I went to Kragen yesterday to pick up some engine oil for my GS and bought some Synthetic brand. I thought I was getting a great deal ($2 a quart). But then when I went back to check my owner's manual, it says that I should be using SAE 10W-40 weight API SF or SG. I checked all the oils at Kragen and none of them met the API SF or SG standard. They were all SL or SM.
The lady behind the counter said that SF and SG oils contain no detergent. Isn't detergent a good thing? Why wouldn't GSs use detergent oil? Is there a componenet in the detergent that attacks the engine seals?
What gives? Should I really be that concerned with getting special API SF or SG oil?
Anyone have any thoughts?
I found this out on the ether:
QuoteBy consensus of the API and the manufacturers, the current SL classification meet all requirements of SF, SG, SH, and SJ plus all earlier API gasoline categories. The current SL actually offers some additional benefits over the older classifications. So, if the motorcycle requirement says "SG", be confident that "SL" indeed meets that requirement.
YMMV.
I use Mobil 1 10w40 motorcycle oil $6.48 a quart at walmart but I love mobile one use it in both my cars.I travel with the Alabama motocross as there Medic the guys that race love it they tell me at 100 hrs the do a over haul with no wear using mobile 1. Good luck.
Quote from: ditchdoc1017I use Mobile 1 10w40 motorcycle oil $6.48 a quart at walmart but I love mobile one use it in both my cars.I travel with the Alabama motocross as there Medic the guys that race love it they tell me at 100 hrs the do a over haul with no wear using mobile 1. Good luck.
For the first service, I'm going to let the shop do it to make sure everything that needs to be done/adjusted is done correctly. I'll find out what they put into it. Subsequent changes I'll probably switch to a synthetic like Mobil 1 and do them myself.
But...$6+ a quart?? That sounds like highway robbery. It can't be that expensive becuase of supply/demand issues...Aeroshell typically runs about $4-6/quart and is only used in piston aircraft.
Yea.. I thought the same when I went to Walmart.. HEY! No SF? :lol: :lol: The guy at the counter explained that that is the old rating.. anything higher than SF like SH or SL is newer/better. It changes all the time ::
I Just buy the cheapest 10W40 that is brand name. I know some on here just use the old $.89 stuff, but I spend like $2.99 or so.. More $ is better right
:lol:
But to summerize... any oil in the store today will exceed the SF rating :thumb:
Here is an interesting report on oil ratings (http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/oilreport.html#charta)
:cheers:
So, does anyone have bad experiences with specific motor oils (motorcycle or automotive) in their GS? Any that you've found cause clutch slippage? Shifting problems? Cold start issues?
Check out this post by Cheesy on another thread. It really helped me out. :thumb: Cheesy believes in keepin' that oil/engine clean :)
http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21305
Is Mobile 1 oil from Alabama?
If I recall correctly (I don't have access to my personal library right now) service SA was the only non-detergent general engine oil. But that really doesn't matter to this discussion.
What is important is that the next higher service grade meets *all* the lubricating requirements of the previous grades. Therefore, if the manual calls for service SH, you can use service SJ, Similarly, if the manual calls for service SF, you can use service SJ or SL. After service SJ, I think the main changes to the additive package revolve around energy conservation additives. (friction reduction)
Just keep in mind that teflon and high phosphorous levels are not good for wet clutches.
Run cheap Wal-Mart API- SJ oil in it and be done with it. $6 a quart is just dumb, even in a ferrari. Badger is right, Aeroshell is cheaper. Hell, full synthetic turbine oil is cheaper than Mobil 1. :lol:
I just rebuilt my pickup engine at 560,000 miles. Noting but wal-mart oil for me. Can't beat $0.88 a quart. 8) :kiss:
*This is the opinion of a professional aircraft mechanic. The usual disclaimer applies*
Quote from: GeePJust keep in mind that teflon and high phosphorous levels are not good for wet clutches.
Does anyone know definitively (by virtue of experience) that the automotive Mobil oils (Mobil1...the not $6 version, Mobil 5000, etc.) are good/bad for the GS? I'd really rather be able to use the $2-3 stuff I can grab at the corner rather than have to chase down special m/c stuff. All things I've seen indicate that there shouldn't be any problem, but I'd like to hear that from people who know.
