Royal Purple Oil- 1000 Mile Review

[NancysToy]

Scotty-- I am just curious to know what spec in the Mobil 1 Motorcycle oil didn't you like? It is JASO_MA rated which is the highest rating for any motorcycle oil. I do respect your opinion so I would like to know what you were looking at. I have always pretty much used Mobil 1 synthetic since they started rating their oil to the Motorcycle standards.:doorag:

Oh boy, can of worms time! First, let me say that comparing oils is not science. None of the manufacturer's spec sheets have the same information, outside a few commonly accepted parameters, like viscosity measurements. At that point, it becomes a matter of personal likes and dislikes, and that is my reasoning on the Mobil-1 Motorcycle oil. It is strictly personal preference, and I do not mean to imply the Mobil-1 isn't a top grade oil, or is less suitable in any way. My biggest concern with the Mobil-1 MC, other than the viscosity rating itself, was low temp and pumping viscosity figures that seemed to vary more widely between viscosity grades than other brands, and were significantly lower than other brands I researched. I don't know if that is good or bad, but it worried me that it was different.

As to JASO ratings versus API, I don't think it really matters as much with a liquid-cooled engine, although we all know Spyders get plenty hot. Nothing like temps in an air-cooled V-twin. Frequent oil changes to avoid thermal breakdown can compensate a lot for oils that deteriorate under high heat conditions, so I think you could satisfactorily use an oil designed for less strenuous service. As to the presence of phosphorus and zinc additives...the jury is still out. I find no solid information, even from JASO, indicating their clear superiority. JASO specs were put together expressly for motorcycles, so that is in their favor, but that doesn't mean API standards are inadequate, just not designed around bikes in the first place. BTW, the JASO-MA merely means it meets the standard and has no friction modifiers. There are no different rating levels.

In the end, for me and me alone, it comes down to two things. First, does the oil meet the manufacturer's stated spec? BRP specifes full-synthetic oil which meets API standard SL (and some previous standards), but not SM. They also specify the 5W-40 SAE grade. Of course their new oil does not meet their own specification! Heck, it isn't even labeled as to SAE grade. Of the JASO-MA oils on the market, only Castrol RS R4 is available in 5W-40, and it is not available around here. I can't even order it through local suppliers of Castrol. The lack of a 5W-40 is my biggest problem with the Mobil-1. Not being able to find an oil which meets the BRP spec creates a problem for me, and not one that I have a comfortable solution for as yet.

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

OIL

Oh boy, can of worms time! First, let me say that comparing oils is not science. None of the manufacturer's spec sheets have the same information, outside a few commonly accepted parameters, like viscosity measurements. At that point, it becomes a matter of personal likes and dislikes, and that is my reasoning on the Mobil-1 Motorcycle oil. It is strictly personal preference, and I do not mean to imply the Mobil-1 isn't a top grade oil, or is less suitable in any way. My biggest concern with the Mobil-1 MC, other than the viscosity rating itself, was low temp and pumping viscosity figures that seemed to vary more widely between viscosity grades than other brands, and were significantly lower than other brands I researched. I don't know if that is good or bad, but it worried me that it was different.

As to JASO ratings versus API, I don't think it really matters as much with a liquid-cooled engine, although we all know Spyders get plenty hot. Nothing like temps in an air-cooled V-twin. Frequent oil changes to avoid thermal breakdown can compensate a lot for oils that deteriorate under high heat conditions, so I think you could satisfactorily use an oil designed for less strenuous service. As to the presence of phosphorus and zinc additives...the jury is still out. I find no solid information, even from JASO, indicating their clear superiority. JASO specs were put together expressly for motorcycles, so that is in their favor, but that doesn't mean API standards are inadequate, just not designed around bikes in the first place. BTW, the JASO-MA merely means it meets the standard and has no friction modifiers. There are no different rating levels.

In the end, for me and me alone, it comes down to two things. First, does the oil meet the manufacturer's stated spec? BRP specifes full-synthetic oil which meets API standard SL (and some previous standards), but not SM. They also specify the 5W-40 SAE grade. Of course their new oil does not meet their own specification! Heck, it isn't even labeled as to SAE grade. Of the JASO-MA oils on the market, only Castrol RS R4 is available in 5W-40, and it is not available around here. I can't even order it through local suppliers of Castrol. The lack of a 5W-40 is my biggest problem with the Mobil-1. Not being able to find an oil which meets the BRP spec creates a problem for me, and not one that I have a comfortable solution for as yet.

