Lube Oil recommendations

[Grant Freeman]

#2856

Hi,My bike has always been serviced by Bay motorcycles, but I am going to do oil changes etc from now and wondered if anyone recommends a particular oil for engine, gearbox and final drive and even brake fluid?Cheers,Mike

[Dave Ross]

#11619

I usually don't worry about any particular brand, as long as it meets the specifications set out in the handbook. Brand products , Motor oil usually 15w40  or 20w50, SF, SG, or SH. Gearbox oil and final drive 80w90 GL5. brake fluid DOT 4 or DOT 5.1, never DOT 5.  So far it's done 100 000km and hasn't blown up yet. I'll know more after 300 000km. You should probably check your final drive pivot bearing for any play. Grab the rear wheel and see if you can get any movement from 6 to 12 o'clock and from 3 to 9. There shouldn't be any.

[Grant Freeman]

#11620

Hi Kokopelli,Thanks for that. I bought some Castrol Active 4T - I phoned Bay motorcycles and asked what they used on every service they have given it and they recommended that oil. I just need a small top up for now, but may think of another oil when I do the change.I checked my final drive bearing as suggested and swing arm bearings too and as you suggest, there is no movement in either.I am two rides down the track of my intermittant problem now and the bike is going very well, so I hope the problem has gone away and never to return.Cheers,Mike

[Dave Ross]

#11621

Looks like you are set. I've just bought Castrol GTX 20w50 for $24 and Castrol EPX 80w90 GL5 for $13 from the Warehouse. I am sure the 1150 won't complain.

[Campbell Thomson]

#11622

Boy we could start a whole new debate on the old “oil” evergreen, i have lots of varing confusing info on the subject, but you are right Alex an engine does'nt go umm thats not Shell or Castrol just so long as its the correct grade.

[Grant Freeman]

#11623

Hi Guys,That is interesting Kokopelli that you buy GTX? Not specifically GTX as a brand but the fact that it is predominantly a car oil and ussually for older cars. I was of the thought that motorcycle oils had to be a different spec from Car oil - I have not compared the Castrol Active X spec against a standard mineral car oil, but are they similar?I use a semi synthetic oil in my car engine and have done for years, so if they are comparable in specifications, then my option would be to go to that oil, as I have had some good results with it over the years. 

[Dave Ross]

#11624

BMW bikes have a dry clutch, just like a car. They also have separate oil for the gearbox, just like a car. As long as it's the correct grade poor it in. I guess they can charge more money if there is a picture of a bike on the container. The bikes are not particularly high revving either, so I can't really see a problem. The critical bit is that the final drive and gearbox get GL5 rated oil. Soon I'll be able to get a second opinion on this from a guy who designs oils for gearboxes for a living, I'll post his opinion.

[dave.valma]

#11625

GL4 for the R80 tho.

[Dave Ross]

#11626

GL4 for the R80 tho.

I think paralever R80GS's also need GL5

[Campbell Thomson]

#11627

I have for the last nearly 20 years used Motul Gearbox in my BMW crash boxes seems to be the best , tired all sorts of things including GL and 10% Wynns

[Dave Ross]

#11628

I have for the last nearly 20 years used Motul Gearbox in my BMW crash boxes seems to be the best , tired all sorts of things including GL and 10% Wynns

I kept using that black stuff in the gear box of the R80, but the final drive currently just has 90 Gl5 in it. It's all I had at the time.I think  the 1150 still had 75w140 in it. Came out looking the same way it went in. I'll see what the the Castrol does in there. If I am not happy I'll change back.

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