Oil change frequency for R12R

[R12RnHouston]

I've been on my used 2007 R12R for just a few months. Can anyone confirm BMWs recommended oil change frequency. My book was stamped at 18K, is the next service really not due until 30K?

Thanks,

David

[deilenberger]

Oil change intervals are every 6,000 miles. Inspection intervals may be what you're looking at..

[R12RnHouston]

My manual says after first 6K miles, and every additional 12K for BMW Service; 12K intervals for BMW Inspection. Six thousand miles between oil changes sounds about right to me, but is it not in the manual?

[deilenberger]

My manual says after first 6K miles, and every additional 12K for BMW Service; 12K intervals for BMW Inspection. Six thousand miles between oil changes sounds about right to me, but is it not in the manual?

Each progressively more expensive service always includes all lower (less expensive services) as part of the service.. ie

Inspection - includes doing an oil service. So 6,000 miles is the numba.

[Bill Stevenson]

Correct on 6,000 mile oil change intervals, but my dealer says that is too long at least in this hot climate. He recommends 3,000 for oil changes even if using synthetic. I put synthetic in my bike at 12,000 about 8 weeks ago and am watching it very closely now.

Bill

[deilenberger]

Correct on 6,000 mile oil change intervals, but my dealer says that is too long at least in this hot climate. He recommends 3,000 for oil changes even if using synthetic. I put synthetic in my bike at 12,000 about 8 weeks ago and am watching it very closely now.

Bill

Bill,

Might I suggest your dealer is fulla'poop.. and it would be worthwhile for you to send a sample to Blackstone Labs and have them determine if 6,000 miles is safe or not.



Of course with BMW Synthetic selling at $14-15/quart - the dealer isn't motivated by greed..

[Bill Stevenson]

Thanks Don. Actually my dealer is not motivated by greed. They tried to talk me out of using synthetic at all because it is not economic if the oil should be changed every 3,000 miles anyway. Their argument, and this is a dealer, 441 Cycles, has been in business under the same ownership and exclusively BMW since the 1940s, is that the oil comes out of the bikes smelling burnt and looking far too dirty when the interval is extended to 6,000 miles. They also say that over the years high mileage bikes (note: older bikes not R1200R) with 3,000 mile oil changes typically go a lot further before needing rebuild than bikes that had extended oil changes. I intend to draw an oil sample for analysis and appreciate your info on the lab. I have used Witco Chemical in the past but they only test their own oil.

Bill

[Tom Barnhart]

I agree with Don. The 6K interval is more than sufficient for the modern engines. The folks at 441 may have been in the business since dirt was invented but the only reliable tech in that shop (Raymond) retired a few years ago. Everyone else there is either a sales person or family member interested in making their next boat payment. Check with the folks at BMW of Orlando, they use Amsoil exclusively and have never had an engine failure caused by oil.

Check out Amsoil 20/50 Motorcycle oil. Local distributor sells it for about $10/qt, or you can go to their web site and register to be a preferred customer and buy it for 20 to 25% off.

[deilenberger]

I agree with Don. The 6K interval is more than sufficient for the modern engines. The folks at 441 may have been in the business since dirt was invented but the only reliable tech in that shop (Raymond) retired a few years ago. Everyone else there is either a sales person or family member interested in making their next boat payment.

Indeed - had a friend who was in sales at 441 cycles - Raymond was the only tech he'd let touch his bike. And the stories of what went on behind the scenes there were VERY interesting.

[red baron]

Since you are discussing oil change frequency, my question is after how many miles do you have to add oil? After today's ride and after have ridden the bike for 3,800 miles since the last oil change, the oil level is almost at the bottom of the glass.? I added enough oil to bring the level back to the middle of the glass. What are your experiences. Thanks
Peter

[bobw]

Peter

Not to be a smart arse, but add when needed. Each engine and how it is broken in and ridden can cause a wide range from none required to several ounces between changes. How many miles are on your bike and is she broken in, etc? Off hand it doesn't seem extreme, but the history would help.

[red baron]

The bike (08) has 10,400 miles on the odometer and I bought it from previous owner with about 3,3000 miles. Obviously one adds oil when needed. My question: Is it normal to use oil after the bike driven over 10,000 miles?

[Cosmic-Rider]

I agree with Don. The 6K interval is more than sufficient for the modern engines. The folks at 441 may have been in the business since dirt was invented but the only reliable tech in that shop (Raymond) retired a few years ago. Everyone else there is either a sales person or family member interested in making their next boat payment. Check with the folks at BMW of Orlando, they use Amsoil exclusively and have never had an engine failure caused by oil.

BMW of Orlando? The same boneheads that own BMW of Daytona. Did someone mention greed in an earlier post?

