Rotella T6 5w40 = JASO MA -- anyone use it?

[ducatiz]

In my eternal quest for alternatives, I noticed that Rotella T6 has a JASO MA cert listed.  It's a 5w40 full synth -- has anyone used it?

Just curious, I think the 5 would be ok in the wet clutch models..

[Howie]

The idea of a 5W in an air cooled bike (unless you live in Alaska) doesn't thrill me. 

[booger]

I ran that stuff all summer once, and rode the bike hard. Never had any problems in the wet clutch engine, although the tranny shifted like it was running on a thinner oil; shifts were louder and clickier. It's got a great additive package designed for keeping heavy soot particles in suspension in diesel engines, neutralizing acidic byproducts of combustion, and also has a zinc presence that's good for addressing wear on metal-to-metal reciprocating parts such as camshafts and the like. So it's up to the task, and it's cheap, it's syn(although a lower-end of syn), and it's oily. I prefer a heavier higher-end synthetic just because I believe I can feel it buffering the transmission shifts more though.

[monstermick58]

Maybe this may help

http://www.sigmaperformance.com/rockers.html





                                      Mmick

[ducatiz]

The idea of a 5W in an air cooled bike (unless you live in Alaska) doesn't thrill me. 

That's my thought as well, but the difference in 10w and 5w isn't THAT great...  They also have a 15w40 that is JASO MA as well.  My '95 900SS says to use 15w50..

Maybe this may help

http://www.sigmaperformance.com/rockers.html

Help what?  Fill space?  That doesn't address this at all, they didn't use Rotella T6 and that problem has been around for ages -- I've seen 100% dealer serviced bikes end up with flaky rockers -- dealer serviced using spec oil.

Mobil1 4T is JASO MA as well.  I would expect a similar profile given the cert. 

[J5]

That's my thought as well, but the difference in 10w and 5w isn't THAT great...  They also have a 15w40 that is JASO MA as well.  My '95 900SS says to use 15w50..

Help what?  Fill space?  That doesn't address this at all, they didn't use Rotella T6 and that problem has been around for ages -- I've seen 100% dealer serviced bikes end up with flaky rockers -- dealer serviced using spec oil.

Mobil1 4T is JASO MA as well.  I would expect a similar profile given the cert. 

from what i read it states to use 50W not 40W

[ducatiz]

from what i read it states to use 50W not 40W

the oil that comes in the current wet clutch models is 10w40.  what "it" are you reading?

[Howie]

My concern with the 5W is that air cooled engines run larger clearances due to possible expansion in some critical areas like piston skirts.  Transmission shift quality could be an issue, but if it is an oil change would fix that.  Since the T6 is MA rated I would not worry about the clutch.  I must add my tendency is to be rather cautious when the repair costs can get rather high as compared to savings or convenience. 

The 15W-40 is not synthetic if that matters to you.  People have been using the Triple T in bikes for years

[ducatiz]

I thought there was a synth 15w40

[monstermick58]

Help what?  Fill space?  That doesn't address this at all, they didn't use Rotella T6 and that problem has been around for ages -- I've seen 100% dealer serviced bikes end up with flaky rockers -- dealer serviced using spec oil.

Sorry ducatiz, I know my point was a little left of field, it was the point of using a 5w-?w oil and having rocker arm problems as I was unaware of this problem.

Please continue............





                                     Mmick

[Howie]

I thought there was a synth 15w40

I just googled Shell Rotella to be sure:

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rotella-en&FC2=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/products/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/products/t6_detail.html

I think they are missing a major market.