How to CHANGE THE OIL on a BMW S1000XR

[@rayega5026]

Awesome vid - thanks for putting this together. I was having a hard time figuring out the pin fasteners; I didn’t realize there was a pin in the center. This was very helpful. Some of your instructions contrary to the owners manual: oil level sighting and capacity, and check procedure. 1) the sight glass min level is the bottom of the inner circle and the max level is the top of the circle You say max is at the midline of the sight glass. While this is true for most bikes with a sight glass, BMW apparently are different and this is not correct. Setting oil at midline of sight glass will technically be just over half full. Full level should make it so the sight glass is almost completely filled. 2) oil level should be checked with both wheels on the a level surface and with the bike upright, not on the center stand. I’ve found that level is almost the same with the bike on the wheels vs center stand. Having it on the center stand is a good preliminary check. But level may be a slight bit lower when checked off the center stand vs on it. 3) Oil capacity with filter replacement is 3.7qt

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Ray Ega you’re welcome, and thanks for the additional info! I try to fill my vehicles to the middle between low and full because too much oil is often as harmful as too little.

[@sactown900]

Thanks for posting. I have 2450 on my 2018. Thought I had to use the dealer, before a big trip in May. No way. I'm changing my own oil!.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Douglas Wood absolutely! Take that extra 💰 on the trip 😉

[@chiefchips5976]

Liked your video but the oil filter looks too tight, the seal may crush here’s the settings 👍🏻 Oil Filter Torque - 11Nm Oil Pan Plug Torque - 28Nm

[@HelpMeDIY]

Thanks for the specs!

[@rrydinhigh2452]

LOL, somebody at BMW Motorrad "woke up"😊. I have a 2023, and the oil level sight window is now on the same side as the oil fill cap. I don't know what year the change took place, but it DOES make more sense to have them on the same side.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+RRydin' High haha right?!? Glad they figured that out too 😆

[@josemiguelbb]

Thank you! Helps me a lot! 😎👍. Btw... Now I can change the oil myself. Thanks you Yoda Master of S1000xr. 😉👍

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Jose Miguel you’re welcome! 🍻

[@josemiguelbb]

@@HelpMeDIY I'm gonna drink my beer in your honnor! 😎👍

[@skippynj1979]

Great job... I never turn filters more than what my hands can do.. about 3/4 past gasket contact.. I never torque then.. three quality of K and N had gone down quite a bit and have been done failures with the nut welded at the end of the filter. When used for tightening the assembly is weakened and blows apart on pressure.. just something to watch for with them .

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Steven Richardson thanks for the feedback! 🍻

[@bonsaitree69]

You should remove the oil refill cap before removing the drain plug/filter. You can create a negative pressure and trap old oil in the engine.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+bonsaitree69 yes, it will flow faster with it open. I have never in my life heard of it actually causing an issue though. Unless your oil is tar already it will all come out 😆

[@Robert8455]

I don't own a BMW but am considering getting an XR so watched your video. I am a little disappointed in engineering and materials used on what I feel is a fairly 'high end' bike. There is really no reason other than wanting to sell parts that they make such a soft drain plug. The way the plastic shrouds are attached does not look like they match seams very well. and the plastic push pins just scream more parts replacement as the plastic ages and gets brittle. Having the oil sight glass on the opposite site just makes you ask what were they thinking. I also don't care for the massive catalyst that sits under the crank case but I think that is a widespread problem with other makes too. Not a problem when you are moving but is one if you get stuck in traffic in the summer. I've changed a lot of oil in the past but have never observed so much gunk and shavings on my plug before. I have a renewed appreciation for my old ZRX 1200R where an oil change and filter change is super simple and the filter is tucked up under. Good job on your video. Very clear and well done. I think you probably saved bunch by doing it yourself rather than letting the dealership take your money.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@Robert8455 thanks!

[@EEEBA1]

How much oil does it take? Thank you. You said the oil level should be in the middle of the red circle. The question is when? When the engine is warm or cold? On a side stand, center stand or holding the bike upright (warm or cold engine)? Thank you for your help.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+E.S. Slc the most accepted way of checking the oil is to get the motor hot, like a 20 minute ride, then leave the bike on the side stand for at least 10 minutes, then put it on the center stand to measure.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+E.S. Slc oh, and it should take approximately 3.5L of oil, assuming you changed the filter.

[@EEEBA1]

@@HelpMeDIY Awesome, thank you.

[@connellywvu]

Thanks for sharing - getting ready to do this and didn't expect it to be this easy! The use of foil there is a great idea too - I'll be using that in a lot more places than just this bike! One question - did you to your S1K decals yourself? Those look really good! That just something one can find on ebay? thanks!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+connellywvu thanks! No I didn’t do them myself, I actually saw a guy on Facebook that had somebody custom do them for him and I convinced him to make me a set too. Unfortunately I don’t have the contact info for the guy that made them or else I would pass it along

[@thomasanderson4127]

You don’t have to split the cowling underneath,it can come off without separating into two parts,in one piece.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@thomasanderson4127 ah ok thanks! 🍻

[@thomasanderson4127]

Great video.

[@adamreynolds8948]

An off topic question. Where did you get your decal kit from ? It's quite subtle but cool !

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Adam Reynolds thanks! I actually saw somebody with it in a picture on Facebook and contacted them and found out that they had it custom-made. I talked him into having the guy that made it for him make another set for me.

[@rafaljacekbatog7262]

Thx bro 🤝😁 good job

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@rafaljacekbatog7262 thanks 🙏 🍻

[@kepasss]

Buen curro,saludos desde España.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+kepasss 👍

[@pilyomotoride7781]

Can you give link on where did you buy the drain bolt and the washer? Still got the xr? Any problem ever since owning it?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+pinoy texas rider p I couldn’t find it online, got it from the local dealer. Still have it. No problems yet!

[@pilyomotoride7781]

@@HelpMeDIY I'll just visit my local dealer here . Thank you

[@pilyomotoride7781]

I did my 3rd oil change at 6k and there's still some small metal hair on the drain plug . Is that normal?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+pilyo moto ride yes

[@ronaldononaplastic4098]

Bem informativo, valeu pelas dicas

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Ronaldo NonaPlastic De nada, fico feliz por ter ajudado!

[@HelpMeDIY]

Forgot to mention that I rode the bike around the block before changing the oil to warm it up. This helps the oil drain better and also loosens up any foreign particles that may be in there.

[@ArdentlyGrant]

Suggestion.. thats a key peice of advice.. manual recommended.. I would copy this to the description.