Oil and oil filter suggestions.

[DuctheMonster]

So I'm not about to shell out over 100 dollars for someone to change my oil... I have done it before just not on my Monster. I have an 07' s4r testastretta and am just a little unsure of which brands for the oil and oil filters I should be looking at. If anyone has any good suggestions of what to look for and where, Autozone, schucks... etc. Thanks for the input and everyone stay safe this summer!

[Slide Panda]

Mobil1 10w-40 moto (available at AutoZone) and K&N filter #153. Autozone can get that filter, they will just need to order it as they don't stock it on the shelves.

The Ducati filter and K&N are good and about on par. Ducatiz dissected a number of filters, run a search. The K&N has the bonus of having a stamped steel 'nut' on the bottom that allows one to use a normal wrench to install and remove it. Also that nut has holes for safety wire pre-drilled. So if you need to track prep - it saves hassles.

[EEL]

All this oil selection is BS. I go to walmart and buy Valvoline moto specific oil for 3.50 a quart. Change it every 3k and get a good filter. I suggest hi flo 153. Which is the EXACT same as the K&N without the nut at that bottom and about 33% cheaper.

You can get your oil change done for dirt cheap.

EDIT: Better yet, I just noticed you have an S4RT which means you have a dry clutch. If thats the case just go to walmart and get a 5 quart of mobil 1 synthetic. since your clutch is dry, just use the normal motor oil. Its not going to make a difference at all and its half the price of moto specific oil. for 25 bucks you could get enough oil for almost 2 oil changes.

[gregrnel]

I like what Sad Panda said. That's what I use.......avoid the Ducati Oil Filter at all costs, they seal poorly and don't have that ultra convenient nut that a K&N has.

[Slide Panda]

avoid the Ducati Oil Filter at all costs, they seal poorly

That's a bit dramatic. I never had a leak from any filter. I've used a bunch of Ducati ones. I've always made sure the case surface is clean, put some old oil on the new filters seal. Doing that, never had a leak.

[elgallo73]

Mobil 1 15w-50 (3 quarts @ $7.00/quart) and a Fram Xtended Guard (Gold) XG3614 oil filter on my 2011 Monster 696.

Total cost less than 30 dollars, probably good for 2,500 - 3,000 miles but I change at around 2,000...

[Slide Panda]

Mobil 1 15w-50 (3 quarts @ $7.00/quart) and a Fram Xtended Guard (Gold) XG3614 oil filter on my 2011 Monster 696.

Mobil doesn't make 15w-50 as a moto oil as far as I know. Not a good idea to use non moto oil in a wet clutch bike. People have done it with the dry clutch bikes - but in wet clutch bikes it usually results in clutch slipping requiring replacement of the stack or a kero soak

[gregrnel]

Well, the 2 times I had the oil changed by the dealer, because it was in for scheduled maintenance anyway, both leaked after a couple weeks of riding. The last time, I'm glad I caught it right away as it was coming out at a pretty good clip.

That's a bit dramatic. I never had a leak from any filter. I've used a bunch of Ducati ones. I've always made sure the case surface is clean, put some old oil on the new filters seal. Doing that, never had a leak.

[DuctheMonster]

Ya so my bike is a dry clutch, so Sad Panda and gregrnel  agree that the Mobil1 10w-40 moto (available at AutoZone) and K&N filter #153 are the best options? Thanks

[EEL]

So whats wrong with my option? I'm cheaper than both of those guys with the same performance even if you go with a K&N 153 instead of hi flo.

[ducatiz]

Well, the 2 times I had the oil changed by the dealer, because it was in for scheduled maintenance anyway, both leaked after a couple weeks of riding. The last time, I'm glad I caught it right away as it was coming out at a pretty good clip.

that's probably a function of the tech not putting the filter on right. the o-ring will bind if not lubed. 

i've never had a problem with a factory filter.  they are very sold and well built.

[elgallo73]

Guess I'll bite, and I have no intention of turning this into another religious "my oil versus yours" debate...

"Mobil doesn't make 15w-50 as a moto oil as far as I know. Not a good idea to use non moto oil in a wet clutch bike. People have done it with the dry clutch bikes - but in wet clutch bikes it usually results in clutch slipping requiring replacement of the stack or a kero soak"

Mobil 1 makes a 15w-50 synthetic motor oil and the zinc/phosphorous levels are decent for an air cooled motor.  Picked mine up at the base exchange, first found it at Wally World (here in Fort Worth, TX)...  All I have ridden are wet clutch bikes, mostly motocross, and we've used automotive oil for years without issue in the transmission/clutch.  I can guarantee you that my off road bike saw much harsher clutch abuse than your street bike will ever see without slippage using off the shelf automotive motor oils, mostly 10w-30...

I could not agree more with EEL, "All this oil selection is BS", many who ride Ducati's (among other bikes) have used a wide variety of motor oils, from dino to synthetic, Castrol to Shell Rotella, motorcycle specific and automotive.  The bottom line from my reading and experience is to change your oil regularly (within 2,000 miles) and you should not have a problem.  From my personal experience, viscosity selection, particularly in the summer months (for example, our heat wave currently underway in Texas) is helpful not only with respect to engine protection but shifting.  Rotella T Synthetic 5w-40 is a great oil, but my shifting improved significantly with a heavier viscosity.  By the way, the frequent oil changes protect from viscosity breakdown, which is likely the greatest issue facing any motorcycle engine which shares the engine oil with the clutch and transmission.  Air cooling places additional stress on the oil via the head which can regularly exceed 300 degrees fahrenheit during normal operation (which is why a synthetic motor oil is highly recommended for use in an air cooled engine, were my bike water cooled, it would be Rotella 15w-40 dino oil with a change every 1500 miles, cannot be beat at $25.00 for 2 1/2 gallons).

I'm not going to try it, but I would not be terribly surprised if nearly any motor oil in reasonable viscosity coupled with frequent oil changes would yield a decent service life for the engine..

I will agree with you on the Ducati filter, however.  For anyone who cares to argue differently, there is nothing "motorcycle specific" about the filter (I've done my research, the design was originally for a French Citroen 2CV, an older French automobile).  It seals poorly (in my opinion) and requires the "special tool" (read: not readily available here) to properly tighten.  There is another forum posting for alternate filters somewhere on here.

If you really want an alternative to the harder to find stock filter, purchase an adapter which changes the stock thread size from 16Mx1.5 to 3/4-16.  With this simple and cheap modification, you can use the following:

NAPA 1348
AC Delco PF-53
Fram - 3614
Mobile 1 - M1-102
Wix 51348
WalMart Super Tech ST-3614

All of these are readily available at any major auto parts retail outlet and Walmart.  I personally use the Fram Xtended Guard 3614 without issue on my Monster (flame suit on).  The best aspect of using a more common maintenance item is that you can find the filter anywhere which is great for touring, etc.

These filters will extend approximately 3/8 of an inch longer than stock but otherwise are compatible with the stock filter specifications...

[zarn02]

Either this thread doesn't need to exist, or I completely wasted my time transcribing the hugely informative thread from TOB.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1912.0

[Ddan]

You didn't waste your time.  Anyone with a question about oil or filters wouldn't be wasting time by reading the thread.  All are not created equal and price (or advert budget) isn't an accurate measure of quality.

[H-2 CHARLIE]

  These air oil cooled motors should run full syn oli so you dont cook the stator .... very common to fry it up with  a poor oil choice .