Automotive Or Motorbike Oil What do YOU use?

**AndyH** · 7th February 2005, 12:45

Originally Posted by Jimmie

I am using motorcycle fossil oil till the GS has at least 10,000km on it. Then I am seriously thinking about semi-synth motor (diesel) oil. The GS takes 3.5 litre so $$ come into it.

Could the 8 or so who polled as using auto synth-mix please post which oil they are using - am impressed by those who vote with their feet

Mobil Super S 10W40, because that's what the BMW dealer in the UK used to
put into the bike and it's what the local place that takes the used oil sells.
But the GS has a dry clutch and revs not much harder than a car.

I used to like Silkolene Pro 4 bike oil when running various Japanese bikes,
because it was a bike full synthetic available at a reasonable price (in the UK)
and was a lovely toffee-apple pink colour. Castrol GTX in the old Guzzi.

I haven't suffered any oil-related failures so far and believe anything that
meets the bike manufacturer's requirements and change intervals will be fine.
Didn't hurt (except the beer fund) to spend a bit more for comfort factor;
I don't know whether the synthetic oil help protect when thrashing things
like XT600s along autobahns in the baking heat and pushing change intervals
to get home.

**gav** · 7th February 2005, 20:22

Hmmm, as we use Caltex Delo 400 Multigrade in our trucks at work and it cost about $3 a litre, I'm tempted to try some in my CBR.
Who do I sue if it shits itself?

**Holy Roller** · 8th February 2005, 08:24

Originally Posted by Jackrat

diesal 20/50
Because people a hell of a lot better informed than me say so.
Plus it works.

Need to do an oil change
Have a 5ltr container of Vanellus C6 Global 15W-40 that was for a diesel van I sold a while back.
I normally use Shell Advance SX4 synthetic fortified15W-50 oil for motorcycles.
Would the diesel oil be OK to use?

**outlawtorn** · 8th February 2005, 08:35

Hmmm,

I use whatever oil gets put in by the mechanic who is working on my bike.

I love bikes, but am so far from being mechanically minded that it is scary.

**DEATH_INC.** · 17th February 2005, 17:34

I've tried a huge no of different oils in my bikes(all bike stuff....).The first thing I notice is different gearchange quality,then engine noises......
I prefer full synthetics,but the last lot I put in the turbo was in there about a week and then I killed the clutch(no fault of the oil),at $90 a shot I can't afford that......so I run a semi.....I like Rock oil,or silkolene.
In the gixx the best seems to be Mobil 1(bike stuff) though I've got Castrol GPS in there at the mo and it seems ok.
I will NOT use motul semi (always shit gearchanges) or motorex of any sort(created too much engine noise)

**Motu** · 17th February 2005, 19:48

Me too,I go by how it shifts and sounds - I tried Royal Purple once,the stuff makes the most horse power on dynos....but my bike shifted like crap and sounded funny...never again.

**John** · 17th February 2005, 19:51

I'm surprised who forks out the big bucks for the synthetic oils.

I think I might go buy a nice synthetic bike oil when I get to an oil change in see how it effects those shifts.

I was running a castrol fossil in my ZZR, and the gears clunked when cold (due to lack of lubrication etc) so I'm definatly moving to a synthetic, pay for protection I guess.

:P

**kevie** · 13th April 2006, 11:58

recently had my bike rebuilt and the mechanic gave me the 'recomended oil' for it, but the clutch slips when I throttle on to pass a vehicle, he said NEVER use synthetic oils on a bike, but the semi synthetics I used to use from Caltex never gave me any problem, the shell oils made my clutch slip like crazy..... think next change I will go bak to the Caltex branded semi synthetic one LOL

**sefer** · 13th April 2006, 13:04

You forgot to put 2-stroke oil and gear oil in the poll

Lets see, I was using desiel oil in the ZXR up till I sold it, am currently using Silkolene synth oil in the krr (2T) as I got a 1l bottle with the bike, but don't know I'll pay the $30 odd for it again. Just about to do the gear oil, will probably use a semi-synth gear/trasmission oil in it, but I'll have a looksee and check what else is recommended first

**Finn** · 13th April 2006, 13:15

My bike is 4 stroke so it doesn't need any oil.

**Aiolos** · 13th April 2006, 20:08

I love the smell of Castrol TTS in the morning.

Oh, and cheapo mineral valvoline in the transmission.

**Bonez** · 14th April 2006, 07:46

Being a tight cunt anything under $20 per 4ltrs unfriction modified goes into my old girls. Use to use Castol Grand Prix, but started using Repco branded 20/50 for deisol/older cars. Bikes were quieter and used less oil. Currently using Duckums 20W40 at $10 a pop for 4 litres.

This article actually changed my opion on the benefits of so called "motorcycle oils".

http://www.xs11.com/stories/mcnoil94.htm

**vs04** · 14th April 2006, 08:43

I use amsoil 10w40, $76 for 4 litres plus amsoil filter plus labour,$110, cheap.Smoother gear changes runs cooler plus acceleration seemed to be more responsive,also use amsoil gear lube for the shaft drive as well.Some might think thats expensive but you pay more for 4 liters of premium paint than you do oil.JMO.Cheers.