Boxerworks.com

Major Softie wrote:

MCboston wrote:My 1992 R100GS has been running on Castrol 4T 20W-50. I do not see any reason to change this.
Opinions please!

In my opinion, MCboston is trying to start an oil-thread

Well, thanks for all your great advice and I will definitely continue to use oil.
Apparently I threw up my question rather quickly and should have been more specific.
I used to have a 1999 R1100RT that was switched from mineral to synthetic at the recommended mileage.
My '92 GS has a little over 55,000 miles on it and runs great on mineral oil and regular 87 octane gas. I plan on taking a trip down to south america in the next couple of years and it seems that keeping running the current juices in the bike would be the way to go considering availability of higher octane gas and type of oil.
So my question boils down to "is there any benefit to switching to semi or fully synthetic oil?"
That's besides the obvious benefits of higher fiction protection, any reasons NOT to use it?

Oil threads are not popular here. We each have an opinion.

I am sure that some are better than others. What I do know is that in my BMW shop (a hundred years ago) the main oil issue that we saw was NO OIL in the engine.

My opinion is to use good quality oil and change it often. Look at your owner's manual and follow that. IF you don't have one, get one.

Just about any question that you can have about your bike is already answered somewhere on the Internet. Just use Google to search. Try "bmw motorcycle" and then the issue. Ex; "bmw motorcycle clutch" or whatever it is. You will find some good sites that will be useful, so book mark them for easy finding later.

Welcome to the "home" and enjoy our bantor. There are a few here who know these bikes well.

If we don't know the answer, don't fret, we will just make up an answer.

The primary reasons to use full (100% ester) synthetic are:
Far greater resistance to heat
Longer retention of viscosity (which can be useful if you have to run more miles between oil changes).

The ONLY reason not to use it is the much higher cost. If you need to run a lot of miles without a change (long touring trip, 24 hour racing, etc.), or if you are in a very hot environment, it's definitely worth the cost. Otherwise, it's very arguable.

O.K., just wanted some opinions outside the few beemer guys I know and I will not torment Duane Ausherman with any more "OIL" questions.
Great forum by the way, I am glad I found it!

I don't use oil at all. I much prefer good ol' 710.



Oh, and welcome!

MCboston wrote:My 1992 R100GS has been running on Castrol 4T 20W-50. I do not see any reason to change this.
Opinions please!

I believe 4T has additives for gearbox. You don't need this. Separate oil for trans, is a sign of quality engineering IMNSHO. You are paying too much!

I'm running Mobil 1 15W50 for last decade. No problems, maybe a little seepage, but at my age it's bound to happen.

MCboston wrote:O.K., just wanted some opinions outside the few beemer guys I know and I will not torment Duane Ausherman with any more "OIL" questions.
Great forum by the way, I am glad I found it!

You've passed the test, MC. Make yerself at home. Pull up a comfy chair and feel free to imbibe your preferred recreational chemical (in moderation, of course). I reckon South America will be sure to provide as much adventure as you could want. I believe there is much 'vividness' there. I look forward to reading about it, along with a review of whichever oil you finally choose. My old girl seems happy with a good name brand mineral 20-50, SG vintage, replaced at 5000 km intervals.

A few people have said that full synthetic is more likely to seep past middle-aged or old seals.
I don't know how much of a problem it is, so I went with semi-synth. I was in 1/2 - 1 hour summer traffic jams at the time and the seals reached 120,000km. without leaking. Had no oil breakdown (that I know of) or seal (original) issues.

Also, semi-synth is still a reasonable price.

Still - if my only choice was top-of-the-line dino oil in 20/50, I would be quite happy with that as it is probably better than any oil made when my bike was born.

Olive