[bmwdad]

I thought that I would add data to the oil usage threads.

Got my 2012 R1200R in November of 2011. It used about 8 oz of oil in the first 300 miles and about 1-2 oz in the subsequent 350 miles. Had break-in service done at about 650 miles. Now with about 1050 miles (400 more miles), and have used about 1-2 oz of oil.

300 miles 8 oz
350 miles 1-2 oz
Break-in service
400 miles 1-2 oz

 

[Gemse]

Hi there, oil consumption is definitely an interesting topic.

I bought a 2011 R12R in August last year. I did the run-in service at 1000 miles and am now at about 5000 miles. I needed about 3 quarts (= 96 Oz) for 4000 miles, or on average 24 oz/1000 miles. That is quite a bit more oil than I am used to put into a motorcycle. I had a V-Strom that practically needed zero oil adding. But of course, with that bike I spent the free time maintaining chain and sprocket, which is not needed with the R12R

I spoke to a BMW mechanic who pointed out that (a) accurate measuring (i.e. running the bike warm, place it on center stand, wait a minute or two and then check the oil level ) is important, and (b) that the bike may leak oil into the cylinders due to the horizontal boxer design when parked on the side stand for a prolonged time. In the latter case one observes the smoke cloud when starting the engine.
I also think that the tolerances of machined parts in an air/oil cooled motor may be a bit more forgiving to allow for more expansion compared to a water cooled motor. This in turn may allow more oil to get by into the combustion chambers.

At least one gets to put fresh oil into the engine rather frequently and I hope that the consumption will reduce over time. Overall I most certainly forgive the R12R the need for oil since it is an awesome motorcycle.

Ride safe guys, the season is coming!!!

 

[Gemse]

Quick follow up on oil consumption:
At about 5k miles my 2011 R12R drastically reduced oil consumption dropping to anout 1/6th of what it took. I just hit 10k miles and used about half a quart (16 oz) of oil during the last 4k miles. Thus the oil consumption dropped to about 4 ounces per 1000 miles.

 

[fleuger99]

My bike now has 5860 miles, purchased a new 2012 in March of this year. A friend and I just got back from a 2200 mile trip through Ontario Canada. I did an oil change a week before the trip and after the 2200 miles trip it took 250ml of oil.

Most days while riding we rode between 4 and 6 hours of riding with luggage. Longest day was coming home and we spent 9.5 hours in the saddle. 11.5 hours including fueling and food stops. Average temp was in the low 90's F. Awesome trip though.

 

[G6620]

Hi there, oil consumption is definitely an interesting topic.

I bought a 2011 R12R in August last year. I did the run-in service at 1000 miles and am now at about 5000 miles. I needed about 3 quarts (= 96 Oz) for 4000 miles, or on average 24 oz/1000 miles. That is quite a bit more oil than I am used to put into a motorcycle. I had a V-Strom that practically needed zero oil adding. But of course, with that bike I spent the free time maintaining chain and sprocket, which is not needed with the R12R

I spoke to a BMW mechanic who pointed out that (a) accurate measuring (i.e. running the bike warm, place it on center stand, wait a minute or two and then check the oil level ) is important, and (b) that the bike may leak oil into the cylinders due to the horizontal boxer design when parked on the side stand for a prolonged time. In the latter case one observes the smoke cloud when starting the engine.
I also think that the tolerances of machined parts in an air/oil cooled motor may be a bit more forgiving to allow for more expansion compared to a water cooled motor. This in turn may allow more oil to get by into the combustion chambers.

At least one gets to put fresh oil into the engine rather frequently and I hope that the consumption will reduce over time. Overall I most certainly forgive the R12R the need for oil since it is an awesome motorcycle.

Ride safe guys, the season is coming!!!

i bought my 2011 R1200R with 1047 miles on it. It seems to burn oil more when i use the engine to help slow the bike down by downshifting. More of the around town kind of riding. Highway riding and panniers attached not so much. I now have 4300 miles and have used almost 1 quart of 20W-50 oil in that 3,000 miles. More oil burn when Im riding the engine harder than taking it easy I notice. But bike runs great and no other issues to report. Im going to have to go with the other forumn members and just see if that tapers off over the next couple thousand miles. Really enjoy riding this bike !

 

[TinyTrains]

I have a 2009 and it took 12,000 miles before it stopped using oil. Now at 16k, it uses none, so do not fret. It took my old K75 15K to stop using oil. Those rings and cylinders take a while to break in. Engine breaking will use more oil when new as well. This is a good thing, those big jugs sucks oil into the rings while they are seating. I would use a lot of oil on canyon rides when new.

 

[02kewl]

I'm glad to hear I am not the only one burning oil! Earlier this year my wife and I each got a new 2012 R1200R. Seem to be great bikes and the fourth BMW bikes we have owned. The first two never used any oil. These two both between 1000 miles and 6000 miles each used over five quarts of oil? Seems a bit excessive to me. The dealership and BMW says this is considered normal and there's nothing they can do? They both suggested to continue to monitor oil usage. For me I hope they do get better as this seams to be what other folks are experiencing.

 

[steph]

Hi
Run a 2009 model done 42k from new oil useage now zero. Did use oil for quite some time. Need to check oil when at normal working temp.

 

[abronzetiger]

From 3800 - 6300 miles: 1½ quarts (1 before 6000 Mile service and ½ since.)

