Motorcycle oil
I need to change the oil in my bike. Motorcycle motor oil is about 3 times more expensive than automotive oil. I was wondering why, so I looked around for answers. There seems to be a lot of hype about the relative value of motorcycle specific motor oil.
One opinion said that motor oil with friction modifiers used in a wet clutch bike can make the clutch slip so avoid automotive oil marked with "fuel saving" additives.
Some people recommend synthetic motor oils like Amsoil, Mobil 1, etc. because they hold their viscosity longer. (Rotella is sometimes classified separately. Some say it is not synthetic enough.)
Some recommend an oil with a JASO rating of MA or MA2 (not MB rating). These are ratings for the clutch, with MA2 being best.
Some say to just use the manufacturer's recommended oil, change on schedule, and that synthetics are not necessary. This Motorcycle Consumer News article seems to agree, stating:
"there is no substantive evidence that using a high-quality, name brand automotive oil in an average street motorcycle is in any way harmful or less effective in providing proper lubrication and protection than using the more expensive, motorcycle-specific oils."
The Suzuki VL800 manual just recommends SAE 10w/40 rated SF or SG. It's good enough for me, but I read this article which indicates that it too loses it's viscosity quickly and significantly, within 2000 miles.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html
It looks like the Shell Rotella T Synthetic oil is a good economical choice. $13 per gallon at Walmart. I'm sold.
One opinion said that motor oil with friction modifiers used in a wet clutch bike can make the clutch slip so avoid automotive oil marked with "fuel saving" additives.
Some people recommend synthetic motor oils like Amsoil, Mobil 1, etc. because they hold their viscosity longer. (Rotella is sometimes classified separately. Some say it is not synthetic enough.)
Some recommend an oil with a JASO rating of MA or MA2 (not MB rating). These are ratings for the clutch, with MA2 being best.
Some say to just use the manufacturer's recommended oil, change on schedule, and that synthetics are not necessary. This Motorcycle Consumer News article seems to agree, stating:
"there is no substantive evidence that using a high-quality, name brand automotive oil in an average street motorcycle is in any way harmful or less effective in providing proper lubrication and protection than using the more expensive, motorcycle-specific oils."
The Suzuki VL800 manual just recommends SAE 10w/40 rated SF or SG. It's good enough for me, but I read this article which indicates that it too loses it's viscosity quickly and significantly, within 2000 miles.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html
It looks like the Shell Rotella T Synthetic oil is a good economical choice. $13 per gallon at Walmart. I'm sold.
Labels: oil
posted by Rodney at 12:37 PM
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