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BMW K1600 Maintenance

11/29/2015

4 Comments

 
EDIT-After writing this blog post, I have come to the conclusion that AMSOIL 10W-40 Metric Motorcycle oil is the best choice for the K1600.  I have come to this conclusion through several used oil analysis reports from several different K1600's using both the 0W-40 and the 10W-40.  Click here for the AMSOIL 10W-40 Metric Motorcycle Oil.

So, the riding season has pretty much come to an end here in Des Moines.  Not because of the seasonal drop in temperature, but because of the seasonal drop of melting/traction materials courtesy of several public works departments and the Iowa DOT. 

The end of the season for me is the final time of the year to do maintenance on our 2013 BMW K1600GTL.  For me, this final fluid change is not mileage driven.  It is just a "before bed" item.  I change the engine oil and final drive oil along with a thorough cleaning and waxing before putting the bike away.  My engine oil of choice is Amsoil's 0W-40 Formula 4-Stroke Powersports Oil.  This oil is Jaso MA/MA2 certified, so it meets the wet clutch requirements of this bike. 
Picture
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This Is The Oil We Recommend for the K1600.

While the BMW Owners Manual recommends 5W-40, I am completely confident in this selection.  I have run this oil for around 12,000 miles with no adverse affects and the notable positive of smoother shifts.  I have also heard from several other K1600 riders that report similar experiences.  I will typically
run 4 to 6000 miles on oil changes, even though Amsoil's products offer extended drain intervals, I do prefer to change at no longer than what BMW recommends.  Although, with Amsoil, I do not fear getting caught in a situation where more miles are accumulated before I can get it changed. 

For the final drive, I am using Amsoil SevereGear 75W90. 

 This gear oil offers superior protection through its excellent film strength and shear stability.  These properties assure that there is a film between the gear teeth, especially while the full torque of the K's beast of an inline 6 engine is asked for 100% power!!  The highly efficient lubrication properties further protect the drive by keeping things running smooth and cool.  Even while riding to the BMW MOA rally in Billings this year, the drive was only slightly warm to the touch.  That was riding 2 up, at 80 MPH plus on the interstate in 100° plus temperatures. 
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Below is what the final drive fluid looked like after the Billings trip, with about 8,000 miles on it.  To me, it looked like new. 
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Picture

I choose to change the gear oil at every oil change.  Mostly, I do it that early because it is easy and cheap.  I know a few K1600 guys that choose to
do the final drive change at every other oil change (12,000 miles) or at every tire change, Which for some, could be every 3,000 or so!!  I think most people are comfortable with 10k or so on the final drive changes and with Amsoil SevereGear in use, I would be completely confident in the protection offered. 

So, why do I change fluids at the end of the season regardless of mileage on the existing fluids?  From what I learned earlier in life through experience with boats, it is important to store the engine with fresh oil in it.  Through time, engine oil becomes acidic due to combustion by products.  One of the great properties of Amsoil fully synthetic lubricants is the ability to handle the acids without sacrificing the metals inside the engine.  While this is a great benefit, and one of the reasons why Amsoil is able to provide far longer service life than conventional oils along with most other synthetic oils, I still like to get fresh Amsoil in the engine for winter storage.  And, like most of you that are reading this, I still enjoy working on my stuff!!  Even if it is dumping out perfectly good oil and replacing it.  It's fun to me.  People sometimes ask me: "Why do you spend the extra money on Amsoil, if you are not taking advantage of the longer drain intervals?"  My answer is this: If there is an oil that is engineered to provide extended drain intervals while providing far superior lubrication and protection, why  wouldn't I use that same oil, even though I do change it more often?  And, Amsoil gives me the peace of mind of knowing that I am risking nothing if I don't get it changed as often as I would like!! 

By the way, Amsoil really isn't expensive.  Click here to find out how you can buy Amsoil at great prices!
4 Comments
Scott R Borden
8/11/2017 05:25:51 pm

I have the BMW K1600GT 2012 model, do you think 10W40 Amsoil would be good for this also? I live in the midwest and love riding RPMs 4k-6k most of the time. Using the 5W-40 BMW oil it just seems to drink it lol. I read 10W-40 might help this issue. No oil in the exhaust or in the condensation tube so it burns internal or something easier than 10W-40 I think.

Thoughts?

Reply
Matt link
8/13/2017 10:36:14 am

Good morning, Scott. I just saw your blog comment this morning. I have been using the 10W-40 in my 13 K1600 and have also used the 0W-40, both Amsoil products. While I have had great performance results with both of these oils, I don't think either will resolve an oil consumption issue. I haven't decided which oil I like better yet. I have been alternating between the 2, but really can't tell much difference between them. With that said, I can definitely recommend both. There are some people that I know of that are blending 4 quarts of 0W-40 and 1 quart of 10W-40. They are very happy with that blend. I haven't tried that yet, but may give it a try.

Do you follow the K1600 Forum? There is a current thread on there started by Gunnert that is having the issue you are talking about. He has a 2012 GT with right around 50,000 miles on it. He is going through a quart every 700 miles or so. His bike is at the dealership right now trying to figure out the problem. He has not had any oil in the condensate tube and his compression and leak down tests all are showing normal. So, they are thinking it may be valve guide seals or something else in the top end. If you haven't been on that forum, the address is www.K1600forum.com

I hope you can get your consumption issue figured out, too.

Matt

Reply
Thomas Nguyen link
12/27/2017 08:23:11 pm

Thanks for sharing, I will use this oil.

Reply
5w30 engine oil link
11/25/2021 04:01:48 am

Motul 8100 X-cess 5W-40 is a fully synthetic POE (grade 4) engine oil. I change this oil every 6,500-7,500 KM. Personally I be leave the oil change interval of 12,500 KM for a turbo charged Subaru is far to high. I use an engine oil with a 5W to help with the cold starts in the morning (4*C to 4*C). I’ve had good results with this engine oil and will continue to use it next winter. This fully synthetic engine oil with multiple manufacture approvals performs very well and I highly recommend it. I use an OEM Subaru oil filter with <a href="https://www.dewaninternational.com//">10w30 engine oil </a>
Thanks

Reply



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    Matt Smith is the owner of K16 Synthetics.  Matt and his wife Vicki are avid Motorcyclist and Boaters.  K16 Synthetics, located in Johnston, Iowa serves not only Central Iowa, but the entire United States.

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