What oil BMW Boxer ?

[JackDaniels]

Hi Guys,

I have a 2003 BMW R1150GS and I need to top up the oil but im yet to find a definite answer as to what oil I need, looks to be either 15w50 or 20w50.

the best I can find locally is a semi synth 20w50 from Halfords.

this seems to be what James Sherlock stock for the 1150 boxer engine.

Thanks
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Yep that semi 20w50 is fine.

oh you want that qualified....BMW say use a semi 20w50.
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[kgm]

Does the owners manual not tell you?

[kgm]

Page 3/75. Either 20w50 or 15w50 look fine.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fcoc1drndi1bwim/BMW%20R1150GS%20Maintenance%20Instructions.pdf?dl=0

[stinkwheel]

BMW are one of the more sensible manufacturers in this respect. I suspect it's down to the TUV insisting owners do not deviate from manufacturers recommendations. So they make very broad recommendations. They generally do the same with tyres, because it is not permitted to deviate from the OEM recommendation, you get a long list in the handbook.

Here, BMW oil chart.:

https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/BMW-Oil-Recommendations.jpeg

So take your pick. You could make a good argument for 20w-50 in the summer and 10w-40 in the Winter.

If it was me, I'd bung 15w-50 in. My Enfield takes 20w-50 and it's increasingly hard to come by and often lower quality. That said, it's effectively a WW2 tractor engine you're putting it in so they're not terribly fussy.

EDIT: Beaten to it, the chart in the above dropbox is more up to date than the one I found.
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[JackDaniels]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

My pleasure.

[edit]
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[kgm]

The link I posted is to the owners manual if you need a copy.