engine oil

[darryn1]

can anyone settle an argument?
i use mobil1 4t in my triumph bike, cos that's what they recommend. a mate just brought some mobil1 5w-50, which is recommended for older / newer engines, fully synthetic, and as used by porsche blah blah blah... although it probably doesn't matter - i say it's not a motorcycle specific oil and he should've got the 4t. does it really matter?
cheers.

[Pixie]

Some info:
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html#Oil

[Motu]

What vicosity range is the M1 4t? It's usually 15/50.NZ seems to only stock 5/50 in car synthetic oils for some reason.I would only bother to to go for the motorcycle specific to get the specified viscosity.The NZ 5/50 M1 won't have any friction modifiers (why would a synth have it anyway?) but US spec in the 5/30 etc range has has lower level of zinc and phos.The NZ M1 is very broad range.

[kevie]

I have tried a few oils.... I found the Shell brands caused too much clutch slip and the mechanic supplied a motorcycle specific oil for my cruiser when it was rebuilt, but that caused slight clutch problems too, so I opted for Caltex's 15/40 oil which seems ok in the bike. which reminds me ....>>>>>>> races off to Woodville Caltex for some oil cos oilchange is overdue

[desmo dave]

What vicosity range is the M1 4t? It's usually 15/50.NZ seems to only stock 5/50 in car synthetic oils for some reason.I would only bother to to go for the motorcycle specific to get the specified viscosity.The NZ 5/50 M1 won't have any friction modifiers (why would a synth have it anyway?) but US spec in the 5/30 etc range has has lower level of zinc and phos.The NZ M1 is very broad range.

As long as it dosent have
friction modifiers it should be fine.Ive just been reading up on Penrite oil there sin stuff dosent have friction modifiers .

[Motu]

Very few oils for the NZ market have friction modifiers - they are made for the US market where motor vehicles have to pass an ecconomy standard,and the secret is in the oil.And synthetics are not likely to need extra slipperyness - what about the myth that you can't run an engine in on synthetic because it's too slippery....surely then it would make the clutch slip? There are enough internet myths about oil to keep Mythbusters going for 10 years.