BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

"BMW’s air-cooled motors had a reputation for ‘burning’ oil, but most losses were down to evaporation, not poor tolerances – it’s why Motorex’s Boxer 15W50 oil was created, after a German BMW specialist approached the company wanting to eliminate the need for long-distance riders to carry a spare litre."

At the last oil & filter change, Motorex Boxer 15W50 was used in my Camhead. A spare litre was purchased for topping up, it'll be interesting to see how the oil performs.

Greetings from new member.  Been riding since 1986 on K100, R100R Mystic, K1100LT, another K100 and now 2011R1200RT.  The R1200RT is an amazing cruiser.


Question:  I purchased Liqui-Moly 10-60 synthetic oil for first oil change.  Have not put it in yet.  I emailed the company in Germany and they said not to use it and recommended another product as this oil is for automotive use.  Has anyone used this in their oilhead and would you feel confident using it?  Thanks for your input!~

You bought the oil THEN emailed the company to ask if it was any good for ya bike ???
You've ridden all those bikes and even after being told not to use the oil,still persist in asking is it ok to use.
This has got to be a wind up,shirley.

I know someone who used 10w-60 viscosity oil in their Hexhead GS. The reason being that it helps to reduce cam chain rattle on start up and it did. The 10w-60 range is outside of any recommended for a Camhead but the following is quoted from the link in the first post of this thread.

Does it matter what viscosity of oil I use?
It’s important to use the correct oil for your engine, but if for some reason you had to use something else, a 10W50 would cover the range demanded by an engine that’s designed for a 15W40 oil as the first number is lower and the second is higher.
The wider the viscosity range of an oil between ambient temperature and at 100°C, the more expensive it will be. But if there’s a warranty issue with the engine, the manufacturer will be looking to see that you used the oil that was specified, so there’s rarely a benefit to using an oil with a wider range than that specified.

I too have questioned the use of automotive (car) oils in a Camhead RT. In the Rider's Manual, the oil spec. is API SF / ACEA A2, or better. There is no mention of JASO motorcycle specific oil for wet clutch and integrated gearbox use. The Camhead has a dry clutch and separate gearbox, therefore, is like a car engine.

Have I used 10w-60 automotive oil in my 2012 Camhead, no and I wouldn't feel confident using it. Some reasoning is given, plus I get an oil & filter change done at a BMW dealer to retain a service stamp in the book and maintain the T&C's of a warranty. Therefore, I supply the dealer with the correct viscosity and spec. of oil which they themselves would use.

Fiordmann wrote:I purchased Liqui-Moly 10-60 synthetic oil.

Is this the Liqui Moly oil, https://products.liqui-moly.com/oils/sy ... -60-1.html at ACEA A3 / API SN, it exceeds the BMW recommended oil of ACEA A2 / API SF. The only difference is the 60 which is greater than the 50 in the Rider's Manual. I have used 10w-50, where the 10 is now less than the recommended 15. There doesn't seem to be any harm in having a viscosity range greater than the 15w-50 now recommended but as above, it's usually more expensive.

I have been using 20W50 for my beemers. Having tried 10W's ended up burning too much of that. Now I simply use 20W's and are even more careful warming up the engine sufficiently before going hard on the throttle. Very little oil gets burned. Oh and I park the bike on the main stand not on the side stand. So I don't get oil accumulating in the left hand cylinder (end ending up burning).

Nothing wrong with using 20w50 (Mineral),  that was the original BMW spec. oil for Hexheads, used it in my 2007 model.

David. wrote:"BMW’s air-cooled motors had a reputation for ‘burning’ oil, but most losses were down to evaporation, not poor tolerances – it’s why Motorex’s Boxer 15W50 oil was created, after a German BMW specialist approached the company wanting to eliminate the need for long-distance riders to carry a spare litre."

At the last oil & filter change, Motorex Boxer 15W50 was used in my Camhead. A spare litre was purchased for topping up, it'll be interesting to see how the oil performs.

After 5,600 miles, my RT is now due an oil & filter change, I've used the full 1 litre of Motorex oil for topping up over this period.

The new oil will be 15W50 Motul 5100, as above, got 1 litre for topping up. I wonder if it'll last between oil changes.

Found this article on motorcycleinfo.co.uk, BMW R1200GS Alternative Engine Oils & Other FAQ (motorcycleinfo.co.uk) some useful info. on oils etc.

If you run more than one bike and they require different viscosity ranges, would you consider using an oil with a viscosity range that covers them all.

Here's an example, my XJ650 uses 10W40, (used 20W50 in the good old days),  whilst the RT requires 15W50. If I buy 10W50, both viscosity ranges are covered. The RT used to run on 10W50, I had 1.5 litres left and was given a further 1.5 litres, both different brands. Not wishing to waste the oil, it's now in the XJ650. I would be happy to use the same in both bikes but it is true that the greater the viscosity range, the more expensive the oil is. Plus, BMW now recommend 15W50 and I supply the oil to the dealers. Have also got a quantity of 10W40 for the XJ650.

So, it looks like I'll be sticking with the two different viscosity ranges, what would you do and why.

You cannot find a better, more highly tested oil than Amsoil Metric MCV 10W40 for motorcycles and Amsoil Severe Gear 75W110. There isn’t a better oil in existence. Google the testing and see for yourself.

The Best Motorcycle Oil In The World!

Looking at this video reminded me of the following. As per the BMW Rider's Manual, the engine oil spec. is API SF / ACEA A2, or better, with various viscosity ranges based on the ambient temperature. No mention of JASO MA or MA2 for wet clutches. The 2012 Camhead has a car like dry clutch. The BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC Pro oil spec. is SAE 15W-50, API SJ / JASO MA2. Why pay more for a wet clutch oil when it is not required. Has anyone used a car oil in their dry clutch RT.

I do recall investigating use of a good quality "Car" oil in my RT's but found difficulty in sourcing one with the required 15w-50 viscosity.