Amsoil is just a 3rd party product, like a lot of oils made by one of the big 4 refineries.

It's a heated subject on a lot of forums. I know on one of my snowmobile forums it gets shot down to shame by the knowledgable pros in the lubricative industry. I do not claim to be one of these lube experts, but, what I can tell you is that they ALL have their charts pro and highlighted to them.... Just like RL's oil comparison chart which clearly was published by or for that company.

Amsoil does has it fans, especially the ones who are in their pyramid network of sales. I have heard and seen both sides and w every one of my Powersports hobbies, not just this motorcycle world. Good lubrication is common to reciprocating engines of all fields. Some Powersports Mfgrs promote related oil companies more than others. The recommended oil sometimes is overrated. The Mfgrs can real in on the fact of fear from new owners. Heck, who doesn't want their engine to last the longest. Yep they got your ear, we all wanna do the right thing.

Oil topics.... Hehe, They can go on forever

 

RL, some of the sample spec sheets on the BMW are very informative. What is the name of the manual you use and how do I acquire a copy?

 

Having had a fight all the way to the top of the food chain with BMW and a dealer using "same spec" oil, instead of the Castrol power 1. I seriously suggest don't. Use the specified oil unless your an oil scientist and have great funding for a legal team, your going to get screwed if you have an issue and its under warranty.

It's my understanding castrol came up with Power 1 racing in development with the K1600's engine/transmission designers. I'm guessing there was a reason for developing a whole new brand of oil Instead of specifying a weight or class of oil.

I had the dealer use MotorX oil supposedly exact same specs between 20,000-30,000km services. It cost me a small fortune going back and forth with gearbox and noise issues. The right oil fixed all those problems. Now at 60,000km I've had a cam chain tensioner fail, and another workshop's BMW tech said while he can't prove it, it was probably the MotorX oil. Now I have to wonder what else will be an issue in the future.

Your bike your choice. I know what I'll use, it's written down in the owners manual.

 

It's my understanding castrol came up with Power 1 racing in development with the K1600's engine/transmission designers.

Interesting. I'll start a thread with the Ricardo article about their K1600 engine development.

 

has anyone tried motul they have a 5w40



Engine Type: 4-Stroke
Quality: 100% Synthetic
Product Range: Motorcycle
Viscosity: 5w40
OEM Approvals : Above Existing standards
100% Synthetic 4-Stroke motorcycle racing engine oil developed for Off-Road Factory Teams. 300V Factory Line lubricant takes advantage of the ESTER Core® Technology to ensure you maximum power output of the engine without compromising the reliability and the wear. By selecting esters over other high performance synthetic base stocks and combining them with an innovative additive package, MOTUL has created a perfect blend dedicated to the engine, the gearbox and the clutch.

Packaging 1 Liter , 4 Liter
Dealers Near You

 

Also found motul. 4t 7100 5w40 looking acceptable

 

My BMW dealer sold me Motorex , from Switzerland for my first oil change, and the next I used the Motul 4t 7100, and bought enough for the next oil change as well. Not sure what I will use for the one after that! I don't understand what it is about this bike, I keep buying too much of everything for it!

 

MotorX breaks down with heat. Probably not a problem in Europe, but in Central Australia at sustain high speeds, it doesn't last. My wingman used 1.5L in 1500km of the stuff on a trip to Cebtral Australia last year. Mine filled with Power 1 used none.

 

Its now 2015, has anybody found a equal or better substitute for the std BMW issue oil filter for the K1600GTL-E ?

 

http://www.k1600forum.com/forum/bmw-k1600-maintenance-do-yourself/28537-oil-filter-details.html

 

Oil is a way to get a forum to light-up with opinions. Almost as good as tires.

I enjoy thinking about all things oil. That's what leads me to my evolving conclusions.

The easiest way to deal with oil is to go exactly by the Owners Manual.

We all make purchase choices. The K1600 was a choice. My conclusions work well for me, with few exceptions. As Bruce Springsteen says: "Well if I had one wish for you in this god forsaken world, kid
It'd be that your mistakes will be your own..."

 

I asked my service what oil they just used for my annual change ( I only have 4000 miles on my 2014 GTL) he said he used Castrol 4T 10w40, is this going to be an issue? I live in Orlando , already 90 here never fell below 40 all year.

 

Spec is for 5W-40, API, SL/JASO MA2 oil.

Personally I'd make them put in the correct oil......you paid dearly for the service work and they should put in the correct oil that is specified in the manual.
That said, the "W" number is for cold weather viscosity.

 

the 'W' stands for winter.

 

There's an Amway storefront here in the Bay Area...er, I mean Amsoil . One gallon (at $38.50) and one quart (at $9.79) equals one oil change. My Preferred Customer expires next month so I bought a few oil changes and a few extra quarts for in-between top-offs.

After reading and re-reading all these oil threads and calculations, I'm defaulting to the KISS method.

Keep it Stupid Simple, or something like that.:gm

 

Somebody mentioned (in another pointless oil thread maybe?) that they are using 15w/50. and claiming that they (now) have the smoothest & quietest tranny evah!. And I believe he also had one of the notorious 2012 klankers!

Stir-stir-stir

 

Old used car sales trick......heavy oil and some fine sawdust....quietens down in a hurry! I was the victm not the salesman.

 

Talk to my shop today regarding that very subject, alternate motorcycle oil other