 

[DJ_Fission]

I know this thread is a little old, and I am personally new to the world of motorcycling, so: how much oil does an average bike use? Not just our R1200R, but in general. I find this an interesting topic because I rarely worry about oil consumption in my car, but it seems to be a hot topic for bike riders. Thanks boys.

 

[Clem]

how much oil does an average bike use? Not just our R1200R, but in general?
The BMW F800 series bikes use no oil in my experience. Most new Japanese bikes use no oil. The BMW Boxer engines will use some oil. Don't be alarmed. It's the nature of the beast. If consumption does not exceed a quart every 1000 miles, just keep her topped up, and ride her like you stole it. Good to go!

 

[yonderbob]

I know this thread is a little old, and I am personally new to the world of motorcycling, so: how much oil does an average bike use? Not just our R1200R, but in general. I find this an interesting topic because I rarely worry about oil consumption in my car, but it seems to be a hot topic for bike riders. Thanks boys.

My Honda VTX 1800 didn't use a drop of oil in 100,000 miles. The R has consumed about 2 quarts in 7,000 miles. but it is using less now than when new.

 

[bmwdad]

Follow-up on oil usage in my 2012 R1200R: Nearly stopped using oil at about 5,000 miles. Used about 200 cc from 5,000 to 6,200 miles, with usage continuing to drop during this interval.

 

[larry]

I know this thread is a little old, and I am personally new to the world of motorcycling, so: how much oil does an average bike use? Not just our R1200R, but in general. I find this an interesting topic because I rarely worry about oil consumption in my car, but it seems to be a hot topic for bike riders. Thanks boys.

In general, most bikes use zero, nada, nothing, in my experience with a lot of (mostly) Japanese bikes over the years. I don't get this BMW burning oil stuff at all, but as most posters have said, it does seem to go away.

 

[Birkenfelder]

Must be the nature of the beasts. My more recent Honda, Acura and Toyota vehicles have never used any oil whatsoever...none. A few of them have gone well over 175,000 miles...and still virtually no oil use.

Conversely, I bought my first BMW auto (a '68 2002 tii) many years ago...broke it in properly, and it used oil from day 1. Lots of it. So did my subsequent '70 BMW 2800CS, and a Bavaria. Even more oil consumption. So did two other BMW cars...likewise a Porsche 356C. All bought new, all maintained to perfection...none ever abused. The only Japanese product I have owned that used oil was a Subaru...btw, with boxer engine! That overall oil use was one of the criterion used in walking away from all German autos. It was a tough break for me...only owned German stuff for almost 30 years prior to my first Honda Accord in 1996

Oil usage is disappointing as I associate oil consumption with lesser internal tolerances. Some of my pro Porsche techs agree, others do not.
So far, my R12R has used about 150 cc over its initial 3000+ miles. I've learned to expect that consumption, and don't fret over it. It will likely reduce consumption over time.

Just remember to check that sight glass after the bike has been on level ground, on the center stand...and has sat unmolested at least overnight.

 

[David R]

2112 r12r

Used about 1 quart or i liter in the first 5,000 miles. It has used none in the last 1,000 miles.

I broke it in by the book except I changed the oil at 190 miles, 900 miles, 2,700 miles and 5,700 miles. Its now at 6,700 and still full.

I rode it today for the first full day this year. One sweet running bike!

David

 

[las]

The oil consumption is to be expected in the early life of an air cooled twin engine. The rings take time and repeated heat and cooling cycles to fully seat. If broken in properly, oil consumption will be reduced to almost nothing over time. One of the beauties of the boxer engine is its simplicity and concomitant durability. No water pumps, fans, fan belts/motors/ hoses. It is indestructible-in all climates and conditions- provided you feed it a but if oil now and again in its early life.

 

[Two Up]

I was worried when I noticed a little bit of consumption in mine. It has been hot here (around 90 degrees F) lately and most of my riding is with my wife and at least something in one of the cases. After a 240 mile ride Saturday in 90+ degree heat, I noticed the oil level a little lower than usual. After a 100 mile ride Sunday in the same heat, I looked and the oil is below the minimum mark in the sight glass. My wife called BMW of Louisville where we bought it and the tech said not to add any oil because they serviced it when we bought it (two months and 3,000 miles ago) and he KNEW it couldn't be low. By the way, my bike has about 29,800 miles on it. The best part was when I bought a quart of oil, I looked under the seat for the tool kit to remove the oil filler plug and the kit wasn't there. Apparently it wasn't there when I bought it, and I hadn't had any reason to look for it until I needed it. Now I have to wait for them to send me a new tool kit so I can add a little oil before I ride it.

 

[PinchiHuerinchi]

Phew

I am really glad to find this thread. I have had my 2011 (3600 miles) for less than a week, and I noted the oil level at a little less than 1/2 when I left the dealership. 400 miles later, it's all the way at the bottom! I panicked, went 2 blocks to a pep boys, topped it off with some Mobil full synthetic 20w-50, (used almost a quart). I didn't have the oil cap wrench either, but getting oil in there was the most important thing. I opened it with a screwdriver. I'm going to pick up the wrench and maybe a new cap at the dealer next week. I called the dealer. He said it was pretty normal for less than 10k to use oil. I figure that the previous owner had probably never rides it like I did (all city streets, lots of engine braking), so it is probably still in the infant stage of its break in.

 

[Svaha!Dean]

I have a 2014 model off the showroom floor as of 6/11/14.

Between 1000mi and today rolling over 4500mi, I have added 1.75 Qts and am monitoring everyday.