What did you do to your R18 today?
- Thread starter TodkaVonic
- Start date
Decided to do an oil change even though for warranty purposes I need to take the bike in for it's first annual service in a couple of months. I'd covered enough miles since it's initial break in service that I thought it was worth it. Like most things, my oil dranage pans where to tall.... nothing ever goes as planned!
Anyway, went for a ride.... I'd swear the motor is quieter.
When I got the bike from the dealer it only had 70kms on it but was 21/3 manufacture.... so they did the 1,000km service on it before delivery to me (inc brake fluid). It has done 5,000 km now.... I probally should had done the oil a bit sooner.
I'm not keen on dealer servicing, as I live in the country and lose a whole day for a simple service. Though I do need to have the dealer service the bike to keep the warranty intact (an Australian thing).... so normally get it serviced until the last warranty year (5th for the R18).... mostly I don't bother in the last year as the risk of an issue in the 3rd (if a 3 year warranty) or 5th year of ownership is quite low (unless a known issue is likely).... but I also don't want to start having services a bit early as by year 5 the annual service will have crept forward by up to 5 or more months. Yes, I am that calculated. Anyway, given the oil is only $60 for 4 litres, and I could hear how happy the bike was, I am now going to do a mid service simple oil change from now on. I won't bother with a filter though.
Anyway, went for a ride.... I'd swear the motor is quieter.
When I got the bike from the dealer it only had 70kms on it but was 21/3 manufacture.... so they did the 1,000km service on it before delivery to me (inc brake fluid). It has done 5,000 km now.... I probally should had done the oil a bit sooner.
I'm not keen on dealer servicing, as I live in the country and lose a whole day for a simple service. Though I do need to have the dealer service the bike to keep the warranty intact (an Australian thing).... so normally get it serviced until the last warranty year (5th for the R18).... mostly I don't bother in the last year as the risk of an issue in the 3rd (if a 3 year warranty) or 5th year of ownership is quite low (unless a known issue is likely).... but I also don't want to start having services a bit early as by year 5 the annual service will have crept forward by up to 5 or more months. Yes, I am that calculated. Anyway, given the oil is only $60 for 4 litres, and I could hear how happy the bike was, I am now going to do a mid service simple oil change from now on. I won't bother with a filter though.
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I always notice the quieter engine. Then I switched to Liqui Moly and even better.
The Australian oil I'm running is a API SP rated oil.... (15w50)... I'm still lacking data on the need for a MA2 rating or how a SJ - SN rating oil compares to a SP rated oil in an air cooled boxer (all other things being equal). But extensive reading hasn't shed any light on the matter.... though it is clear SN is a higher/better rating.... so would the bike be best off with with a 15w50 SJ MA2 (minimum spec) or a 15w50 SN?
My reading suggests the MA2 is all about an ok "modern type" oil that works ok with wet clutches.
jp R18T
Member
BluebobbeR18
Member
The R18 has a dry clutch, from what I’ve read, so does a wet clutch oil just signify a better oil?
Wet clutch oil isn’t necessarily better oil, it’s just a different specification. Well, the weather Gods were in a good mood today so I got the bike out for its first ride of 2024. Found some nice quiet country roads and opened it up a bit more than I perhaps normally would, blew the cobwebs off, for a big girl she’s no slouch! Really enjoyed it. 
Ulrich
Well-known member
Damn ... we had some snow the last week and 27º (F) this morning ... I guess I have to wait a bit ... sigh
I need to open something like this near me... if they wont have it already its our job to create it lol
Not sure where you are based but they have one in LA
Yea… I’m in Florida.
Florida had an Ace Cafe Orlando franchised from the original Ace Cafe London, for a while.
Having visited the original one in London I was so glad to have a local one just a couple of hours away.
Sad to see them close.
Having visited the original one in London I was so glad to have a local one just a couple of hours away.
Sad to see them close.
Im south, Fort Lauderdale area. I own a euro shop and we are trying to move into a new building that we are constructing... if that happens Im trying to hold events.
FLL are here too.
I have been dying to find a local rider to hang with. Tomorrow I’m doing my Arnott air suspension install at my shop on a day off. Would be a perfect hang out.
Okay today I installed the arnott air suspension! I’m in loveeeeee! Will post vid soon!
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