Motorcycle oil

I once wrote Mobile RE:their synthetic oil vs synthetic motorcycle oil
AND they would not commit one way or the other. They say the
motorcycle oil has "special" additives but also said normal Mobil 1
was OK in motorcycles too.
I found that with synthetic oils it's OK to run either in your bike as
long as your clutch and clutch springs are in very good condition. If
they are worn it will slip with synthetic.
As for the regular dino oil it will make no difference except to you
wallet.


On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 08:05:32 GMT, "Jim Wilson" <cirrus DeleteThis @citlink.net>
wrote:

 >I was ordering a couple of oil filters from the local auto parts store to
 >save a few bucks on the Yamaha price and the guy there remarked that he
 >thought I should be using "4-stroke motorcycle oil" instead of 20-40 or
 >20-50 auto type Valvoline. It's about three times the price. He also
 >recommended a Yamaha oil cooler, which sounds like a good idea one of these
 >days. Any similar opinions or does anyone disagree?
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 08:05:32 GMT, "Jim Wilson" <cirrus.RemoveThis@citlink.net>
waived the right to be silent and professed:

 >I was ordering a couple of oil filters from the local auto parts store to
 >save a few bucks on the Yamaha price and the guy there remarked that he
 >thought I should be using "4-stroke motorcycle oil" instead of 20-40 or
 >20-50 auto type Valvoline. It's about three times the price. He also
 >recommended a Yamaha oil cooler, which sounds like a good idea one of these
 >days. Any similar opinions or does anyone disagree?
 >

I ran my Seca Turbo on regular 10-40 (or something) for ages. I
usually got the Quaker State Turbo Tested stuff. Ran my previous two
bikes on regular stuff as well. All wet-clutch bikes.

Now I use the Yammy stuff. New bike and all. Makes me feel better
spending more money.

--
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

I was wondering the same thing. But after talking to a few mechanics they
changed my mind and I now run Mobil 1 for motorcycles. The reason is that
the Yamahas have a wet clutch and there are additives in the motorcycle oil
for that purpose. If you did not have a wet clutch then you could use a
regular Mobil 1. I hope this helps. I have a 2003 Yamaha V-Max...Cooper


"e" <tooftoof.RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:3muNc.20513745$Id.3395528@news.easynews.com...
 >
  > >
  > >I was ordering a couple of oil filters from the local auto parts store to
  > >save a few bucks on the Yamaha price and the guy there remarked that he
  > >thought I should be using "4-stroke motorcycle oil" instead of 20-40 or
  > >20-50 auto type Valvoline. It's about three times the price. He also
  > >recommended a Yamaha oil cooler, which sounds like a good idea one of
these
  > >days. Any similar opinions or does anyone disagree?
  > >
  > >
 > use what yamay told you for oil.
 > whwere i live, you must have an oil cooler.
 > even in the noreast, it will keep your baby happier.
 > they are relatively cheap.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

There have been lots of tests done on this question. All conclude that
motorcycle oil is just more costly than 'car' oil. Just avoid the oils that
say 'energy conserving' and you will be fine if your bike has a wet clutch.
That is usually an SJ grade of oil.
Mobil 1 and Amsoil are great oils for bikes. FWIW, Yamaha buys it's
branded oil from a company in the US who puts a big YAMAHA sticker on the
can. So does Harley. Companies can't require you to use their brand of oil,
only one that meets their specs regarding grade and weight or something
close.
Finally, I live in Texas, where it gets hot in the summer, and oil
coolers are pretty rare here.
"Bruno" <insert DeleteThis @address.here> wrote in message
news:g6vdg099i9t7grs23h0thrqm3h9glolqa6@4ax.com...
 > On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 08:05:32 GMT, "Jim Wilson" <cirrus DeleteThis @citlink.net>
 > waived the right to be silent and professed:
 >
  > >I was ordering a couple of oil filters from the local auto parts store to
  > >save a few bucks on the Yamaha price and the guy there remarked that he
  > >thought I should be using "4-stroke motorcycle oil" instead of 20-40 or
  > >20-50 auto type Valvoline. It's about three times the price. He also
  > >recommended a Yamaha oil cooler, which sounds like a good idea one of
these
  > >days. Any similar opinions or does anyone disagree?
  > >
 >
 > I ran my Seca Turbo on regular 10-40 (or something) for ages. I
 > usually got the Quaker State Turbo Tested stuff. Ran my previous two
 > bikes on regular stuff as well. All wet-clutch bikes.
 >
 > Now I use the Yammy stuff. New bike and all. Makes me feel better
 > spending more money.
 >
 > --
 > Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

