19-07-13, 05:21 AM
Its difficult to separate the solid facts from all the marketing hype but in the final analysis I want to know that my oil meets the required JASO/SAE standard for the engine its being used in. The viscosity range depends on local climate eg 10W-40 in my Fazer in UK. I am told to avoid friction modifiers and detergent rich oils(as used in diesel engines to keep product of combustion particles in suspension). So now I am looking at oils designed-yes designed-for use in motorcycles-ie high revving,high specific power output(BHP per Litre) with lubricant shared by engine,clutch & gearbox. If I saw such oil for sale in any outlet(Wilkos Asda Tescos etc) I would have no qualms buying it.
if I do 3000 miles per annum on my bike & change the oil & filter every year its not going to be a costly exercise if I look for the supplier offering the best deal for what I want. If Yamaha specify a certain standard for oil that's good enough for me. The reason for the annual change is simply that my bike doesn't get used much in the colder months & cold storage can lead to condensation & acid build up in cold damp conditions. I am quite sure the oil would be good for the full 6000 miles use were I to ride all year round.
There have been various reports published about cars being driven for extended periods (20000 miles) between oil changes and there is a school of thought that suggests this isn't necessarily a good thing-but being a bit cynical this may just be the oil companies trying to shift more product!
I know my local Yamaha main dealer uses Motul oil because I have seen the empty 205Litre drums in their recycling area. I think if I did a massive mileage I would look to buy my oil of choice in bulk to reduce costs but its going to take me a long time to get through that much! :lol In the last 10 years have used Silkolene ,Motul, Yamalube and Morris Lubricants-all 10W-40 Semi synthetic in my bikes. The car gets whatever the garage uses at annual oil change-regardless of mileage as I do less than 10000miles per annum with a lot of short journeys-top up if required is with Halfords own brand or similar. The only fully synthetic oil I use is for the leaf blower/vac & strimmer as stipulated by their manufacturers so the 1951 Cycclemaster also benefits from this oil-with minimum smoke & leaned out ratio (33:1 instead of 25:1).
Don't think I would try anything in the bikes that I wasn't sure about(or as sure as any of us can be in this age of information (bullshit?) overload but Im just a cynical old git!
if I do 3000 miles per annum on my bike & change the oil & filter every year its not going to be a costly exercise if I look for the supplier offering the best deal for what I want. If Yamaha specify a certain standard for oil that's good enough for me. The reason for the annual change is simply that my bike doesn't get used much in the colder months & cold storage can lead to condensation & acid build up in cold damp conditions. I am quite sure the oil would be good for the full 6000 miles use were I to ride all year round.
There have been various reports published about cars being driven for extended periods (20000 miles) between oil changes and there is a school of thought that suggests this isn't necessarily a good thing-but being a bit cynical this may just be the oil companies trying to shift more product!
I know my local Yamaha main dealer uses Motul oil because I have seen the empty 205Litre drums in their recycling area. I think if I did a massive mileage I would look to buy my oil of choice in bulk to reduce costs but its going to take me a long time to get through that much! :lol In the last 10 years have used Silkolene ,Motul, Yamalube and Morris Lubricants-all 10W-40 Semi synthetic in my bikes. The car gets whatever the garage uses at annual oil change-regardless of mileage as I do less than 10000miles per annum with a lot of short journeys-top up if required is with Halfords own brand or similar. The only fully synthetic oil I use is for the leaf blower/vac & strimmer as stipulated by their manufacturers so the 1951 Cycclemaster also benefits from this oil-with minimum smoke & leaned out ratio (33:1 instead of 25:1).
Don't think I would try anything in the bikes that I wasn't sure about(or as sure as any of us can be in this age of information (bullshit?) overload but Im just a cynical old git!