Supertech filter and Rotella synthetic 5W-40

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I searched the site for a little while to try and get a feeling on my choice. It sounds to me like my oil and filter choice is no less then decent, and some sound just short of great.

I went to Rotella T synthetic 5W-40 with a Supertech ST7317 filter on my first oil change. I would like to continue to use the same combo since I can get them both from the same place, for a great price.

I would just like to hear a reassurance that these are okay for my 13,000 RPM, 150 HP (and to think, Honda isn't the best engine performer!!!) daily driver motorcyle. I ride year round, rain or shine, hot or cold, long and short. I ride only 5 miles to work everyday, but I also make trips to southern California on occasion of 500 miles each way in temps up to 120 degrees or so

120 degrees is hot in full leathers by the way

I also plan to run the same oil and filter in my wife's Honda Shadow.

Most likely, I will go with the same basic combo on my other vehicles except in a 30 weight, and the appropriate filter.

Thanks
 
Very good choice for the application. As long as it and your specific clutch gets along I would go with it. Your not going to beat it for $3.00 QT.

Gene
 
Well, the wheel will come of the ground with little argument. And I can do illegal speeds with no complaints from the clutch either
grin.gif


I never had a problem with a wet clutch and synthetic oils myself.
 
As you've figured out by now, we split hairs to the umpteenth degree here.

For the "average" guy, this combination would be totally acceptable.

Not to tick you off, but if you can afford that bike...you can afford to pay a little more for an oil and filter (sorry, it's just some people spend amazing amounts of moolah on their toys but then go very cheap on lubricants)

Now I'm a big HDEO fan, but for an oil-junkie running this application, I'd recommend a higher quality oil and filter combination.

Pick a top-quality, high flow filter (does K&N have a matching filter?) and run a group IV or V syn-lube.

I'd recommend M1 15w-50.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
As you've figured out by now, we split hairs to the umpteenth degree here.

For the "average" guy, this combination would be totally acceptable.

Not to tick you off, but if you can afford that bike...you can afford to pay a little more for an oil and filter (sorry, it's just some people spend amazing amounts of moolah on their toys but then go very cheap on lubricants)

Now I'm a big HDEO fan, but for an oil-junkie running this application, I'd recommend a higher quality oil and filter combination.

Pick a top-quality, high flow filter (does K&N have a matching filter?) and run a group IV or V syn-lube.

I'd recommend M1 15w-50.


I dont like the 15W-50 for a bike application since it has been reformulated, to many clutch problems.

While in theory Mobil Delvac 1 aka M1 Truck & SUV would look like a better choice I have seen some shearing problems in bike applications.

The Amsoil AMO/AMF 10W-40 or ARO/ARV 20W-50 twins would be a better choice if he is going to spend more.

A OEM filter wouldnt hurt. I found I could get the
filter for my old Kawasaki KLX300 which was also used on a Honda for half price at the Honda dealer.

Guess I better not tell you guys I use Type F ATF in my 2001 GasGas 300 XC/EC (XC Chassis / EC Motor) trans or I will be lynched.
Gene

[ June 26, 2004, 11:34 PM: Message edited by: Gene K ]
 
quote:

Originally posted by Gene K:
I dont like the 15W-50 for a bike application since it has been reformulated. to many clutch problems.

What has Mobil done to their 15w-50 that makes it undesirable for wet-clutch use?
 
quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:

quote:

Originally posted by Gene K:
I dont like the 15W-50 for a bike application since it has been reformulated. to many clutch problems.

What has Mobil done to their 15w-50 that makes it undesirable for wet-clutch use?


For several years after they changed the formula on the other car oils they kept the old formula for the 15W50. A year or two ago they reformulated it in line with the other car oils and this caused problems with some clutches.

Gene
 
quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
Not to tick you off, but if you can afford that bike...you can afford to pay a little more for an oil and filter (sorry, it's just some people spend amazing amounts of moolah on their toys but then go very cheap on lubricants)

Sorry dude, this isn't my toy.

quote:

Originally posted by Sidewalk:
daily driver motorcyle. I ride year round, rain or shine, hot or cold, long and short. I ride only 5 miles to work everyday, but I also make trips to southern California on occasion of 500 miles each way in temps up to 120 degrees or so.

I drive my car maybe once a month, that is it. It otherwise sits parked on the street getting dirty all year round. I have put 2000 miles on this bike in less then a month. I have more torque available to me then on most commuter cars, twice the horse power, and I can get better mileage to boot. This bike costs less then most commuter cars, and is about the same, if not less to insure.

But I understand your point.

I considered Mobil 1. I might go with it after all. I keep trying to go with something else, I have been running Mobil 1 in everything else I own (my toys are a 4x4 and a VW Bug, not my bike
grin.gif
), I just wanted to see if there was anything comparable. But, I will run a 40W Mobil 1, since the 50 weight is beyond what is recommended.

The K&N seems very expensive (I have been running it for several years now). I have never heard anybody give an opinion on it except that it may be good. So I have been running it and hoping it was worth the money. Now that I find out I can find a $2 filter that does do a decent job, it is hard to run from that...

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:

quote:

Originally posted by Gene K:
I dont like the 15W-50 for a bike application since it has been reformulated. to many clutch problems.

What has Mobil done to their 15w-50 that makes it undesirable for wet-clutch use?


I have never had a problem with Mobil 1 in my other bike. My other bike is a Buell (Harley engine in a kinda sport bike frame). It has a wet clutch as well, and it always seemed fine.

I say always seemed because after two years of riding, I was having problems with the trans fluid blowing out. But I don't think it had anything to do with the oil.
 
Mobil-1 makes their MXT 20W50 just for or two wheeled friends. Their 5W40 SUV and Delvac 1 are also great choices.

I am sure that Rotella T Synthetic will work just fine.
 
On your choices - While Rotella seems to look OK on paper, as I recall the used oil analysis' (UOA) on this oil hasn't knocked my socks off. I think you can do better. No real problem with the ST line of filters.
 
Maybe I will be able to find a better source for Mobil 1 and go back to it next time around.

I checked the manual again on my wife's bike. Holy crap, recommended oil change interval of 8000 miles!!!
 
I use the Rotella T 5W40 in my Suzuki TL1000S and like it just fine. The clutch seems to like it to. Latter on I may try Amsoil 10W40 buy right now I'm saving it for me GSF1200.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Sidewalk:

I checked the manual again on my wife's bike. Holy crap, recommended oil change interval of 8000 miles!!!


Yeah well that's crazy . I'd like a internet list with the last 4 of the VIN posted of the bikes having this done to them so as to not ever get snake bit from buying one of these nice little one owners treated this way per Honda's recommendations .
tongue.gif


Use good bike specific oil in that 1000 is my opinion.

Kawachem 10w-40 synthetic
Motul E-Tech 10w-40
Motorex 10w-40
Maxima 5w-40 10w-40 Synthetic

comes to mind ..... heavy on the Maxima opinion though
wink.gif
 
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