what oil is best for kz900

Wat oil do u guys reccomend for my kz900? Ive heard some oils make clutches slip.

Any JASO oils. They should say it on the bottle. M-Folks should chime in any time now... He is pretty knowledgable about that stuff.

Please use search as this is probably the most over discussed thread there is.

Should take you a month to read it.

The ingredients in oils have changed over the years. Automobile oil is not the same as it was in the 1980's. Back then it worked great in KZ bikes. But, things have changed. Early automobile oils contained zinc phosphorus compounds (ZDDP) to protect engines from metal to metal contact. This was good for engines, but it was found to be destructive to catalytic converters. Consequently, in automobile oils ZDDP was virtually eliminated and replaced with different chemistry generically referred to as "Friction Modifiers." These work fine and offer good protection for normal automobile engines. However, today's automobile oil "Friction Modifiers" are destructive to wet clutches. KZ bikes (and many other brands) have wet clutches. As a result of these oil chemistry changes a distinction needed to be made between those oils which are suitable for wet clutches and those which are not. That distinction was documented by the Japanese Engine Oil Standards Implementation Panel (JASO). JASO developed a number of different oil specifications for different applications. The specifications that apply to 4 stroke motorcycles fall under the "4T Specifications." Within the 4T specifications the JASO MA class oils are specifically formulated for 4 stroke motorcycles with wet clutches.

Using oils that are not designated as meeting the JASO-MA standard may be destructive to KZ clutches. Here's a link that may be helpful:


www.oilspecifications.org/jaso.php

stunter956 wrote: Wat oil do u guys reccomend for my kz900? Ive heard some oils make clutches slip.

10-40. Don't use any oil that says "energy conserving" on the label. I do add ZDDP to mine since new oils don't have enough.

kawasaki 40w mineral oil

jeffasaki wrote: kawasaki 40w mineral oil

??? That's mighty thick stuff to try to pump through a cold engine on startup. That's why they make (and recommend) 10W40. Ed

Shell Rotella-T 15W-40 regular in the white bottle now has the JASO-MA rating. It's a heavy duty oil marketed for diesel engine use, but is suitable for motorcycles, but it may not be suitable for cool/cold weather, particularly at startup. A side benefit is that it's typically cheaper than other oils. Chevron Delo & Valvoline Premium Blue are a couple of other heavy duty oils. Nowadays, though, you have to read up on any formulation changes - I read somewhere that they're even starting to change the anti-wear ingredients in the heavy duty oils.

Rock oil TRM 20/60.
Made for roller bearing cranks.
Use it in all my big zeds.
Good stuff.

Good advice guys thanx how does a little bit of lucas treatment oil and the rest with rotella sound? Too much thickness? Im quite sure my valve seals are wearing out so i think i will need oil treatment. I live in tip of south texas so cold weather isnt a problem. I will change out my seals soon but i want a quick fix for now

Stunter I'm in Austin so about the same temp's and run the
Rotella T 10w40.

Don't add chit to it fix the real issue

zed1015 wrote: Rock oil TRM 20/60.
Made for roller bearing cranks.
Use it in all my big zeds.
Good stuff.

We don't have that here unfortunately. What do the rotex's like?