 >
 >I was wondering the same thing. But after talking to a few mechanics they
 >changed my mind and I now run Mobil 1 for motorcycles. The reason is that
 >the Yamahas have a wet clutch and there are additives in the motorcycle oil
 >for that purpose. If you did not have a wet clutch then you could use a
 >regular Mobil 1. I hope this helps. I have a 2003 Yamaha V-Max...Cooper
 >
 >
never heard that and never had clutch problems but
it does make some sense. i have an old wet clutch
machine that slips when hot despite new plates. i'll try and
report the results here.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

New disc's and HD springs should cure the slip problem.

On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 04:23:59 GMT, tooftoof.TakeThisOut@verizon.net (e) wrote:

 >
  >>
  >>I was wondering the same thing. But after talking to a few mechanics they
  >>changed my mind and I now run Mobil 1 for motorcycles. The reason is that
  >>the Yamahas have a wet clutch and there are additives in the motorcycle oil
  >>for that purpose. If you did not have a wet clutch then you could use a
  >>regular Mobil 1. I hope this helps. I have a 2003 Yamaha V-Max...Cooper
  >>
  >>
 >never heard that and never had clutch problems but
 >it does make some sense. i have an old wet clutch
 >machine that slips when hot despite new plates. i'll try and
 >report the results here.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

Several good responses to this issue. I've been running 20-50 Valvoline for
the past 1000 miles in my VStar 650 Classic with no problem, and it's been
hotter than hell in the desert. In particular, there has been no problem
with the clutch, which is I believe what several have termed a "wet clutch."
In that regard, you are specifically warned not to use any sort of oil that
may cause it to malfunction. If anything, I've noted an improvement in the
clutch operation over whatever oil they put in the bike when I bought it,
but of course some of that is because it is broken in better. Part of my
concern is that I began hearing more of the metallic, front end noise ever
since I mounted a windshield on the bike, and with the hotter temps, it
seems to have become more pronounced.
I bought some more Valvoline for the next oil change and will probably
go ahead and use it. If I become dissatisfied with it, I may go with the
Mobil 1, as you suggest. For years, I used Pennzoil in my pickups to good
effect, but two Dodges I own (318 V8s) developed valve problems on it.
Actually, the first truck started going to hell after I was forced to use
Castrol at an oil change on a long trip and the second one deteriorated
strictly on the Pennzoil. Dodge trucks with that engine seem to suffer from
this problem, regardless of how religiously you change the oil, so it may
have had little to do with the type of oil used. I've got a V6 Cougar that
I've been running on the Valvoline and it just blew a head gasket at about
80,000 miles. I'm wondering if switching to a higher viscosity for the
summer may have contributed to that because it was sudden and completely
without warning. As with the Dodge trucks, however, I have learned that
this is common for that engine. Very disappointing. In stark contrast, I
had an old '56 Chevy pickup for about 15 years, which I used to pull a small
trailer and then to carry a camper, running it's 265 V8 engine on Pennzoil,
and she was still running strong and not burning much oil when I finally
sold her after 30 years of excellent service. I guess they don't make 'em
like they used to.
Anyway, thanks to you and the others for the thoughtful input. It is
appreciated.

"Joseph D Dantone" <buddha21 RemoveThis @austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:4oFNc.40881$pR5.26242@fe2.texas.rr.com...
 > There have been lots of tests done on this question. All conclude
that
 > motorcycle oil is just more costly than 'car' oil. Just avoid the oils
that
 > say 'energy conserving' and you will be fine if your bike has a wet
clutch.
 > That is usually an SJ grade of oil.
 > Mobil 1 and Amsoil are great oils for bikes. FWIW, Yamaha buys it's
 > branded oil from a company in the US who puts a big YAMAHA sticker on the
 > can. So does Harley. Companies can't require you to use their brand of
oil,
 > only one that meets their specs regarding grade and weight or something
 > close.
 > Finally, I live in Texas, where it gets hot in the summer, and oil
 > coolers are pretty rare here.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 22:17:42 GMT, "Jim Wilson" <cirrus.DeleteThis@citlink.net>
waived the right to be silent and professed:

 >Part of my
 >concern is that I began hearing more of the metallic, front end noise ever
 >since I mounted a windshield on the bike, and with the hotter temps, it
 >seems to have become more pronounced.

