What is the best motorcycle OILS ???

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  • Fancool
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    What is the best motorcycle OILS ???

    What is preferred oil for older bikes ie. 1978 Suzuki GS1000. Was told that synthetic oils even Amsoil are bad for clutches and I should stick to regular oil? I like good synthetic oil but don't want to damage bike or clutch. Or should I just use whatever I like?
  • Brendan W
    Forum Sage
    Past Site Supporter
    • Jul 2013
    • 4920
    • Wexford, Ireland

    #2


    This is a bit old but you get a good feel for the issues involved. I'm running 15W40 mineral oil intended for older diesel engined cars.
    97 R1100R
    Previous
    80 GS850G, 79 Z400B, 85 R100RT, 80 Z650D, 76 CB200

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    • Nessism
      Forum LongTimer
      GSResource Superstar
      Past Site Supporter
      Super Site Supporter
      • Mar 2006
      • 35784
      • Torrance, CA

      #3
      I use Shell Rotella 5W-40 synthetic diesel oil in my bikes.
      Last edited by Nessism; 02-07-2016, 03:34 PM.
      Ed

      To measure is to know.

      Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

      Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

      Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

      KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

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      • kdo58

        #4

        this is the first time this has been asked.

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        • bccap
          Forum LongTimer
          Past Site Supporter
          • May 2011
          • 27256
          • Vancouver B.C.

          #5
          Like Ed says, Rotella. You can get it at Taiwan Tire fairly reasonably priced. { not as cheap as he can get it but it's the best bang for your buck }

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          • bonanzadave
            Forum Guru
            Past Site Supporter
            • Jul 2006
            • 9622
            • Minnesota

            #6
            Wealth of info in a oil thread so I gotta ask.....What the F is Taiwan Tire ?
            82 1100 EZ (red)

            "You co-opting words of KV only thickens the scent of your BS. A thief and a putter-on of airs most foul. " JEEPRUSTY

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            • tkent02
              Forum LongTimer
              Past Site Supporter
              • Jan 2006
              • 35571
              • Near South Park

              #7
              Canadian Harbor Fright.
              http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

              Life is too short to ride an L.

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              • bccap
                Forum LongTimer
                Past Site Supporter
                • May 2011
                • 27256
                • Vancouver B.C.

                #8
                Originally posted by bonanzadave
                Wealth of info in a oil thread so I gotta ask.....What the F is Taiwan Tire ?
                LOL... Kanadian slang for Canadian Tire or as Tom says, our version of Harbor Fright

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                • wymple
                  Forum Sage
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • Apr 2014
                  • 1893
                  • SE Iowa

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Nessism
                  I use Shell Rotella 5W-40 synthetic diesel oil in my bikes.
                  Yeppers for sure

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                  • bonanzadave
                    Forum Guru
                    Past Site Supporter
                    • Jul 2006
                    • 9622
                    • Minnesota

                    #10
                    82 1100 EZ (red)

                    "You co-opting words of KV only thickens the scent of your BS. A thief and a putter-on of airs most foul. " JEEPRUSTY

                    Comment

                    • Fancool

                      #11
                      Great info, I live in Canada and have a Canadian tire very close to me.
                      I would never have thought to use that oil as it is in the diesel section of oils.
                      It is cheaper then Mobile 1 or Amsoil.
                      Thanks.

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                      • Grimly
                        Forum Guru
                        Past Site Supporter
                        Super Site Supporter
                        • Sep 2012
                        • 5760
                        • Ireland

                        #12
                        Damn, I missed an oil thread.
                        Dave
                        '79 GS850GN '80 GS850GT
                        Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

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                        • Lorenzo
                          Forum Mentor
                          Past Site Supporter
                          • Mar 2014
                          • 576
                          • ROME, ITALY

                          #13
                          Get any oil that meets the JASO MA2 specifications.

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                          • Guest

                            #14
                            Not all synthetic oils will harm the clutch. Avoid car oils with friction modifiers. Can't go wrong with rotella.Mobil1 makes a motorcycle specific oil altho very expensive, golden Spetro is a more moderately priced motorcycle specific oil available in both synthetic and mineral.
                            Last edited by Guest; 02-21-2016, 10:00 AM.

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                            • tkent02
                              Forum LongTimer
                              Past Site Supporter
                              • Jan 2006
                              • 35571
                              • Near South Park

                              #15
                              I have been using synthetic oils since Mobil one first came out in the late seventies. Amsoil, Redline, Rotella, used them all in many many motorcycles. Never had it cause a slipping clutch or any other problems.
                              http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

                              Life is too short to ride an L.

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