what is good motor oil?
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Senior Member
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 878
From: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada
what is good motor oil?
I searched for engine oil, but to admit it, I'm just too lazy to re-read all the posts...what is a good motor oil to use? please be specific and include all info I would need to know ifI was to go and purchase it. ie name brand, weight (ie10w40), whether its conevntional, half or full synthetic, and also how often it should be changed (I know synthetics can go longer). Thanks in advance
currently I have been using Kawasaki 10w40 oil and changing it every 1200 miles (2000km), but believe there is a better choice out there..I just don't know it yet.
currently I have been using Kawasaki 10w40 oil and changing it every 1200 miles (2000km), but believe there is a better choice out there..I just don't know it yet.
Da dirty moderator
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,584
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: what is good motor oil?
well i use bel ray motorcycle oil, 10w40 ( what kawi reccommends) and a hiflo oilfilter. i change the oil every 1000 miles and 2 qts of oil and filter are 16$ for me.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 106
From: cedar rapids iowa
RE: what is good motor oil?
I use Kawasaki 10-40 conventional in my KLX.I like to use the manufactures oil in my other bikes also,Honda 10-40 for the 919,yamaha 10-40 and yamalube in theDT 250.I use conventional oil because I like to change my oil often,1,000 miles for the dirt bikes 2,000 for the street bike.I think it depends alot on how many and what kind of miles you put on to justify synthetic or not.I don't ride my bikes very hard so I think regular oil is fine for me.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 315
RE: what is good motor oil?
just make sure it has the required ratings as stated in the owners manual and you're good to go. I used castrol syn. blend in my KLX and it shifted tons better afterwards as well. you'll pay for names a lot if you get carried away, but make sure you use motorcycle engine oil and not mobil 1 car oil as I bought some of that and had to drain it out after finding out it wouldn't protect like motorcycle oil does. mobil 1 makes motorcycle oil so if you want that brand, find the bike oil. otherwise, they all protect pretty much the same if they're ranked with the jaso thing that is stated in the owners manual. royal purple, redline, etc. aren't gonna protect any better than castrol four-stroke oil. that's a myth, but if you want to pay $15/quart have at it.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 600
RE: what is good motor oil?
ORIGINAL: IG
just make sure it has the required ratings as stated in the owners manual and you're good to go. I used castrol syn. blend in my KLX and it shifted tons better afterwards as well. you'll pay for names a lot if you get carried away, but make sure you use motorcycle engine oil and not mobil 1 car oil as I bought some of that and had to drain it out after finding out it wouldn't protect like motorcycle oil does. mobil 1 makes motorcycle oil so if you want that brand, find the bike oil. otherwise, they all protect pretty much the same if they're ranked with the jaso thing that is stated in the owners manual. royal purple, redline, etc. aren't gonna protect any better than castrol four-stroke oil. that's a myth, but if you want to pay $15/quart have at it.
just make sure it has the required ratings as stated in the owners manual and you're good to go. I used castrol syn. blend in my KLX and it shifted tons better afterwards as well. you'll pay for names a lot if you get carried away, but make sure you use motorcycle engine oil and not mobil 1 car oil as I bought some of that and had to drain it out after finding out it wouldn't protect like motorcycle oil does. mobil 1 makes motorcycle oil so if you want that brand, find the bike oil. otherwise, they all protect pretty much the same if they're ranked with the jaso thing that is stated in the owners manual. royal purple, redline, etc. aren't gonna protect any better than castrol four-stroke oil. that's a myth, but if you want to pay $15/quart have at it.
I use Repsol 10w40 4t Racing Synthetic (5W30 in winter).
It is one of the few oils I could find with the current API SJ rating that Kawasaki requires.
I was using the Mobil 1 Racing 4T but noticed that it only meets API SG/SH categories.
Full synthetic oils are superior to mineral based oils in most every regard but that is not to say that our little bikes will benefit much from them but for the tiny bit of extra $ it's worth it to me.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 315
RE: what is good motor oil?
ORIGINAL: ZX1100F1
IG, do you use a synthetic blend Castrol oil (which is strictly automotive) or a motorcycle oil as you have directed us to, make up your mind.
I use Repsol 10w40 4t Racing Synthetic (5W30 in winter).
It is one of the few oils I could find with the current API SJ rating that Kawasaki requires.
I was using the Mobil 1 Racing 4T but noticed that it only meets API SG/SH categories.
Full synthetic oils are superior to mineral based oils in most every regard but that is not to say that our little bikes will benefit much from them but for the tiny bit of extra $ it's worth it to me.
ORIGINAL: IG
just make sure it has the required ratings as stated in the owners manual and you're good to go. I used castrol syn. blend in my KLX and it shifted tons better afterwards as well. you'll pay for names a lot if you get carried away, but make sure you use motorcycle engine oil and not mobil 1 car oil as I bought some of that and had to drain it out after finding out it wouldn't protect like motorcycle oil does. mobil 1 makes motorcycle oil so if you want that brand, find the bike oil. otherwise, they all protect pretty much the same if they're ranked with the jaso thing that is stated in the owners manual. royal purple, redline, etc. aren't gonna protect any better than castrol four-stroke oil. that's a myth, but if you want to pay $15/quart have at it.
just make sure it has the required ratings as stated in the owners manual and you're good to go. I used castrol syn. blend in my KLX and it shifted tons better afterwards as well. you'll pay for names a lot if you get carried away, but make sure you use motorcycle engine oil and not mobil 1 car oil as I bought some of that and had to drain it out after finding out it wouldn't protect like motorcycle oil does. mobil 1 makes motorcycle oil so if you want that brand, find the bike oil. otherwise, they all protect pretty much the same if they're ranked with the jaso thing that is stated in the owners manual. royal purple, redline, etc. aren't gonna protect any better than castrol four-stroke oil. that's a myth, but if you want to pay $15/quart have at it.
I use Repsol 10w40 4t Racing Synthetic (5W30 in winter).
It is one of the few oils I could find with the current API SJ rating that Kawasaki requires.
I was using the Mobil 1 Racing 4T but noticed that it only meets API SG/SH categories.
Full synthetic oils are superior to mineral based oils in most every regard but that is not to say that our little bikes will benefit much from them but for the tiny bit of extra $ it's worth it to me.
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/produ...tentId=6004073
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 340
RE: what is good motor oil?
As IG said, it probably doesn't matter so much, considering the intended purpose of the bike.
Just get the right viscosity, with the right ratings, and be sure it's motorcycle oil, and you ought to be good to go.
I myself happen to be running Bel Ray 10w40 moto oil. I swear by no-one though, and buy only what my wallet and my bike agree with.
Just get the right viscosity, with the right ratings, and be sure it's motorcycle oil, and you ought to be good to go.
I myself happen to be running Bel Ray 10w40 moto oil. I swear by no-one though, and buy only what my wallet and my bike agree with.
