BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Age old question when can I put full synthetic oil in my engine R1150R 15000 kilometers

When it stops burning oil. Usually 12k to 20k miles. Speed up the process by riding it like you stole it.

Or never!

My GS had 100,000 miles on it when I sold it.
Nothing but mineral oil was ever used and it did not burn or leak a drop!
You're changing the oil every 3000 anyway.
Using synthetic is like putting high octane gas in a VW bug. What's the point?

Stay away from the synthetics. Causes oil leaks everywhere...eventually...for our bikes. Regular dino oil at regular intervals is best for our bikes. You'll probably end up selling the bike before you see any return on your money using synthetic oil. Well, it may cost you more than the increase in cost of buying synthetics. If your rear main seal starts leaking its gonna cost you $800-$1800 depending if you do the fix or the dealer replaces the seal. Lets not even get into the possible damage that may be done to the clutch plates...

Just use regular dino oil at the recommended maintenance intervals.

Also I don't recommend seafoam in the engine oil without a good reason and you know what you are doing. May cause oil seepage in the seals....for our bikes.

Rich

I changed to Synthetic at 6k miles. I have 64k now on the bike. The Castrol 5-50 is the best especially for cold starts. Buy it at Walmart, and change it yourself, and save $.

I put in Amsoil 20W-50 at 12k. After riding it like I stole it. Many thanks to the late Pat Williams for that info.

I've been running Castrol 20/50 dino since 2003. In the past two years I've noted virtually ZERO oil usage or seepage. Of course the fact that I've not ridden the bike since May of 2010 has no bearing.

I have been cautious to keep my antifreeze topped off however.