[JapanBoxer]

I got my '09 with 9600km 3 weeks ago. I did my first training ride last weekend. It was 300km, half highway half in the mountains. We went from sea level and comfortable to almost 2000m and using the heated
grips. Today I did the same distance, but mostly highway. I found one road that suits my training purposes and did it a couple of times then for some reason had the sudden urge to check the oil level. On the center
stand the window was 2/3rds full. I've only put 900km. Is this normal?
My old RS ( 25 years ago ) didn't use any oil, if I am recalling correctly.

I want to go out again tomorrow, but I'm worrying about the oil level.
My manual is in Japanese! I'm having trouble understanding what it has to say on this. I would have come home with a quart of oil if I had any idea
it would consume oil like this.

The dealer doesn't open until late so if I go I'll have to go as it is and pick up the oil in the afternoon.

Any help anybody can give me here would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, why did my post turn out like this?( Lines of different lengths )

 

[bmwpower]

Did you buy the bike used? Did you notice the motor running rough and any weird smell coming from the engine???

That much oil going doesn't seem normal to me.

Did you get a chance to take it to the dealer to see what they will say/do?

 

[JapanBoxer]

running smooth

I'm going to the dealer today for a gas treatment. I'm going to ask about the break in period. A BMW rider here said the manual says to ride it hard
to allow the gaskets to seat properly on the super hard nikasil cylinder liners. If you don't it will use oil.

I'm ordering an English manual today.

 

[Clem]

Japan Boxer.
Hey. Clem here.
I'm in Himeji, Hyogo.
Where are you ?

 

[Clem]

My '96 R1100R used one liter of oil every 1000 kms for quite some time
before completely breaking in. It tapered off to half that now.
Check the oil level with the engine cold BEFORE you start it.
If it's operating temp. WAIT 10-15 minutes
to allow oil to drain down into the sump.
Get you a Haynes Repair Manual #4598(Amazon.com $25.95)for reference.
Clymer service manual is good, too.

 

[JapanBoxer]

Clem,

I'm in Kumatori-cho down near Kansai Airport. In haven't had much luck riding in this
rainy season. Before I got down to some nice roads in Wakayama a little past the end of the Hanwa-do. The weather forecast cheated me out of a good day today.
You ever get down this way?

 

[Clem]

Nope. Don't get down that way. Mostly West toward Okayama.
Rode 250s from Kouya-san over to Totsukawa, down to Shingu and back once.
I stick to the main roads on the BMW Roadster.
Hope for sunny weather in July.

 

[JapanBoxer]

Same here. I need to get out. I haven't had the chance to get around as much as I'd like. I just commute to work when I can these days. If Sunday's good your going to see a lot of bikes out. I'll be heading down to my curvy road early.

 

[rca]

oil

hi japanboxer
i am new to this forum and what i have read its all great , back to your oil consumption , i have kept the boxer engine boxers for quite a few years now , they all have used oil in the early stages , they stop using oil after about 20,000. up to a litre per 1000 mile , i used to worry , now i just top them up .. i always check mine when hot ,(swells when hot) .level ground . bike upright level and leave for 10 minutes before checking .
great bike .rca.

 

[Clem]

Hi Japanboxer
I agree with rca.
Oilheads will use some oil. Don't worry.
Check it level every morning before you ride.
Middle of the glass up to about the 3/4 level is what I go for.
Unless you ride over 600 miles/1000km a day, you're probably OK.
I carry a liter along on long trips.

One curious point:
1996 BMW R1100R owners manual clearly states up to 100cc for every 100 km.
BUT, I have yet to find the same maximum oil consumption statement
in the 2011 R1200R owners manual.

Maybe some Hexhead riders with high mileage could shed some light.
Does anyone have Hexhead that doesn't consume any oil?

 

[ammolab]

Only 700 miles on my new R1200R and I have used about 1/2 quart of oil.

This is in line with many posts from new owners so I am not concerned.

I will just top of the oil when needed.

 

[Classic11]

After break in my bike was at bottom 1/3 of sight glass and have added less than half a quart up to my current 3000 on the odometer.

 

[Okruszek]

Engine oil and temp

All,
I just found out tonight my R1200R engine oil level fell below minimum, I have to put in 1.5 liters before it showed. It was my fault I guess. BUT, used to own a BMW 325i and F800S I never ever have to worry about the oil level. Actually I even put together a BMW 1964 R50 and that bike did not drink as much oil as what has been stated in this forum!!

Anyway, as I said, this is the first time I bend over and look at the oil level since I bought from the dealer 3000 miles ago. God, I hope the engine have not been running without oil for too long! It's a new bike!! only 1700miles when I bought it! how can it be? I also noticed the engine temp always goes one line over the middle marking, is it normal?? I even saw once two lines over the marking in a traffic jam. I know it is an air cooled bike but... My F800s stayed at the middle marking no matter how bad the traffic was and how hot London get!

Please let me know what your R1200R's normal operating temp is. Mine is still under the warranty, I can still get any problem sorted.

Many thanks

 

[Clem]

Oil Temp

Okruszek, If you added 1.5 quarts before it showed in the bottom of the sight glass, it was too low. From the bottom to the top of the red circle in the sight glass is half a quart. So you were almost two quarts low. The engine takes about 4 quarts. Just check it every morning cold before starting out. Only 4700 miles, so the engine is not yet broken it. Keep the oil topped up, vary the RPMs a lot, and run it as hard as your nerves and road conditions will permit. After 10,000 miles oil use will decrease greatly, and gas mileage will improve.

The F800S is water cooled, and therefore the temperature stays in the middle of the bars. It has a cooling fan, also. Overheating isn't a big worry. I had a red one. What a SWEET little bike!

My 2012 R1200R usually stays in the center with 4 bars. Since it has been 90-100 degrees recently, a fifth bar has popped up after exiting the highway and getting caught in traffic. That's normal I think, No worries. Never seen 6 bars, but even if I did, I wouldn't panic.

 

[MrsBeamer]

my bike has just under 10000kms and now uses very little oil. I just had a weeks holiday in France where I covered over 2500kms all together and I only had to put in about half a tea-cup to bring it back upto the top of the sight glass.
The temperature gauge stays pretty much normal too, even riding 2 up in a hot country (Sicily)
I'd be very careful and make sure you do not run the bike so low on oil. I hope you haven't damaged the engine.

 

[drDave]

So what oil would you guys recommend to top of a 2012 Classic?

 

[Okruszek]

To MrsBeamer, I hope so too, what sign should I be looking out for? the engine feels and sounds fine to me. But then again this is the first modern boxer engine I own so not sure what is normal.

To drDave, I put in Castrol 10W40 last night because it was the best one available in the garage. I have a sticker on the bike under the seat, it said Castrol 10W50. I guess it was from the BMW factory or the dealer so I assume it is correct.

 

[Okruszek]

I also have a red F800s, I still have it. It is such a great bike the only problem I have with it is the seating position. One is ok, two up is not so great. But what a fun bike.

 

[MD11]

I just did my 600 mile break in change at 550 and there was hardly any oil burn... I rode it hard (5500 as often as I could on acceleration and even 6500 when the manual allowed). I am going to monitor it for the next 3000 miles and if it's not burning any, switch to synthetic.. probably castrol or bmw brand.

 

[drDave]

The BMW people at Cycle Works said that 1200 owners should switch to synthetic (if they want) at about 10k miles because that's when everything is fully seated.