What type of oil?

[Bridger]

it's time for my first oil change.  What type of oil do I need?  I know I need 10/40, but do I need "motorcycle oil"? OR Will regular car oil suffice?

[Bluehaze]

seriously this one just honest to god will require your own decision and your own will to actually search this site as oppose to asking this question. please retract this question and just thank me later.

[Bridger]

I'm just wondering if using automotive grade oil will be a problem with lubricating the clutch assy.

[GeeP]

seriously this one just honest to god will require your own decision and your own will to actually search this site as oppose to asking this question. please retract this question and just thank me later.

Toooooo Late!

Rotella T 15W40 is the board favorite.  

Avoid using car oil that is labeled "Energy Conserving" in the API seal on the back of the bottle.  Make sure to use an oil of the proper viscosity as described in the owner's manual.  Also, make sure that it's API service rating is the minimum specified in the owner's manual.  Using later service ratings is acceptable, but not earlier service ratings.

API service ratings run in alphabetical order.  The first letter describes the type of engine.  S for Spark Ignition (gasoline), C for Compression Ignition (Diesel).  The second letter is the rating.  They start out at A and run to Z.  I believe the GS requires at least SG oil.  Current spec is something like SL or SM.  

[gsJack]

I was using Delvac 1300, switched to Rotella T, and last time I went to Autozone they had Chevron Delo that I'm using now.  All same kind of the 15W-40 Heavy Duty Oils from different oil companies.  See list in addendum at bottom of this article, it's one of the better articles on the subject of motorcycle oils:

http://www.vfrworld.com/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm

[blade]

I'm just wondering if using automotive grade oil will be a problem with lubricating the clutch assy

Like GeeP said, avoid anything that says energy conserving or has added friction modifiers. These will cause problems with a wet clutch.  I have been using fleet oil (rotella T 15-40) on my other two bikes for the last couple of years and have had no problems.  You need to pick branding and weight that you will be happy with, just avoid additives and you should be good.

[Bridger]

Thanks gsjack, that was a great article.  Answered my questions and then some....

[galahs]

I use car synthetic oil

10W-60

[PachmanP]

YOU MUST USE ROYAL PURPLE OR YOUR BIKE WILL DIE!!!!!!!!!

But seriously just stay away from "energy conserving" oil and you'll probably be ok.  A quick search will always bring up oil threads.  You could also check out www.bobistheoilguy.com if you really wanted to get stinky about your oil.

For what it's worth, for this bike I figure decent dino oil and reasonably frequent changes are going to be the way I go.  I have Valvoline conventional in there now...

[tt_four]

I was wondering the same thing last time I went to pick up oil, as there are no bike shops within a reasonable distance, and staring at the whole wall of oil in pepboys left me kinda unsure. I know people said to avid a certain additive, but none of them said much about it, so I didn't know if it was only in there if it was labeled that way, or if others might. Luckily for me on the back side of a shelf right by the oil I found a whole little stash of random motorcycle things, one of which was a 4liter container of castrol 10w-40, so if that's your conscern, I don't remember it being much more, if any more expensive than the car oils.