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XPS engine oil

Spyderman14RSS

New member
I have a 14 RSS SE5. The manual states to use API SG, SH, SJ, or SL. And not to use API SM because clutch slippage may occur. A couple weeks ago, I ordered an XPS oil change kit on Ebay from a Can Am dealer. Says it's for a Spyder, but the quarts say API SM on the back. Is it safe for the bike? It's a genuine Can Am kit. Even the box it came in says it's for an SE5.
 

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I have a 14 RSS SE5. The manual states to use API SG, SH, SJ, or SL. And not to use API SM because clutch slippage may occur. A couple weeks ago, I ordered an XPS oil change kit on Ebay from a Can Am dealer. Says it's for a Spyder, but the quarts say API SM on the back. Is it safe for the bike? It's a genuine Can Am kit. Even the box it came in says it's for an SE5.

WOW - :agree: the 998 series engine ( clutches ) don't like " SM " rated oils ….. so I'm surprised that XPS is " SM " …… there are quite a few other brands of oil ( full synthetic ) that are rated higher than the XPS …………………. Mike :ohyea:
 
WOW - :agree: the 998 series engine ( clutches ) don't like " SM " rated oils ….. so I'm surprised that XPS is " SM " …… there are quite a few other brands of oil ( full synthetic ) that are rated higher than the XPS …………………. Mike :ohyea:

I was surprised too. The box even says the oil will ensure optimum wet clutch operation. Maybe this is "new" oil that BRP modified to work with the SE5. Hate having 4.5 quarts of oil that I can't use. It's part number 779248.
 
Interesting....🤔

I've been ordering xps from online and they all come from dealers with no issues. More so being mine is manual I would have noticed the change in the clutch right away if there were any. I do have to say I did not read the lable and have a change coming up at 42,200 and will have to read the spec's on the oil on hand....To tell the truth I have not seen or heard of an oil related problem when using XPS and if there were BRP would be on the hook..... unless it is a low or overfilled problem....:thumbup:
 
I just got off the phone with the dealer that I purchased the oil from. I talked to the service department, and the guy said I got the same oil kit that he uses in the Spyders they service. It's just a different bottle and rebranding, but it's the same oil. He said my manual is probably just outdated, and this is what BRP is using now. He even gave me the part number from the Spyder catalog for just a single quart (779133). I looked it up and it's API SM as well. So I think it'll be safe to use.
 
I just got off the phone with the dealer that I purchased the oil from. I talked to the service department, and the guy said I got the same oil kit that he uses in the Spyders they service. It's just a different bottle and rebranding, but it's the same oil. He said my manual is probably just outdated, and this is what BRP is using now. He even gave me the part number from the Spyder catalog for just a single quart (779133). I looked it up and it's API SM as well. So I think it'll be safe to use.

I would highly doubt that your manual is 'Outdated'. I can assure you that oil properties that would slip your clutch in 2014, will slip that same clutch in 2019. The truth is, not all SM rated oils will slip the clutch on an SM5/SE5 transmission. Just that nearly all of them will. I assume that is why BRP prohibited the use of an SM rated oil in these machines. Again, assuming (and you know where that can get you), BRP's SM rated oil will not slip the clutch on a 998 V-Twin.

The 1330 clutch suffers no such issues and can use pretty much any SM rated oil as long as the other parameters are met. So what you have will work just fine in everything BRP produces today. And you wouldn't think BRP would sell an oil for the SM5/SE5 that would slip the clutch.

So, you are left with a lot of 'If's' and assumptions. But my guess is the oil you have will work fine in your 998. But don't hold me to it if I am wrong....
 
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Yes, the 1330 clutch is a wet one. I would suspect the clutch plates are made of different material that is not susceptible to slipping as is stated in the various SE5 transmission Spyders.

