Conventional oil or motorcycle oil

[pit-fighter]

I know theres alot of info on this subject..but i would like to know what kind of oil you guys use in your bike's...when i got my bike the po said he used castrol 10w40..and the engine sound real smooth but i changed it over to vavoline motrocycle oil and now the engine dosen't sound as smooth to me...just wondering if i should go back to the castrol.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Pit,

I'm surprised to hear that, cause several folks here have talked about using Valvoline MC oils, and their engines got quieter!?

Sounds like your engine doesn't like Valvoline, so you might want to switch back on the next oil change. I prefer 20-50, better protection in summer, and it doesn't get that cold here, and I don't ride when it's that cold, to warrant the 10w!? YMMV!
T.C.

[xsivebiker]

As for me, it depends on the bike and it's cooling system.
The Yamaha, I used to spoil the girl on Yamalube ,but last yr. I switched to the Valvoline brand [motorcycle oil], esp. formulated for four stroke, air cooled, wet clutch engines.
My Kawasaki, I use regular Valvoline [automotive] oil. The "book" calls for 10W-40 [my riding temps] plus this bike is water cooled.
I also used this same brand/viscosity on my '84 GL 1200 Gold Wing. [water cooled]
As for my '87 Gold Wing [water cooled]; the original owner was using Mobil 1, synthetic. So I'm still debating on sticking or changing with this one.
One word to the wise is that 'sometimes' a wet clutch will slip when you use synthetic type motor oils. So far, my '87 'Wing is doing fine.
Now, I have a question: Synthetic motor oil is at least TWICE as expensive as reg. motor oil. What kind of mileage intervals do most people change the oil when using synthetic?
'Still the same mileage interval?? 1.5 or twice the mileage interval?
I gotta admit that with nearly 4,000 miles on the oil, it shows "cleaner on the stick" than automotive oil would. [this is on my '87] AND it's just now beginning to get a little "dirty" looking.
FWIW: I would have already changed the oil if I'd been using regular automotive grade oil and I'm going to change the oil/filter before this yrs. XSEast Rally. 'See ya there!
Ride Safe,
Greg
'80 XS100-G
'87 GL1200-I
'93 KLX 650-C1

[xs650mike]

Tractor oil?

Not asked in the poll but how many are using diesel type oil such as Shell Rotella T, dino or synthetic? These oils are designed for wet clutches. I've currently got Rotella T dino 15w/40 in my bikes. Before that I was using Mobil 1 15w/50 Synthetic auto oil. I noticed no clutch problems with the synthetic oil nor increased engine noise nor rough shifting. The 11 seems to shift ever so slightly smoother with the Rotella though. The others seem just the same with both oils. I have used motorcycle specific oils before, Bel Ray and Yamalube, and noticed no appreciable differences between all of these oils.

[Czekus21]

I use the Valvoline 20-50. So far it's worked well for me. I used a few different brands and types. So far I can't complain. The only time the clutch slips is WOT in the power curve. ( Before and after towing a truck )

[LoserShoes]

Switched from Mobil 1 to Valvoline MC 20/50 and noticed a very real improvement in shifting. Somewhat quieter engine also.

Steve

[LoserShoes]

When synthetics first came out, it was claimed that you didn't have to change your oil, just the filter. It was claimed the oil didn't break down. Wonder what happened to that? Quess they wanted to sell more oil.

Steve

[Pat Kelly]

While attempting to attend the Tax Relief ride I accellerated (in a heavy mist) and had my clutch slip from 1st through third. I've never had this happen before (and I use plain ole Castrol GTX).
At 60 MPH in third and the tach was reading around 7000 RPM, the back end of the bike started to slightly weave side to side.
I think my back tire was slipping, not my clutch .
Never did that before unintentionally.

[e.z.nightrider]

Switched from Castroil to Rotella T syn. The engine got quieter, it shifts smoother and I have not noticed any clutch slippage.

Ed Z.

[xs650mike]

Shouldn't be any slippage, Rotella T's designed for wet clutches.

[bandet01]

well i run moble one synthatic in my bike and tthe clucth is slipping under hard accelerating, so i am going to switch to the motorcycle oil or something made for the wet clutchs and if that dont help i will be putting a new clutch in

[7911special]

I use castrol's 15w40 diesel. Great spout to pour it in. It is still too heavy for 40 degrees or lower riding as the bike barely likes to turn over when starting it. I have more probs with first gear then any clutch slippage

[Bauer]

Im using castrols GTX 20w-50 as it was recommended by the guy that did the tune up for the PO.
Up here in good ole ND, we run what we call legend cars on local dirt tracks. They are a scaled down version of 34 chevy and ford coupes on small chassis. They run with either 1200 or 1250 cc yamaha motors with wet clutch systems. Walking around the track, out of 40+ drivers, 65-75% of them will recommend Rotella T
One of my good friends races up here and will be running Rotella for the entire 06 season to show the difference between the 2. He ran a 1250 last season with castrol 20w50 so after this season, he can break them down and compare the 2.

For those that are unaware of what they look like, here they are. They race both dirt and asphalt tracks nationwide and on a 3/8 mile dirt track can see speeds in excess of 90mph if conditions are right.

[Poprock]

I use Mobil Delvac 15/40 in Kong. He had Mobil 1 mc oil when I got it. Starter clutch slipped at temps below 40. No probs with the Delvac, and it seems the tranny is a little quieter. 48,000 on the bike. Change at 2000.

[Pain]

I used synth oil but started to have starter problems. Switched back to Dino and they went away.

No brand loyality, though. I'll get whatever.