Okay, so I've done the search, and I may just be dumb here, but I'm still uncertain what type of oil is acceptable to use in my bike. When I changed my oil last week, I bought the expensive stuff from the bike shop. But I would like to NOT pay 4 bucks a quart next time if possible. So, here's my basic question: Can I just pick up good old 10W-40 from Wal*Mart and dump it in? Or do I "need" the special motorcycle oil? I don't want to screw up my bike, but hey, I'm cheap (and broke). So is this okay, or a no no?

It depends.  

Some oil made for cars has an additive that will interact poorly with your clutch on your GS.  

Stick with the pricey stuff.  

Scratch can tell you more.  I can't remember the details.

Any non-energy saving oil is fine.

I use Castrol 10W-40. Over 13,000 miles on my F and no problems.

castrol GTX, Shell Rotella, Castrol HD (heavy duty) all are great oils. Presently I got castrol HD (also known as RX i think) - seems solid.

This is the post with the most info: http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15512&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=wal%2Amart&start=20

Almost 20,000 on my 2002.  Castrol GTX10-40.

Quote from: Jake DSome oil made for cars has an additive that will interact poorly with your clutch on your GS.

ok i thought this would never affect me and maybe it hasnt.  but i recently changed oil and used 88 cent walmart stuff.  lately my clutch has been slipping when shifting at high rpms when i really get on teh bike.  would cheap oil cause the clutch to slip?  what is the additive that affects the clutch?

i'd be going the opposite....

I currently use 10$ a quart Amsoil synthetic 10w40..........

Honestly, if your that broke, this sport probably aint for you. Unless you only ride for commuting. Either way I would never trust car oil in a bike. The clutch and transmission both go in the oil for a bike, and not on  a car. The oils are designed with that in mind. If you are that cheap, atleast buy the cheap MOTORCYCLE oil. Plus you only need to change it every couple of thousand miles, so your not saving much money over a season.

ehh, sounds like a bunch of marketing hibbidy hoopla to me, I have done the expensive oil thing and the cheep oil thing. and what i know is that at 3000 miles they both are black.  last year I put 14000 miles on the bike, so if I figure 4 oil changes, and 4 qts per change (gotta top it off) at 79cents a qt compared too 4 bucks a qt I saved over 50 bucks.

MMMM.... rotella.... tastes great on chicken... and the bike loves it too.

QuoteHonestly, if your that broke, this sport probably aint for you.

Point well taken, but....

QuoteUnless you only ride for commuting.

I fall into this category here. Bike is my only mode of transport (besides the bus and my feet of course, but you really don't want to use the Orange County bus system if you like getting to your destination the same day you boarded the bus )

I admit I'm cheap, but I'm a grad student, so being cheap is more or less out of my control. Sadly, the money I save on oil can actually make a difference. (I've gotta get beer somehow :lol:)

Owning a GS is still way cheaper than owning a car, that's for sure. (and my last car was a '79 Volvo 245! talk about a gas guzzler of a tank!)

In any case, if getting the motorcycle oil will actually make a difference, I will do it.

One very important thing about oil... Never use "car-oil" on your bike. They add something which gives less friction in the engine, and on a bike, the clutch also use the oil. Which can cause the clutch to slip. And I would think, when you pay for a whole bike, then why won't you spend a little money on oil!?

Quote from: Great_DaneOne very important thing about oil... Never use "car-oil" on your bike. They add something which gives less friction in the engine, and on a bike, the clutch also use the oil. Which can cause the clutch to slip. And I would think, when you pay for a whole bike, then why won't you spend a little money on oil!?

Well ladies and gents, there's an uneducated statement


Look on the back, theres a circle that's cut in half.  Make sure "energy conserving" isn't in the bottom half.  If it isn't, you're fine.

I like the 15W-40 heavy duty truck oils like Mobil Delvac 1300 and Shell Rotella.  About $7 a GALLON at the Walmart or at auto parts store.  

Here's one of the best reads I've found on oils for motorcycles:

http://www.gis.net/~manjo/motorcycle_motor_oil.htm