Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
R80 GS running hot R80 GS running hot
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree1Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 31 Jul 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 41
R80 GS running hot
I installed one of the thermometer dip sticks before a 3500 mile trip. I noticed that doing 70mph for more than 20mins would lead to a temp of 125°. I cross checked with a friend's thermometer (different manufacturer) and I get similar readings. The pipes are blue to the first bend. I tried changing the fuel mix in the carbs but with no success. It's back at the manual recommended 3/4 turn out. The only other unusual thing about the bike is the exhaust is loud. It's a Keihan stainless which was added less than 3 years ago. I suspect the previous owner ran a rod through it.

It get good compression from both cylinders. The bike pulls fine. It needed roughly 1L of oil in the 3500 miles.

Anyone had a similar problem? Ideas appreciated.
__________________
__________________________________________________ _________________________________
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 31 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 101
I had a R100GS, no oil cooler but a deeper sump, and only saw the temperature off scale after going up the Timmelsjoch and Jaufen passes two up with luggage in June. Nothing like that two up with luggage cruising on the motorway. It had a Laser Produro exhaust and y-piece, which weren't excessively loud. Mine used a little oil, but not quite as much as yours. So I can't suggest a solution, but it does sound like it's running hot
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 31 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
Which year?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
I am not sure that you have a problem, the pipes blue on all airheads and the temperature does not sound excessive.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Aug 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: I S T
Posts: 655
My R80 GS Basic (with oil cooler) heats up to 140 C in normal riding condition in summer. I too like you thought something wrong with it. asked to friends and found out it is normal working temp.
__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Aug 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 101
Picture of my oil temperature gauge showing that oil emulsification wouldn't be a problem in this thread from another site:

Cortina 2009
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 Aug 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 41
Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerm View Post
which year?
1989.
__________________
__________________________________________________ _________________________________
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2 Aug 2014
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Quote:
Originally Posted by bungle View Post
I installed one of the thermometer dip sticks before a 3500 mile trip.
They are notoriously rubbish...
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 3 Aug 2014
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
Wink
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots View Post
They are notoriously rubbish...
Not if your bike has a header tank
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 7 Aug 2014
R80 R80 is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
The thermometer dip sticks will probably not show the real oil temperature because they only dip inside the engine oil for a very short distance. The most lenght of the stick inside the engine is in contact with the internal engine air, which is hotter than the oil in the oilsump. So I assume, that the dip stick shows a higher temperature.

Normaly oil temperature above 120°C may become critical (depends on the used oil). The air-cooled engines reach often very high oil temperature - so I use an engine oil with 10W-60 or at least 20W-50 specification, to have some reserve.

I have a similar thermometer dip stick - and I only get nervous when it shows a temperature above 130°C - then I just stop and let it cool down. But I have also reached 140°C without a damage.

An oil-cooler may also be a good investment.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Sep 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 180
Sounds normal.

I tried a thermometer, and got rid of it. The reading was nonsense. Hot pipes, high oil consumption? Not unusual. Is the oil condition good? 20w50 should stay in good condition without going black and thin. That's the important thing. I've got a cooler and a thermostat. I found that without the thermostat the engine was slow to warm up.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 20 Sep 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 180
Another entirely normal airhead feature is that after a long ride i can switch the ignition off, leave it for 30 seconds, switch the key on, and it restarts the engine all on its own. The bike has now done almost 100,000 and the engine is still excellent, and almost run in.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 21 Sep 2014
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Quote:
Originally Posted by R80 View Post
Normaly oil temperature above 120°C may become critical (depends on the used oil). The air-cooled engines reach often very high oil temperature - so I use an engine oil with 10W-60 or at least 20W-50 specification, to have some reserve.
A friend and I rode 2 GS's ('94 & '95) through parts of the Taklamakan desert on packed and not so packed sand roads where temperatures got to over 46c.
We had changed the oil to full Castrol synthetic 10w-60 in Urumqi and never had any problems. We were not pushing the engined hard though. They were both fitted with the standard oil cooler.
7 years later and the engines have still not had a re-build and mine is now over 100,000.

Years ago an American said to me, "Oils cheap, engines aint" Never a truer word....
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 7 Oct 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 41
Thanks guys, I've fitted an oil cooler and it's dropped 15degrees. That plus the comment about the dip stick thermometer not reading true oil temperature makes me think I'll leave it at that and cope with a little carbon the plugs. Better to ride it than worry about it.
__________________
__________________________________________________ _________________________________
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 7 Oct 2014
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
Quote:
Originally Posted by bungle View Post
Thanks guys, I've fitted an oil cooler and it's dropped 15degrees. That plus the comment about the dip stick thermometer not reading true oil temperature makes me think I'll leave it at that and cope with a little carbon the plugs. Better to ride it than worry about it.

125 deg at 70MPH is fine.
The dipstick thermometer senses temperature only at the end, which is quite a bit lower then the oil-level. You can try to heat it with a lighter...

I have compared a dipstick thermometer with a VDO-thermometer placed at the drain plug and found them to be very equal. The dipstick thermometer is a bit faster.
IMHO a thermometer is a nice thing, and I back off when it reaches 140 deg.

Edit: make sure that the oiltemp is above 100 deg at most trips to remove water (condensation).
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
XT600 running issues ajax Yamaha Tech 17 21 Nov 2013 06:12
R80 GS Fork removal question bungle BMW Tech 8 30 Jul 2013 10:29
XT550 HELP ! all back together but running poor wetcoastrider Yamaha Tech 10 12 Jan 2012 19:13

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:31.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top