Black Magic

[OLDMANBJ]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie to this forum. I live in Auckland New Zealand, and I've been following the forum for a while now. Only problem I've had is that we don't get the same oils here as you guys get there. ( like Rotella V Rimula and different Delvacs.)Anyway, back to black magic, or perhaps honey coloured magic. I reckon the car guys have it easy compared to us. You just go for the latest spec oil from a decent manufacturer and go to it. Never heard of an engine failure because of a modern oil. Or maybe I love my bike more,(Honda Hornet 919) so I really want to put the best oil in it.Here in NZ, as far as bikes are concerened Shell dont do very well, its mainly Castrol, Mobil, and the imported stuff like Motul and Elf and some Golden Spectra. Well, I use Shell Advance VSX4 15w-50 synthetic, because I can get it direct from the Wholesaler for a good price and I figure that a company that can formulate an world class oil like Rotella, must know a thing or three about oil. I don't think we get the truth from a lot of manufactures about bike oils since we represent such a small volume of sales. For instance, My manual calls for a 10w-40 SG or Later oil up to SM as long as it has no Moly or Graphite in it. No special M/C oil? just any oil. But I've read many times that Honda oil itself has Moly in it. More importantly, using the recommended (any oil) SG or better, I am supposed to change it every 12000KM or one a year WCF and a filter at the same time. Yes sure? but Honda is prepared to guarantee their engine for unlimited Kms or 2 years if I follow this. Go figure. Last but also important, I was at the Honda dealership talking to the Honda Mechanic and he showed me the latest buletin from Bluewing Honda NZ, advising that from 2007, as a global change, they will be recommending a 10w30 oil (SG or later) for all motorcycles manufactured by them. Everything, even the big twins.Whats up? what do you think"

Cheers **.

 

[Titan]

I "think" that water-cooled motorcycle engines are more like car engines than they used to be. I'd not be surprised if they recommend 10-30 SG and up. I think the Moly concern is overblown, even in wet clutch applications. However, in wet clutch apps, I don't like the extended oil changes. The transmission parts are the only things that concern me about the 10-30 oil. IOW, although x-30 is probably plenty thick for a watercooled motorcycle, I'm not as sure it's good enough for the transmission. Since a 10-30 should have less viscosity index improvers added to it, and therefore should stay in grade better than a 5-30, this might be why the 10-30 recommendation. However, you can look at something that throws that logic out the window, such as German Castrol 0-30, as it has no viscosity improvers, and is a thick 30 weight. So, it's hard to read between the lines without knowing exactly what the engineers are trying to do...IF that recommendation is what they actually go to.

I'm no expert, though...my opinions aren't facts!

 

[castor]

hiya cuz, i came over here from auck. ( castor bay) 5 years ago. bril m8, i ride ALL year round, best thing i ever did
btw, do you get PENRITE over there? i run their diesel lube in my hd, it loves it. used to use motul 300v from motormail, but it played havoc with the exchequer

 

[Silk]

Another Kiwi here - I use Silkolene for the same reason OLDMANBJ uses Shell,I get it trade through my supplier,I've had it in my bikes for 5 yrs,pretty good stuff.You could also try the Fuchs HDEO's too,I run my diesels on it,and put it into my wife's car when I ran out of synthetic for it - she asked what I had done to her car to make it run so well....should be a good bike oil.Repco have motorcycle Mobil 1 in stock,but doubt if it's any different to the standard car stuff.The guys on this forum can only dream about the quality Euro oils we can get here.

 

[OLDMANBJ]

HI CASTOR AND SILK,Really good to here from you guys. Castor, I have a confession to make. I'm a mainlander ( oh no) Lived the last 30 yrs in Dunedin and moved to the big smoke about 18 months ago, to be with the family.( Before that I was an Irishman, OH NO NO ) Cant believe how warm it is up here. ( done 7 brass monkies).
Castor, as far as I can see, there is very little Penrite oil here.Silk, I checked with the Fuchs people here in Auckland, and they have stopped bringing in Silkoline oil, but they still do the diesel lubes.
Also, I have checked out the Pennzoil importers, and they will sell direct to me at a very good price, so it looks like I will be going with Pennzoil LL diesel oil in the future. Sorry it took me a while to get back to you guys, I've been away for a few days.In the meantime, from at least 3/4 a KIWI, thanks guys.

John

 

[castor]

that's ok about the mainland thing. i was born in dunedin, lived there 'till i was 3
i used to ger my oil (motul 300V)from "motomail". i think they are in morningside or near pt chev. try them, i always had good results with tony and his wife, regards, john

 

[Silk]

That's a pity about the Silkolene,I'll have to stock up.I have Pennzoil Long Life in my bulk oil tanks,my customers are getting a far better oil than they realise,but they couldn't care less anyway.Actualy it's Oil Pro,but that's just a branding so they can sell Pennzoil at a cheap bulk price and not upset the big chiefs.