K11 Owners Group

candleman · Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 5

I did my first long trip over the weekend, totalling 600 miles.
The bike performed flawlessly, and gave amazing fuel consumption.
I was averaging 55mpg (Imp)
The only thing is, she is using oil.
I got a friend of mine to follow me around today, and he told me there was no smoke at all.
So she runs great, gives excellent gas mileage, but uses about 0.2 of a litre of oil per 300 miles.
Is it normal for these engines to burn oil, and if so what is considered acceptable ?
Thanks for any advice you can give.

Dieselyoda · Joined: 23 Feb 2014 Posts: 23 Location: Winnipeg, MB

Having been a service manager for a large OE Heavy Equipment manufacturer, there have been lost of guidelines established about oil consumption and when it becomes a problem.

The most aggressive guideline I have seen came from a gasoline engine manufacturer that said 1L per 1000 kms was acceptable.

That roughly translates to replacing the entire volume of oil in the family car between average service intervals. That seems ridiculous to me but no warranty until that measurement is exceeded.

Your volume of oil consumption seems very conservative and a lot of factors can play a role in oil consumption. Bottom line, I don't think you have any worries.

Scott_Anderson

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:04 pm Post subject:

Candleman,

I had answered your very first post here on the K11OG, but forgot to say WELCOME!

So you are using roughly .7L per 1000 miles.

These brick engines are all over the place as far as oil consumption, but yours seems OK.

I have found that the hotter summer temperatures made my previous K1100RS and current '92 K100RS4V use more oil.

Ride on!

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

candleman · Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 5

Many thanks for your replies, and for putting my mind at rest.
My biggest concern was head gasket failure, but I can see no signs of cross contamination in the oil or water.
So it seems my bike is behaving perfectly normally.
Phew.
In response to the last post, I did wonder about the ambient temperature.
The mileage I've been doing had been in relatively high temperatures (for the UK).
I plan to do an oil change soon,
What oil would you recommend.
The handbook seems a bit ambiguous on this,

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:54 pm Post subject:

After our winter (no riding) layoff, I do an oil and filter change and use 10W-40.

But as summer temperatures climb I try to find straight 40 weight or even 50 weight oil to refill the crankcase.

Others will have differing views I expect.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

old guy old bike · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:10 pm Post subject:

I use 20W-50 all year around. Very seldom ride below 25°F and always allow the machine time to warm up before riding.
Jeff
_________________
1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

jr'sbmw · Big Brick Rider Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 54 Location: Fl

My 97 K11LT uses a quart to 4,000. I had an 1985 K100RT for 17 years and that would use little in 4000. Nothing to do with BMW's, but a long time ago, I had a 1978 Yamaha XS 750 triple that I put 50k on. It always used a quart to 600, never smoked, plugs didn't foul, no leaks, ran great, so I just kept adding oil!!!!. On long trips out west, I carried extra quarts. Memories. Did my first 1000 mile day on that bike and it went on reserve at 135, so lots of stops. Fill it with oil and add gas!!!

Don Sproule · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 10:42 pm Post subject:

My '95 LT stopped using oil when I switched to Mobil 1 15W/50 a few years ago.
Fill it to the red dot and not above.

Don

candleman · Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 5