Rotella T6 or Kawasaki S4 Synthetic

[B.D.F.]

I think one of the very important things to remember is that while certain oils seem to behave better regarding shifting, I do not think any of them make much difference regarding actual lubrication properties. I believe all modern oils to be simply outstanding and will absolutely do a great job of, well, doing their job of lubricating the internal parts (Easy Boys!).

But the really, really slick shifting oil is 3 qts. of Rotella 15W-40 (mineral oil), a little more than a quart of Pennzoil 10W-40 (mineral oil- the 'plain Jane' auto oil read: cheap) and enough cam break- in lube to raise the ZDDP level to about 1,500 to 1,800 PPM. Turns the oil a very attractive red also, which is nice when trying to decide if your bike is leaking or the oil was already there in the parking lot. Seriously, this is a GREAT shifting bucket 'o stuff and retains its good shifting manners a long time. It is like sex.... only good!

Brian

<snip>

 After some major forum badmouthing of  T6 I did a back-to-back Blackstone Labs oil analysis comparison with  $21 T6 and Motul's best, most expensive ($54)synthetic and the results did not show any significant advantage for the Motul. In fact Blackstone recommended increasing the interval with the T6 but not the Motul.

[Deziner]

I may have to try that. How did you come up with that cocktail?

[B.D.F.]

Well, I tried Pennzoil 'cause I had it and it was by far, the best oil regarding shifting the C-14 I have ever tried. But it does not retain that property for long- less than 1K miles and it is clunky shifting. I had been using Rotella 5W-40 with pretty good success until they changed the formulation, the major factor of which was to reduce the extreme wear package (ZDDP) to the new gummit standards of 800 PPM. I have a bit of a background in tribology and it was not difficult to find some extremely high ZDDP content material (cam break- in lube is great) to dump in the oil and raise the ZDDP back to where 'it should be'. But still the new formulation Rotella synthetic was not as good as the older stuff, at least IMO and in my bike, so I went looking again for another oil. Went to the tried 'n true 'Fleet oils' that have been used for gazillions of miles in the most demanding vehicles on the planet: Rotella, Delo, Devlac, all mineral oils, all 15W-40 weight. All worked well but were and all maintain their original characteristics for 4K miles at least (all I care about- I change oil by that time anyway) but they did not shift <quite> as well as Pennzoil. Plus the 15W cold viscosity is a bit much at below 35F temps. on starting (I ride all year in well below freezing temperatures). So I cut the 15W-40 with a bit of 10W-40 and it helps with the cold starting, even in summer. The ZDDP helps shifting and clutch action.

And as a no- cost extra, it drives some of the purists out there absolutely nuts because 1) they think that oils should not be mixed and 2) no one but an oil company can possibly improve a motor oil. And if you cannot irritate a pompous ass with a stick up his (or her) butt, why bother getting out of bed?   

Brian

I may have to try that. How did you come up with that cocktail?

[stevewfl]

Rotella T6 has been serving me well for >93,000 miles.  I only want 200,000 miles from this oil, because then I'll be parting my bike out on ebay

I'm going to run Rotella T6 for around 5,000 miles this time, then have Blackstone Labs give me an oil analysis.

[Deziner]

So, most of my riding is in extreme heat and at high speeds for extended periods.  Since I have started riding that way I have ridden only air cooled bikes. No, I didn't decide to get an air cooled bike to ride that way, I had an air cooled bike THEN started riding that way.  Crossing the Sonoran Desert at 85+ mph on a 105+ degree day my oil temp was about 265 for 100+ miles at a time. I ran Lucas Synthetic 20-50 exclusively. Would it behoove me to step up to 20-50 and use a synthetic blend or stick to the 15-40 conventional in my Concours?

[rcannon409]

Brian, what is the ingredient we need for smooth shifting? Whatever it is, I'd agree the Mobil 4t has it, the rotella, not so much. Is it that zddp?

[VirginiaJim]

Vodka?

[Deziner]

Vodka?

Isn't that the answer to all questions/problems? Consume enough and you won't care WHAT oil you use.

[gPink]

The answer is 42...

[VirginiaJim]

More of a mid-range vodka...haven't tried it.  Tend to stick with top shelf for me and bike.  But I guess it's worth a shot.

[gPink]

But 42 is the  Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything.

[B.D.F.]

ZDDP seems to have a big impact on shifting. That said, Pennzoil shifts fantastic (when new) and that stuff certainly meets the 800 PPM ZDDP limit. ?? So to directly answer your question, I am not sure.... but ZDDP directly does go a long way to slicking up the shifting of a motorcycle.

I believe the bottom line is an EP or extreme pressure additive. ZDDP is only one type of this but the most commonly used one in motor oil. In rear end grease (Boys!) uses an EP package that is based on sulfer, hence the terrible smell of that stuff. Graphite is another one but generally not used in motor oil as it will end up as carbon inside the exhaust path in the head usually. And we cannot use that one as it can glaze clutch plates that ride in the engine's oil bath. The other one is chlorine based, though I doubt any motor oils contain that as it attacks zinc (see the irony of it being an EP lube in competition with Zinc?) and that would be hard on a lot of parts in engines, especially brass. So I think ZDDP is about the only choice for the EP package in motor oil.

Brian

Brian, what is the ingredient we need for smooth shifting? Whatever it is, I'd agree the Mobil 4t has it, the rotella, not so much. Is it that zddp?

[VirginiaJim]

But 42 is the  Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything.

And is also part of the great idea.

[Frank ZZR]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I appreciate all the info. I've decided to go with Kawasaki S4. It will be roughly the same price as Rotella T6 here in Canada (not that it mattered). I've done allot of researching and have not found any shifting complaints with Kawy brand but found numerous with Rotella with all makes of bikes. I was looking for an oil that I could also use in my 2007 Vulcan 900 and my 2013 Kawasaki Jet Ski STX 15. I think the Kawy oil will serve me best.

BTW...Anyone know why Kawasaki would spec the exact same oil in a Jet Ski as the Concours? The Jet Ski has a ZX 14 based engine but does not have a gear box and clutches. One would think that regular car oil would suffice.

End of oil thread......  

[VirginiaJim]

End of oil thread......

Only 3 pages....I think not.

[Frank ZZR]

Only 3 pages....I think not.

Ok then....which oil would be best for my Jet Ski?

[VirginiaJim]

They use oil?

[maxtog]

Only 3 pages....I think not.

Certainly not.  An oil thread should be at least 4 pages.

[Deziner]

 

[almightys]

For us Americans, retell a is on sale at pep boys @$24 per 4qt jug and use code secret35 for 35% off that price