Obligatory Oil Thread

[motoman]

I will never understand why people put oil developed for diesel engines in motorcycles. Like there is some conspiracy that an oil company would have a better product for a vehicle but market it for a completely different vehicle. Doesn't seem smart to use oil for an engine that redlines around 6k rpms in an engine that redlines around 13k rpms.

Theoretically, Diesel oils can withstand higher temps and pressures than normal automotive oil, and still maintain the same flow characteristics. And of course, Semi trucks run for hundreds of thousands of miles. The only way to verify this would be a controlled experiment using both oils and sending samples to Blackstone. One advantage of Rotella is that it's cheap because I guess it's mass produced in higher quantities than Mobil 1, which everyone knows is a great oil. I have used it for many years.

I would also add, that I don't think anyone using a decent oil has ever had an 'oil failure'. The only issue might be that some oils might protect moving parts better than others over the long run.

I really don't want to start an extended oil discussion. If you're happy with your oil choice, no need to post here.
Just adding my $.02. Happy to put this thread to rest for a few more years..

[Reciprocal]

Diesel oil is not right for motorcycles, neither are automotive oils. The difference is motorcycles share engine oil with the transmission and wet clutch. Zinc phosphate has been an additive of motorcycle oils lacking in automotive oils because it's not good for the catalytic converter although very good for the top end/cams/lifters. Perhaps that has changed since bikes have cats now.

I have two very important reasons for using Silkolene Pro 4 fully synthetic ester:

1.) After hot lapping the track, there's no oil foaming visible in the inspection window.
2.) The red color is really cool.

Oil is good. I like oil.

[cOoTeR]

I will never understand why people put oil developed for diesel engines in motorcycles. Like there is some conspiracy that an oil company would have a better product for a vehicle but market it for a completely different vehicle. Doesn't seem smart to use oil for an engine that redlines around 6k rpms in an engine that redlines around 13k rpms.

Theoretically, Diesel oils can withstand higher temps and pressures than normal automotive oil, and still maintain the same flow characteristics. And of course, Semi trucks run for hundreds of thousands of miles. The only way to verify this would be a controlled experiment using both oils and sending samples to Blackstone. One advantage of Rotella is that it's cheap because I guess it's mass produced in higher quantities than Mobil 1, which everyone knows is a great oil. I have used it for many years.

I would also add, that I don't think anyone using a decent oil has ever had an 'oil failure'. The only issue might be that some oils might protect moving parts better than others over the long run.

I really don't want to start an extended oil discussion. If you're happy with your oil choice, no need to post here.
Just adding my $.02. Happy to put this thread to rest for a few more years..

If diesel oil was better why don't they sell it as diesel/ motorcycle oil? Theoretically doesn't work for me.

Oil companies have spent unfathomable amounts of money researching and developing oils for different applications such as diesels and motorcycles. They have done far more test than sending samples to Blackstone. The two engines are completely different and have different needs from oil. Oil companies have spent more money than I will ever see in my lifetime on making oil specific for motorcycles. Why would they waste their time and money making an inferior product for motorcycles if diesel oil will work?

Just because "Semi trucks run for hundreds of thousands of miles." does not mean we should put diesel fuel in our bikes. It's the same for the oil.

If you want to run diesel oil in your bike go ahead. But recommending it to others is irresponsible.

[cOoTeR]

I did a little digging into it. I emailed Rotella and asked if they had an oil they'd recommend for a spot bike. Here is their reply.

"Most Sport Bike manufacturer’s calls for an oil with JASO MA/MA2 spec (wet-clutch rating). We have a dedicated Shell Advance motorcycle oil that comes in two variants: Advance 4T Ultra 10W-40 (API SM/JASO MA2) and Advance 4T Ultra 15W-50 (SM/MA2).

Also pretty popular in the US for wet-clutch motorcycle are Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic 5W-40 and Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40. You may refer to your owner’s manual to check the oil specifications and select the suitable product.



I hope this helps."

They only state that the rotella line is popular and make no claims about using it in a bike.

