what kind of oil?

[dzraduzit]

I ride an S2r 800, what kind of oil do you guys prefer here in Central Texas weather?  Brand and Weight?

[wegger]

Aaaaacccckkk!!! An Oil Thread!!!! At the risk of public ridicule, I'll throw out 10w-50w, full synthetic, preferably something v-twin motorcycle specific because it's supposedly better for higher temp higher rpm applications.  We use Motorex here at DA, but I've used Mobil 1 10-50 synth as a lowest common denominator with no ill results.  Haven't grenaded a motor yet.

cheers,
Warren Egger

I ride an S2r 800, what kind of oil do you guys prefer here in Central Texas weather?  Brand and Weight?

[ducatiz]

Mobil1 4t or MX4t 10w40.  S2R manual specifies 10w40 except in ultra-hot weather.

[dzraduzit]

Yeah I'm expecting the temps to be around 100 for the next 4 or 5 months.

[ducky]

There is endless debate about this topic everywhere    With recommendations from folks at Ducati.ms I tried the cheapest synthetic I could find at Walmart - Shell Rotella  5W-30 Synthetic.  I have been running with it for slightly over a year and found my bike to be running smoother.   

[ducatiz]

There is endless debate about this topic everywhere    With recommendations from folks at Ducati.ms I tried the cheapest synthetic I could find at Walmart - Shell Rotella  5W-30 Synthetic.  I have been running with it for slightly over a year and found my bike to be running smoother.   

Rotella synthetic is 5w40 not 5w30 and would probably be fine for dry clutch models.  However, a fella on the Fireblade website ran Rotella synth 5w40 in his Honda for 4000 miles and had the oil examined by a lab after.  It performed pretty well.  Data is from 2007 but I think it's useful.
(need login to view full data)
http://www.fireblades.org/forums/general-discussion/61110-shell-rotella-synthetic-full-analysis.html

[ducky]

Thanks for catching that..  I also heard that Mobil1 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle (20W-50) is good but at 13.00 a pop that is expensive.  I have not heard from anyone that it justifies buying it for the price/performance value.

[Gone Ape]

DZRad, when you're buying engine oil for your wet clutch bike, always look for the "MA" rating within the API Service certification on the backside label of the bottle.......

This cert verifies that the oil has been tested to specific perameters, i.e.,such as a JASO rated oil..

We who have wet clutches are kinda limited synthetic wise ... Will other "off the shelf oils" work?  The key here is "maybe"....rule of thumb: if your clutch starts to slip with the new syn, that's a pretty good sign it's the wrong oil, especially in wet clutch bikes such as your S2R 800. Oil/filter changes are relatively cheap insurance over the long haul of a bike engine's life....do it right and your machine will live a happy life...

Looks like this  (naturally I could not find the specific label showing MA but) - It could have letters like SJ, SA, SM (etc) but the addition of  "MA"  in the rating seal means it'll work with your wet clutch

[txduc]

+1 on what GoneApe said regarding wet clutches.  That said I've only run Motul V300 and Mobil 1 MX4Tand when we tore down my bike to put the High compression pistons in everything was clean and tight after 28k miles and my bike is rung out reguarly.  Both oils are not cheap the Motul is ~17 per quart and MX4T is ~12 but given what my motor looked like during teardown I'm not going to change anything.

[wcw]

I recently changed mine and put in Mobil 1 15-50 synth extended performance.  Although I just finished looking at Mobil 1's website and am wondering if I should switch it out with their motorcycle oil.  Didn't know they made a bike oil

[Pedro-bot]

There's a long thread regarding motor oil here  ->
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1912.0

Caution:  Read at your own peril, it's LOOOOOONG!

Georgecls is some sorta motor oil genius, read the posts, you will come away impressed. Seems if you're gonna use any type of automotive engine oil, you should be using a diesel specific oil. Here's some of the stuff you will read on the thread.

Georgecls:
In the case of the Mobil 1 motorcycle vs. automotive oils. Mobil 1 Mx4T and V-Twin oils are formulated with a higher quality (higher cost) base stock which provides an even higher level of base stock performance then the Mobil 1 automotive. Additive differentiation between auto and bike is that (1) automotive engine oils are restricted in the amounts and types of additives that can be used due to catalytic converter and EPA state/local restrictions. Those additives are the "good ones" we need for our combined engine transmission; ZDP (Zinc dithiophosphate) for one, which provides extreme pressure, anti-wear, and oxidation stabilization. And other additives of lesser nature but still valuable in supplementing base stocks. (2) energy conservation additives. These are used in automotive oils to assist manufacturers in fuel conservation and simply make the oil 'slipprier'. These energy additives can cause clutch slippage in certain applications depending on clutch face material, stress, heat, etc..

So, in a motorcycle specific such as Mobil 1 MX4T and V-Twin, Mobil is starting out with a higher quality synthetic base stock, higher treat levels of premium additives specific to motorcycle requirements and a more limited production, all of which contribute to a higher end user cost... It's only 3 quarts.... :-)

Georgecls:
Regarding Delvac 1.* It is a full synthetic engine oil formulated for extended drains for diesel engines. And yes, formulating for a diesel means fortifying with high levels of additive to include detergency, anti-wear, anti-oxidation, soot dispersion and acid neutralization.* Yes, it could be a good Ducati or other motorcycle engine oil.* Delvac 1 does not contain any lubricity enhancers ala Cafe, so no clutch issues.* Delvac 1 would not be as optimally formulated as Mobil 1 MX4T for our needs but would far, far surpass any automotive type oils in terms of performance.* It is a rock solid 40W yet flows to -40F and easily withstands 3,000 degree F turbocharger temps..* Delvac 1 is an extraordinary oil.
I would choose Mobil 1 MX4T over Delvac 1 for my Ducati.* I would not say Delvac 1 is a compromise as it certainly is not as the oil is gangbusters in every paramter, but from a lube engineer's perspective, optimization, Mobil 1 MX4T. And by the way, that was a very sophisticated question......
George Morrison

Delvac 1 and Motul are two diesel motor oils that are mentioned as being ideal for moto use.

- Joe

[wcw]

Anyone know where's the cheapest place to get Mobil 1's 20w-50 V-twin oil?  I think I saw someone say 3 qts., don't we need 4?

[ducatiz]

Anyone know where's the cheapest place to get Mobil 1's 20w-50 V-twin oil?  I think I saw someone say 3 qts., don't we need 4?

Depends on which engine.  the small case models are 3 L, the larger ones 3.5 L, works out to about 3.25 qt and 3.75qts (yes i know not exact).

Advance Auto parts has Mobil1 4T and vTwin in their stores,  I think it was about $9.50/qt when I got it last time.

I order mine online from AutoBarn which has free shipping and no tax if the order is >$75

[wcw]

Thanks Tizzz!  Will check out Advance   [moto]

[txduc]

If the shop is not too far away you should be fine.  Or you could change the oil yourself and save some $$.  Not sure about  BBQ out by Kerville.  Too bad you're not going to be on a bike you could make a 3 sisters run.  Oh and Wed nights a large group of us do bike nite at Mings on Guadalupe by UT.