Engine oils......

[Silverfox69]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if there is any difference between AMSOIL, Mobil, Pennzoil, Valvoline, etc.... The one thing that I can think of is the price of each one.. I have an 82 GS650GLZ and I'm trying to decide which oil would be best.. Any thoughts on this would be great..

Thanks,

Vinnie

[Guest]

Oh no!!
Here we go again.

[Nessism]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if there is any difference between AMSOIL, Mobil, Pennzoil, Valvoline, etc.... The one thing that I can think of is the price of each one.. I have an 82 GS650GLZ and I'm trying to decide which oil would be best.. Any thoughts on this would be great..

Thanks,

Vinnie

"Best" depends on your point of view. To some people it means cheapest or best value, to others it means lasts the longest, and others again mean provides the best protection, etc.

What are you looking for?

[Silverfox69]

I would have to say the best protection.........

[Clone]

You can run just about any oil as long as it is not "energy conserving". Personal preferences will vary, I go with whatever synthetic is on sale. Valvoline, Mobil1, Rotella, even castrol once ina while.

[Nessism]

I would have to say the best protection.........

Under what conditions do you ride and how often are you willing to change the oil?

[Silverfox69]

I ride under normal conditions and once in a while I will ride her hard... (LOL) I change my oil at the beginning of every season, so once a year....

[Steve]

You can run just about any oil as long as it is not "energy conserving".

The key here is the "energy conserving" bit. Look on the back of the container for the API 'donut'. If the bottom half has the words "energy conserving", don't use that oil. The good part is that your selection is quite easy to make. I have not seen any 40w oils that are labeled "energy conserving". Suzuki recommends 10w-40 or 20w-50, so that should not be a problem, but it probably won't be long before they figure out how to mess up the 40w oils, too.

If you are looking for specific brand recommendations, many here use Castrol GTX dino oil, or Mobil 1, AMSOIL and Rotella synthetics. Opinions differ on the change interval, but you won't go wrong with the factory suggestions.

.

[dr_fosg8]

Ok, I don't want to confuse anybody here. But I seem to be confused myself. My local dealer said to never use a synthetic in my bike because the additives in them will "adhere" to the clutch plates reducing their ability to grab.

Again that is NOT what I know just what I have been told. If it is good to use a synthetic please correct me so I may begin reaping the benefits myself!

[Nessism]

I ride under normal conditions and once in a while I will ride her hard... (LOL) I change my oil at the beginning of every season, so once a year....

How many miles per year are we talking about here?

[Silverfox69]

One last thing, does it have to be motorcycle oil or can it be just SAE10W-40 for cars????

Thanks to everyone for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Silverfox69]

About 1500-2500 miles per year.. One last thing, does the oil have to be made for motorcycles or can you use just SAE 10W-40 for cars!!!!!

Thanks to everyone for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nessism]

About 1500-2500 miles per year.. One last thing, does the oil have to be made for motorcycles or can you use just SAE 10W-40 for cars!!!!!

Thanks to everyone for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diesel engine oil would be a good choice for you. Rotella 15W-40 is an excellent choice but just about any diesel oil is good. Diesel oil has more zinc in it (good for camshafts and other high wear components) compared to auto oil and the viscosity will not shear down as fast as auto oil. Good stuff.

[gearhead13]

Yo can use oil made for cars, you just HAVE to make sure it is not the kind with special friction reducing additives, which as you could imagine would make your wet clutch slip.
There are oils made just for bikes, usually/always more expensive depending on where you buy it. I found a source of dino castrol oil made just for bikes and comes in 20w50 and 10w40. I personally dont run synthetic I have heard bad things, I just change the oil more often.

[rustybronco]

My local dealer said to never use a synthetic in my bike because the additives in them will "adhere" to the clutch plates reducing their ability to grab.

Again that is NOT what I know just what I have been told. If it is good to use a synthetic please correct me so I may begin reaping the benefits myself!

The dealer giving you this "information" and if what you are saying is what they said ... NEEDS TO FIND ANOTHER LINE OF WORK!
are you sure they weren't talking about an energy conserving oil that has moly in it?

I have shell rotella-T 5w40 synthetic (blue jug) in my '82 gs850 now. the last oil change was with amsoil 20w50.