Which Oil

**ozhanu** · #1 17 Dec 2005

Hi,

I have '97 make F650. I am not sure about which oil shell I use.
There are 20W/50, 15W/50 and 10W/50 four stroke engine oils. What are the differances between these oils? and which oil shell I use in the normal conditions?

Thanks.

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ride safely
ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ozhanu.com/gezi

**Timo** · #2 28 Dec 2005

I don't know the original specifications of your bike, but t should be a simple matter of contacting any BMW dealer (or looking in your owners manual if you have one, which you should get if you don't). I would doubt that it is 10-50 as these wide spectrum oils are rarely specified for motorcycle engines. I would expect either 15-40 or 20-50 but often liquid cooled bikes like yours will run a lighter oil like 10-30 or 10-40. As to what brand and synthetic vs petroleum based, that is a huge discussion. Again, you can't go to wrong sticking with the original manufacturer's specifications and changing the oil frequently.

**winne** · #3 24 Jan 2006

Hi,
I'm late, however I wanted to add something:
I have a kind of DIY handbook for this model and the (well reknown) author states that more or less any oil would do - as far as you don't buy some cheap junk from the supermarket. Mineral oil is preferable to synthetic oil (this has something to do with the clutch - but don't ask me for technical details). I usually buy the most common, which in Germany is 10W40. You can freely mix different types of oil, even synthetic with mineral oil, without causing any harm to your bike.
Best regards
Winne

**ozhanu** · #4 24 Jan 2006

Thanks for all reply...

Let me modify my question then..

1-What type of oil shell I use for hot climates like Middle East?
2-Can I use a well known, expensive car cooling liquid (from Hallford) for my F650?

thanks

------------------
ride safely
ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ozhanu.com/gezi

**Smellybiker** · #5 24 Jan 2006

Hi,

I use Motul 10w50 semi synthetic & its served well.

Almost 60,000 miles & the engine doesnt use oil. No problems with the clutch, that tends to happen when you use oil with additives like teflon.

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Last seen in S.America, missing presumed fed.
http://www.smellybiker.com