I don't understand why these threads become so personal. If you want to carry some oil then do. If not then it is okay also. I have carried an extra quart for over 70k mikes and never used any of it. But I have helped out a BMW rider who had a seal leaking on a new bike a couple of years ago. The oil takes up very little space and give me piece of mind. that what is important. Ride in your own comfort zone not anyone else's.
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2016 R1200RT site glass oil check
- Thread starter mosrrt
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- owners manual sight glass
gsinnc
Well-known member
lee
Debbie's Servant
I wouldn't put 20-50 in. Spec for the wethead is 5w-40.
The only 5w-40 JASO MA2 oil I can think of you can buy on the road is Rotella. It's marketed for diesel engines and not everyone is comfortable with that choice.
Our K1300Ss used oil and they called for the same 5w-40 oil so I carried oil on trips.
There was two times I needed more and bought Castrol 10w-40 4T like the oil Omega Man posted.
When the oil was at the add mark on those bikes it would take .5 quart to bring the level to full.
I figured .5 quarts of 10w-40 mixed with 3.5 quarts of 5w-40 would not hurt.
Because of faulty low oil warnings on our current bikes I put a little Castrol 10w-40 in to get ride of the warning on the dash and GPS.
alancoles
Dress for fall & avoid it
Like Lee, I wouldn't go from a recommended 5w all the way to a 20w when there are tons of 10w oils available. It is important to remember two things:
- the w in 5w as in a 5w-40 or 5w-30, etc., refers to Winter, and identifies the viscosity of the oil under cold conditions (temperatures used vary with the actual number)
- the 40 in 5w-40 as in a 5w-40 or 10w-40, etc., refers to the viscosity at 100C (212F) and identifies the flow rate of the oil at an approximate normal operating temperatures
The 5w is important for oil flow at startup and warmup. As the oil approaches normal operating temperature, the 40 in 5w-40 is what is important.
Ideal oil viscosity for any engine is a balancing act. Too low or too high will both lead to increased engine wear. If it is too low it isn't protecting as much as ideal and if it is too high it is putting undue load on the system and forcing it to work harder.
Therefore, if I have to fudge my oil weights I would rather use a good synthetic 10w-40 then a 20w-50.
In Lee's example, 0.5L of 10w-40 top-up to 3.5L 5w-40 should be the equivalent of 5.625w-40 vs 6.875w-41.25 using a 20w-50. These aren't differences that anyone should be concerned about, but if you have the ability to use an oil that is closer to the spec that should be your course of action.
With regard to the 5w-40 Shell Rotella T6, as mentioned, it is diesel oil, but here's the kicker, it is also JASO MA/MA2 certified. That means that it meets or exceeds the specifications for a wet-clutch motorcycle.
It is available at almost any auto shop selling oil including Walmart, not to mention Shell stations, etc., so should be easy to find and a no-brainer. YMMV
gsinnc
Well-known member
But isn't the Rotella stuff usually sold in Gallon jugs? The OP's question was what is best to top off is he can't get the BMW specified oil. While Rotella may work OK .... pretty sure he is not going to want a gallon of it.
Also, if on the road and needing to add I assume it is warmer months and as such wouldn't the 2nd number i.e. the "40" or "50" be more critical since he would not be working about cold weather start ups?
Once again all reasons why it would seem a bit easier and less stressful to just carry a 1/2 qt. of whatever oil you use.
Yeah I know there I go again trying to be logical. Sorry. 
pglaves
#13338
Lee and Alan: Re-read what I wrote, highlighted above. When I wrote that I did not know the viscosity spec for whatever bike was being discussed so gave an example.
lee
Debbie's Servant
Walmart carries it in gallon and quart jugs.
alancoles
Dress for fall & avoid it
You might be right Ed. That is the way I buy T6 (5L jugs = 1.3 US Gallons), use it for my VW Touareg TDi and put some in a 0.5L bottle that I carry on the bike in-case I need to top up. Having said that, with about 24,000 miles on two LC Boxers (18k on a 2014 RT and 6k on my 2019 R1250RT) I've not had to do any top-up between scheduled service intervals and I'm thinking it really doesn't make sense to carry oil on these bikes any more.But isn't the Rotella stuff usually sold in Gallon jugs? The OP's question was what is best to top off is he can't get the BMW specified oil. While Rotella may work OK .... pretty sure he is not going to want a gallon of it.