Quote from: GeeP$6 a quart is just dumb, even in a ferrari.
$6/quart is just dumB (with a capital B), considering regular Mobil1 is sooooo much less expensive. I'm suspicious that the m/c version is just relabeled (and marked up).
Quote from: GeePBadger is right, Aeroshell is cheaper. Hell, full synthetic turbine oil is cheaper than Mobil 1. :lol:
Not really understanding the differences, I wonder how the GS would run on Aeroshell ashless dispersant (or straight mineral oil, for that matter). ;)
Any car oil will work just fine in the GS. In fact, Volkswagen Beetles used straight 30 weight in the summer and my guess is that the GS twin and the VW Beetle have so much in common, they should probably be using interchangible parts. Except, of course, for the blasted heater which never worked well on the Beetle. I wish I had my '67 back.
Except that cars don't have wet clutches.
Quote from: RVertigoExcept that cars don't have wet clutches.
'zactly...that's why I'm interested in:
Quote from: BadgerDoes anyone know definitively (by virtue of experience)
I suppose I could just check their website:
Quote from: Mobil Marketing GuysCan I use Mobil Clean 5000 in my motorcycle or my boat engine?
If your four-cycle motorcycle or boat engine calls for an API SM, SL, SJ, SH or SG rated oil, you can use Mobil Clean 5000.
Obviously, if you have a two-cycle motorcycle or outboard engine, you must use a two-cycle oil. However, we recommend that you follow the recommended oil change interval in your owner's manual.
Right around $2/quart and available on the corner. Sold!
i use Castrol RX Super 15W-40 heavy duty oil (the stuff that says for diesel engines).
this is a really good article on what's good or bad in auto oils:
http://www.yft.org/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm
Quote from: MountaineerAny car oil will work just fine in the GS. In fact, Volkswagen Beetles used straight 30 weight in the summer and my guess is that the GS twin and the VW Beetle have so much in common, they should probably be using interchangible parts. Except, of course, for the blasted heater which never worked well on the Beetle. I wish I had my '67 back.
The heater on
my GS doesn't work any better than the heater that was in my 65 Beetle :dunno:
Quote from: BadgerDoes anyone know definitively (by virtue of experience) that the automotive Mobil oils (Mobil1...the not $6 version, Mobil 5000, etc.) are good/bad for the GS?
I used the Mobil 1 15W-50 synthetic auto oil in the 97 GS after about 5k miles breakin till I changed to the Mobil Delvac 15W-40 dino juice at about 60k miles. Have been using the Delvac in it since and also went to the Delvac in the 02 GS at 4k miles and now have 31k miles on it. I'm personally sold on the Heavy Duty oils like Delvac or Rotella till something better comes along. The have no friction modifiers that the newer energy conserving auto oils have and also have the higher protective Zinc levels that were greatly reduced in auto oils to accomodate converters and are closer to the SG oils recommended by the bike mfgs.
My GSs run cooler on trhe 15W-40 oils than the 97 did on the 15W-50 oil. I had 4 Hondas before the GSs and used 20W-50 auto oils in them in the summer. All four Hondas and my 97 GS progressed from regular to mid grade to premium gasoline to reduce gasoline knock in hot weather as the miles built up on them. I've gone back to regular with the 15W-40 Delvac in the 97 GS and remain with regular in the 02 GS since I stopped running any 15-50 or 20-50 oils which I repeat MADE THE SMALL AIR COOLED MOTORCYCLES ENGINES RUN NOTICEABLY HOTTER than oils ranging to 40 wt only.
After 330k miles on small (400-750cc) motorcycles including over 100k miles on my GSs, i'm still liking the Heavy Duty 15W-40 truck oils best. The Delvac dino juice is about $7 a GALLON and is available at any Walmart or Auto supply store.
I found the article by Mike Guillory posted by indestructibleman above to be a very good read on mc oils and it's also found here:
http://www.gis.net/~manjo/motorcycle_motor_oil.htm
Mr. Jack! Hi............I've never heard of Delvac oil..........you say I can buy it at Wally World?.....7 bucks a gallon sounds great to me.
So it has never presented you any probs in the GS? Do you use it in your Autos as well? Thanks, Wilson
oh ok..........you say that is manf. by Mobil.........I will go and check it out this weekend........
