Valvoline™ 4-Stroke Motorcycle Full Synthetic 10W-40 Motor Oil

[EdMat]

Just my luck. Now I can't find the link. But if you search Vavoline 10w40 motorcycle oil it's there, I just can't stumble across it again.

I don't think you were on the Valvoline website. Maybe it was the Vavoline site.

 

[BajaRon]

There is no magic MC sauce. They all shear; they all get dirty; they all wear out. Some will do slightly better than another, maybe...

While I agree with your premise that all oils need to be changed. And while I don't mean to argue here. I think 'Slightly Better - Maybe' could be a bridge too far.

We have many oil analysis that show the BRP Blended 10/40 (the original) and the current 5/40 consistently shear down to 20 weight between 4,500 and 5,000 miles. Whereas Amsoil typically remains at 34-36 weight at 10,000 miles. I would summit that this is much better than 'Slightly'. And while Amsoil, in our samples, has maintained the best viscosity stability of any oil tested. There are several other oils that do much better than the BRP product.

Granted, comparing a blended oil (which is probably only 10% synthetic) to a full synthetic oil is not a fair comparison. It does give evidence that there can be a great deal of difference in stability and longevity between products. It's not all Hype and Hyperbole.

If you are going to change your oil every 4,500 miles. Then the BRP lubricant is going to retain spec. fairly well. But many are running the factory recommended 9,300 miles or farther between service. While no one is blowing up engines. You have to wonder what kind of protection you're getting from 20w oil when 40w is prescribed.

The debate will never end. And few will change their mind. I use Amsoil only as an example. As mentioned, there are a number of superior lubricants out there. I just feel that real world facts should be the rudder we steer by.

 

[BertRemington]

Concur with BR although with BRP and L-M 5W40 I observed (via dashboard pressure gauge) the "knee" at 3K miles. Whereupon I changed oil.

The viscosity issue, at least for me, is not engine oil pressure (which is allowed to drop to 8.7psi at idle) but rather the HCM solenoids and multiplate pressure-engaged clutch. The HCM has its own oil pumps (scavenge, pressure) with two pressure circuits and the line pressure circuit operates at twice the maximum engine oil pressure. Although I'm sure the TCM has long-term trim to compensate for solenoid and clutch plate wear, my experience is my 95K miles transmission operates more smoothly and consistently with higher viscosity oil (in my case 15W-50). I have the parts to tap into the HCM oil pressure sensor (it's a standard 3-wire 5V transducer) but have been procrastinating.

 

[BajaRon]

Concur with BR although with BRP and L-M 5W40 I observed (via dashboard pressure gauge) the "knee" at 3K miles. Whereupon I changed oil.

The viscosity issue, at least for me, is not engine oil pressure (which is allowed to drop to 8.7psi at idle) but rather the HCM solenoids and multiplate pressure-engaged clutch. The HCM has its own oil pumps (scavenge, pressure) with two pressure circuits and the line pressure circuit operates at twice the maximum engine oil pressure. Although I'm sure the TCM has long-term trim to compensate for solenoid and clutch plate wear, my experience is my 95K miles transmission operates more smoothly and consistently with higher viscosity oil (in my case 15W-50). I have the parts to tap into the HCM oil pressure sensor (it's a standard 3-wire 5V transducer) but have been procrastinating.

That would be an interesting gauge to have. Let us know if you actually do it.

 

[bikerbillone]

Paul, you were referring to Valvoline as posted BlueKnight Mike, right?

 

[mecsw500]

CDN$297 for a six pack of what, barrels? That's quite some markup.

 

[pegasus1300]

Paul, you were referring to Valvoline as posted BlueKnight Mike, right?

Yes, very good oil.