, so guess what ?, the oil used in those diesels still contans the zinc as well as the high amaounts of detergents needed to help with soot dispersion etc. So when I rant about using diesel engine oil in my K engine, that's the reason for the rant. The HD also makes the starter sprag happy. Worked nicely in the K100, will work nicely in the K12. Penrite HPR Diesel 15W50 for me here in Oz, previous to that being available I used Caltex Delo 400 15W40, Texaco to you guys in the US. Oils ain't oils.

 

[C-A-D]

These oil-threads are so entertaining :corn: and contain so much strong opinions. More or less justified I guess. K-engine is not that fancy or require most sophisticated lubricants. Many of us have ridden tenths (or hundreds) of thousands with regular dino. I do tend to believe to this "zinc-story" and have used in all of my bikes last 10 years "Big D" being M****l Delvac - oil for heavy diesel engines. Very favorable priced due to the normal users / amounts needed. In fact there is really quite big "school" of us believing in "Big D" at least here where I do live.

 

[powwow]

So, to add to the conversation...has anyone ever tracked it to see if there is a link to synthetic vs. dino and clutch failures?

 

[copperstatetour]

I'm so confused

Every time I read one of these oil threads I get more confused than I was before, I thought I was being a good boy to use Castrol Motorcycle oil on both the LT and the C because I thought I read that is who makes the BMW label oil, but now it sounds like that is wrong. :crazy:

As far as zinc burning up cats, doesnt the LT have a catalatic converter on it?

 

[Scouter-50]

I'm so confused

Every time I read one of these oil threads I get more confused than I was before, I thought I was being a good boy to use Castrol Motorcycle oil on both the LT and the C because I thought I read that is who makes the BMW label oil, but now it sounds like that is wrong. :crazy:

As far as zinc burning up cats, doesnt the LT have a catalatic converter on it?

Just read on a bottle of BMW 15-50 oil "Made exclusively for BMW by Spectro Oils Inc.

Robert

 

[jzeiler]

So, to add to the conversation...has anyone ever tracked it to see if there is a link to synthetic vs. dino and clutch failures?

Sure - Both will trash your clutch if it gets on it.

 

[deputy5211]

I'm so confused

Every time I read one of these oil threads I get more confused than I was before, I thought I was being a good boy to use Castrol Motorcycle oil on both the LT and the C because I thought I read that is who makes the BMW label oil, but now it sounds like that is wrong. :crazy:

As far as zinc burning up cats, doesnt the LT have a catalatic converter on it?

Dunno who makes it, but on the back cover of the "Anti-theft alarm system DWA 5" manual (p/n 01 47 7 685 677 08.2003) for my '05 LT is the phrase "BMW recommends Castrol" alongside the Castrol logo.

 

[K100Dennis]

Yes, the K12 has a Cat on the exhaust. That has nothing at all to do with the fact that solid lubricant additives exist in oils to take care of the cam lobes. It is all about the politics associated with unleaded fuels, catalytic converters and pollution. None of which I care to associate with my motorcycling enjoyment. You'll find that today's high performing, low polluting diesel engines like those from Peugot, have a burn off system for the disposal of diesel particulates. These engines have roller rockers in the overhead gear, that's the way it is these days. For those interested, there is an informative article on the net regarding the reasons for changes to oil, Google Engine Oils Lake Speed. Just to clarrify, what oil I use is my preference only and I am happy to comment on that, but in no way do I have an interest in trying to influence anyone on what they should do. The information I place on this forum is also just that, information, it can be taken or left. Cheers, Dennis