What oil do I use?
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
I agree on the rotella. Been using it for a zillion miles. The trick is that it doesn't have the friction modifiers that show up as "energy or resource conserving" in that little circle.
Those things (modifiers) are really bad for the wet clutch.
Translation is don't use car oil. It will only lead to great unhappiness.
Those things (modifiers) are really bad for the wet clutch.
Translation is don't use car oil. It will only lead to great unhappiness.
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,221
From: Gettysburg, Pa
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
The old joke is that oil and tire threads get totally out of control with an overwhelming amount of diverse answers.
From what I can see, Rotella has gone the most miles in the hawk. For me I know it works so use it.
I find that guys who spend a bunch of cash on moto specific oil are not willing to say they may have got beat. Which I guess is understandable, just not sure why they always want to post about getting beat.
From what I can see, Rotella has gone the most miles in the hawk. For me I know it works so use it.
I find that guys who spend a bunch of cash on moto specific oil are not willing to say they may have got beat. Which I guess is understandable, just not sure why they always want to post about getting beat.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
I used to want the best of the best fully synthetic moto specific ***** until I jumped on the rotella/diesel oil bandwagon... people here intrigued me, doing my research and the no friction modifiers sold me, and not dropping $15/quart drove that nail home...
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Spokes, can you open this link ? Rotella and Rimula - same stuff, different names? | Motorcycles and Motorcycle Lubrication | Bob Is The Oil Guy
Not sure what Google shows you in kiwi-ville but I found a bunch of stuff saying that its really similar.
Shell Rimula or Rotella | Heavy Duty Engine Oil (HDEO) - Diesel/Gas Pickups/Trucks/Vans | Bob Is The Oil Guy
As long as it doesn't say energy or resource conserving I have read like 10 posts that say they are almost the same.
Not sure what Google shows you in kiwi-ville but I found a bunch of stuff saying that its really similar.
Shell Rimula or Rotella | Heavy Duty Engine Oil (HDEO) - Diesel/Gas Pickups/Trucks/Vans | Bob Is The Oil Guy
As long as it doesn't say energy or resource conserving I have read like 10 posts that say they are almost the same.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
From: Asheville, North Carolina
Let be Logical,, This topic has been discussed to the point that HELL, someone should have started a forum called "PICK A F@@KING OIL"...
Here is the truth Rotella is very good oil for any engine, simply it is designed to deal with a VERY dirt burning diesel engine.. So putting the oil in a gasoline engine-with tight rings, lower compression(than a diesel).. it makes an engine happy... The only draw back to using Rotella oil is?????
Starting with a very tight tolerance engine(MOST ALL jap engines) allows for running thinner oil.. Which the japs consider is way for gas mileage..
And if you think about the facts of the engine working to pump the oil, push exhaust out , and bring fuel & air in... The light the oil, the less work the engine has to do to move the oil...
So running THINNER oil helps create free H.P.
Now you have to take that information is from a 8 timer WERA champion..
Who believes in making HP, for a short period of time/ at HIGH RPMs between oil changes..
(ALSO has a sponsor to fund the REBUILD , when the engine scatters)
IT is practical on the race track. YET on the street... Run the Rotella
Millions of engines , can't be ignored....
VVVVVVVOOOOOmmmmm, RRRRRRooooo
Last edited by 1971allchaos; May 6, 2015 at 04:54 PM.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
Spokes, can you open this link ? Rotella and Rimula - same stuff, different names? | Motorcycles and Motorcycle Lubrication | Bob Is The Oil Guy
Not sure what Google shows you in kiwi-ville but I found a bunch of stuff saying that its really similar.
Shell Rimula or Rotella | Heavy Duty Engine Oil (HDEO) - Diesel/Gas Pickups/Trucks/Vans | Bob Is The Oil Guy
As long as it doesn't say energy or resource conserving I have read like 10 posts that say they are almost the same.
Not sure what Google shows you in kiwi-ville but I found a bunch of stuff saying that its really similar.
Shell Rimula or Rotella | Heavy Duty Engine Oil (HDEO) - Diesel/Gas Pickups/Trucks/Vans | Bob Is The Oil Guy
As long as it doesn't say energy or resource conserving I have read like 10 posts that say they are almost the same.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
I cant say that for sure but rotella has worked for me.
I don't know if its due to this thread but suddenly I am noticing the clunky shifts. I also need to align my linkage but it does seem notchy. Hmmm.
Psychosomatic? Conspiracy? Cuckoo for Cocopuffs?
I don't know if its due to this thread but suddenly I am noticing the clunky shifts. I also need to align my linkage but it does seem notchy. Hmmm.
Psychosomatic? Conspiracy? Cuckoo for Cocopuffs?
Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 285
From: Snohomish, WA.
Oil Thread-Opportunity-FWIW
I used to use Mobil 1, Switched to Amsoil 10-40 Synthetic Motorcycle oil. Shifting improvement noticeable, snicks into gear. Just look for an oil with the JASO MA/MA2 rating as follows; There is more than just this one.
GL-1 • API SG, SL/CF • JASO MA/MA2
I used to use Mobil 1, Switched to Amsoil 10-40 Synthetic Motorcycle oil. Shifting improvement noticeable, snicks into gear. Just look for an oil with the JASO MA/MA2 rating as follows; There is more than just this one.
GL-1 • API SG, SL/CF • JASO MA/MA2
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,312
From: Brookfield, WI
Just curious if anyone has used Royal Purple Max-Cycle in thier Superhawk?
The concern with wet clutches is insoluble lubricity enhancers like Molybdenum Disulfide, graphite and Teflon. These insoluble additives can plate out on friction surfaces and cause slippage. Royal Purple oils contain no insoluble additives. Also, the Max Cycle oils have been tested and rated MA@ in the JASO T903:2011 Friction Clutch Test. The MA2 rating is the highest/best wet clutch compatibility rating.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
Put some diesel oil in my Bandit 1200 yesterday. Seems to run just fine. Got a 200 mile ride today thats 2 up on it so that will see if there is a clutch issue.
If ok then I will put some in the Hawk.
If ok then I will put some in the Hawk.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,461
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
I guess I will throw another oil joke, an old one, but still funny:
If a Harley doe's not leak oil, that means there is no oil in it...
Like these Hardly sportsters...
If a Harley doe's not leak oil, that means there is no oil in it...
Like these Hardly sportsters...
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,461
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
Oh man, so I was in the parts store the other day stocking up on a bunch of things I needed and I found myself in the oil section just staring for minutes, trying to figure out what oil to buy for the bike... I made the switch to rotella 2 years ago but now they have all these different grades of the same weight, some offer high heat protection, some offer wear resistence etc... and I for the first time was baffled about oil. I dont think any of them said friction modifiers but most of them say something along the lines of "extreme wear resistence"or something like that. It makes me question that there might be friction modifiers i'm just not seeing the fine print...
Now I dont know what to think lol
Now I dont know what to think lol