Also, if on the road and needing to add I assume it is warmer months and as such wouldn't the 2nd number i.e. the "40" or "50" be more critical since he would not be working about cold weather start ups?
Once again all reasons why it would seem a bit easier and less stressful to just carry a 1/2 qt. of whatever oil you use.
As for viscosity, startup generates a disproportionate % of the wear on an internal combustion engine, so I tend to stick closer to the lowest spec'd "winter" # as is convenient. But personally, I'm not overly concerned about it, just prefer to be close to spec if possible. On the hot viscosity end of things, with some of the temperatures we are seeing this summer, I think one would be well served going to a 10w-50 if they were operating in consistent ambient temperatures above 95-100F which is close to the comfortable maximum for a 5w-40 synthetic.
gsinnc
Well-known member
I will check my oil before I leave, when stopped at most red lights, at the end of the ride and before going to bed. I warm it up with a halon fire suppression system at hand. I put it on the side stand, then center stand, then lay it on its side, then flip to other side then use the site glass and on-board check and divide by 2. If riding more than an hour I will siphon off some oil and overnight to a lab and wait for results before continuing. I carry a gallon of all viscosity oils available in case I end up on top of a hill where the temperature dropped so I can do a oil change to a thinner oil. 
brownie0486
Well-known member
I'll catch hell for this, but Jim Von Baden stated this regarding my 2012 r1200gs [ after he found out I can't get my bike on the center stand, and yes, I never use it for that reason, it always sits on the side stand ]. My sight glass is on the left side for clarification.
On the side stand he said if I can see oil in the sight glass, just keep riding it. If there's no oil in the sight glass, add 1/2 qt. and go ride. He said the engine won't be harmed in any way if it's 1/2 quart low or as much over. That's what I've been doing,
ye or ney, and why what he told me is wrong if you disagree.
On the side stand he said if I can see oil in the sight glass, just keep riding it. If there's no oil in the sight glass, add 1/2 qt. and go ride. He said the engine won't be harmed in any way if it's 1/2 quart low or as much over. That's what I've been doing,
ye or ney, and why what he told me is wrong if you disagree.
pglaves
#13338
In general I think Jim is correct. But, get one or two friends to help you conduct an experiment. With the help of your friends put the bike on the center stand. See where the oil level is. Is it correct? If so then put it on the idestand as you normally do. Notice where the oil level is. Use this as your future reference point.
beemerdood
New member
Sacrilege!
brownie0486
Well-known member
Good suggestion, thanks. I can get the two neighbor kids to help [ 18-20 YO's ], they like the bike.
pglaves
#13338
Good suggestion, thanks. I can get the two neighbor kids to help [ 18-20 YO's ], they like the bike.
In 412,000 miles Voni has never put her R1100RS on the center stand. It leans to the left on the sidestand and the sight glass is on the left side. So on the side stand the oil level appears above the top of the sight glass. As long as it showed above the top she was always good to go with no need to put it on the center stand. She could check it though sitting on it upright by reaching down with a small mirror to view the sight glass. She invented that system herself.
brownie0486
Well-known member
I'm a little slow, I just ordered an extendable 3.5" mirror from amazon yesterday. Already checked the height I want a light on the glass when it's upright [ it'll sit on a box angled onto the glass ], my eyes aren't what they used to be
Nice system, I'll check it on stand and upright to get a reading on differences for the future.
Thanks again,
brownie0486
Well-known member
AKsuited
New member
I've seen them advertised, thanks, it's another option worth a shot.
This one fit my 2015 R1200GS. It's from China, but it works fine. You have to be careful with lift handles and get one that fits your year and model bike.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YMGC9...colid=BJV2VG4LKDUX&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
