Castrol 5w-50?

[AuthorEditor]

Has anybody used Castrol 5w-50 in a motorcycle? Kawasaki 500 in my case, watercooled, been running Rotella 5w-40 synthetic. I was in WalMart last night and they had 4 quarts of Castrol 5w-50 on sale for $4.50 per qt., which isn't a super bargain but still works out to less than they're charging for a gallon of Rotella synthetic right now. Thought I might try this in my motorcycle for the summer. Thoughts?

 

[KernelK]

I have used it in years past in my Ducati 900SS[shared gearbox, dry clutch]and it seemed to perform just fine although the change intervals were probably pretty short. Also, the formulation that I used was probably SJ or SL as opposed to the current SM formulation.

Here is the only used oil analysis that I could find for a motorcycle:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...true#Post721750

 

[Lurch]

I'd say the Rotella T6 synthetic is a better oil and I'd stick with that.

 

[Lurch]

PS - If it says "energy conserving" on the back of the bottle, it contains friction reducing additives that may mess with the function of your wet clutch.

Rotella has no FRA.

IMHO, Rotella T 15-40 is cheaper still than this Castrol you speak of and probably better for your bike, so if you want to save more money, I'd go with RT 15-40. either way, I"d say the Rotella is the best way to go. RTS is only a couple bucks more and probably a much better bike oil.

 

[ThomasJ]

I would like to try the Rotella if it only came in 50 weight...think it might some day?

 

[AuthorEditor]

I wouldn't expect to see a 50 weight HDEO from Rotella as the trend is towards lighter and lighter oils in both cars and trucks. I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years we look back on 40 weights as dinosaurs.

 

[sunruh]

if you want a 50wt look no further than Valvoline VR1 sae50. it's pretty darn good. their VR1 20w50 is pretty darn good as well!

 

[Robenstein]

Keep using the Rotella. Its cheaper and more easily available. I would be willing to bet its every bit as stout as the Castrol if not more.

You dont need a 50 weight in a water cooled bike. You could run Kendall GT1 20w50 as it is the only grade with high zinc still, or you could run 15w50 Mobil 1 for other off the shelf varieties of oil.

 

[ThomasJ]

In my BMW R1150GS the 40W can't handle the 100+ temps, currently running Amsoil 20W50...just interested in something more convenient and cost effective.
Didn't mean to get off topic.