worstn1ghtmare
New member
This is always good controversy on the Harley forums I frequent. Gets downright amusing sometimes. What is your go to oil in the R18?
Engine Oil
- Thread starter worstn1ghtmare
- Start date
Lepisale
Member
Lepisale
Member
It’s enough for exactly 5 changes, I’m using it in R18, 1250, RnineT, r1200c
Scott Semone
Well-known member
Mobil 1 Synthetic...
Like your HDs, the R18 uses different lubricants for engine oil and transmission so pretty much any "top shelf" oil that meets spec will be just fine. We all have our favorites and just for reference, the current "global" vendor for BMW labeled engine oil is Shell, but in the not so distant past it was Castrol for Europe and Spectro for North America. I usually just grab my "official BMW oil" and filter w/ crush washer when I'm near the shop, but while on trips I do carry the filter and washer and then source my oil from wherever/whatever jobber shop I may be able to do a parking lot oil change. Many BMWs and 100,000s miles also using Mobil 1, Spectro, Shell T6 (diesel oil), etc., etc., and never had any of them cause any issues.
Lepisale must have found Unicorn piss from Switzerland 
. Even divided down to five bikes, it breaks down to $68.20 per bike for a complete change.
Here's my go-to:
And, to put my $ where my mouth is, I even included my last purchase date, which was a few days ago. Getting oil now so I'm stocked up for spring.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D91Q402?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Note the approvals are actually BETTER than what BMW's own oil, Part # 83 21 2 334 736, calls for, which are: "API SM, JASO MA2".
BUT, if you go to "Petroleum Quality Institute of America's" website, they have a helpful visual, showing the advancements in "API S-" service categories.
http://www.pqiamerica.com/apiserviceclass.htm
BMW's own oil is using an OBSOLETE API Service Category, "API SM", whereas Liquid Moly is using the latest and greatest "API-SN Plus".
AND, it's cheaper by a long shot!!!!
That's my .02 cents on the matter.
Mike
. Even divided down to five bikes, it breaks down to $68.20 per bike for a complete change.Here's my go-to:
And, to put my $ where my mouth is, I even included my last purchase date, which was a few days ago. Getting oil now so I'm stocked up for spring.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D91Q402?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Note the approvals are actually BETTER than what BMW's own oil, Part # 83 21 2 334 736, calls for, which are: "API SM, JASO MA2".
BUT, if you go to "Petroleum Quality Institute of America's" website, they have a helpful visual, showing the advancements in "API S-" service categories.
http://www.pqiamerica.com/apiserviceclass.htm
BMW's own oil is using an OBSOLETE API Service Category, "API SM", whereas Liquid Moly is using the latest and greatest "API-SN Plus".
AND, it's cheaper by a long shot!!!!
That's my .02 cents on the matter.
Mike
Randy Kahn
Member
My bike only has 300 miles on it, not sure what BMW will put in it at the 600 mile service. But at around 2500-3000 miles I will switch to redline 20-50 synthetic. I'm in California and it's never that cold here, I'm thinking that blend will quiet down the motor a bit without effecting performance.
Ulrich
Well-known member
Bel-Ray 'Thumper' W15-50
... and yes 'Oil Threads' are amusing ... the great conundrum of the motoring world
... and yes 'Oil Threads' are amusing ... the great conundrum of the motoring world
Hardly a conundrum.Bel-Ray 'Thumper' W15-50
... and yes 'Oil Threads' are amusing ... the great conundrum of the motoring world
Just do research and use what you feel is best for your machine. As for me, Liquid Moly provides the best bang for the buck, based on real-life data. I'm not interested in buying Unicorn Piss.
Mike
Lepisale
Member
Yep, use to be unicorn piss till few years ago. It was actually green in color! I don’t know about others but I’ll pay top dollar for green colored oil!!!!
Joke aside, tread is “engine oil” not cheap or affordable or to meet specs.
Between me and my wife there is 7 BMW bikes in the garage, and 3 kids in the house all under 10!
So in total we are lucky if we manage to put over 1000 miles per year each. Not each bike!!
They are sitting in garage with AC, so I change all fluids and filters every 2 years, for last 6 years. Price of oil doesn’t make difference, my insurance is a killer!!
I wish I can drive more…..
Joke aside, tread is “engine oil” not cheap or affordable or to meet specs.
Between me and my wife there is 7 BMW bikes in the garage, and 3 kids in the house all under 10!
So in total we are lucky if we manage to put over 1000 miles per year each. Not each bike!!
They are sitting in garage with AC, so I change all fluids and filters every 2 years, for last 6 years. Price of oil doesn’t make difference, my insurance is a killer!!
I wish I can drive more…..
worstn1ghtmare
New member
I use Bel-Ray in my Harleys.Bel-Ray 'Thumper' W15-50
... and yes 'Oil Threads' are amusing ... the great conundrum of the motoring world
Bel-Ray is good stuff, I'd use the exs, but the exp juice would work well too.