Fair enough Scotty. I have spent a lot of time and effort in researching oils for different applications (When I actually got paid for it) and because the ratings and grades are complicated the average consumer doesn't really know what to use; especially for Motorcycles. The standards for autos (oil) has dramatically changed over the last few years and most, if not all oil that is sold for autos will not serve your Motorcycle well, for obvious reasons. Thus came JASO from the Japanese (worlds largest motorcycle manufacturer) to identify oil that is compatible for motorcycles, since most auto oil isn't. So now all one really needs to do is look for the JASO MA and be assured that you will do no harm to your ride. Actually the SL rated motor oil is suspect for motorcycle use even though BRP allows that. As far as the weight goes that is a temperature issue and not necessarily a performance issue. 5W40 oil is primarily for extremely cold weather since it is only a 5 weight oil with a lot of VII (viscosity index improvers) added to theroatically make that 5 weight oil function as well as a 40 weight at high temperatures. Personally I won't use a 5 weight oil here in Oklahoma.nojoke
http://www.bikenomads.com/wiki/index.php/Do_not_use_car_oil_in_bikes
Michael:doorag:

 

[3Ryder]

Just stumbled across your message...

http://www.bikenomads.com/wiki/index.php/Do_not_use_car_oil_in_bikes

Some good reading for those who want to know about oil.nojoke

The link is great. Contained more than enough info to understand how to make decisions about oils to use in the RT. Thanks.

 

[Raptor]

Advance Auto carries the Mobil1 Racing 4T 10W-40 motorcycle oil (actually not a racing oil but made for water-cooled sport bikes). I didn't like the spec on it, however, and will be trying the Castrol Syntec 5W-40, which is readily available at Advance Auto and AutoZone, among other places. Castrol makes a 5W-40 PowerRS R4 RT motorcycle oil, but it doesn't seem to be available locally, and the local stores couldn't order it. Amsoil makes a 10W-40 that is available locally, and is a top notch oil.
-Scotty

If Castrol wasn't a B.P. product, I'd be trying that too. But it is, and I will not use it period. I refuse to support B.P. in any way if I can help it. That's just me though... It's either going to be Mobil-1 Racing 4t or the redline product that HDXBONES was speaking of. I am familiar with that name and will research it.

(Minutes later) ... Well that didn't take long. The Redline has the JASO-MB rating.

TYPICAL PROPERTIES
API Service ClassSJ/SG/SH
JASO MB
Viscosity GradeSAE 10W40
Vis @ 100°C, cSt14,
Vis @ 40°C, cSt88.7
Viscosity Index163CCS
Viscosity, Poise, @*C65@-25Pour Point, °C-45Pour Point, °F-49Flash Point,°C 249 Flash Point, °F480
Zinc, %wt0.25Phosphorous, %wt0.21Molybdenum, %wt0.05NOACK
Evaporation Loss,1hr @ 482°F (250°C), 5% Viscosity Loss, 30 Pass ASTM D62780

I am not comfortable with that, so for me Redline is out! Looks like we are back to Mobil-1 Racing 4T as the front runner. Amsoil is also going to get a look. Many here appear to be very happy with it.


Sure is different than back in the day when I was putting straight 40W Valvoline in my 600HP camaro!! Those were the days man...

 

[YPILOT]

Sure is different than back in the day when I was putting straight 40W Valvoline in my 600HP camaro!! Those were the days man...[/QUOTE]


Yes, Yes they were. But now we Ryde. It's Amzoil for my :spyder:.

 

[BajaRon]

If Castrol wasn't a B.P. product, I'd be trying that too. But it is, and I will not use it period. I refuse to support B.P. in any way if I can help it. That's just me though...

That is one angle and I am not arguing with it. But consider another perspective.

BP is going to need a LOT of money to make good on it's promises to pay out (over 4 billion so far and counting) enough money to clean up the oil spill. If it gets too expensive given their revenue stream they can simply declare bankruptcy, reorganize under another name and leave everyone hanging and holding the bag.

BP does not have the luxury of GMC and Chrysler having the government print money to bail them out.

Punishment is coming from the cost of cleanup. You can starve the horse and he will quit pooping, but you’re not going to get any more benefit from him either.

The oil spill is a bad thing, but it has not been nearly as devastating as the news media and other groups would like us to believe. We need to base our response on reality and not on the hype.

BP, and every other oil company, is out there drilling so you can put fuel in your Spyder. The only way to end oil spills is to quit buying petroleum products.

BP puts out a quality product, Castrol oil being just one example.

Just my $0.02.

