Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: basmntdweller on March 18, 2022, 12:37:26 PM

Title: Oil change?
Post by: basmntdweller on March 18, 2022, 12:37:26 PM

Sorry to start another oil thread, but my googlefu isn’t up to finding the answer to my question. I realized after changing my oil this morning that Mobil 1 probably isn’t rated for wet clutches.
Should I drain out the Mobil 1 and buy mc oil or let it ride?

Thanks, Matt

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: tynesidebob on March 18, 2022, 02:46:25 PM

Let it ride, there is no difference in real life.
I’ve used slick 50 in lots of high powered bikes and never had any clutch problems.
The JASO spec is just an excuse to triple the price.
The fact that oil has not been certified to JASO specs does not mean that it does not meet them.
I know one British oil company ( Morris ) put exactly the same oil in both v twin race oil tubs and extended life fleet car oil tubs.
I was told this by an employee so I checked it out with health and safety declarations for both products, identical ash analysis!

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: maxtog on March 19, 2022, 05:55:50 AM

I would recommend using only motorcycle oil in a wet clutch motorcycle.  I also only use real synthetic in the C14 (just a personal choice, but I do use Mobil 1 in the car).

I had to switch brands because of availability and chose Motul this time:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IKCY9RK

Will using car oil once cause imminent clutch wear/damage?  Maybe, maybe not.  But I doubt it is worth $5 per oil change to find out.

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: jwh20 on March 20, 2022, 02:51:07 AM

Quote from: tynesidebob on March 18, 2022, 02:46:25 PM

Let it ride, there is no difference in real life.
I’ve used slick 50 in lots of high powered bikes and never had any clutch problems.
The JASO spec is just an excuse to triple the price.
The fact that oil has not been certified to JASO specs does not mean that it does not meet them.
I know one British oil company ( Morris ) put exactly the same oil in both v twin race oil tubs and extended life fleet car oil tubs.
I was told this by an employee so I checked it out with health and safety declarations for both products, identical ash analysis!

NO, NO, NO!!  Using oil that is NOT labelled JASO MA or MA2 will damage your clutch.  Why?  Regular automotive engine oils contain friction modifiers to make it "slipperier".  This will cause your clutch to begin slipping and eventually you will need to replace the clutch disks.

No, this is not an excuse to triple the price and MA or MA2 oil isn't priced significantly higher (in my experience at least) than automotive oils of the same quality.

There is a Mobil 1 MA/MA2 rated oil:

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/our-products/products/mobil-1-racing-4t-10w-40

But don't take my word for it.  Read your Owners Manual and you will see MA or MA2 specified.  Also look at the oil weight vs. temperature chart.  For most of us living below the Arctic Circle, the best choice is 20W-50 as that covers the usual operating environmental temperatures.

My personal preference is the Castrol Actevo Motorcycle oil:

https://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/home/motorcycle-oil-and-fluids/motorcycle-engine-oils/motorcycle-oil-brands/castrol-actevo.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwoduRBhA4EiwACL5RPy0kY5hlGLPeejNOv9sSlfCT72hjX6y46jd-AQZw_yATgM7GiUUZpBoCqZQQAvD_BwE

Many here also like the Shell Rotella T6 Diesel Oil which is also rated for motorcycles.

In answer to your question: Yes, drain that regular oil out and replace with MA or MA2 spec oil before you damage your clutch.

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: basmntdweller on March 20, 2022, 06:39:22 AM

I’m convinced. I just got 8qts of Valvoline MC oil delivered and will be changing out the Mobil 1 for the Valvoline after breakfast today. I hate tossing a gallon of brand new oil but nothing I own runs 15W-50.

Thanks, Matt

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: dbird29 on March 20, 2022, 07:16:01 AM

Save that Mobil1 for the car or the lawn mower

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 21, 2022, 02:48:40 AM

As this is in the C14 board I'm assuming that you are putting it in the C14.  I always used Mobil1 4T 10w-40 personally but would not use anything not rated for MC wet clutch use. 

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: tynesidebob on March 21, 2022, 04:05:56 AM

Over two hundred thousand miles of personal experience and never a slipping clutch.
But that’s just my experience.
You must do whatever keeps you happy.

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 21, 2022, 04:15:14 AM

When you have 400,000 miles on it, I'll pay more attention....lol  Happy riding.

Title: Re: Oil change?
Post by: Big Red on March 21, 2022, 09:31:31 AM

Last change I used Valvoline full syn MC oil. I went with 20w50 since the weather is already warm here. Supposed to be in the 90's on Saturday...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-4-Stroke-Motorcycle-Full-Synthetic-SAE-10W-40-Motor-Oil-1-QT/16777818

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-4-Stroke-Motorcycle-Full-Synthetic-SAE-20W-50-Motor-Oil-1-QT/16777819