Using oil?

[bigjnsa]

I performed my first oil/fluid change approximately 1500 miles ago. Sunday while I was going over the bike, I noticed the oil level in the check window was barely on the lower red "O" mark. I promptly filled it up to the top level and used 3/4 a quart. The bike doesn't smoke or leak, so where did the oil go?

[dechaoz05]

+1 here. I have exactly the same question..................

[sjbmw]

How many miles on the bike?

Boxer motors will burn oil the first 20+k of their lives, give or take a few k, depending on break in and usage.

It falls under the category of "they all do that".

[bigjnsa]

I put in the appropriate amount and ran the bike for about a minute so the oil filter could fill up as well as the oil coolers. The level was still at the top after this. Good thing I noticed it because its been hot here in South Texas.

How many miles? 26k and change

[dechaoz05]

How many miles on the bike?

Boxer motors will burn oil the first 20+k of their lives, give or take a few k, depending on break in and usage.

It falls under the category of "they all do that".

i got 24k on my 02

[Dr. Strangelove]

as long as it's anywhere in the window, AFTER side stand for ~10 min, then center stand for 10 min, you're fine.

Do not overfill. That promotes (probably temporary) leaks.

John

[duegi]

Have to beat Towerworker to the punch...

Check Oil Level Kabuki Dance thread, everyone pile on!!!

Sorry guys couldn't refuse. Adding on to Dr. Strangelove you've got to get the bike good and warmed up with a ride of 15-20 minutes before starting the waltz.

Then the dance begins like Strangelove says above...

Add oil slowly and over a few days as the fox-trot method of checking BMW oil levels isn't fool-proof. For some reason the oil coolers like to hold onto the oil...

[riceburner]

Mine has 83,000+ miles - it still burns oil..... (and I don't ride it gently.)

[Dr. Strangelove]

Mine has 83,000+ miles - it still burns oil..... (and I don't ride it gently.)

Mine too, with 79300 miles.
But it doesn't seem to use it at the same rate. It seems to use it more on the first day of a trip, maybe the hardest day? Sometimes it seems she uses half a quart in <1500 miles, and sometimes goes that far without the level changing at all.

Using synthetic, and she has been that way since ~~ 24000 miles. No big deal, just keep an eye on it.

[dechaoz05]

I ride hard too. but that raises another question. why would riding style affect how much oil it burns? i ride my vfr hard too and the oil level is always pretty constant.. this is a beemer feature? jut wondering

[duegi]

It's crazy to say the least as to when, why, and where the R1150 motor burns oil...

In my case, '04 R1150R, I officiate lots of bicycle races and haul photographers at marathons and triathlons. All the putzing around really eats oil, low RPM and slow speeds. Every airhead I've owned did the same thing at slow speeds. Perhaps a 1/4 QT for 250 miles.

My guess is some sort of blow by the piston rings as I've seen no drips, leaks, or errors.

In transition and fun riding at speed I don't loose much oil at all maybe 1/4 QT per 1500 miles.

[Biff's R]

I am burning some still at 63k, and R4R&R is still burning some at 100k. They just do it. As long as I see some in the window I don't worry about it.