Engine oil

Last oil change I switched my 78 KZ 1000A2 to Rotella 5w-40 synthetic. I don't know if it is the Rotella or just the fact that the old oil was pretty nasty, but, it made a big difference in the way the engine runs. Really smoothed it out a bunch.

I'm running 15W-40 RotellaT in my KZ1000 and GS1100E. Clutch and tranny seem to behave better in both bikes than with other oils I've tried.

The Kawi Synthetic I use:

i asked the same question a bit ago and figured i'd switch to
mobile 1. i found this article on motorcycle vs automotive oil

Guys, Everyone has there personal opinion on oil. However, how many of you guys really know what is the most important aspect of engine oils for motorcycles? Package, Base stock or the additives as these really are the only things in a bottle of oil. Is it a PCMO (passenger car motor oil) or a HDEO (heavy duty motor oil)because IT matters. If you said the additives you are a informed individual. There are more additives that are available for any aspect in motor oils than any other types and grades of oil. I blend oil additives for a living and can tell you the best and worst oils on the market for any particulur application-and I garauntee you will not geuss the good from the crap - SERIOUSLY! If Kawasaki has blended an oil for the engines they have made I can suspect they have their poop in a group with the additives and base stock for the price aspect of thier oil.I could blend an oil for the air cooled engines that would actually reduce friction to the point you COULD feel it rite after you put it in, BUT, you are going to need to use a lockup clutch to squeez the clutch together at mid to high RPMs. It would be easy!

Mcspeed.1 wrote:

Guys, Everyone has there personal opinion on oil. However, how many of you guys really know what is the most important aspect of engine oils for motorcycles? Package, Base stock or the additives as these really are the only things in a bottle of oil. Is it a PCMO (passenger car motor oil) or a HDEO (heavy duty motor oil)because IT matters. If you said the additives you are a informed individual. There are more additives that are available for any aspect in motor oils than any other types and grades of oil. I blend oil additives for a living and can tell you the best and worst oils on the market for any particulur application-and I garauntee you will not geuss the good from the crap - SERIOUSLY! If Kawasaki has blended an oil for the engines they have made I can suspect they have their poop in a group with the additives and base stock for the price aspect of thier oil.I could blend an oil for the air cooled engines that would actually reduce friction to the point you COULD feel it rite after you put it in, BUT, you are going to need to use a lockup clutch to squeez the clutch together at mid to high RPMs. It would be easy!

Hello Mcspeed.1:

I actually am curious about your opinion for a good motorcycle oil, you didn't specify even though you are in the industry.

The Best oil I have found in all of my testing for a high output air cooled engine with a wet clutch I Chevrons RPM 15W-45 oil. This oil will out do any oil on the market that is used for motorcycles (air or liquid cooled), automotive (take your pick of engines), Aviation, Marine(four stroke-any configuration). It is officially listed as a HDEO and used (10 or so years) to be availble in many diferent grades. It however IS currently being discontinued in the good ol USA Due to the fact that the EPA mandated Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel Fuel (ULSD) and it carries a ratting that does not complie to the new CJ-4 rating for oils, it is a CI-4+ rated oil. What can it do for you? How about operating temps that are reduced by almost 20 degrees F, How about carrying a lubricity additive package that has to be rated in pressure tests in foot pounds rather than inch pound! Like I said IT IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER TESTED! If you can find it buy it all!