What oil to use?
 

I'm about to change oil on my SH first time since I purchased it. Previous owner used a regular automotive Mobil 1 synthetic 10W40. Honda manual recomments Honda brand 4-stroke M/C oil. Which one should I go with?

Is there a website I can purchase small items for SH from? (like a drain plug washer, for example) - 'cause I don't live near any Honda dealer within 50 miles.

I initially used Mobile1, but now use Amsoil. No complaints here.

Go to Bikebandit.com and order your washers, they ship really fast USPS Priority.

Thanks for the website, Phil. I couldn't find Amsoil, but a local AutoZone carries Mobil 1 Synthetic Motorcycle oil for V-Twin engines. It's 20W50, and suits Florida climate just fine, at a price twice the regular synthetic. Call me ignorant, but I like to spoil myself and my bike :)

Re: What oil to use?
 

I use mobil 1 MX4T, specific for motorcycles.

(I am not sure I have seen any v-twin specific oil from mobil though...)

I looked at the sport rider magazine's test that included many different oils (synth and regular), and I decided that Mobil 1 had the most consistent performance. There were a few oils on the top of the list, I just happened to pick mobil 1.

as long as you change your oil regularly, all motorcycle specific oils should be good enough.

Re: What oil to use?
 

I may be wrong, but I think the V Twin Mobile 1 is for the air cooled V twins like Harley.

Re: What oil to use?
 

I think the current M1 10w-40 is a little light for our bikes and the 20w-50 too heavy .

In a easy to find 10w-40 the Kawasali Synthetic is relabeled Motul ... good stuff there and they CAN make money selling it at 6.10 a quart iffin they choose .

14-17 centistrokes @ 100c is just perfecto for the Hawk motor

What are the implications of using such an oil in a Superhawk?

Re: What oil to use?
 

Probably none. It probably is all the same oil but marketed differently. I got tired of looking for M1 at the various auto parts stores and remembered using Amsoil back in the 70's and found out they were still around (and online) so I went back to using their motorcycle oil.

Re: What oil to use?
 

Alic, in Florida you can run a thicker oil or drain often . Oil filters will last and effectively do their job longer than a guy might think .

There are alot of ways to oil a bike wishing we could all sit in the shop and discuss it because what could be talked about in 30 minutes would take 60 pages of thread here .

Look here at the groovy deal on Honda oil Honda oil free shipping . They also have the 20w-50 and the syn blend on their site cheap .

Some use diesel oil . I do not like that stuff for many reasons but if I were to use one I would pick Motorcraft 15w-40 . It uses a ashless additive pack for less cc deposits over time . I'd still dump it around 2-2500 miles w'o oil filter change and refill for another 2k or so .

That is IF the engine rings seal well and no fuel is getting in the oil from poor ring seal OR short trips .

Oil is about the toughest topic there is to talk about on the internet and the reason is miscomunication

Re: What oil to use?
 

Ahh yes, the age ol' oil thread. Gotta luv 'em.

On VFRdiscussion.com, there's a fellow Texan rider who just so happens to do oil breakdown analysis for an independent research facilty. They do a lot of durabilty stuff on dyno's.

Anyway, he's seen/done 'em all and says that the Mobil 1 V-twin stuff is about the best BUT that "plain" Mobil 1 Red Cap (15w-50) is right up there with it. When you compare the price, Red Cap is the obvious winner.

Amsoil suggests metric motorcycle 1040, good yeah?

Holy thread revival!

Yes, that oil will be fine.