Which Engine Oil do you use?

I have been looking at the manuals and the engine oil recommended is:

SAE 10w-40, API Grade SF/SG or SH/SJ meeting JASO standard MA

Halfords do a Motorcycle Engine Oil 10w-40 semi-synthetic, which meets API SL standard (a higher one than that specified) but does not say JASO MA on the spec, although on the web they have said it does. The JASO MA standard means it is suitable for wet clutches (does not contain moly lubes that can cause clutch slip).

Does anyone use this oil? Or any recommendations for the exact spec?

Thanks!

I have used Halfords motorcycle oil and it seemed fine no problems.

I reckon if it says that it got the JASO MA spec on the net description and you have Pledge's recomendation as well then its game on

Massively late coming into this thread, but it may be of some use for reference purposes.  

I was having some high speed clutch slip & investigated all possibilities - I'm putting it down to clutch wear - the cables almost at the end of it's adjustment at both ends & I think the previous owner was not particularly mechanically sympathetic.

I have been using Halfords Part Synthetic 10/40 Motorcycle Oil so I thought I'd check whether it was suitable.  This was the answer I got back from them 

"Hi Dave

I am contacting you as agreed in our earlier conversation. I have looked into your query regarding our Motorcycle Engine Oil and I can confirm that after checking with Comma who provide our oil that regrettably this doesn't meet JASO MA specification. I can also confirm that our Castrol Motorcycle Oil does meet JASO MB specification"


So it's back to Silkolene or Castrol

This is what I use and my bike has not blown up yet :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shell-Advance-4T-AX7-10w40-Semi-Synthetic-Motorcycle-Engine-Oil-4L-Litre-/231275613074?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35d919cb92

Interesting that they're (Halfords) selling it as 'Motorcycle' oil when it doesn't meet the recommended standards? Also interesting that it's re-branded from Comma to Halfords and probably twice the price.

I never use anything other than Silkolene, it's the only oil my bikes will ever get.
I am shocked at the despicable way Halford's have acted.

I changed to synthetic after asking to Castrol page:

CASTROL MOTOR OIL 10W50 RACING 4T, FULLY-SYNTHET

They said that this is the best for my bike

I may be forgetting my facts on this one, but years ago, I was told that if you'd been running your bike for any period on semi, you shouldn't move onto a full synthetic as it could cause damage.  I was also told that a full synthetic was really only necessary for a high-revving sports bike & a low-revving plodder was fine with semi.

The recomendation is not to change directly from organic to full synthetic, you must use semi-synthetic first

I changed to full synthetic by the manufacturer recomendation

A lot of people is using this oil in custom bikes instead of they are not sports bikes. That's only an advice of the manufacturer, he said that the engine last longer. There is not really a high difference in the daily driving just because you change from one oil to other

Here you can find the recomended oil for your vehicle in UK

Castrol Oil Recomendation

I was recomended 10w-50 instead of 10w-40 because I asked in the Spanish web of Castrol. The diffecence is because the weather is hottest in Spain

Fully synthetic may be suggested by some as unnecessary, due to not revving extremely high. However it is better, I would rather have something that was classed as unnecessary, than something that is not up to the job that I want it to do. I would rather have something better than I need.

So are you using full synth Dave ?

I have used Mobil 1 15/50 synthetic since new. The engine runs quieter and the transmission shifts with less klung. Here in Texas where the temp can get to 100F are more I think the 15/50 is better. I don't know if Mobil 1 is available in the UK.
 I am like Dave I would rather be over protected than go on the cheap and destroy an engine. In fact I should be able to run it a longer time but I change it more often than I need to.
 It's just money and made to spend.

Yes Dave, always a fully synthetic ester based oil. I use 'SILKOLENE PRO 4 PLUS', it's the dogs .
I ma also with Tex that I change my oil more regularly than suggested. Yes Tex we do got mobile over here & I think that is also a brilliant oil.

Can I ask Dave - is that Silkolene Comp 4 or Comp 4 SX ?

After MENTAL amounts or research I finally went for VALVOLINE 4T DURABLEND synth which meets all the wet clutch requirements api:sg jaso:ma. been using it in all my bikes for the past 3 years, as per previous statements yes its built for "RACING" bikes but that just means it exceeds what we as normal riders need, ergo our engines will run smoother and last longer than those using el cheapo oil, and the difference in price is nominal.
NOW if you are talking about the 6 litres of oil needed in order to service a modern bmw, then yes the pennies add up!! But I would still use the best there is.

katsd wrote:

Can I ask Dave - is that Silkolene Comp 4 or Comp 4 SX ?

Silkolene Comp 4, never read up on the SX.

I change my oil once a year, I actually do very little mileage. For me any oil that meets the minimum recommendations is fine, cheaper the better. I once used high grade oil but due to how much riding I do over a year, it doesn't seem viable

Is there any truth in that using Fully Synthetic oil it quietens the top end down a little?, I've always used Semi so never really compared the two.

No idea myself on that one Sim, can't recall the last time I used anything other than fully synthetic in anything other than my lawn mower. I have heard that many times through out the years but never from anywhere that makes me sit up and really listen.
I must say though, regular oil changes are the key factor to any engine. I would rather buy an engine that has had very regular oil changes of cheapo oil than a bike that had a great quality oil that has been left to long.

Mr Intruder wrote:

 I would rather buy an engine that has had very regular oil changes of cheapo oil than a bike that had a great quality oil that has been left to long.

Wise words 

 

katsd wrote:

"Hi Dave

I am contacting you as agreed in our earlier conversation. I have looked into your query regarding our Motorcycle Engine Oil and I can confirm that after checking with Comma who provide our oil that regrettably this doesn't meet JASO MA specification. I can also confirm that our Castrol Motorcycle Oil does meet JASO MB specification"

It seems very strange that Comma do not produce their motorcycle oil to the recommended requirement of the motorcycle manufacturers.

ippikin wrote:

I have been looking at the manuals and the engine oil recommended is:

SAE 10w-40, API Grade SF/SG or SH/SJ meeting JASO standard MA

If SL is bigger than SF/SJ it is ok with Suzuki recommentation as it is only requiried the Japanise JASO MA in case the oil is SH/SJ

So my next question (stupid or not) - is it OK to top up semi-synthetic with full synthetic ?

Simple answer...Yes so long as you are topping up with better will cause no problems.
I assume you have already dosed your bike with zx1!!!!

I use the same as Dave, silkolene  oil have done for a long time on different bikes although I use the semi synthetic

Mixing them is ok by me, I'm sure others will disagree.

I think there is not problem mixing semi and full, but full synthetic loose it properties in benefit of inorganic components of semi-synthec that are in a bigger ratio of mixture

Anyway you can mixed them as a way of upgrade from once to the other

I'll be getting some Silkolene 4 in then

Isn't semi synthetic a mixture of mineral and synthetic oil. if it is that must mean that they all can be mixed?

Exactly!