Boxerworks.com

Greetings, all. I have just gotten my first BMW, a very nice 2000 R1100R with about 67K well-cared for miles on it. I'm very pleased with the bike so far. Of course, it being new to me, I would like to do all the basics and establish a nice baseline for maintenance.

Of course, that means an oil change. Please NOTE: not trying to start an oil war here, but I need to know what folks are using in their machines...I like this bike and don't want to screw it up. I have successfully used Rotella T6, a synthetic heavy-duty oil, in other machines and they seem to like it, but I don't believe it's specifically rated for motorcycle use (no clutch issues, however). I see in the BMW manual that BMW authorizes multi-vis oil with API SF, SG or SH designations or "brand-name HD oil, CCMC classification G4 or G5."

A quick trip to the local auto parts store reveals that the only oil with the API designation is Castrol mult-vis motorcycle oil. I have no huge objection to using Castrol and it's not overly expensive, but I'm wondering what else you are using in your BMWs. I'm thinking heavy duty oils like the Rotella might be OK, since we have dry clutches...

Anyway, any help or advice you care to give would be greatly appreciated. I apologize if this subject has been beaten to death...I did a search, but did not come up with much specific info...so thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom...

BMW brand oils are fine but they're mighty proud of them. Go to the Amsoil website and become a Preferred Customer. Then order a case of 20W-50 synthetic for the engine and some 80W-90 synthetic hypoid for the transmission and rear drive. Don't use the BMW brand 75W-140 gear oil, especially in the rear drive.

CVA-42 wrote:BMW brand oils are fine but they're mighty proud of them. Go to the Amsoil website and become a Preferred Customer. Then order a case of 20W-50 synthetic for the engine and some 80W-90 synthetic hypoid for the transmission and rear drive. Don't use the BMW brand 75W-140 gear oil, especially in the rear drive.

Those are mighty specific "recommendations." Especially considering how controversial any specific oil recommendations are.

The last time I bought BMW branded oil, it was made by Spectro, and was cheaper then the Spectro branded oil. It was also cheaper than Amsoil. Admittedly, it has been a few years.

I have nothing bad to say about Amsoil, but to suggest that Amsoil is what he must go buy is . . . uhm . . . "difficult" to justify.

Why should he not use the BMW branded 75w-140 gear oil?

Roc, the oil you were used to using would work fine. Synthetic is more expensive, but more heat resistant - this is especially important if you live somewhere hot, less so in a cool climate.

The wet-clutch issue is a non-issue for BMW boxers, as they have a dry clutch.

The biggest oil issue that has developed in the past decade or two is the reduction in anti-wear ingredients demanded by the EPA. Years ago oil standards were developed by automotive and lubricant engineers, now the final say is made by environmental scientists. Not all of their choices have been good for older engines, but that is probably a lot more of an issue for the older Airheads than for your Oilhead.

Any good synthetic is probably going to be superior to a good "dino" oil, and the same for "motorcycle specific" oil, but the biggest difference is in how long it maintains its performance. The more frequently you change it, the less of a difference it makes.

Why Amsoil? He was asking for advice. I gave advice. Plus Amsoil is WAY cheaper than BMW-brand synthetic engine oil and gear oil even after delivery charges and especially when you do the preferred customer thing. Why avoid BMW-brand 75W-140? Because it has been linked to rear drive failure in oilheads. Not by BMW, of course, but by people like Paul Glaves. BMW does market a proper weight syn gear oil but dealers will often try to sell you the 140. Why, I don't know since it is not the manufacturers recommended spec.

Oh - - almost forgot - - where did I say that he "must" buy Amsoil? I re-read my original post. Can't seem to find that word anywhere.

CVA-42 wrote:Oh - - almost forgot - - where did I say that he "must" buy Amsoil? I re-read my original post. Can't seem to find that word anywhere.

CVA-42 wrote:Go to the Amsoil website and become a Preferred Customer. Then order a case of 20W-50 synthetic for the engine and some 80W-90 synthetic hypoid for the transmission and rear drive. Don't use the BMW brand 75W-140 gear oil, especially in the rear drive.

