Diesel oils in 4 strokes?

[thorns]

Does anyone on here run diesel oil in the 4 stroke MX bikes? Just looking for best oil for KX450 and it seems over in the states, Rotella T seems to be the one everyone raves about. Anyone had any experience running that, or similar diesel oil, ( Rotella seems to be uncommon in NZ from a google search)?
The other one I found suggested from a Aussie was this http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/onli...d=215330#Cross dirt cheap as well, would last a year or so.

Just finished the bottle of oil I got when I bought my bike, and its about $80 for 2 litres, so two oil changes, and being a bit anal about oil changes, that's just far to expensive.

[scott411]

I use a Kawasaki performance oil semi synthetic in my KX450F, and so does our whole race team on 250f's and 450's, its $16.50 RRP a litre, I do about 5 hour oil changes with filters every second time, any decent brand motorcycle specific semi synthetic would do, (10/40w or close) I have not seen any reason to use a full synthetic in a Kawasaki MX bike, although i know the KTM's need them,

the problem with using non motorcycle oils in bikes is the fact that they are not designed for use with wet clutches and gearboxes,

I personally would never run a non motorcycle oil in a performance bike like a KX450F,

[scott411]

using supercheap as you did,

this is similar spec to what i use in a 4l bottle,

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/onli...pid=4430#Cross

the Kawasaki oil is similar price only in 1 litre containers, any kawasaki dealer can get it, but not all stock it,

[thorns]

Whats the name of that oil Scott, much more reasonably priced and happy enough to pay that sort of money, just thought nearly $40 a litre is over the top!

edit: didn't see your second reply there.

Thanks for that, I've always been fussy with oil and do it every couple of hours and oil filter every 5-6 hours. Seems this may be complete overkill?

[scott411]

Whats the name of that oil Scott, much more reasonably priced and happy enough to pay that sort of money, just thought nearly $40 a litre is over the top!

its Kawasaki performance oil, Semi Synthetic 10/40, only do it in 1 litre packs,

any Kawasaki dealer can get it,

[thorns]

5th one down on this page?

http://www.motozone.co.nz/products/k...ance-oils.aspx

[scott411]

5th one down on this page?

http://www.motozone.co.nz/products/k...ance-oils.aspx

yep, perfect,

[pete.ktm]

another popular diesel one is caltex delo 400. used to be able get it the warehouse but they only seem to have the 400LE variety now and thats not so good for bikes. diesel and turbo at petone have the none LE oil.

i've always run it and the mechanic said my 450 looked pretty damn good for 300 hours when the crappy ktm exhaust valves needed replacing.

when i used to hang out at the oil forums (theres sad people out there) they seemed to think SEMI synthetic was a bit of a con, either use regular oil and change it often or synthentic oil and change it slightly less often.

if you read the reports from the guys who send their used oil away to be analysed you realise that the oil wears down pretty quickly, so what ever you use just change it often.

[barty5]

Be surprised if many people up here use diesel oil as oil in general and bike oilmis super cheap here most of the high quality bike oils are only $9 ltr. I get mobil 1 for $35 for 4ltr for the car.

[pete376403]

Rotella is an article of faith among KLR650 riders. Personally I use what ever is cheap at the time, and change it often.

[AllanB]

Rotella is Shell in NZ Try the Shell equivalent.

[avgas]

Diesel oils run good depending on your throttle use. I found that some had additives that change in temp, now in general that is not so bad (in fact it keeps the engine clean), but if your running a wet sump some of these additives don't let the clutch plates do their job as well.
Once again, this is only under extreme use / temp. Under normal use they are fine. Very handy to run a diesel oil in-between changes as the detergent helps clean the engine. But I wouldn't use it while racing.

[Tazz]

I've been using whatever Diesel oil I've got around (my old car used to take 9L an oil change so always had the leftover kicking around) and so far so good. After experimenting a bit a few years ago (in the car) I wouldn't touch the Repco or Supercheap 'branded' stuff. I'm not sure what other labels the same oil has on it but I found it crap.

Caltex and Shell or Redline have been good to me. The same weight Castrol stuff seemed a bit 'thinner'? (maybe just my imagination) which may be more suited to a bike? Not really knowledgeable enough to know but I didn't like using it in the car.

[Flip]

Most of the oils you can buy in take home packs are mixed fleet lubes and have dual petrol and diesel ratings.

The only wee issue you might have is diesel oils will not have been tested the jap std for motorcycle clutch compatability. Saying that they might just be a little too slipery for some bike clutches.

I am a fan of mixed fleet lubes, they are high performance low cost. I am fucked if I will ever pay for a flash glow in the dark 1 litre bottle with a $5 holographic lable.

[flashg]

All engine oil's have detergents and additives for anti-wear etc which only last so long as you don't try to extend your oil changes. If your racing etc change it more often and use oils made for bike engines. When spending heaps on buying a bike why would anyone want to skimp on oil ? There is huge money spent on research and development on engine oils. For example my 2012 WR 450 must run semi synthetic NOT full synthetic according to Yamaha and yet KTM recommend full synthetic. Safer to run manufactures spec oils . Unless you think you think you know more than the manufactures.

My 2 cents