What oil do I use?
05-02-2015, 07:18 PM
#1
New SuperHawk Owner
Squid
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Scottville, Michigan
Posts: 2
What oil do I use?
I just bought a 1998 SuperHawk and it's a blast. I need to change the oil. I'm looking for recommendations. Conventional oil, Semi-synthetic, or full synthetic? What do you guys like?
05-02-2015, 07:33 PM
#3
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: boston
Posts: 1,252
ok, ill spare you the harassment on this one (dont post such a sensitive subject on a forum) and tell you the answer... lol
the bike calls for 10w-40, use any that helps you sleep at night. If the previous owner stated theres a performance clutch in there then most performance clutches dont like synthetic oil. A lot of guys, including me, prefer rotella 15-40. Yes its marketed as a diesel motor oil, but motor oil is motor oil is motor oil and works great,
the bike calls for 10w-40, use any that helps you sleep at night. If the previous owner stated theres a performance clutch in there then most performance clutches dont like synthetic oil. A lot of guys, including me, prefer rotella 15-40. Yes its marketed as a diesel motor oil, but motor oil is motor oil is motor oil and works great,
05-02-2015, 07:56 PM
#6
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05-02-2015, 08:05 PM
#8
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MotoGP
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Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
Rotella T3 is cheap, proven (excellent wear number and resistance to shearing) and has JASO certification for wet clutch. You can find more expensive, but will be hard-pressed to find a better performing oil.....
05-02-2015, 08:50 PM
#13
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05-02-2015, 11:05 PM
#14
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SuperSport
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05-03-2015, 02:04 AM
#15
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SuperBike
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New South Wales Australia
Posts: 1,544
Ha ha,
Years ago I was laughed at by mates for using diesel oil in my bikes.
Years later they are all onto it as at some time or other I have done work/ services on their bikes.
The VTR , Aprillia and Duc all have diesel oil in them, and I sleep very well at night.
Google it, you'll be amazed at how many bikers use diesel oil in a wide variety of machinery.
Years ago I was laughed at by mates for using diesel oil in my bikes.
Years later they are all onto it as at some time or other I have done work/ services on their bikes.
The VTR , Aprillia and Duc all have diesel oil in them, and I sleep very well at night.
Google it, you'll be amazed at how many bikers use diesel oil in a wide variety of machinery.
05-03-2015, 07:54 AM
#18
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MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
It seems that it has that effect in some bikes.... the "experts" seem to think it may be caused by its clutch grip...... an inconvenient downside (on some bikes) but its wear protection and resistance to shearing are beyond dispute...... have you tried some of the other competing diesel oils like Delo or Mobil ? Some like these better..... all are top quality inexpensive oils......
05-04-2015, 02:24 AM
#19
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SuperSport
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Auckland, new Zealand
Posts: 932
Oh, that i didnt know. Would that be Rimula R4x?
Looks to be cheap here.
This is the spec sheet on it, http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC...8en%29_TDS.pdf
Looks to be cheap here.
This is the spec sheet on it, http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC...8en%29_TDS.pdf
Last edited by NZSpokes; 05-04-2015 at 02:38 AM.
05-04-2015, 04:45 PM
#24
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SuperSport
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Posts: 949
NNjhawk02, ya shouldn't post pictures of girlfriends, or mothers on this forum... Persons on this forum will be discussing "MAKing their OWN lubricates to the photo".... just an opinion....
Rotella is fine oil... Do you believe the engine on , or in ANY vehicle can differentiate between oils, The engine only has an issue when it is NOT lubricated.....
Last edited by 1971allchaos; 05-04-2015 at 04:48 PM.
05-04-2015, 07:29 PM
#25
Senior Member
SuperBike
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,509
That is a funny thought, the engine being able to distinguish between oils... Could make for a funny Pixar movie...
"Crankshaft! Do you smell that?"
"No timing chain, what are you talking about?"
"Tastes like an oil recommended only for diesel engines to me", says Valve #1.
"Aw man, didn't that guy read the manual", expresses Rear Auto Cam Chain Tensioner.
"Quiet down up there and focus Rear Auto Cam Chain Tensioner, before you come apart," yells crankshaft.
"That's funny, I don't care who ya are", exclaims Front MANUAL Cam Chain Tensioner.
James
"Crankshaft! Do you smell that?"
"No timing chain, what are you talking about?"
"Tastes like an oil recommended only for diesel engines to me", says Valve #1.
"Aw man, didn't that guy read the manual", expresses Rear Auto Cam Chain Tensioner.
"Quiet down up there and focus Rear Auto Cam Chain Tensioner, before you come apart," yells crankshaft.
"That's funny, I don't care who ya are", exclaims Front MANUAL Cam Chain Tensioner.
James
05-05-2015, 04:39 PM
#30
Member
Squid
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 57
Welcome! Glad you found your way to a 'hawk! Youre gonna love it!
So I guess oil is a touchy subject and I'm not sure why. Ive been in the automotiove business a while and I found that whatever meets the manufacturer spec is "best". If youre not sure, you can always call the local dealership and ask - I had very good results doing that.
If I may tell a short story...
I used castrol semi synthetic 10-40 for my first oil change and it worked great! Was rec'd by the parts guy at the local Bent Bike salvage yard. No noise, no leaks, didnt break down fast or nuthin'.
Second oil change after about 3000 miles, used amsoil fully synthetic cuz its supposed to be the ****. I noticed the engine was noisier and it started seeing wetness around the valve covers and head gaskets. Stood up well to some hard riding.
Third oil change after about another 3000 miles, went to Honda this time. Was about to buy another round of sythetic but decided to ask the parts guy. He pointed out a handy-dandy chart on the desk which showed the three types of oil and what years they are recommended for. Being a 2001, he said the semi was the "correct" oil for it and using synthetic can lead to noise and leaks (which mine was experiencing). So I bought 4 quarts of the Honda semi, a honda filter, and my baby has been happy for the last 3000 miles!
So I'm firmly in the "manufacturer" camp on this topic. Honda specifies the honda 10w-40 semi-synthetic so I really think thats what you should use. Pretty much takes the guesswork away, as you know its been engineered for these engines and will meet all the specs.
No need to make it any harder on yourself.
So I guess oil is a touchy subject and I'm not sure why. Ive been in the automotiove business a while and I found that whatever meets the manufacturer spec is "best". If youre not sure, you can always call the local dealership and ask - I had very good results doing that.
If I may tell a short story...
I used castrol semi synthetic 10-40 for my first oil change and it worked great! Was rec'd by the parts guy at the local Bent Bike salvage yard. No noise, no leaks, didnt break down fast or nuthin'.
Second oil change after about 3000 miles, used amsoil fully synthetic cuz its supposed to be the ****. I noticed the engine was noisier and it started seeing wetness around the valve covers and head gaskets. Stood up well to some hard riding.
Third oil change after about another 3000 miles, went to Honda this time. Was about to buy another round of sythetic but decided to ask the parts guy. He pointed out a handy-dandy chart on the desk which showed the three types of oil and what years they are recommended for. Being a 2001, he said the semi was the "correct" oil for it and using synthetic can lead to noise and leaks (which mine was experiencing). So I bought 4 quarts of the Honda semi, a honda filter, and my baby has been happy for the last 3000 miles!
So I'm firmly in the "manufacturer" camp on this topic. Honda specifies the honda 10w-40 semi-synthetic so I really think thats what you should use. Pretty much takes the guesswork away, as you know its been engineered for these engines and will meet all the specs.
No need to make it any harder on yourself.
