V4 oil

Hi, I've read on other websites advocating using Shell Rotella Diesel oil, in our V4's. Has anyone else seen this or using Shell oil? I was under the understanding that automotive oil lacks the necessary additives for motorcycle engines. Please share your opinions and thoughts?

JP

 

Yep I've heard that too, and yep not a good idea to use auto oil as that stuff has a different shear factor, (different additives added) Motorcycles share the same oil with the transmission as autos don't is the biggest reason, that and motorcycles also use oil for its cooling properties too.

 

Oh boy...

If you do some searches you'll find that everyone has an opinion about this topic. There is also a ton of information, be it scientific or just people's experiences, that support about any claim you wish to make. There really is no good answer. I suggest that you collect as much of the facts (and opinions!) as you can and then make a judgement for yourself. You are the one who owns the bike and you will have to live with any consequences of your actions. Don't let someone else convince you of what YOU should do.

 

Oil is a debate that if you ask 15 different people you will get 15 different answers.

That being said, I do like to use a motorcycle specific lube in my bikes like Honda GN4 or Valvoline 4 stroke. However, if I need to use a different standard oil for whatever reason I feel it will work just fine. After all, the service manual from the manufacturer doesn't tell you to use a motorcyle specific oil. They just specify the grade and API rating. Sometimes they will also say to stick with one brand of oil and not switch back and forth.

 

Yea LOL, two things that shouldn't be discussed in a forum, Oil and Tires but yea each to their own, just wanted to throw out the simple reasons but as said 15 folks 15 different answers, let the fun begin

 

Just don't use an oil with "friction modifiers". These are what will get into the clutch plates and cause them to slip. And, as has already been said, most car oils won't stand up to the shear forces that the tranny gears put out.

 

OK here is my one of the fifteen opinions. Follow what the manufacturer recommends for oil grade type and change intervals. I have done that with many different vehicles for 35 years (including 12 motorcycles) and have never had an oil related problem. Time is just as important as mileage. Also modern oils are very good at resisting breakdown. The bigger problem is usually contamination as they get older so going over mileage can be very bad depending on use. Lots of short rides are much harder on oil than longer rides. I also agree that the transmission using the same oil is harder on the oil but the recommended oil change interval is generally shorter than for a car to compensate for this.

 

I use Amsoil 10/40 motorcycle oil. 2500 miles max between changes.

 

I am with 5891 Jonathan.

I too use Amsoil 10W-40 MC oil. No friction modifiers that will bother the clutch, and it meets the API standards as stated in the Honda manual.

 

Don't forget the chain lube debate...

 

I use Rotella T synthetic in my '94, $13/gallon at Wal-Mart. I did quite a bit of research into the matter before making that choice.

 

80w-90 for the chains and I haven't found an oil I like yet but synthetic is a pretty good bet.

 

I agree with grinder you cant go wrong following manufactures specs, i know enough not to use any oil marked energy saving or molybdenum addatives unless you want clutch problams. diesel engine oil has to many detergents that are not needed for gasoline engines.i use a 4 stroke motorcycle oil sg or sj 10-40 how often to replace not sure. manufacture recomends every 4000 miles if you ride hard mabay alittle soon would be better one more opinion for ya...........

 

Didn't I say I use Amsoil 10-40 Hi-po motorcycle and every 2k it gets changed at the 32K service the mechanic wanted to know what oil I used :biggrin: as he said it looks like new inside, so I must be doing it right..

 

Honda recommends standard motor oil in there most high performance car transmission

Hi Guys,
I know I'm new here, but I thought I would add some food for thought to this. I have heard allot about motor oil not being high enough shear factor for a transmission. Well, Honda/Acura has been using standard motor oil in most of there manual transaxles for a long time, including the NSX. Not saying it is the best, just that it must be okay. They also don't specify a motorcycle specific oil for the VFR, just the oil specification and the stipulation that it should not have friction modifiers.

I run synthetic oil in my cars and trucks so I can stretch the oil change interval ( I change oil around 10,000 miles) I know allot of you just cringed at the thought, but consider BMW and other manufacturer's call for extended intervals upwards of 12,000 miles under normal use. I haven't blown a motor yet. Though I don't think I would go that long with my VFR.

Regards, Will

 

I used cheap 10w-30 when I changed my oil for its first time. The bike was sitting for a few years and needed some cheap oil to clean out the engine. I am going to look around for some better oil now. I think that amsoil 10-40 hi-po motorcycle will be my pick if I remember what its called when I go to the store. I am debating changeing the filter though. I had a hard time finding some fram filters and I bought the last 2 that that I found. I suppose that once I change the oil I have some time to look around for more so maybe I should use it. I am still waking the bike up a little bit there is stuff that isn't working like the front brake/rear brake light. I changed the clutch and front brake handles that was the easiest thing to change and they were about $9 a side. I love it when stuff works. I am getting a little off topic so I will stop with saying that if you don't follow the manual when it comes to oil and buy the Honda brand oil get one for the motorcycle and change it regularly.

 

I changed my oil and I found that the old oil (even though it had 5 miles on it) was dirty as heck. So I changed the filter and oil the oil I used was Valvoline 5 stroke motorcycle oil. I think that its better that leaving the old oil in there. I'll know more later.

 

Wow, those dudes at Valvoline are way ahead of us. We're busy running around with 4 strokes and they already have a 5 stroke oil.

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

Jamie

 

Personal opinion as a diesel mechanic, during warmer months the use of a 15w40 diesel oil would probably be fine & possibly better than a standard automotive grade oil. I know several of my coworkers used 15w40 in their cars(fringe benifit thing) w/ no adverse effects. In colder months I would not use it as a 5 or 10w oil pushes easier & get to where it needs to be faster than a 15w oil will. If this oil(15w40) can with stand the kind of shear that is taking place in 14 - 16 litre diesel engine w/ change intervals from 15 - 40,000 miles I think it will hold up impressively to anything a VFR can throw @ it. That said I would not use it in my bike, I have used it in a few of my higher mileage vehicles though (the fringe benift thing again). I do run Lucas additive in just about everything I own w/ a motor including my air compressor & the lawn mowers.