Motorcycle Oil vs. Automotive Oil... - Ducati.ms

bennyhab · Jul 24th, 2010, 11:26 am

6 years or so ago, a Ducati owner whom i strongly respect told me to always put only Mobile One Fully Synthetic 15w-50 in Ducati engines. i've always done just that. and never had any complaints.
but the price difference makes me wonder... Mobile One's automotive 'fully synthetic' 15w-50 is less expensive than the motorcycle version. does that make a difference?

i have tried both from time to time, and i'm not really sure that i can tell a difference. sometimes i think starting is a little slower with the automotive oil, but morning temps around here are a little cool all summer long.

any insight out there?

Shazaam · Jul 24th, 2010, 11:32 am

RULES

• Buy a full-synthetic 50-weight oil from a major manufacturer
• Change it every 1,500 - 3,000 miles, no more

The Case for Using Mobil 1 15W-50 Automobile Oil in a Motorcycle:

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthre...489#post706489

bennyhab · Jul 24th, 2010, 11:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazaam

RULES

• Buy a full-synthetic 50-weight oil from a major manufacturer
• Change it every 1,500 - 3,000 miles, no more

The Case for Using Mobil 1 15W-50 Automobile Oil in a Motorcycle:

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthre...489#post706489

you nailed it!! thanks! that answered more questions than i realized i had! cheers!

AXE · Jul 24th, 2010, 12:33 pm

Yeah, oil is so good these days that I can't imagine using Mobil 1 automotive to be an issue. Hell, I used to run straight Mobil 30W in everything I rode back in the day. That's what the Ol' Man had in the barrel at the farm and it ran just fine in many bikes, atvs, cars, tractors, trucks, etc. Never seen a blown motor.

I know plenty of guys that run Rotella synthetic 15W40 in everything they own that I think runs around $22 for a gallon at Walmart.

I think that given your location and lower temps a lower start up number and a heavier back number would be fine. I think you could run a 10W40 or 10W50 in most good brands and be fine.

I personally like the Castrol oils and have been running them for several years and when I get them on sale the price ain't bad. I am sure you have to pay a premium up there so blowing through the Walmart in Anchorage and loading up on some Mobil 1 automotive ain't a bad option. They do carry the Mobil 1 V-twin and the four cylinder stuff too.........at least around these parts.

I agree with Shazaam frequent changes are as important as the type of oil..........something else I picked up from the Ol' Man at the farm. I change around half of the recommended intervals and adjust based upon riding conditions.

Out!

freezer16801 · Jul 26th, 2010, 8:41 pm

I run the car specific 15w50 mobile 1 in my duc. I am going to start running it in my track bike to see if I experience any clutch issues.

If my wally world had the rotella, I'd use that.

dudecati · Jul 26th, 2010, 8:53 pm

I generally trust the folks on this list as they tend to be a no BS group. Would you still feel OK running the Mobil One in a wet clutch Multistrada? I generally change every 3K - 5K. Thoughts?

**vduc** · Jul 26th, 2010, 10:38 pm

I ran Mobil 1 auto grade in my `93 750SS that was strictly a track and race bike for 4 year. It has a wet clutch, zero issues. I changed the oil every race weekend.

On my other Ducati's 2 and 4 valve models I've used Motul synthetic and recently switched to Motorex. As others have stated, changing it often is probably the most important part.

sakurama · Jul 26th, 2010, 11:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazaam

RULES

• Buy a full-synthetic 50-weight oil from a major manufacturer
• Change it every 1,500 - 3,000 miles, no more

The Case for Using Mobil 1 15W-50 Automobile Oil in a Motorcycle:

It's funny because for over 100,000 miles that worked out great on BMW's and Ducati's all manner of dirt bikes and then I got the KTM 950 and for the life of me couldn't figure out why it wouldn't shift after an oil change. Cleaned the clutch jets, rebuilt the slave cylinder, checked the clutch pack and finally took it to the dealer who changed the oil. To Motorex like they recommend. It worked fine. I didn't believe it so I swapped to Mobil 1 again at the next change - same thing. Back to Motul like my race bikes and the clutch was perfect. I've done this a dozen times back and forth and with different oils including Rotella and that bike only likes premium motorcycle oil. Sorta pisses me off actually.

I'm glad to hear the Ducati will be fine with Mobil 1.

Gregor

**Chuckracer** · Jul 27th, 2010, 4:54 am

It's funny how different bikes are, even when they're the same. My 950 loves Rotella, hates Moterex. It also loves Lucas Oil Treatment. Makes it shift like a Ducati!

ADHD · Jul 27th, 2010, 10:19 am

I have used Mobil 1 15w 50 in my track only RC51 for the last seven years with no issues. I use Mobil in the Hyper and the Dodge Hemi too. I have read many automotive vs. motorcycle specific oil articles and threads and Mobil 1 15w 50 and Mobil MX4T consistently come out on top in all the tests.