 

[retread]

My last oil change was to Repsol 5W-40, before I could get any miles on, my coolant catch tank split, when it's fixed, I'll let you know how it works out.

john

 

[vt228]

What the heck is that? Hope it's not sea-doo oil because the service guy asked me what I used. I told him I don't know and that it's new. The part number is 293600121. I think the Spyder engine is running too hot. Four bars seem excessive in 59 degree weather, I noticed that both times when she went into limp mode the temp had four bars. That worries me too. ken

your fan is hiting and stalling the air from working mine did that and they replaced it free from dealer have them check it out bet it is the fan hiting the cover as it goes around .:gaah:

 

[RAL]

That is one angle and I am not arguing with it. But consider another perspective.

BP is going to need a LOT of money to make good on it's promises to pay out (over 4 billion so far and counting) enough money to clean up the oil spill. If it gets too expensive given their revenue stream they can simply declare bankruptcy, reorganize under another name and leave everyone hanging and holding the bag.

BP does not have the luxury of GMC and Chrysler having the government print money to bail them out.

Punishment is coming from the cost of cleanup. You can starve the horse and he will quit pooping, but you’re not going to get any more benefit from him either.

The oil spill is a bad thing, but it has not been nearly as devastating as the news media and other groups would like us to believe. We need to base our response on reality and not on the hype.

BP, and every other oil company, is out there drilling so you can put fuel in your Spyder. The only way to end oil spills is to quit buying petroleum products.

BP puts out a quality product, Castrol oil being just one example.

Just my $0.02.

A voice of reason in a forest of hysteria. One question for those who think BP needs to be punished into oblivion....whos going to foot the bill for the clean up and and the other cost for this if BP goes broke? Heres a hint..it aint the Queen of England.


RAL

 

[BajaRon]

A voice of reason in a forest of hysteria. One question for those who think BP needs to be punished into oblivion....whos going to foot the bill for the clean up and and the other cost for this if BP goes broke? Heres a hint..it aint the Queen of England.


RAL

(Sshhhh.... I think this is called hyjacking the thread.....Great job!) :thumbup:

 

[widowmaker2011]

That is one angle and I am not arguing with it. But consider another perspective.

BP is going to need a LOT of money to make good on it's promises to pay out (over 4 billion so far and counting) enough money to clean up the oil spill. If it gets too expensive given their revenue stream they can simply declare bankruptcy, reorganize under another name and leave everyone hanging and holding the bag.

BP does not have the luxury of GMC and Chrysler having the government print money to bail them out.

Punishment is coming from the cost of cleanup. You can starve the horse and he will quit pooping, but you’re not going to get any more benefit from him either.

The oil spill is a bad thing, but it has not been nearly as devastating as the news media and other groups would like us to believe. We need to base our response on reality and not on the hype.

BP, and every other oil company, is out there drilling so you can put fuel in your Spyder. The only way to end oil spills is to quit buying petroleum products.

BP puts out a quality product, Castrol oil being just one example.

Just my $0.02.

:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree:

 

[boborgera]

That is one angle and I am not arguing with it. But consider another perspective.

BP is going to need a LOT of money to make good on it's promises to pay out (over 4 billion so far and counting) enough money to clean up the oil spill. If it gets too expensive given their revenue stream they can simply declare bankruptcy, reorganize under another name and leave everyone hanging and holding the bag.

BP does not have the luxury of GMC and Chrysler having the government print money to bail them out.

Punishment is coming from the cost of cleanup. You can starve the horse and he will quit pooping, but you’re not going to get any more benefit from him either.

The oil spill is a bad thing, but it has not been nearly as devastating as the news media and other groups would like us to believe. We need to base our response on reality and not on the hype.

BP, and every other oil company, is out there drilling so you can put fuel in your Spyder. The only way to end oil spills is to quit buying petroleum products.

BP puts out a quality product, Castrol oil being just one example.

Just my $0.02.

:agree:And as far as BP going under, all they have to do is lower the price of their gas by 5 cents a Gal. and people will be lined up into the street to buy their Gas.

 

[jimjel]

I have spent countless hours doing research on oil and have found the following to be true.

1. Full Synthetic oils are a very good thing, particulary in motorcycle wet clutch applications. They have much better wear properties, shear characteristics, and improve the shifting, vs Dino oils.

2.Synthetic blends are a crapshoot. There are no standards with respect to how much full synthetic product is in the oil, and no way to find out. Could be .01% or 10%, but be assured it is not much.

