The Definitive Oil Thread.

[thwwx]

Originally Posted by kungfushifta

I was thinking about using synthetic motor cycle specific oil but can't seem to find a 10W 30 weight. I've checked Mobil 1, CastrolEvo, Maxium. Any reason why don't offer it in a 10W 30 weight?

I don't know why they don't offer 10W30, but Maxima makes 2 very tough ester base synthetic for bikes in 5W40 and 10W40, looking at the specs, they're almost a 30 oil. Using their Ultra 5W40, very smooth and positive shifting oil, their base oil is top notch ester stuff made to take the heat and their antiwear additive package puts stuff like Motul to shame in a sportrider comparo.

http://www.maximausa.com/products/4s...xum4ultra5.asp

[2074]

This may very well be a repost, but i found this, its a guide to the basics of how oil works, very helpful stuff, and will definetly give the more nonmechanical rider a great insight into their bike. It also explains the varying standards and how this applies to motorcycles.

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/moto...to/mc_oil.html

[JWalker]

Originally Posted by Rob Sherman

I've got some Shell Rotella T 5w40 (no modifiers)that I am going to use in the next week or so.

$14 for a 5qt. bottle, can't beat that. I've heard good things about it. So I am going to give it a shot. I do wish they would've had it in 10w40 though.

Shell Rotella T??!!?? I really, really hope your kidding my man........

This oil is specially formulated for use in DIESEL trucks. It has properties for controlling SOOT, which your motorcycle doesn't produce. Do yourself a favor & stick to oils formulated for non-diesel applications. I have tested many oils on both street & race engines & I have nothing but GREAT things to report on synthetic oils.

I'm currently using Rotella T synthetic in my Chevy Diesel truck, which has 182,000 miles on it. My Z28 has Castrol synthetic with 160,000 miles on it. My 2005 R6 has Ams-Oil 10-40 synthetic in it.

To answer an earlier question, it is VERY important to use the correct viscosity in your machines. To thick will cause start up & high RPM issues, too thin will have too much breakdown, especially when the oil is hot.

[Subwall]

just changed my oil. K&N filter, and mobil1 5w30. the kind with the EC logo on the back, and i have to say i am with thrak on this one. i've ridden about 150 miles so far, and not only is my clutch not slipping, my engine is running much more smooth compared to yamalube, and the bike is shifting smoother also. so for anyone concerned about the EC logo, you probably shouldn't be. BTW: this is on an '04.

[Thrak]

Thanks for the backup!

[Rob Sherman]

Originally Posted by JWalker

Shell Rotella T??!!?? I really, really hope your kidding my man........

No, I am not kidding my man.... Jumeralex and others have said good things about it and I'll go with what them.

I should listen to what you say because...?

[JWalker]

Originally Posted by Rob Sherman

No, I am not kidding my man.... Jumeralex and others have said good things about it and I'll go with what them.

I should listen to what you say because...?

Well, you don't have to listen to anything I say, but you should. I have several years testing different oils for several companies of both dino & synthetic oils.

Here's an example of what you should know before you purchase another drop of oil made for diesel engines for your high reving motorcycle.

Shell Rotella T is a synthetic formula designed for diesel engines. This also includes advance soot control, which unless your bike is a diesel, is just extra chemicals that you don't want whipping around the crankshaft. Also, most diesels operate at around 1500 RPM's or so, which the oil is also designed for. Plus, the oil is specifically made to work with diesel fuel, which can leak past the rings into the oil on occasion. This is called "diesel wash", which your bike will never have either. I'm pretty confident that Shell didn't invest millions into oil research for a diesel engine by making an oil that's good to 15,500 RPM's.

Shell Rotella T is also made from the lowest quality of synthetic stock, also known as hydrocracked stock. Still better than dino base stock, but not the best base for the formulation of synthetic oil. Ams Oil, for example, is made from a P.O.I. base stock, which is the best available in the industry. It has the best of everything that the synthetic oil industry has to offer. There are a few other companies that use the P.O.I. base stock, which you can find out on your own by doing a little research on line. I'm in no way promoting Ams Oil, but up to now they seem to have the best out there. I can be more specific at a later date after more testing with my bike is complete.

Now, since your bike only holds between 2.5 to 4 quarts of oil, don't you think it's worth a little extra money to get the best out there instead of guessing?

[Thrak]

What do you say about Mobil1 "Truck and SUV oil"? It is the same oil as Delvac1 (which is their top grade synthetic diesel oil) and it works great in motorcycles...

I guess the real question is, what harm will it cause? If its none, then run whatever... I'd venture to say 75% or more of streetbikes out there dont make it past 15,000mi anway.

[JWalker]

LOL!! 15,000 miles is a stretch! I saw a bike with 10,000 the other day & it looked like it had seen it's better days.


As far as the diferences go, the diesel oils have soot controls, additives that blend well with diesel fuels & are made for lower RPM's compared to gasoline certified oils. Now, I'm sure that running those other oils aren't gonna kill your bike, but like I said, it's only a few quarts so why not buy the best oil you can get? Ams Oil, Royal Purple, Lucas, Mobile, etc, etc make excellent synthetic oils for gasoline engines. The Ams Oil I run in my bike is a high performance synthetic specifically made for motorcycles to handle high RPM's & increased oil temps.

I have no problem paying $8.00 a quart for the quality.

[Thrak]

So, really nothing will happen if you use the "diesel" oil, you're just saying that is worth your piece of mind to spend $8/qt?

Have you run any test on RotellaT at high rpm to see what effect it has?