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAUSE2CVLMOMobil_Delvac_1300_Super.asp
Quote from: Old Mr. WilsonMr. Jack! Hi............I've never heard of Delvac oil..........you say I can buy it at Wally World?.....7 bucks a gallon sounds great to me.
So it has never presented you any probs in the GS? Do you use it in your Autos as well? Thanks, Wilson
Young Mr W, I chose the Mobil Delvac 1300 because I saw it regularly available everywhere in this area. It comes in a rectangular shaped black gallon jug with tapered sides. The Shell Rotella is also available by the quart and is a bit more expensive bought that way but I have grabbed a couple when I wanted to take a quart with on a trip. These oils are available from many sources including Walmarts own brand but I'll stick with the Delvac, cheap enough for me and easily obtained.
From the Mike Guillory article refered to above:
"Heavy-Duty Oils
My favorite oils and the ones I most mostly recommend for motorcycle use, are the "heavy-duty" oils. They are commonly misunderstood, and often referred to as "diesel oils." They are NOT energy conserving, have higher zinc levels, as high as 0.16%, and by virtue of their multi-duty have a better engine protection package than an oil that is only rated "SL". These heavy-duty oils are rated SJ or SL, plus CH-4. They are currently closer in formulation to the motorcycle specific oils and to the "SG" oils that many motorcycle makers recommend. Following are some examples of these oils, generally 15w40 oils by industry convention. There may be several other 15w40 oils that I am not familiar with.
Castrol RX Super 15w40
Chevron Delo 400 15w40
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15w40
Pennzoil Long-Life 15w40
Quaker State 4X4 Synthetic Blend 15w40
Shell Rotella-T 15w40 (my personal favorite)
SuperTech 2000 (WalMart) 15w40
Valvoline All Fleet 15w40
Castrol Syntec Blend Truck and 4X4 15w40"
I see there is a 10W-30 available now but I use only the 15W-40 in the bikes. I quit changing my own car oil a few years ago and since we traded our old 94 Buick Century with 150k+ miles on it for a 04 Elantra with a 10yr 100k mile warranty, I've been getting the oil changed at the dealer. Don't know what oil they use, but they are cheaper than the quick oil change places and take care of other little things at same time. We get a new car every ten years whether we need it or not. :lol:
I use Mobil 1 in my car and it is a little bit on the expensive side but hell it's only $20 for every six months. I pay more than that every time I fill my tank and I'm not complaining.
Question... is Mobil 1 a bad choice for the GS and must I get the motorcycle blend? According to the link posted above the article recommended not to use it...
QuoteFor years Mobil One 15w50 has been a favorite of motorcyclists. In recent years it has gone from its original formulation to an improved SJ "TriSynthetic", and more recently as SL "SuperSyn." several of us have received conflicting information on this new "flavor" of Mobil One, but the consensus appears to be that the new SuperSyn has additional friction modifiers and may no longer be a good choice for motorcycles. However, I have heard from several VFR owners still using it with favorable results. Therefore, YMMV. Mobil naturally recommends their motorcycle Mobil One.
i use amsoil or maxima . i'd like to run motul i'v heard that stuff is out standing .. but at 10-15 a court ...... its a bit out of my range
k.. digging into the Mobil 1 it looks like the heavy favourites for bikes were 15w50 (sometimes quoted redcap because of the red cap on the bottles) till around mid 2005 when they switched formulas. They dropped the 15w50 out of the main Mobil 1 lines and created a new Extended Performance line where they dumped the 15w50 as well as a new 10w40(which for my gs is the recommended weight). The formula has changed slightly but they did not put any energy conserving additives (the rest of the mobil 1 lines have energy conserving additives GF-4 which causes slippage issues to clutches). Now I've had posts where people were fine with the new EP 15w50 but the article above mentions to avoid it?
Also I noticed people were having higher temps with the 15w50 even with the redcaps for the gs (maybe because of the 50 weight instead of the 40 that's recommended?) So far I haven't found anyone that used the new 10w40 EP...
Did I get all of that correct?
So I've decided on using the ol dino Shell Rotella-T 15w40 till maybe my next change where I'll try the Mobil 1 EP 10w40 (so I'll be able to tell if the oil makes a difference..)