What is the Best Oil?

It is time for me to service my 2004 R1 ,and I want to know what kind of oil would be best to use?  At the initial 600mi service I used 20w40 castrol ActEvo.  I want to try something a little better.  I don't care about cost.  I just want my bike to run as best it can.  

What's wrong with the Act-evo?  As long as you're running a quality oil that meets or exceeds the API SJ or JASO MA standards and are using a good weight like a 15W40 you should be fine.  Of course there are differing opinions about petroleum based vs. synthetic oils however I've found that for the investment I've gotten better cost/value/performance out of quality petroleum based oils than synthetics.  Many years ago I spent a fortune running synthetic oils in my street bikes.  After an engine tear down and comparing wear to that of an engine that was running quality petroleum based oil I decided the extra expense at each oil change wasn't worth it for me.  Just my nickels worth.  

I have run Yamalube, Mobil 1 MXT-4, Motul 5100 and Silkolene full synthetic in my '04 R6, I'm anal and change the oil every 2k.

The Silkolene is by far the best oil I have used yet. The tranny is CONSIDERABLY smoother, like Honda smooth, and the bike runs 5-10 degrees cooler.

Not to mention the oldest Yamaha dealer in the country, K&N in Tulsa, runs it in their endurance racing '05 R6, and they love it and so do I.  

Petroleum oil is obsolete.  Any synthetic will do a excellent job.  I change my oil & filter every 1000 miles because I often run in excess of 150 MPH.  I like all of the above mentioned and especially Mobil.  

I have to be honest and tell you guys that i really have a hard time understanding the obession some people have with oil and changing it. Don't get me wrong i'm all about changing oil but I do it as per the manufacturers instructions. 600 miles 4,000 and every 4,000 there after. i do use yamalube but there are other motorcycle specific oils that are just fine. I know most of you all will spare no expense when it comes to your baby but i honestly think you're just throwing your hard earned money away, not to mention the fact that you're wasting all of that perfectly good middeastern oil that all of our troops have fought so hard to protect.  

I am the one who posted this question.  I am at the 4000mi mark, and I am a soldier as well.  I understand what you are saying, but I just want to try a different oil to see if it makes a difference.  

I use Motul as well. I have never noticed a difference in any of my vehicles.I think any decent quality oil (not no-name junk) is fine.  

I don't know what is best, but I am a fan of full synthetic oils.  I've tried Motul and Spectro I think....  My previous bikes seemed to run a little cooler, smoother, and shifted better.  I also kind of remember Sport Rider or some other magazine doing a test on various oils, and some actually gave more hp.


Chris  

I changed to synthetic AMSoil 20W-50 motorcycle oil at 5K miles.  Honda says 20W-50 is okay down to 32F.  My bike seems to run a little stronger and cooler.  Try a quality synthetic.  

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html  

I currently use Mobil 1 Gold Cap(used to be Red Cap) Full Sythetic on my Busa, very happy with it thus far  

I use Motul 5100 Synthetic in my '03 ZX12R because that is what was recommended by my dyno guy.  He recommended it, so I'll use it, that way, if my bike calves because of oiling problems, I'll have someone to blame.  LOL  I also change it often because I don't baby my bike when I ride it, I do all my maintenance before manufacturer recommended intervals.  

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on oils, as there are about five quintillion brands to choose from. It really depends on how much you are willing to spend and what do you really want out of your oil performance wise. Sport Rider did indeed do an oil-comparison test in the October 2003 issue with some interesting results. Full synthetic is absolutely your best choice. I use the Maxum Ultra 0W-30 race oil. The transmission is much smoother and it does indeed give you a few extra horsepower. In SRs test, their GSX-R1000 gained 3.3hp and 1.5 ft/lbs. Now that's not a ton of power, but for just changing your oil?? I think it's pretty impressive. Your trade off is going to be viscosity retention, which means you'll have to change your oil about 1500-2000 miles. And the stuff ain't cheap, either. But, like I said, it depends on what you want from your oil.