3000 miles on Rotella 15W40

[boraticus]

I've put 3000 miles on the Valkyrie since the last oil change using Shell Rotella T 15W40 conventional oil.

I pulled the dipstick yesterday to check the oil. No variation in oil level. It hasn't lost/used a drop. Oil is very close to the same colour as it was when I put it in. Can't believe how clean the oil stays in the Valkyrie engine. My 2006 KLR650 with the same oil is usually fairly dark when I drop it with 3000 miles on it. Both machines have close to the same mileage on the odometer. I suspect the KLR engine is working harder and spinning more rpm to cover the same distance. It's probably combustion by-product and clutch wear residue that are likely the main contributors to oil discolouration in the KLR.

I've also noticed that my liquid cooled 500cc Suzuki engines on my ATVs stay very clean as well. However, I drop the oil in them every 1000 miles.

Overall, the Rotella appears to stay fairly clean in most of my applications.

 

[grampi]

I just did an unplanned OCI on my 109 due to a problem with my fuel manager glitching and causing one of my throttle bodies to literally flood the engine with gas (it was so bad, raw gas was spraying out of the exhaust pipe!) I knew this contaminated my oil, so I dumped the Amsoil and replaced it with Rotella conventional (15W40), mainly because of the cost difference. Since I normally do my OCs in the fall right before I put my bike up for winter storage (which I will do again this year), I didn't want to spend the big bucks for another Amsoil OCI that'll get dumped about the end of Oct. The Rotella was only a little over $3 a qt, compared to $8-$10 a qt for Amsoil. I've only ridden the bike for about an hour with this oil, but it seems fine, and it should certainly last until Nov...

 

[CaspianM]

It always worry me when my oil dosn't change color after thousands of miles. Now checking color with dipstick may not tell you all there is to it but a good oil with good cleaning should turn black specially in motorcycle. I wouldn't put too much into it though. Rotella is a good oil however I prefer Delvac.

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: CaspianM
It always worry me when my oil dosn't change color after thousands of miles. Now checking color with dipstick may not tell you all there is to it but a good oil with good cleaning should turn black specially in motorcycle. I wouldn't put too much into it though. Rotella is a good oil however I prefer Delvac.


I have some engines that dirty the oil. My Kubota diesel power plant will turn fresh oil black in less than 20 hours. The KLR will turn dark amber in 3000 miles. My two 500cc liquid cooled Suzuki ATV engines hardly change colour as does the Valkyrie. If the engine happens to run cleanly, that's not a bad sign from my experience. On the contrary, it would indicate clean air filtration/combustion and little wear.

I also have a 1996 Toyota that drops relatively clean oil at 3000 mile OCIs as well. That's a vehicle almost 15 years old that has lost no performance and uses no oil. With that kind of reliability, why would I worry about the oil staying relatively clean.

By the way, when I do colour comparison, I put a drop of clean oil and a drop of used oil on a paper towel to see how much of a difference there is.

 

[CaspianM]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
Originally Posted By: CaspianM
It always worry me when my oil dosn't change color after thousands of miles. Now checking color with dipstick may not tell you all there is to it but a good oil with good cleaning should turn black specially in motorcycle. I wouldn't put too much into it though. Rotella is a good oil however I prefer Delvac.


I have some engines that dirty the oil. My Kubota diesel power plant will turn fresh oil black in less than 20 hours. The KLR will turn dark amber in 3000 miles. My two 500cc liquid cooled Suzuki ATV engines hardly change colour as does the Valkyrie. If the engine happens to run cleanly, that's not a bad sign from my experience. On the contrary, it would indicate clean air filtration/combustion and little wear.

I also have a 1996 Toyota that drops relatively clean oil at 3000 mile OCIs as well. That's a vehicle almost 15 years old that has lost no performance and uses no oil. With that kind of reliability, why would I worry about the oil staying relatively clean.

By the way, when I do colour comparison, I put a drop of clean oil and a drop of used oil on a paper towel to see how much of a difference there is.

Engine & usage are different story. High reving and more HP engines as well as hot running engines are examles. I thought you pointed out that Rotella was running exceptionally clean. Some oil with more cleaning power actually turn darker quicker which is not a bad thing.That was my point.

 

[Bill in Utah]

NOTICE that I just removed 3 PAGES of off topic spew from many members who can not understand the RULES.

Consider this a warning (and if we have had conversation about taking your trolling/baiting in an PM this is your FINAL warning) on staying ON TOPIC and KNOCK off the brand bashing.

It WILL end.

ANY comments? HIGHLY recommended that you PM me.

Bill