[bvick]

My GTL will be due for an oil change soon. The first change was done by the dealer. I read somewhere on this forum there are two oil drain plugs. Is it much of an issue to change oil in these bikes? My dealer is 150 miles away, so wil be doing my own maintenance for the most part. Any info is appreciated.
Also my plan to use 10W-40 Jaso MA from the Kawasaki dealer here . The book says to Use Jaso MA2 which is not available where I live, except for AMS synthetic oil which does have the Jaso ma2 rating. However, I do no wish to use synthetic oil until the bike is well broke in, then will likely switch to Ams oil.
Any comments appreciated.
Tks much.

 

[meese]

These should help:

 

[DanDiver]

Do an "oil change " search on the K1600 forum and you'll have enough research material to keep you occupied for a long evening. There is even a member designed replacement plug that is available to make the second plug easier to remove and replace.

http://www.k1600forum.com/

A lot of good information, pictures, suggestions and controversy.....

 

[Reid]

As Dan mentioned, the modified oil plug would make your next change a bit easier. I can't comment on the oil rating, but my dealer put my GTL on synthetic the day I bought it and said it's fine for break in. Right or wrong, that's the route I'm on. An MA2 rated oil is necessary in this bike...wet clutch and catalytic converter concerns drive that need.

 

[Ric]

A word to the wise....if you do decide to change your own oil, be prepared for a lot of old oil coming out of the drain hole as soon as you remove the drain plug especially if the oil is hot. Use as big a drain pan as you can to contain the oil coming out and the subsequent splashing. I was kind of caught off guard by how fast the oil poured out of the drain hole the first time I drained my oil. The rest is a breeze but be careful with the upper drain plug and make sure you have the correct size/type wrench for it. You do not want to strip this plug and not be able to remove it.

Rick H.

 

[SlyDogless]

I too have the same problem and I'm about 500km from a service center, in NorthEast
Ontario. BMW sells the Filters, Crush ring ( to be replaced on the plug) , plus a filter
tool. The tool is pricee but found out on my last BMW F800GS , it makes the job effortless.
If you're doing the initial oil change(1K) dealer recommended to do as it is warranty
dependant. If you wish to do it yourself, I would suggest the 10W-50 note get an oil
recommended for Mercedes-BMW-Porsche they have them at Canadian Tire.

As for an API - SM / JASO MA2 the Castrol power 1 5W-40 is USA available only.
If your town has a car parts place as UAP NAPA they found a BEL RAY EXS 5W-40
to the specs I needed for my 10K oil change. FYI (NAPA's supplier was Kimpex)

Hope that helps you out.
:wave

 

[gbeemer]

The 1600 comes from the factory w/synthetic oil. There is no need to use dino based oil in the 1600 engines.

 

[bvick]

Thanks for the info. It was very helpful. Wish you all good riding. I myself am leaving in a week for a journey on the 1600, the first long trip on the 1600. Probably about 5000 miles or so. I have had three Harley's and this is the 3rd BMW. This one is the best yet.
See ya on the road.