What oils have you all used?

[Kawtipping]

I am about to change oil on my 996, and am looking for recommendations. I have always used Mobil 1 car oil in my Kawasaki's. I would like to keep with the same, or possibly switch to Shell Rotella T. Does anyone have any reasons not to use these oils? I know they are not "motorcycle" oils, but they have never caused an issue with my wet clutch bikes.

[oneducs]

Motul, mobil any 15 or 20/50 full synthetic works for me.

[galaxy]

I use AMSOIL in every single component in all my vehicles...F150, Lexus, and two Ducs. Never a problem and great performance!! You'll also find great feedback on Mobil 1 users on here as well. Those two will probably come up as the top two.

[Shazaam]

Is it okay to use car engine oil on motorcycles?

[Kawtipping]

Thanks for that link, it helps!

[DucmanST3]

Olive oil...it is an Italian bike after all, though a full synthetic is hard to find

[JCPakBikes]

I add a touch of garlic oil to that.
I have the best smelling bike in SoCal.
Everyone gets really hungry when they ride with me.
They all bring rustic bread now on all our rides

But when thats not available....
I have recently migrated to Silkolene 4T 15/50 or 10/50 and have had very good results.
My second choice would be Mobil1 V-Twin. Surprisingly that ran really well.
I noticed a big change in temps with Motorex. I was a bit disappointed.

JC

Originally Posted by DucmanST3

Olive oil...it is an Italian bike after all, though a full synthetic is hard to find

[redbcgraygt]

I'm with JC, Silkolene pro 4 15/50,

[Kawtipping]

I was contemplating using either Mobile 1 (but the car version) or Shell Rotella T Synthetic. The only problem I am having is that Shell's synthetic is only available in a 5w-40 (which is what I am using in my Kawasaki's). I haven't looked close at the Mobile 1 offerings yet, but I know they have a 10w-40. I would be hesitant to use the 5w as I do not think it would offer as much protection when hot. Though that is what a lot of us diesel guys use instead of the 15w-40 dino oil. Anyone have thoughts on that?

Don't get me wrong, I am not against buying a motorcycle specific oil...the only thing is price. Why spend $10 a qt/ltr when you can spend $6? I don't think there is enough difference to justify it. After all, I have been using auto oil in my Kaw's (even with the wet clutch) without any issues.

[galaxy]

Do you fully understand the viscosity ratings of a motor oil?? The 5W in the oil you are describing has nothing to do with "protection" offered at normal operating temeratures. The "W" in any split viscosity motor oil actually stands for Winter. Oils have additive packages to them to make them perform a certain way in certian temperatures. To keep it simple, your 5W40 has the viscosity characteristics of a 5 weight oil when extremely cold and a 40 weight when under normal operating temps.

So, to compare a 5W40 and a 10W40 at operating temp has little bearing on each other and none on protection since they are going to be the same...for all practical purposes. At normal temps they are both a 40 weight oil. When cold, like for that first start up in the morning, the 5W is going to flow easier than the 10W, making it more appealing to me. But you also need to stay close to the manufacturers rec. But they usually give such a huge spread in acceptable oils it really doesn't matter much anyways.

Yes, there are more than a few examples of guys running car oil in bikes without any problems what so ever, so it makes it hard to make a pitch on that subject. But with that said, moto oils are different. They are designed to handle the abuses of sharing the gearbox with the motor, and clutch in some cases. With a wet clutch though, that's different. Maybe you haven't, but there's been plenty of people suffer from side effects of running a car oil with a wet clutch. Most friction modifiers found in car oils are not compatable.

I think your 996 calls for 20W50, no?? Could be wrong there. 10W40 is what's recommended for Testastretta motors.