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oil selection.
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Posted: 10/08/05
06:42 AM
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I will be performing my first oil change, and was wondering what was a GOOD, REASONABLY PRICED OIL for this oil change?
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wheelspin
Enthusiast
| Posts: 318
| Joined: 05/05
Posted: 10/08/05
08:47 AM
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Although it won't instantly kill your bike's engine if you use them, buying any ol' oil off the shelf from your neighborhood auto parts store intended for cars is not a good idea, because they're made for car engines, which don't share the oil with the gearbox like motorcycles do. That puts different demands on the oil, so they have to be made differently.
If you don't want to spend the money for synthetic oil, any good name brand specifically intended for motorcycles at your local motorcycle shop will do. If you don't mind spending a few extra dollars, get a "full" synthetic like Mobil 1 for bikes; don't bother with the synthetic "blends".
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Spyke
User
| Posts: 246
| Joined: 09/05
Posted: 10/08/05
11:21 AM
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Here's a link from the wonderful guys at sport rider...
http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0308_oil/index.html
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casey
Enthusiast
| Posts: 470
| Joined: 09/05
Posted: 10/08/05
05:07 PM
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Wheelspin, when you say not to use automotive car oil, do you mean just conventional oil? Or is it okay to use fully synthetic automotive (10w40 Mobil) in my bike?
Because I know that Mobil 1 makes synthetic oil specifically for motorcycles, but that's not what I'm using. Were you talking about that?
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Posted: 10/08/05
06:24 PM
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I have always tried to use what my manual says to use or equivelent. Now I ride a Suzuki. I have been using Suzuki Performance Oil. Actually its only about $2.89 per quart. When I rode a Yamaha, I used Yamalube. I do not pamper my bikes. I am not afraid to hit the limiter,or go on long rides at high rpms. And, I have never had a problem related to engine oil.
Not saying this is best. Just seems what has worked for me. 
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casey
Enthusiast
| Posts: 470
| Joined: 09/05
Posted: 10/08/05
06:31 PM
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I would do that, but Triumph recommends Triumph Mobil 1 Racing 4T, and it's over $10 a quart.
Screw that.
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Posted: 10/08/05
08:19 PM
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I agree. I'm not paying 40 bucks for oil. A lot of times you may find that the same oil may be labled for several manufactures. You may find that the oil in the Triumph bottle may be the same or very similar to "Yamalube" or "Hondalube" or "Kawalube" or Zukilube" I am not 100% sure but it may be worth a check......
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wheelspin
Enthusiast
| Posts: 318
| Joined: 05/05
Posted: 10/08/05
10:43 PM
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Quote:
Wheelspin, when you say not to use automotive car oil, do you mean just conventional oil? Or is it okay to use fully synthetic automotive (10w40 Mobil) in my bike?
Because I know that Mobil 1 makes synthetic oil specifically for motorcycles, but that's not what I'm using. Were you talking about that?
Yes. I doubt that using automotive Mobil 1 is instantly harmful to your bike, but motor oils are not all the same. The problem with using automotive oils is that they are aimed at the latest API specifications that are meant for fuel economy more than anything else. Even the 15W-50 oils are full of friction modifiers and other additives that, while good for an oil that only sees main bearings, is risky enough in a motorcycle application that shares it with the gearbox and other shearing components that the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers created their own JASO oil specification. Much of this is explained in the Sport Rider link that was posted earlier.
Will using an automotive-specific oil kill your engine in a short time? Most likely not. Have there ever been any "oil-related" engine failures that could be attributed to using any old off-the-shelf Joe Blow oil at your local auto parts store? No. But the same could be said with the helmet you wear: Have there been any deaths actually attributed to a cheap helmet? No. Would you wear one? I don't.
This is not meant as an insult to those who don't want to spend the money for good synthetic oil. It's just a counterpoint to their arguments on why they don't.
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Posted: 10/09/05
09:45 AM
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http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Oils.aspx
Used Mobil 1 'Red Cap' for years, and now use Mobil 1 'Gold
Cap'; never had any trans or clutch issues.
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casey
Enthusiast
| Posts: 470
| Joined: 09/05
Posted: 10/09/05
04:52 PM
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Wheelspin, I read both parts of the oil article that was posted, and the only conclusions that I came up with is that there is no 'perfect' oil, you should use an oil designed for motorcycles in your motorcycle, and what oil you should use largely depends on your drain interval. Is there anything else of great importance that I am missing?
By the way, what oil do YOU use in your streetbike?
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wheelspin
Enthusiast
| Posts: 318
| Joined: 05/05
Posted: 10/09/05
06:41 PM
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Quote:
Wheelspin, I read both parts of the oil article that was posted, and the only conclusions that I came up with is that there is no 'perfect' oil, you should use an oil designed for motorcycles in your motorcycle, and what oil you should use largely depends on your drain interval. Is there anything else of great importance that I am missing?
By the way, what oil do YOU use in your streetbike?
Sorry, I forgot that the info in the Sport Rider test didn't provide any specific info regarding synthetic automobile oil vs synthetic motorcycle oil, with the exception of some of the additive levels. Although I haven't heard of any clutch slippage/transmission problems with using API "SL" rated (I think the latest API standard, there may be a newer one) automotive oils, the fact that the latest standards are biased more towards fuel economy more than anything else gives me pause, and I would go with a motorcycle-specific synthetic. However, spending money on motor oil is obviously a very polarizing topic, so I would definitely agree that it is your prerogative as to what to use. In my opinion, I doubt (but wouldn't say positively) that using automotive synthetic is harmful to your bike in the short term.
I usually use Motul in my bikes, because I like the fact that they use ester base stocks. However, their prices are on the high end because of it.
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Spyke
User
| Posts: 246
| Joined: 09/05
Posted: 10/09/05
07:33 PM
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I've used amsoil for a while and never had any problems...again a little more expensive
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Bogey3
New User
| Posts: 18
| Joined: 03/08
Posted: 06/19/08
12:07 PM
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I use Ams oil... seems to work great for me. But I'm paying about $40 a gallon. < shrugs > I just want the best for my bike lol.
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Posted: 06/19/08
06:20 PM
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Hey nypanama41, check out this link:
http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?subcategory=42
Amsoil is good stuff...do your resarch!
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Posted: 06/23/08
06:20 PM
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I just wanted to report on my first ride since installing AMSOIL MCF: 100% synthetic 10w-40...my bike seems to run smoother-less vibration. I most definately shifts better. Seems to start quicker, has better throttle response and I swear I was able to back the choke off sooner, because the enginge seemed to be more "responsive" and less likely to stall when it was cold...? Now I can't say that any other 100% synthetic wouldn't preforn just as well...but as for me I'm hooked! It AMSOIL for me!
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