I read in another forum that the a couple of the rotella line oils do meet the jaso specs but didn't find any of that on their website. So to each their own but I still would prefer a motorcycle specific oil.

[JustinP]

I did a little digging into it. I emailed Rotella and asked if they had an oil they'd recommend for a spot bike. Here is their reply.

"Most Sport Bike manufacturer’s calls for an oil with JASO MA/MA2 spec (wet-clutch rating). We have a dedicated Shell Advance motorcycle oil that comes in two variants: Advance 4T Ultra 10W-40 (API SM/JASO MA2) and Advance 4T Ultra 15W-50 (SM/MA2).

Also pretty popular in the US for wet-clutch motorcycle are Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic 5W-40 and Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40. You may refer to your owner’s manual to check the oil specifications and select the suitable product.



I hope this helps."

They only state that the rotella line is popular and make no claims about using it in a bike.

I read in another forum that the a couple of the rotella line oils do meet the jaso specs but didn't find any of that on their website. So to each their own but I still would prefer a motorcycle specific oil.

Yes, the Rotella oils meet Jaso specs for wet clutches. I've run T6 in my FJR's for well over 100k miles with no problems. I'm not sure what I'll run in the new SX though.

[zxhoya]

I run Rotella T6 in my bikes and my turbocharged car as well with no issues. It meets Kawasaki's spec ratings but to each his/her own.

I am debating on what oil to use on this bike.... most likely it will be Rotella.

[cOoTeR]

I did a little digging into it. I emailed Rotella and asked if they had an oil they'd recommend for a spot bike. Here is their reply.

"Most Sport Bike manufacturer’s calls for an oil with JASO MA/MA2 spec (wet-clutch rating). We have a dedicated Shell Advance motorcycle oil that comes in two variants: Advance 4T Ultra 10W-40 (API SM/JASO MA2) and Advance 4T Ultra 15W-50 (SM/MA2).

Also pretty popular in the US for wet-clutch motorcycle are Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic 5W-40 and Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40. You may refer to your owner’s manual to check the oil specifications and select the suitable product.



I hope this helps."

They only state that the rotella line is popular and make no claims about using it in a bike.

I read in another forum that the a couple of the rotella line oils do meet the jaso specs but didn't find any of that on their website. So to each their own but I still would prefer a motorcycle specific oil.

Yes, the Rotella oils meet Jaso specs for wet clutches. I've run T6 in my FJR's for well over 100k miles with no problems. I'm not sure what I'll run in the new SX though.

Do you know what JASO specs they met? The H2 SX service manual recommends Type API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2
Viscosity SAE 10W-40.

[mrjim]

Kawasaki does not manufacture it"s oil. All bike brands buy from Big Oil Comps. Use bike brand or buy from any major comp. you feel comfortable with. My 2 cents worth.

[zxhoya]

I did a little digging into it. I emailed Rotella and asked if they had an oil they'd recommend for a spot bike. Here is their reply.

"Most Sport Bike manufacturer’s calls for an oil with JASO MA/MA2 spec (wet-clutch rating). We have a dedicated Shell Advance motorcycle oil that comes in two variants: Advance 4T Ultra 10W-40 (API SM/JASO MA2) and Advance 4T Ultra 15W-50 (SM/MA2).

Also pretty popular in the US for wet-clutch motorcycle are Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic 5W-40 and Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40. You may refer to your owner’s manual to check the oil specifications and select the suitable product.



I hope this helps."

They only state that the rotella line is popular and make no claims about using it in a bike.

I read in another forum that the a couple of the rotella line oils do meet the jaso specs but didn't find any of that on their website. So to each their own but I still would prefer a motorcycle specific oil.

Yes, the Rotella oils meet Jaso specs for wet clutches. I've run T6 in my FJR's for well over 100k miles with no problems. I'm not sure what I'll run in the new SX though.

Do you know what JASO specs they met? The H2 SX service manual recommends Type API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2
Viscosity SAE 10W-40.