Oil change

[exavid]

I did another oil change on my '13 GT yesterday and gotta say that job is more of a PIA than any of the other bikes I've owned including the B650 and Silverwing scooters. Of course a scooter is a bit more awkward than most motor cycles due to being closer to the ground so I guess that's part of the reason. One gripe is the plug that goes over the oils screen. Seems they could have designed it so you didn't have to make a tinfoil spout to keep it from slobbering on the bike. One thing for sure for older guys it sure helps to have a bike lift like my Harbor Freight lift. No more laying on the floor. Some of us who've had a lot of birthdays have a hard time getting up and down off the floor.
This time I went with Mobil 1 15/50 and a K&N 164 filter.

 

[Bornfree]

"This time I went with Mobil 1 15/50"
Same here. Found it on the shelf at WalMart. Wish I had a lift!

 

[exavid]

I bought the lift at Harbor Freight a few years ago. It was a store display item on sale for $200. I've used it for oil changes on friend's bikes as well as my own. Very handy. The only thing I didn't like about it was that as the bike's front wheel comes up on the ramp it's not possible to reach the ground with one's feet. That was pretty hairy putting my Goldwing onto the lift without any help. I built a pair of detachable side boards which cured that problem. Now I can put just about any bike on it without help.

 

[Bornfree]

I bought the lift at Harbor Freight a few years ago. It was a store display item on sale for $200. I've used it for oil changes on friend's bikes as well as my own. Very handy. The only thing I didn't like about it was that as the bike's front wheel comes up on the ramp it's not possible to reach the ground with one's feet. That was pretty hairy putting my Goldwing onto the lift without any help. I built a pair of detachable side boards which cured that problem. Now I can put just about any bike on it without help.

Sounds like u got a good price. And a clever improvement!

 

[exavid]

Here's a picture before I painted the boards and added a non skid strip down the middle of each. They just clip on each side with two pins. Takes all the worry about getting the bike on and off.

 

[Snowdog]

A piece of cardboard is a lot more cost effective for changing oil, plus gives the opportunity ( unapproved by wife) for a Saturday nap.

 

[SteveADV]

A piece of cardboard is a lot more cost effective for changing oil, plus gives the opportunity ( unapproved by wife) for a Saturday nap.

Ha. Saturday naps are the best....especially the stealth variety.

 

[Rifleman3006]

I see a couple of you guys are using the Mobil 1 brand. Just want to make sure this meets the GT requirements. I wouldn't have thought so but it's good to know if several of you are using this. Hated spending all that money on the BMW brand?

 

[bicyclenut]

Just over the 6000 mile mark so I did first oil change tonight since its a rainy weekend here in Chicago. Not too bad, about the same as Honda scooters I had before. Would be a lot easier on a lift rather than lying on back trying not to spill oil all over myself. I did discover I didn't have an oil filter wrench to fit after I started but rather than run out to a 24 hour Wal-Mart, I improvised with an old leather belt, similar to some old webbing strap oil filters we used to use at the shop years ago. Was a bit awkward but it worked.

Used the BMW oil I bought in the fall with my Get One Free offer from BMWOA. Did buy some Mobil1 15W50 for next change, question was asked about using it and based on my research it should work.

BMW Oil is made by Shell, same as Shell Advanced Ultra oil that is certified API SM and JASO-MA2. The Mobil1 15W50 is certified API SN, so slight improvements over SM oils but missing the JASO certification. AS I understand it, JASO-MA and JASO-MA2 certifications are for oils that don't contain friction modifiers as this is not good for wet clutches. As the BMW has separate oil for the chain drive and a dry clutch/CVT system, the JASO certification is not critical and the MA2 certification is for newer bikes with Cat Converters and API SM & SN certifications are suitable for newer vehicles with emission controls. As i understand it, BMW previously used oil made by Castol (BP Oil) but now uses Shell who also makes the same oil for Quaker State and Penzoil. I don't think you can go wrong with Mobil1 as for our use it meets the required specs and it has been used as the factory fill in many high performance cars for years, and maybe besides Amsoil, Mobil1 has been a pioneer in synthetic oils. This grade has increased phosphorus and zinc levels found in similar motorcycle oils and has friction modifiers that would not work as well if we had a wet clutch.

 

[Rifleman3006]

Just over the 6000 mile mark so I did first oil change tonight since its a rainy weekend here in Chicago. Not too bad, about the same as Honda scooters I had before. Would be a lot easier on a lift rather than lying on back trying not to spill oil all over myself. I did discover I didn't have an oil filter wrench to fit after I started but rather than run out to a 24 hour Wal-Mart, I improvised with an old leather belt, similar to some old webbing strap oil filters we used to use at the shop years ago. Was a bit awkward but it worked.

Used the BMW oil I bought in the fall with my Get One Free offer from BMWOA. Did buy some Mobil1 15W50 for next change, question was asked about using it and based on my research it should work.

BMW Oil is made by Shell, same as Shell Advanced Ultra oil that is certified API SM and JASO-MA2. The Mobil1 15W50 is certified API SN, so slight improvements over SM oils but missing the JASO certification. AS I understand it, JASO-MA and JASO-MA2 certifications are for oils that don't contain friction modifiers as this is not good for wet clutches. As the BMW has separate oil for the chain drive and a dry clutch/CVT system, the JASO certification is not critical and the MA2 certification is for newer bikes with Cat Converters and API SM & SN certifications are suitable for newer vehicles with emission controls. As i understand it, BMW previously used oil made by Castol (BP Oil) but now uses Shell who also makes the same oil for Quaker State and Penzoil. I don't think you can go wrong with Mobil1 as for our use it meets the required specs and it has been used as the factory fill in many high performance cars for years, and maybe besides Amsoil, Mobil1 has been a pioneer in synthetic oils. This grade has increased phosphorus and zinc levels found in similar motorcycle oils and has friction modifiers that would not work as well if we had a wet clutch.

Bicycle - Thanks for your comments. You have convinced me that the Mobil 1 makes sense. I need to change mine soon so I will go that route. Best to you!