Mixing Oil?

[RJB]

When on the road and you need to add motor oil, is it ok to add whatever is available or is it a big mistake to mix regular car oil with the synthetic BRP motorcycle oil?

Thanks,
RJb

 

[Firefly]

When on the road and you need to add motor oil, is it ok to add whatever is available or is it a big mistake to mix regular car oil with the synthetic BRP motorcycle oil?

Thanks,
RJb

It could be a mistake if the oil doesn't meet the specs for the Rotax. I would just keep a quart in your trunk when on trips....:thumbup:

 

[boborgera]

When on the road and you need to add motor oil, is it ok to add whatever is available or is it a big mistake to mix regular car oil with the synthetic BRP motorcycle oil?

Thanks,
RJb

A few ounces won't hurt, I wouldn't use any more than that.
But you should be able to go 4/5 thousand miles before you would need more than a few ounces.

 

[Star Cruiser]

It could be a mistake if the oil doesn't meet the specs for the Rotax. I would just keep a quart in your trunk when on trips....:thumbup:

I keep a litre of brp in the trunk now to top it off.
If you have to add oil, make sure you add MOTORCYCLE oil. Semi- synthetic would be best based on its miscibility. Adding 1/2 a quart should not give you any problems for the 1000 or so miles that you will go before doing a complete change, anyway

 

[wukka]

It could be a mistake if the oil doesn't meet the specs for the Rotax. I would just keep a quart in your trunk when on trips....:thumbup:

A full quart in your frunk takes up precious cargo space when all you will need (if at all) is a few ounces. Buy a small sealable squeeze bottle from your local department store, fill it with some extra oil, mark it legibly (with something clever, like "OIL"), and keep that in your frunk. That way if your ROTAX needs a couple of squirts of oil, you'll have it with you.

P.S. The same goes for other fluids - brake, clutch, radiator, etc. Why waste space and cart around more than you will ever need?

 

[QuadManiac]

If you have an emergency need for oil, the most important requirement is that the oil is compatible with your Spyder's wet clutch. JASO MA (Motorcycle, wet clutch designation) on the bottle's label guarantees this compatibility.

Automotive oils should be avoided unless they display this designation (some do). Most standard automotive oils (that are not rated MA) contain friction reducing additives, such as molybdenum, which can damage the wet clutch.

Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic, available at Wallmart (so you can get it nearly where ever you may be), is MA rated and should suffice in a pinch. I run this in all of my vehicles and power sports toys. I don't in the Spyder, only due to warranty worries... but I probably will once the warranty expires.

 

[Firefly]

A full quart in your frunk takes up precious cargo space when all you will need (if at all) is a few ounces. Buy a small sealable squeeze bottle from your local department store, fill it with some extra oil, mark it legibly (with something clever, like "OIL"), and keep that in your frunk. That way if your ROTAX needs a couple of squirts of oil, you'll have it with you.

P.S. The same goes for other fluids - brake, clutch, radiator, etc. Why waste space and cart around more than you will ever need?

You should see all the stuff I take when I go to TN or Cuba..... tons of tools, spare parts, oil, computer,etc.....Just never know what you or another Spyder Ryder might need.

In Cuba the one thing I didn't bring along was new Y pipe gaskets(honda) I just got. I had put mine in and didn't feel the need to bring them along--- but low and behold they would have come in very handy as *someone* blew hers out in Cuba. Could have replaced hers in about 1/2 hour in the parking lot.

I keep my tools in my passenger seat bag so I can take them in the motels at night. Clothes go in BRP R35 cases, trunk is left for laptop, misc stuff. Topcase for raingear, extra helmet, etc.

Smaller bottles would work well if you're cramped for space. For short day rydes of a few hundred miles I don't usually have any extra fluids with me--- except H2O !

 

[BajaRon]

...but low and behold they would have come in very handy as *someone* blew hers out in Cuba. Could have replaced hers in about 1/2 hour in the parking lot.

Yes, I felt sorry for 'Someone' after she blew her gaskets (can I say that? :dontknow. Wow! Was that ever an ear-popping experience! :yikes:

 

[dltang]

You should see all the stuff I take when I go to TN or Cuba..... tons of tools, spare parts, oil, computer,etc.....Just never know what you or another Spyder Ryder might need.

In Cuba the one thing I didn't bring along was new Y pipe gaskets(honda) I just got. I had put mine in and didn't feel the need to bring them along--- but low and behold they would have come in very handy as *someone* blew hers out in Cuba. Could have replaced hers in about 1/2 hour in the parking lot.

I keep my tools in my passenger seat bag so I can take them in the motels at night. Clothes go in BRP R35 cases, trunk is left for laptop, misc stuff. Topcase for raingear, extra helmet, etc.

Smaller bottles would work well if you're cramped for space. For short day rydes of a few hundred miles I don't usually have any extra fluids with me--- except H2O !

Yes, I felt sorry for 'Someone' after she blew her gaskets (can I say that? :dontknow. Wow! Was that ever an ear-popping experience! :yikes:

Well you two, Doc sent "someone" the Honda gaskets. They are not on yet as the Y gaskets and manifold springs were replaced under warranty. They had to replace both which leads us to believe they were never put back on properly or at all. There is just no way both those springs got loose and lost due to the ride. Anyway, "someone" no longer has an ear-popping spyder.

Now back to the thread, when we travel we car one liter of the same oil we use in our spyders. It may take up room, but if you need it, you want it to be the right stuff and you sure don't want to go without.