Oil Weight and Recommendations

[jagdpanther]

Hello I'm a new owner of a 97, R1100RT and I'm working without an owners manual so I'm looking for the proper oil weight recommendations for this model. At the moment I'm running what came in it from the shop and I'm quickly looking to make a change mainly just so that I have my own base point and know what I need to add to top it off if/when it's needed. ATM I'm looking at the Motul 300V 4T or Motorex Boxer 4T. I can order the 300V in either 5w or 10w-40 whilst the Motorex is 15W-50. I've used Motul along with ELF/Total products in my VW's for well over a decade so there is a trust factor there but the Motorex claims to be specifically blended to meet boxer engine cooling requirements. Is this maybe more of an airhead blend? If anyone has any experience or input with either of these oils I'd appreciate it. I know oil can illicit strong opinions so just know I'm not looking for any bobistheoilguy type flame wars.

 

[PGlaves]

The spec for temperatures extending above 86 degrees F is 20W50. 15w50 would be OK. 10w40 is OK in the winter.

 

[jagdpanther]

The spec for temperatures extending above 86 degrees F is 20W50. 15w50 would be OK. 10w40 is OK in the winter.

Thank you! That changes things altogether, I'll start looking for a 20W-50 weight oil. I have say I'm pretty bummed about the owners manual. I've found found a downloadable service manual but it appears to originate in Russia, which makes me a little nervous. We even tried contacting BMW directly, to no avail.

 

[lee]

I'm pretty bummed about the owners manual. I've found found a downloadable service manual but it appears to originate in Russia, which makes me a little nervous. We even tried contacting BMW directly, to no avail.

You should be able to buy a Riders Manual from your dealer or online dealer.

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51680&rnd=04282014

Click on the Owners Handbook tab.

 

[jagdpanther]

You should be able to buy a Riders Manual from your dealer or online dealer.

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51680&rnd=04282014

Click on the Owners Handbook tab.

OK.....I used to think I was half decent at these internets, but I have to say you shame me. Beyond that my wife spent a half hour to forty five minutes on the phone with BMW only to have them say it was unavailable. Thank you!

 

[TonysR100]

To bend the thread slightly

To expand upon this thread, the owner's manual for my '02 R1150R refers to "special oils" which are listed as 5W40 or 5W50 and which are approved for the widest range of temperatures.
I've presumed this is just BMW corporate speak for synthetic oil and at the moment I have Castrol synthetic 5W50 in it. The only reason being to see if the engine cranks more easily on cool mornings. Which it does.
Seriously high temperatures are not much of a consideration here in eastern Canada, but I do tour into the deep South on occasion.
So, what's special about "special oils"?
Cheers,
Tony

 

[lee]

OK.....I used to think I was half decent at these internets, but I have to say you shame me. Beyond that my wife spent a half hour to forty five minutes on the phone with BMW only to have them say it was unavailable. Thank you!

I can't say for sure it's still available. Try to place the order and see what happens.

 

[PGlaves]

So, what's special about "special oils"?
Cheers,
Tony

The last time I inquired at a dealership about $18/liter.

 

[bc1100s]

The last time I inquired at a dealership about $18/liter.

Now THAT'S special...

 

[roger 04 rt]

Hello I'm a new owner of a 97, R1100RT and I'm working without an owners manual so I'm looking for the proper oil weight recommendations for this model. At the moment I'm running what came in it from the shop and I'm quickly looking to make a change mainly just so that I have my own base point and know what I need to add to top it off if/when it's needed. ATM I'm looking at the Motul 300V 4T or Motorex Boxer 4T. I can order the 300V in either 5w or 10w-40 whilst the Motorex is 15W-50. I've used Motul along with ELF/Total products in my VW's for well over a decade so there is a trust factor there but the Motorex claims to be specifically blended to meet boxer engine cooling requirements. Is this maybe more of an airhead blend? If anyone has any experience or input with either of these oils I'd appreciate it. I know oil can illicit strong opinions so just know I'm not looking for any bobistheoilguy type flame wars.

Here's a memo BMW wrote in 2007, which used to be found on the BMW site: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/bvogel...special-tools/Summary of Permissable Oils.pdf, check the last page.

 

[TonysR100]

Now why couldn't they just say that for we poor dumb owners? "Synthetic" and "high grade" I can understand.
And $18/litre is even more than the pirates at Canadian Tire charge for synthetic.
Cheers,
Tony

 

[willhawks]

Oil weight recommendations

I live in NE Pennsylvania and have used BMW 20-50 non synthetic. The bike has 81k and uses virtually no oil between changes. Best of Luck, Will

 

[BMUUsed]

@jagdpanther:

I also have a '97 R1100rt. I have the full repair manual on PDF. PM me if you want a copy.

 

[61996]

I use Castrol 4T 20/50. AutoZone sells it and its usually on sale.