3. The Jaso Ma requirement for motorcycles is B/S unless you are using 30w or lighter oil in your bike. To my knowledge there are no 40w oils that contain friction modifiers, only 30w and below contain friction modifiers. So, as long as you are using an oil with a "40" or "50" in the weight rating you will not expierience any clutch slippage. Beyond that Dino or Syn is your choice.

JJ

 

[BajaRon]

I have spent countless hours doing research on oil and have found the following to be true.

1. Full Synthetic oils are a very good thing, particulary in motorcycle wet clutch applications. They have much better wear properties, shear characteristics, and improve the shifting, vs Dino oils.

2.Synthetic blends are a crapshoot. There are no standards with respect to how much full synthetic product is in the oil, and no way to find out. Could be .01% or 10%, but be assured it is not much.

3. The Jaso Ma requirement for motorcycles is B/S unless you are using 30w or lighter oil in your bike. To my knowledge there are no 40w oils that contain friction modifiers, only 30w and below contain friction modifiers. So, as long as you are using an oil with a "40" or "50" in the weight rating you will not expierience any clutch slippage. Beyond that Dino or Syn is your choice.

JJ

:agree: 100% with points 1 and 2. Point 3 I'm not so sure about. Any multi viscosity oil will have several modifiers added. That is how they get the viscosity spread.

It is my understanding that all multi-viscosity oils have friction modifiers added unless spicifically blended without them (as in the MC wet clutch applications).

Friction modifiers are a very good thing everywhere except in a wet clutch. Even more reason to go with a full synthetic oil.

 

[Raptor]

:agree:And as far as BP going under, all they have to do is lower the price of their gas by 5 cents a Gal. and people will be lined up into the street to buy their Gas.

Well, we all do what we think is right. I'm not buying it. And we'll leave it at that. That said, and getting back on topic, I'm going with (most likely) Amsoil. Mobil-1 is a product I know and trust but that is in relation to cars. The bike guys out here are saying too many good things about the Amsoil. So I'm going to commit... ummm... I think... :roflblack:

 

[draboo]

Royal Purple

We use RP in both the Spyder and my ST1100, 10/40W. I changed em both before our trip and again when we returned. Had to add about a half a qt in the 8000+ miles between changes. I have yet to smell anything different, and neither has she. We have never had any overheating problems with the Spyder, and we drove thru some very high temps at slow speeds.

The only negetive thing I can think of is you cannot really tell how dirty the oil is by looking at it because of its naturally dark color.

 

[BajaRon]

Well, we all do what we think is right. I'm not buying it. And we'll leave it at that. That said, and getting back on topic, I'm going with (most likely) Amsoil. Mobil-1 is a product I know and trust but that is in relation to cars. The bike guys out here are saying too many good things about the Amsoil. So I'm going to commit... ummm... I think... :roflblack:

Go with Mobil 1... The Exxon Valdez oil spill guys! :roflblack:

 

[RAL]

Go with Mobil 1... The Exxon Valdez oil spill guys! :roflblack:

Carefull Ron...you may cause some to do some thinking....it is after all......oh so much more fun and easy to go with the "knee jerk De Jour"
To stay on topic, Used RP 20-50 auto grade in my Ural in both the engine and the tranny(she has a dry clutch). Seems like it breaks down quicker in the tranny than regular ol Castrol 20-50 dino or Mobil 1. Think I will give the Castrol 5-40 a try in the Spyder at next change if I can find some. If not Mobil 1 is going in her. The oil the dealer puts in foams like crazy.

RAL

 

[Raptor]

Go with Mobil 1... The Exxon Valdez oil spill guys! :roflblack:

You know what dude? you jogged my memory about that! I didn't buy anything from them either after that (and I don't want this to get political, Lamont doesn't want that stuff on here so we can always go offline for that discussion) but when I got the Vette I HAD to put Mobil-1 in or void the Warranty. Turned out it was good stuff! So I was going to consider the 4T for the Spyders, but you had to go and jog my memory now didn't you? :roflblack: Nah, I was going with the Amsoil anyway. Especially now that maybe in some stupid way it can support Ken...

 

[ataDude]

You know what dude? you jogged my memory about that! I didn't buy anything from them either after that (and I don't want this to get political, Lamont doesn't want that stuff on here so we can always go offline for that discussion) but when I got the Vette I HAD to put Mobil-1 in or void the Warranty. Turned out it was good stuff! So I was going to consider the 4T for the Spyders, but you had to go and jog my memory now didn't you? :roflblack: Nah, I was going with the Amsoil anyway. Especially now that maybe in some stupid way it can support Ken...

If it makes you feel better, I don't believe that Exxon and Mobil had merged yet back in the Alaska spill timeframe.

.