What oil do you use in your bike, and why?

was92v · 02-25-2009, 11:26 PM

When I can afford it, Mobile1, 15W50 summer, 10W40 winter. When I can't, some lower cost syn. I,ve used Honda HP-4 semi-syn and liked it but it is too expensive. As far as why, It is really hard to know one is better than another if it doesn't blow up or break, but I have a friend that used to spin wrenches for Skip Barber when they had the Saab Turbo F3(I think) series. He said when they switched to Mobile1 engine problems dropped noticeably. They also doubled the run time on mobile1. When I raced Vintage bikes, the guy I rode for had Older British twins and triples that were really hard on the valve train and cranks. stock they would break if they saw 6k more than every once in a while. I shifted his twins at 8200-8400 RPM (or whatever chip he would let me have that weekend) every gear, every lap and we never had valve train problems and only lost one engine in two seasons. It said a lot for his engine and trans building skills, but he said the oil made a big difference in slowing valve train wear and breakage. I figure if it works that well under those stressings, it should be great in a modern engine.
About the only difference I can tell from the seat is shifting. I used an old SOHC 750 Honda as a test mule for oil at one time. It had a pretty clunky trans. The clutch would slip with full synthetic (never had that problem on a newer bike) so I tried mineral oils. The slickest I used was Valvoline racing but it went to shit at 800 miles. Pennzoil was the next best that stayed slippery for the 2k I ran it and didn't cost much.
Honda HP4 semi syn was about as good as the Valvoline racing oil and stayed that way until I changed it. I tried about 6-8 different oils and Pennzoil remained the best non-syn I tried. The worst was...... Castrol GTX. I know what the ads say, but the toes knows.

zed · 02-25-2009, 11:29 PM

if you want to do samples and find out the condition of your oil, Blackstone Labs will send you a kit for free. the last I checked it was around $20 for the cheap tese.

JoshuaTree · 02-26-2009, 12:22 AM

Generic 20W50 motorcycle oil (normally Valvoline) - 6-7 Years. Now Castrol 20W50. I doubt I'll have any clutch related issues...

Amber Lamps · 02-26-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTree

Generic 20W50 motorcycle oil (normally Valvoline) - 6-7 Years. Now Castrol 20W50. I doubt I'll have any clutch related issues...

Yea sometimes I wish I had a dry clutch bike just so I could try different additives,like that crap Carroll Shelby reps..."Z's" or something. I use Lucas oil stuff in my car.

Amber Lamps · 02-26-2009, 12:25 AM

Amsoil 20/50. I've tried Maxim 4,Golden Spectro,Mobile 1,Repsol...fuck,I've used them all I think. I really like Amsoil or Mobile 1 bike specific 20/50. I'm with Was on one thing,and I challenge both Zed and Zukimon to try this. Switch to Mobile or Amsoil and see if your shifting doesn't improve 100%!

zed · 02-26-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGGER

I challenge both Zed and Zukimon to try this. Switch to Mobile or Amsoil and see if your shifting doesn't improve 100%!

I ride a Kawasaki, I don't have shifting problems.

just kidding, don't have a cow. LOL

ZUKIMON · 02-26-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zed

I ride a Kawasaki, I don't have shifting problems.

just kidding, don't have a cow. LOL

I was gonna say the same thing, only I have a HONDA, and my reasons for no problems are not due to a dry/wet clutch.

:-X

I'm going with either Amms, or Mobile. Most likely Mobile as I cannot see paying double for oil that may or may not be better than this.

Amber Lamps · 02-26-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZUKIMON

I was gonna say the same thing, only I have a HONDA, and my reasons for no problems are not due to a dry/wet clutch.

:-X

I'm going with either Amms, or Mobile. Most likely Mobile as I cannot see paying double for oil that may or may not be better than this.

i said you'd see an improvement and Amsoil and Mobile 1 cost about the same around here...

Riceaholic · 02-26-2009, 07:37 AM

I've used Golden Spectro for years.

ZUKIMON · 02-26-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGGER

i said you'd see an improvement and Amsoil and Mobile 1 cost about the same around here...

I don't doubt that I will get smoother shifts with the synth, that's why I am going to use it. Around here Amsoil is $11 per quart and 10-40 Mobil 1 is $6.99

I just can't justify the difference in price to get the Amsoil.

02-26-2009, 12:22 AM	#3
JoshuaTree DILLIGAF? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, Texas, USA, Earth, Sol, Western Spiral Arm, Milky Way Moto: 1993 K75SA Posts: 483	Generic 20W50 motorcycle oil (normally Valvoline) - 6-7 Years. Now Castrol 20W50. I doubt I'll have any clutch related issues... __________________ "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" "Learn to do the counter-intuitive things that may one day save your ass..." "... Love Much, Laugh Often..." - Amanda Kay Corso (January 18, 1980 - April 15, 2008)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-25-2009, 11:26 PM	#1
was92v Nowhere Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 558	When I can afford it, Mobile1, 15W50 summer, 10W40 winter. When I can't, some lower cost syn. I,ve used Honda HP-4 semi-syn and liked it but it is too expensive. As far as why, It is really hard to know one is better than another if it doesn't blow up or break, but I have a friend that used to spin wrenches for Skip Barber when they had the Saab Turbo F3(I think) series. He said when they switched to Mobile1 engine problems dropped noticeably. They also doubled the run time on mobile1. When I raced Vintage bikes, the guy I rode for had Older British twins and triples that were really hard on the valve train and cranks. stock they would break if they saw 6k more than every once in a while. I shifted his twins at 8200-8400 RPM (or whatever chip he would let me have that weekend) every gear, every lap and we never had valve train problems and only lost one engine in two seasons. It said a lot for his engine and trans building skills, but he said the oil made a big difference in slowing valve train wear and breakage. I figure if it works that well under those stressings, it should be great in a modern engine. About the only difference I can tell from the seat is shifting. I used an old SOHC 750 Honda as a test mule for oil at one time. It had a pretty clunky trans. The clutch would slip with full synthetic (never had that problem on a newer bike) so I tried mineral oils. The slickest I used was Valvoline racing but it went to shit at 800 miles. Pennzoil was the next best that stayed slippery for the 2k I ran it and didn't cost much. Honda HP4 semi syn was about as good as the Valvoline racing oil and stayed that way until I changed it. I tried about 6-8 different oils and Pennzoil remained the best non-syn I tried. The worst was...... Castrol GTX. I know what the ads say, but the toes knows.

02-25-2009, 11:29 PM	#2
zed yellow don't corner well Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kansas City, KS Moto: 06 ZX10R Posts: 1,243	if you want to do samples and find out the condition of your oil, Blackstone Labs will send you a kit for free. the last I checked it was around $20 for the cheap tese.

02-26-2009, 12:25 AM	#5
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	Amsoil 20/50. I've tried Maxim 4,Golden Spectro,Mobile 1,Repsol...fuck,I've used them all I think. I really like Amsoil or Mobile 1 bike specific 20/50. I'm with Was on one thing,and I challenge both Zed and Zukimon to try this. Switch to Mobile or Amsoil and see if your shifting doesn't improve 100%!

02-26-2009, 07:37 AM	#9
Riceaholic High Life Drinker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tampa Bay Moto: 01 GSXR 1000 - Yamaha Zuma 125 Posts: 961	I've used Golden Spectro for years.