And i needed to shake down the R1 (its got Rotella T6 in it) and im still learning to love this oil. I havent went more than 10 miles twice this year on this bike and ive got a mountain trip coming up in the very near future. I needed to log some miles on this bike just to see how it acts/shifts/runs with this New to this bike oil in it. And to make sure the bike needed no maintence before this trip.
So i had a eye appointment 100 miles away today at 8:00am Perfect ! Ill take the R1.
First impression of Rotella is great in a 1000cc bike, Im used to a highway running temp of 176 at interstate speeds after the bike is fully warmed.. Not with T6 in it, On the way to Indianapolis 6:00am-8:00am the temp guage read 160 consistently at 70-80 MPH. and unlike with running 10-40 4T of whatever flavor i noticed the bike doesnt rise in tempts nearly as fast at stop lights etc.. The only thing ive changed is the oil.. thats got to be it.
The R1 was quieter (the actual mechanical noise of the motor) than when using any 4T of the past.
While driving home and the temps were already high 70's low 80's at 9:00am the bike stayed between 162-166 running interstate temps.. Ive owned this bike since new and ran everything motorcycle syn under the sun in it and its never ran this cool with any other oil.
The only difference i noticed was my left big toe (atleast in this bike) the shifter was just a tad firmer, not a huge amount but in the past i noted how buttery smooth the shifter was with very little effort needed (just a little schnick) and a positive gear change followed. and yes i am using aftermarket rearsets. Now with T6 its firmer with consistent firm shifts from the very start of the ride to the very end.
I averaged 45.263 mpg running around 75-80mph the whole way.
To talk (hey why not) about he ride itself.. Amazing, i know why i have not gotten rid of this bike yet.. Starting this ride at the break of dawn and watching the sun come up on the interstate was just fantastic, the weather was warm enuff i took the insulated liner out of my road jacket (Icon vintage daytona jacket covered in gap trip patches) and gauntlet gloves and Sidi boots, i was completely comfortable. then 30 miles into the trip i hit a wall of FOG.. and not just light fog, it was that you cant see 30 yards infront of your bike Fog.. so after just a few miles i had to raise the shield on my Arai, then after a few more miles my eyeglasses were so covered in fog/water dropplets that i had no choice but to pull over for a clean off.. Let me tell you about spooky, try merging back onto the interstate from the side of the road when all the cages were still running 65mph plus and you cant see there headlights untill there only a few seconds away.. to say it was a little creepy merging is a understatement. The fog was not lifting so i had to improvise as a had a appointment to make
If your shield is covered and you glasses are covered in water, ride with your head turned to the side (I already know this isnt the safest thing) but the wind managed to push the water off my glasses, kinda odd but it wouldnt do it off my faceshield, just my glasses.. so yes, raise you shield and ride with your head canted.. it gave me enuff visability to continue on down the road and not be to late for this eye specialist appointment..
The Ride home was even better, no fog and i tucked in and just cruised, I went 160 miles before the low fuel light kicked on and i stopped at 172 miles to fill her up.
The R1 is going back to Deals Gap for its 20 something time very, very soon. Im looking forward to spending some time on the Cherohola skyway as its probably my favorite road.
I want to thank all the posters before me that Ran Rotella T6 in there bikes and reported favorably about it, im over the $40+ (just for oil) motorcycle oil changes.. the bike runs just fine with Rotella and my wallet's not as lite.
Otis.
So i had a eye appointment 100 miles away today at 8:00am Perfect ! Ill take the R1.
First impression of Rotella is great in a 1000cc bike, Im used to a highway running temp of 176 at interstate speeds after the bike is fully warmed.. Not with T6 in it, On the way to Indianapolis 6:00am-8:00am the temp guage read 160 consistently at 70-80 MPH. and unlike with running 10-40 4T of whatever flavor i noticed the bike doesnt rise in tempts nearly as fast at stop lights etc.. The only thing ive changed is the oil.. thats got to be it.
The R1 was quieter (the actual mechanical noise of the motor) than when using any 4T of the past.
While driving home and the temps were already high 70's low 80's at 9:00am the bike stayed between 162-166 running interstate temps.. Ive owned this bike since new and ran everything motorcycle syn under the sun in it and its never ran this cool with any other oil.
The only difference i noticed was my left big toe (atleast in this bike) the shifter was just a tad firmer, not a huge amount but in the past i noted how buttery smooth the shifter was with very little effort needed (just a little schnick) and a positive gear change followed. and yes i am using aftermarket rearsets. Now with T6 its firmer with consistent firm shifts from the very start of the ride to the very end.
I averaged 45.263 mpg running around 75-80mph the whole way.
To talk (hey why not) about he ride itself.. Amazing, i know why i have not gotten rid of this bike yet.. Starting this ride at the break of dawn and watching the sun come up on the interstate was just fantastic, the weather was warm enuff i took the insulated liner out of my road jacket (Icon vintage daytona jacket covered in gap trip patches) and gauntlet gloves and Sidi boots, i was completely comfortable. then 30 miles into the trip i hit a wall of FOG.. and not just light fog, it was that you cant see 30 yards infront of your bike Fog.. so after just a few miles i had to raise the shield on my Arai, then after a few more miles my eyeglasses were so covered in fog/water dropplets that i had no choice but to pull over for a clean off.. Let me tell you about spooky, try merging back onto the interstate from the side of the road when all the cages were still running 65mph plus and you cant see there headlights untill there only a few seconds away.. to say it was a little creepy merging is a understatement. The fog was not lifting so i had to improvise as a had a appointment to make
The Ride home was even better, no fog and i tucked in and just cruised, I went 160 miles before the low fuel light kicked on and i stopped at 172 miles to fill her up.
The R1 is going back to Deals Gap for its 20 something time very, very soon. Im looking forward to spending some time on the Cherohola skyway as its probably my favorite road.
I want to thank all the posters before me that Ran Rotella T6 in there bikes and reported favorably about it, im over the $40+ (just for oil) motorcycle oil changes.. the bike runs just fine with Rotella and my wallet's not as lite.
Otis.
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