Oil substitute

[Sbct]

Just got a 2015 Spyder F3-S SE6. Manual and owner's manual calls for 4 stroke XPS oil. I use Amsoil in my BMW bike. Looking on the Amsoil website it calls for, I think 10w-40 or 5W-40, can't remember right this second. Anyway, how important is it for this particular engine to stick with the xps oil? That stuff is to pricey and I get Amsoil through a friend at cost. What do you all run in the 1330 Rotax? I know that certain motors are finicky. Thanks

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Just got a 2015 Spyder F3-S SE6. Manual and owner's manual calls for 4 stroke XPS oil. I use Amsoil in my BMW bike. Looking on the Amsoil website it calls for, I think 10w-40 or 5W-40, can't remember right this second. Anyway, how important is it for this particular engine to stick with the xps oil? That stuff is to pricey and I get Amsoil through a friend at cost. What do you all run in the 1330 Rotax? I know that certain motors are finicky. Thanks

In a word " HOOEY " …… Amsoil is at least 5 times better than the BRP stuff ….. I used to use Volvoline 4 Stroke full syn ….. But have switched to Rotella T-6 also full syn. ...both were rated JASO 2 ….. that's good enough for me ….and many others here ….. Mike

[BajaRon]

Manufacturer's are always going to tell you to stick with their branded oil. Though BRP, Can-Am, Harley Davidson, Yamaha, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, you name it. None of them make oil. They all use a commercial oil (Castrol in the case of BRP), etc., and simply put it in their bottle. The only thing BRP about their oil is the container, which you throw away.

It is very easy to find a better lubricant for less money with a little bit of homework. That is a much better way to go, IMHO. Better for less money always thrills me. You can throw tires into this same bag, if I may say so.

Sorry, I'm a bit opinionated. It's a weakness. I'm going to sessions for it though....

[Sbct]

Figured the BRP stuff was nothing special.

[Chupaca]

Just make sure the oil you use meets the spec's in the manual or the XPS container....

[JayBros]

Gene is in the center of the bulls-eye. You could use what came out of a bottle marked Ben & Jerry's if it said it met the API service specifications listed in your operator's guide. No, Chunky Monkey doesn't meet the specs.

[2dogs]

All oil is dino oil. Synthetic oil is still dino oil, but highly refined with added compounds from other sources and then sold to the highest bidder and rebranded by the buyer as to whatever the new owner wants to call it. Just make sure whatever you decide to use is marketed and intended for use in motorcycles. Most all oils made and sold for cars contain friction modifiers to improve fuel millage. DON'T USE THAT STUFF! It will ruin the discs in your clutch pack. Just pick a brand name oil made for motorcycles and you'll be good. By the way, in a pinch you can use/add an oil designed for use in diesel engines without harm to your clutch pack, but, change it out at the first opportunity.

[Sbct]

Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated.

[Highwayman2013]

All oil is dino oil. Synthetic oil is still dino oil, but highly refined with added compounds from other sources and then sold to the highest bidder and rebranded by the buyer as to whatever the new owner wants to call it. Just make sure whatever you decide to use is marketed and intended for use in motorcycles. Most all oils made and sold for cars contain friction modifiers to improve fuel millage. DON'T USE THAT STUFF! It will ruin the discs in your clutch pack. Just pick a brand name oil made for motorcycles and you'll be good. By the way, in a pinch you can use/add an oil designed for use in diesel engines without harm to your clutch pack, but, change it out at the first opportunity.

There are diesel oils that are Jaso MA rated that are fine for motorcycles such as Rotella T6

[vindex1963]

There are diesel oils that are Jaso MA rated that are fine for motorcycles such as Rotella T6

Does any diesel oil have friction modifiers? Jaso MA is a rating they pay for but I bet a majority are just fine. I wrote Rotella about their T5
blend not being Jaso rated and they said they didn't want to invest the $$ doing so. The fact they wrote me back and were up front and honest
makes me trust their products even more.


While I’m not always aware of our marketing group’s priorities, I doubt that it is likely we would seek JASO MA or MA2 certification for the Shell Rotella T5 Synthetic Blend products in the near future. While use of our Shell Rotella T Triple Protection Oil SAE 15W-40 and Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Oil SAE 5W-40 in equipment with a wet clutch has become a good niche market for us, it is just that – a niche market. Truthfully, certification takes money, and I don’t believe this area is a current priority for Shell Rotella T5 oils.


Thank you for your interest in Shell/Pennzoil/Quaker State Lubricants!

Regards,
Edward A. Calcote
Staff Chemist

[RICZ]

Having 9 years experience with Victory MCs and a devout Vic forum follower, many there (if not most) use either T-6 or the blend with very good results. No wet clutch slippage and improved shifts. When I switched to T-6 I noticed a marked improvement in shifting and quieter lifters. I will be switching to T-6 in my F3L as well.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Having 9 years experience with Victory MCs and a devout Vic forum follower, many there (if not most) use either T-6 or the blend with very good results. No wet clutch slippage and improved shifts. When I switched to T-6 I noticed a marked improvement in shifting and quieter lifters. I will be switching to T-6 in my F3L as well.

A member posted a link to the NEW Re-bate form from Shell for the Rotella products ….. I think it brings the cost down to about $ 4.00 per Quart … check the advanced search for it ….. Mike

[RICZ]

Getting anything with a good sale price is always great! Thanks Mike.