Regarding the dealership's comment that the SM oil is what they use in all the Spyders they service, if it were my RSS, before I would consider using it I would contact [email protected], give them the dealership name and address and the part number of the kit, explain exactly what the dealership said and ask them to verify the accuracy of what the dealership told me. I would further ask BRP Care to verify that if my RSS clutch began to slip after using the SM oil that BRP would direct the dealership to replace the clutch at no expense to me.
 
Yes, the 1330 clutch is a wet one. I would suspect the clutch plates are made of different material that is not susceptible to slipping as is stated in the various SE5 transmission Spyders.

Regarding the dealership's comment that the SM oil is what they use in all the Spyders they service, if it were my RSS, before I would consider using it I would contact [email protected],

The second comment is good; the first one, not so much.

Friction reducers, also referred to as "energy conserving" should NOT be used in any engine with a wet clutch.
An SM designation on the oil does not necessarily mean that it has that.......or has very little.

"Super slippery" components of the oil affect ALL the moving parts, including the clutch plates and it makes no difference what they are made of.
 
Is the 1330 clutch NOT still a "wet" one ??

As already stated by others, Yes, the 1330 has a wet clutch. BRP changed the friction plate compounds, engagement pressure, etc., to accommodate a wider range of lubricants and lubricant additives/ratings. I assume that they took note of the 998 Rotax wet clutch issues and made changes. Most wet clutch motorcycles do not have issues with lubricants that will slip the 998 clutch. It could also be that BRP knew they were going to an SM rated oil and engineered the new 1330 clutch with that in mind.

Getting BRP to tell you what their thought process is or was is an exercise in futility. So, speculation is all that is left.

But I would agree with JayBros. I'd get some kind of official ruling on using their SM rated oil in an SM5/SE5, (in writing if possible - good luck with that!). If your clutch starts slipping, it's not a cheap fix.
 
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I look for JASO MA2 in the specs on an oil jug. That indicates it's good to use in motorcycles with wet clutches and cats.
 
When I change my oil in about 2000 miles, if I haven't gotten a solid answer from BRP, I'll just get five quarts of a different oil. Cheaper than needing clutch work. Thanks for the input guys.
 
OK Folks, This question is for the Ryker Rally. There is a CVT so not a wet clutch and I am an Amsoil long time user in other motorcycles that have wet clutches. Since I do not need the clutch friction modifier can I use a "Slippery" motorcycle syn. oil that may be better suited for this engine? Not interested in car oils that may not be intended for the constant higher revs. Any motorcycle oil brand suggestions? Don't mean to steel the thread but, we are still talking about oil. :chat: cueman
 
OK Folks, This question is for the Ryker Rally. There is a CVT so not a wet clutch and I am an Amsoil long time user in other motorcycles that have wet clutches. Since I do not need the clutch friction modifier can I use a "Slippery" motorcycle syn. oil that may be better suited for this engine? Not interested in car oils that may not be intended for the constant higher revs. Any motorcycle oil brand suggestions? Don't mean to steel the thread but, we are still talking about oil. :chat: cueman
Check your owners manual. It gives you all the specs. for your oil. Anything else is buyer-be-ware.
 
Yes, it says 5w-40 XPS and I'm looking for a better oil since a dry clutch will not be an issue. Should be some super slippery oil for dry clutch motorcycle engines that will perform better. Hoping for suggestions. :cheers: cueman
 
Yes, it says 5w-40 XPS and I'm looking for a better oil since a dry clutch will not be an issue. Should be some super slippery oil for dry clutch motorcycle engines that will perform better. Hoping for suggestions. :cheers: cueman
Many Spyder riders and motorcyclists, including your's truly, use Rotella T-6 with great results. It's JASO MA2 rated. very long lasting, has a very heavy engine protecting additive package, helps shifting and lifters and is kind to wet clutches.
 
If your clutch starts slipping, it's not a cheap fix.

And.....I suspect that designing a clutch that would be immune to the affects of moly sticking to the plates would be next to impossible.......since the stuff apparently sticks to other metal parts inside the engine.

This is probably going to turn out OK......because all SM rated oil does not contain things that are bad for clutches; many but not all.
 
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