I have noted the exact same thing on my V-Star 1100 with the bigger
windshield. The noise is not as bad in cooler weather. Freakin' sowing
machine, as someone else observed. I'm running the Yammy oil.

--
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

 >New disc's and HD springs should cure the slip problem.
 >
 >On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 04:23:59 GMT, tooftoof RemoveThis @verizon.net (e) wrote:
 >
  >>
   >>>
   >>>I was wondering the same thing. But after talking to a few mechanics they
   >>>changed my mind and I now run Mobil 1 for motorcycles. The reason is that
   >>>the Yamahas have a wet clutch and there are additives in the motorcycle oil
   >>>for that purpose. If you did not have a wet clutch then you could use a
   >>>regular Mobil 1. I hope this helps. I have a 2003 Yamaha V-Max...Cooper
   >>>
   >>>
  >>never heard that and never had clutch problems but
  >>it does make some sense. i have an old wet clutch
  >>machine that slips when hot despite new plates. i'll try and
  >>report the results here.
 >
has new plates. harley springs?
yuck. i use barnett. real men's springs.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

 >Status: N
 >
 >On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 22:17:42 GMT, "Jim Wilson" <cirrus.RemoveThis@citlink.net>
 >waived the right to be silent and professed:
 >
  >>Part of my
  >>concern is that I began hearing more of the metallic, front end noise ever
  >>since I mounted a windshield on the bike, and with the hotter temps, it
  >>seems to have become more pronounced.
 >
 >I have noted the exact same thing on my V-Star 1100 with the bigger
 >windshield. The noise is not as bad in cooler weather. Freakin' sowing
 >machine, as someone else observed. I'm running the Yammy oil.
 >
much more mechanical noise in summer because higher
temps=more expansion, looser fit. and hot air is denser,
holds for noise.
unless you overheat, the bike is ok.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

 > temps=more expansion, looser fit. and hot air is denser,
 > holds for noise.

Hmmm not true.... hot air is less dense... cold air is more dense. When air
is heated (sun radiation) it expands and rises. This means it takes up more
volume with the same amount of air molecules.... less dense. When it cools,
it contracts and becomes more dense.

Richard

"e" <tooftoof.DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:iJ%Nc.20615331$Id.3411580@news.easynews.com...
 >
  > >Status: N
  > >
  > >On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 22:17:42 GMT, "Jim Wilson" <cirrus.DeleteThis@citlink.net>
  > >waived the right to be silent and professed:
  > >
   > >>Part of my
   > >>concern is that I began hearing more of the metallic, front end noise
ever
   > >>since I mounted a windshield on the bike, and with the hotter temps, it
   > >>seems to have become more pronounced.
  > >
  > >I have noted the exact same thing on my V-Star 1100 with the bigger
  > >windshield. The noise is not as bad in cooler weather. Freakin' sowing
  > >machine, as someone else observed. I'm running the Yammy oil.
  > >
 > much more mechanical noise in summer because higher
 > unless you overheat, the bike is ok.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

i heard that the only auto type oil good for MC is 'modil 1 15-50 syn..
that what i use with no problems.

.............................
Motorpsycho Jim
http://forums.delphiforums.com/V_MaxRiders
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil 

tooftoof.RemoveThis@verizon.net (e) wrote in
news:iJ%Nc.20615331$Id.3411580@news.easynews.com:

 >
  >>Status: N
  >>
  >>On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 22:17:42 GMT, "Jim Wilson" <cirrus.RemoveThis@citlink.net>
  >>waived the right to be silent and professed:
  >>
   >>>Part of my
   >>>concern is that I began hearing more of the metallic, front end noise
   >>>ever since I mounted a windshield on the bike, and with the hotter
   >>>temps, it seems to have become more pronounced.
  >>
  >>I have noted the exact same thing on my V-Star 1100 with the bigger
  >>windshield. The noise is not as bad in cooler weather. Freakin' sowing
  >>machine, as someone else observed. I'm running the Yammy oil.
  >>
 > much more mechanical noise in summer because higher
 > temps=more expansion, looser fit. and hot air is denser,
 > holds for noise.
 > unless you overheat, the bike is ok.

Hot air is actually LESS dense. That's why cars and bikes make better
power when they are breathing cold air.

Windshields and fairings provide a larger dead air space so the sound has
an easier time getting to your ears.

Regarding someone else's post about "HD" springs and the Harley respones,
how about Heavy Duty springs?

Dave in San Diego<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Motorcycle oil