"Go and do this" is a command, not just "advice," and it does not leave room for other options. That is where the "must" comes in, no differently than he "must" not use the 75W-140. Note that I did not put "must" in quotes in my previous post, because I was not quoting you, but I can read and understand a sentence that says "do this."

CVA-42 wrote:Plus Amsoil is WAY cheaper than BMW-brand synthetic engine oil and gear oil even after delivery charges and especially when you do the preferred customer thing.

My dealer has the BMW Super-Synth (full synthetic) 15W50 for $12.83 a quart. You don't "sign up" to be a preferred customer at Amsoil, you pay $20 . . . a year. Amsoil lists the "20W-50 Advanced Synthetic Motorcycle Oil" at $11.90 plus shipping. I can't know the "preferred customer" price without paying the preferred customer fee, but, if it's 20% off, that would be $9.52 + preferred customer fee + shipping. I don't know what you're paying in shipping, but a case of oil is heavy, I live in California, and Amsoil is in Wisconsin. So, it doesn't sound like there's much chance of if being cheaper than $12.83 a quart, and zero chance of it being "much cheaper."
So, how much are you actually paying after shipping and preferred customer fee?

In response to the Paul Glaves information (I highlighted in bold large print his key comments):

gulfcoastbeemer
Registered User

I just had a telephone conversation with BMW North America Customer Relations in Woodcliff Lake, NJ regarding what gear oil was to be used in my wife's '05 R1200RT and my '07 R1200RT. The BMW NA representative was very attentive to my concern and seemed very knowledgeable on the issue of final drive lubricant.

He referenced internal discussions that BMW Customer Relations had recently had with technical representatives within BMW regarding this very issue. This was not his first call on this issue. This Customer Relations representative felt he was up to speed on the issue and was familiar with all currently available information regarding final drive lubricant.

The BMW NA Customer Relations representative clearly stated that either BMW Gear Oil product -- 75W90 or 75W140 Super Synthetic was recommended in my final drive. He did state that ultimately individual BMW dealers might have a preference based on other considerations as to which might be used-- he didn't elaborate, perhaps climate or season of the year, who knows. But, in any event, he was very clear that BMW had formulated 75W140 Super Synthetic for use in the final drive of my particular model/year BMW motorcycles, and under no circumstance was it harmful to the final drive of these vehicles.

If anyone else want to have a go at it, the telephone number for BMW NA is 1-800-831-1117.



PGlaves
Benchwrenching

I'm glad BMW tech reps and service reps now have the Hexhead and New K bike drive lube figured out.

They originally said there was a lifetime fill from the factory. Then they said change it at 600 miles. When I asked what to fill it with at 600 miles they said 75w140 synthetic. That's what I wrote in my July article. Then they issued the bulletin which said 75w90 and showed 75w90 on the parts fiche.

Now they say verbally either is acceptable. I'll accept that. I feel better because that means my article in July wasn't wrong.

Since the bulletin says 75w90 and that's what they show on the fiche, I would personally still use the 75w90 but Customer Service says either is OK, so that's OK by me.

I still would like to see any BMW documentation (if it exists) as to heavier than 90 wt oil in the Oilhead and old K bike final drives.

If any body has such in an owner's or repair manual that specs heavier than 90 wt. please let me know.
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread. ... 714&page=3


It would be rather surprising that Paul would say this if it "it has been linked to rear drive failure in oilheads." But, of course, it has not. There was and may still be speculation about this being a cause, but that is not a "link." Also, as far as I know, those rear drive failures being spoken of are not in R1100's, at least, not in non-GS models. Am I mistaken about this?

Roc.....run the oil suggested in the owners manual.

OK, now that we've got that straightened out, what are the best tires for Oilheads?

Steve in Golden wrote:OK, now that we've got that straightened out, what are the best tires for Oilheads?

Run the tires suggested in the owner's manual.