BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I've had the bike since November and been monitoring the oil level. It's dropped a little, and I want to top it up. I'd appreciate some advice about which oil to use. Do I buy from The dealership or can I get something appropriate from Halfords, say? If so, what? Was wondering if this is OK from Halfords ....?

Halfords Motorcycle Engine Oil Fully Synthetic 5W/40 - 5ltr

Also, how much to add eg what quantity approx is needed to top up from slightly below the inner circle?
First time I've attempted this so any/all advice gratefully received.

My advice would be to delete this question as you will open can of worms.

Better a can of worms than a seized engine?  8)

lol I used overpriced BMW oil but bike new and under warranty. but only topped up once. now on 11,000 miles.

What oil has the engine got in at present, if it's the dealer OEM stuff, then I'd by 1 litre from them for topping up.

The Rider's Manual give a spec. of SAE 5W-40, API SL / JASO MA2, the BMW (Shell) Advantec is API SN & JASO MA-2, this exceeds the API rating which is alphabetical.

The top & bottom of the inner circle of the sight glass is the MAX & MIN level. A maximum of 0.95 litres is the difference between MIN and MAX levels.

Down the line, if you are doing your own servicing or wish to supply the dealers with oil, then more cost effective alternatives are available.

Thanks David, exactly what I was looking for.

Just remember your bike has a wet clutch.  Normal type oil bought from the likes of Halfords will be for cars.  It could wreck your clutch very quickly.  Use OEM stuff.

If you buy Halfords motorcycle oil, check the JASO rating.

The JASO MA and MA2 standards are designed to distinguish oils that are approved for wet clutch use, and the JASO MB standard is not suitable for wet clutch use.

Thanks all for the feedback. I don't know what oil it has in at present. It came from Hunts Manchester not a BM dealer.

If it needs topping up by a large amount and your concerned about possibly mixing oils, then I would recommend just to purchase the right oil, a filter and do a mini service.
Will give you peace of mind for a small outlay, plus the engine will thank you for it,
You could do a video on the oil change procedure for your return to biking series[size=78%] [/size]be[size=78%] [/size]

Back2TheBike wrote:I don't know what oil it has in at present. It came from Hunts Manchester not a BM dealer.

When (at what date/mileage) & where was the last service done.

michaelc2710 wrote: If it needs topping up by a large amount and your concerned about possibly mixing oils, then I would recommend just to purchase the right oil, a filter and do a mini service.
Will give you peace of mind for a small outlay, plus the engine will thank you for it,
You could do a video on the oil change procedure for your return to biking series[size=78%] [/size]be[size=78%] [/size]

Thanks for that. It might make a great film of a engine making some strange noises too if I got it wrong. A bit nervous about that ...


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David. wrote: When (at what date/mileage) & where was the last service done.

3500 miles last service in Nov '17 now done around 4200.


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Back2TheBike wrote:3500 miles last service in Nov '16 now done around 4200.

In which case the bike is overdue a 12 months service inc. an oil & filter change. Therefore, as Michael has suggested, dump the oil & filter and replace with new.

David. wrote: In which case the bike is overdue a 12 months service inc. an oil & filter change. Therefore, as Michael has suggested, dump the oil & filter and replace with new.

Apologies David, typo, my big fingers, was actually Nov 2017 ...only a couple of months ago.


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