Great UOA, where are the wear metals, lol? A nice 5,000 mile run, not the short change interval many bikes get. Small reduction in zinc compared to the previous run, however would consider that normal variation in testing and not terribly significant. With that said, a nice increase percentage-wise in boron, which I feel does a good job at anti-wear duties relative to what some folks say. From what I understand it is better than zinc and makes up for lower zinc with not nearly as much boron in terms of ppm to do the same work. My thought is the increase in boron would be more telling in reduced wear numbers relative to the decrease in zinc. In and of itself, help me understand how lower zinc if everything else is equal, would decrease wear?
I'm not really good at deciphering the numbers and pretty much rely on the comments from Blackstone.
I get it. Major changes or a deviation from average would make me look into it. But Boron. Really?I understand. It’s too bad when someone has to rely on B-SLabs’ commentary, though. You might as well use the horoscope for the day from your favorite newspaper or website. LOL
Wow, great report, again.
Whats not to like? Certainly no reason on earth to try a different oil ... but sometimes we "wander" *L*
As far as "wander" I have held that Castrol 20/50 in my hands more then a few times at the store but stuck with my favorite oil for my 14 Road King which is a diesel oil, decades ago, it was the ONLY oil I used in my automobiles.
I just did wander for the first time ever and picked up a 15/50 Mobil 1for the RK ... and for the heck of it will most likely send it to Blackstone when I am done with it. I dont know when that is yet ... depends if I get a run to the Smoky Mountains in two weeks, will be a last minute call depending on weather.
Im curious, how is the 1200 holding up?
80,000 miles is a pretty good run for a bike.
If and its a VERY big if, I ever bought another bike, it would be between a new Road King (because I love it so much) OR a BMW 12 or 1600.
Wife loves the RK for comfort but I like to try new things and love the idea of a BMW in the garage.
(my son actually works for them, automobiles but that wouldn't help me)
Bike looks great, yes, love the idea of the BMW engine, you are a true rider commuting to work when you can, Vermont can get kind of chilly, *L* I like the heat, born, raised and spent most my life on Long Island, NY, never owned a bike there but feel my riding would be limited because I like the heat/warmth, I know I am the odd one out on this, then again, on Long Island, not much to ride too without crossing over the bridges in the city to escape to the upstate.I have put 100k miles on several 4 wheeled vehicles but never on a bike. I hope to accomplish that with this one and most of the miles on this bike are commuter miles to work and back. The wife and I retired on July 1 and moved to our Vermont cabin full time and I have been averaging 5-6000 miles a year but I don't know what it will be going forward with the shorter riding season in New England.
The boxer engine is definitely the crown jewel of this bike. I have had issues with the final drive and replaced the drive shaft as is common with these bikes but the engine has been stellar. I do all of my own maintenance with the help of a really good BMW motorcycle online community.
Here is a pic from this morning after a short ride. It really needs a bath ( and a new back tire).
View attachment 26342
So far I've used two sets of Shinko 705s and I've liked them; they have been a great value for a road tire in the ADV world. I've found they like to slide/wash (front and rear) offroad, as well as not biting offroad much. Some people have had minor delamination issues (it was either the radial or bias ply, I can't remember)
How have you liked them?
Bike looks great, yes, love the idea of the BMW engine, you are a true rider commuting to work when you can, Vermont can get kind of chilly, *L* I like the heat, born, raised and spent most my life on Long Island, NY, never owned a bike there but feel my riding would be limited because I like the heat/warmth, I know I am the odd one out on this, then again, on Long Island, not much to ride too without crossing over the bridges in the city to escape to the upstate.
Im sure you have that bike set up exactly as you want it, I like the "utility" look, when Im in the Smoky mountains there are MANY riders from Canada and Nova Scotia there as well, all on bikes that look like and set up like yours/various brands, again, true riders coming down all this way for the ride. The bikes are real workhorses. Im a little surprised at the low wear numbers of the engine, always thought BMWs ran higher but guess not.
^^^ ahhh ^^^ yeah, thanks for reminding me about maintenance/repairs.
I do love the idea of the BMW, thing is, severe lack of dealers here, Im not sure there are any left and if there is one, I would be at the mercy of that one.
Another thing if I remember a motorcycle magazine long term road test was that the rear tire needs replacing every 7000 miles or so. (if it was even that long)
At least with the Harley I can go to any number of repair shops/ HD dealers for repairs of which, so far in 6 years I have not needed any, I HATE saying that! I know it will happen sooner or later. Rear tire easy to go 14,000 miles before thinking about replacing it, some push it further, since I do a fair amount of riding in rain, I dont push it, I like lots of tread on the tire..