[Bill Stevenson]

Tom,

It is interesting the way someone can insinuate something or make a statement that will disparage the reputation of another without providing facts to back up the assertions. In this case you have cast aspersions upon 441 Cycle. For the record, I have been a customer there since moving to South Florida in 1997. Raymond was an excellent mechanic at 441 for many years before retirement as is his son, Tyler. Tyler has also been there for many years now, too, and carries on the family tradition. In addition to Tyler, there are 2 other fully factory trained BMW mechanics. All of them have worked on my bikes over the years. All are excellent and have never done anything that was not done correctly. They do all my work and I ride about 10-12K miles per year so over time this experience represents is a reasonable sampling of their service capabilities. Additionally, I have never heard one complaint about the shop or the work performed there in all those years by any other customer. 441 is an excellent dealer, well stocked, staffed by professionals. They bend over backwards to accommodate their customers.

I would appreciate it Tom, if you could keep your negativism in check in the future and stick to subjects you undoubtedly know more about. Or, if you insist on saying something like you did here, at least provide a verifiable basis for your statements. Thanks for your consideration of this request.

Bill

[bobw]

Peter

Mine is an 07 that I bought in January with about the same miles on it as your bike had. It now has appx 13K on it. I changed the oil when I got it and have done a couple more each at 3-4K miles intervals. I use BMW filters and 20-50 dino oil. I am anal about service and ride at a moderate to aggressive pace. I live minutes from the Blue Ridge Pkwy and almost all those miles are on mountain two lanes and I did a track school at VIR on it too. It has only used a tiny amount of oil after the track school (at appx 10K), not enough to even bother adding more oil. I will go to syn oil for my next change as I feel the engine has smoothed out greatly these last few K and I had to use up the oil I already had Break in procedure is a HUGE part of how soon and well your motor is seated and when it stops using oil (relatively speaking). My short oil interval helps with no real measurable useage and I also rode her like I was doing the initial break in, but at a higher RPM range. The previous owner lived near the mountains and had traded it in on a "better" around town bike. He had the dealer do the 600 mile service, etc., but I was a bit concerned if he ever let her stretch her legs properly for break in. There wasn't even a sign of tire wear past the center couple of inches of rear tire. You don't want to abuse a new engine, but idling around and lugging are two of the worst things you can do for break in. I am happy that it appears my motor runs fantastic, etc., but you may need to put the spurs to yours sooner than later. Waiting too long to run them in can prevent proper seating too.

Hope this longer answer provides some uselful, but still anecdotal information for you. It always comes down to each engine, how it is ridden, temps and loads, etc. Give her the once over and ride her like you stole it. They are made to RUN and make you smile. I would not worry about a small amount added well into a service or after very hard use. YMMV


Cheers and Good Luck!

[davidsfotos.com]

SF BMW told me if I go synthic I can't go back due to the gaskets = seals?

Is this true?
dw 1150R

[The Meromorph]

SF BMW told me if I go synthic I can't go back due to the gaskets = seals?

Is this true?
dw 1150R

No! That comment would have me looking for another shop.

[The Meromorph]

The bike (08) has 10,400 miles on the odometer and I bought it from previous owner with about 3,3000 miles. Obviously one adds oil when needed. My question: Is it normal to use oil after the bike driven over 10,000 miles?

Yes, it is. On a BMW anyway. BMW uses Nikasil coating on the cylinders, and isn't usually considered 'fully run in' until at least 15,000 miles. If you are getting oil consumption after 20,000, then you might be concerned.

By the way, you did allow the bike to sit for 10 minutes before you checked the sight glass?

[gsmoto31]

Tom,

It is interesting the way someone can insinuate something or make a statement that will disparage the reputation of another without providing facts to back up the assertions. In this case you have cast aspersions upon 441 Cycle. For the record, I have been a customer there since moving to South Florida in 1997. Raymond was an excellent mechanic at 441 for many years before retirement as is his son, Tyler. Tyler has also been there for many years now, too, and carries on the family tradition. In addition to Tyler, there are 2 other fully factory trained BMW mechanics. All of them have worked on my bikes over the years. All are excellent and have never done anything that was not done correctly. They do all my work and I ride about 10-12K miles per year so over time this experience represents is a reasonable sampling of their service capabilities. Additionally, I have never heard one complaint about the shop or the work performed there in all those years by any other customer. 441 is an excellent dealer, well stocked, staffed by professionals. They bend over backwards to accommodate their customers.

I would appreciate it Tom, if you could keep your negativism in check in the future and stick to subjects you undoubtedly know more about. Or, if you insist on saying something like you did here, at least provide a verifiable basis for your statements. Thanks for your consideration of this request.

Bill

+1 on 441 Cycle. Nothing but good experiences with the sales and service at this shop over the years.

Regarding the oil change frequency, I agree with the majority that 6,000 miles is just fine, especially when using synthetic oil.

[papasong]

Hi All,

I'm trying not to start a bunch of new threads... and this is related.

I'm still in the break-in period with my new R1200R. I think the BMW says to do the first service between 300 -600 miles.
I am under 300 miles today, but plan to do a weekend trip to Vermont and will put about 500 miles on the bike.
Any issues with doing the first service at 800 miles?

Thanks,
Jeff