Looking around at motorcycle oil, there are tons of different brands. I've always gotten silkolene full synthetic race oil, which runs around $60-80 per gallon. Which is crazy especially if you're changing it monthly or even ever weekend at the track. I was talking with the owner of Speedcell, which designed the original lightweight racing batteries, he's also built some awesome bikes (check out the pictures), anyway he recommended I use Rotella T in my bike. I trusted him cause he's pretty smart, but I decided to dig into it a little cause that sounded crazy. Turns out he's spot on.
So wanna save some money? What seems to be recommended are "heavy duty" diesel oils that are 5w40, 5w50, 10w40, 15w40 being the industry standard, 15w50, or 20w50.
Castrol RX Super 15w40
Chevron Delo 400 15w40
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15w40
Pennzoil Long-Life 15w40
Quaker State 4X4 Synthetic Blend 15w40
Shell Rotella-T 15w40 Generally favored
SuperTech 2000 (WalMart) 15w40
Valvoline All Fleet 15w40
Castrol Syntec Blend Truck and 4X4 15w40
If you're like, what the hell is this guy talking about. Car oil is for cars, motorcycle oil if for motorcycles......then read on and check out the links.
"The owner's manual of your motorcycle probably says something very similar to the following:
Use only high detergent, premium quality motor oil certified to meet API Service Classification SF or SG (shown on container). The use of additives is unnecessary and will only increase operating expenses. Do not use oils with graphite or molybdenum additives as they may adversely affect clutch operation." That's pretty clear. But what do you do since automotive oils now say on the container "meets SL Service?" That's easy! By consensus of the API and the manufacturers, the current SL classification meet all requirements of SF, SG, SH, and SJ plus all earlier API gasoline categories. The current SL actually offers some additional benefits over the older classifications. So, if the motorcycle requirement says "SG", be confident that "SL" indeed meets that requirement.
The above mentioned heavy duty oils are commonly misunderstood, and often referred to as "diesel oils." They are NOT energy conserving, have higher zinc levels, as high as 0.16%, and by virtue of their multi-duty have a better engine protection package than an oil that is only rated "SL". These heavy-duty oils are rated SJ or SL, plus CH-4. They are currently closer in formulation to the motorcycle specific oils and to the "SG" oils that many motorcycle makers recommend.
Be sure and use the recommended viscosity range, e.g. 10w40, 20w50, etc. for the climate in your area. In general, to protect your motor use the heaviest oil you can that still meets the manufacturer's guidelines. For example, 20w50 is better in warm weather than 10w40, because it gives you a thicker oil cushion between bearing surfaces at operating temperature. For racing, a thinner oil will offer less resistance and thus more power, but will offer less protection."
quoted from:Motorcycle Oil Explained
Shell Rotella Full Analysis
Rotella "T" JASO/MA Certified - Bob Is The Oil Guy
Here is the email from a Rotella engineer that I found on the Shell forums.
"We recently ran the JASO MA friction test on Rotella T with Triple Protection 15W-40, Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 (CI-4) and our soon to be introduced (within the next 2 months) Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 CJ-4.
All three oils passed the wet clutch friction test. Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 (CI-4) has more than 1.2% ash (JASO MA spec limit) so it can not be classified as JASO MA. However, Rotella T with Triple Protection 15W-40 and our soon to be introduced Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 CJ-4 do meet JASO MA."
If you have any additional questions please call us at 800-231-6950.
Thank you for your interest in Shell products."
Richard Moore
Staff Engineer
Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.
Quoted from" Bob is the oil guy
So to wrap it up, do what's in your budget. For me, that's gonna be Rotella T.
As promised, heres a picture of the. Its a built honda rc, making somewhere around 140-150hp. Note the brake reservoirs. Even cooler in person.
So wanna save some money? What seems to be recommended are "heavy duty" diesel oils that are 5w40, 5w50, 10w40, 15w40 being the industry standard, 15w50, or 20w50.
Castrol RX Super 15w40
Chevron Delo 400 15w40
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15w40
Pennzoil Long-Life 15w40
Quaker State 4X4 Synthetic Blend 15w40
Shell Rotella-T 15w40 Generally favored
SuperTech 2000 (WalMart) 15w40
Valvoline All Fleet 15w40
Castrol Syntec Blend Truck and 4X4 15w40
If you're like, what the hell is this guy talking about. Car oil is for cars, motorcycle oil if for motorcycles......then read on and check out the links.
"The owner's manual of your motorcycle probably says something very similar to the following:
Use only high detergent, premium quality motor oil certified to meet API Service Classification SF or SG (shown on container). The use of additives is unnecessary and will only increase operating expenses. Do not use oils with graphite or molybdenum additives as they may adversely affect clutch operation." That's pretty clear. But what do you do since automotive oils now say on the container "meets SL Service?" That's easy! By consensus of the API and the manufacturers, the current SL classification meet all requirements of SF, SG, SH, and SJ plus all earlier API gasoline categories. The current SL actually offers some additional benefits over the older classifications. So, if the motorcycle requirement says "SG", be confident that "SL" indeed meets that requirement.
The above mentioned heavy duty oils are commonly misunderstood, and often referred to as "diesel oils." They are NOT energy conserving, have higher zinc levels, as high as 0.16%, and by virtue of their multi-duty have a better engine protection package than an oil that is only rated "SL". These heavy-duty oils are rated SJ or SL, plus CH-4. They are currently closer in formulation to the motorcycle specific oils and to the "SG" oils that many motorcycle makers recommend.
Be sure and use the recommended viscosity range, e.g. 10w40, 20w50, etc. for the climate in your area. In general, to protect your motor use the heaviest oil you can that still meets the manufacturer's guidelines. For example, 20w50 is better in warm weather than 10w40, because it gives you a thicker oil cushion between bearing surfaces at operating temperature. For racing, a thinner oil will offer less resistance and thus more power, but will offer less protection."
quoted from:Motorcycle Oil Explained
Shell Rotella Full Analysis
Rotella "T" JASO/MA Certified - Bob Is The Oil Guy
Here is the email from a Rotella engineer that I found on the Shell forums.
"We recently ran the JASO MA friction test on Rotella T with Triple Protection 15W-40, Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 (CI-4) and our soon to be introduced (within the next 2 months) Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 CJ-4.
All three oils passed the wet clutch friction test. Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 (CI-4) has more than 1.2% ash (JASO MA spec limit) so it can not be classified as JASO MA. However, Rotella T with Triple Protection 15W-40 and our soon to be introduced Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 CJ-4 do meet JASO MA."
If you have any additional questions please call us at 800-231-6950.
Thank you for your interest in Shell products."
Richard Moore
Staff Engineer
Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.
Quoted from" Bob is the oil guy
So to wrap it up, do what's in your budget. For me, that's gonna be Rotella T.
As promised, heres a picture of the. Its a built honda rc, making somewhere around 140-150hp. Note the brake reservoirs. Even cooler in person.