Engine Oil

Just a little question.  I have a 06 600rr and I was wondering about changing the oil.  Do I really have to put this expensive Honda oil, or can I put regular Penzoil
10W-30, 10W-40.  Just curious, but I don't see the point as it all comes down to an Engine is an Engine.  

Oh goodness.

Your motorcycle's engine oil also lubricates the transmission. So, a car engine is a car engine.... but a motorcycle engine is NOT a car engine. Because a motorcycle engine (relative to the oil) is an engine AND transmission, see?
You don't have to use the expensive oil, no.... but you should use a motorcycle designed oil, with a JASO rating.

There are extensive articles on this board discussing this. If I know Trevitt very well, he will link you to them shortly....  

Spend the extra $10 and buy the stock honda oil...you just paid close to $10K for a bike and you're gonna go cheap on the critical running parts...doesn't make sense.

My .02  

Not AT...  But try these:

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0308_oil/index.html
http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0310_oil/index.html

And I am with Dustin on this.  Spend the extra $10 or so that motorcycle oil will cost you.  Save the money by doing it yourself.  It is very easy to do.

And +1 with Casey.  The oil also needs to deal with the transmission...  Something that car oils don't need to worry about.


Chris  

Agreed about using good oil. Read those stories above, and look in your manual for what kind of oil it calls for as far as viscosity and JASO or API ratings. If you do the oil changes yourself, keep the receipts and write down the mileage, so that you can show you did the correct maintenance if you have warranty issues later.

AT  

Thanks for the info.  I have not put regular oil in it because I was not sure and I didn't want to screw anything up in it, but you learn something everyday.  I finally care enough to learn how a bike runs, instead of just how to ride.  I have been riding for 4 years now, but I am now just learning the workings of the machine.  And again, thanks to all that have helped me gain this knowledge.  

has anyone used royal purple or even redline?? i dont think redline is made for bikes but i saw some on the shelf at my local shop.  

i asked this question to an amsoil rep.the difference between car oil and bike oil is that auto oil has friction modifiers in it,these modifiers will not let the clutch work properly.hope this helps.