Shell Rotella vs. HD Full Syn Oil

[IRULE]

Anyone use Shell Rotella Synthetic blend 15w/40 or full Synthetic 5w/40 vs. HD full Synthetic oil? Price point is much better on Rotella. I also like Mobile 1 Racing 4T oil on other bikes. Your thought on Rotella?

 

[TooFst]

I don't know about rotella in a bike? I am a firm believer in HD my self. Don't get me wrong, nothin but amsoil in my dirt bike. I think royal purple is awesome ect... Oh anyway, my buddy is a diesel mech. and they used Kendall in the fork lifts at his last shop and I believe it was the oil pan gaskets he was changing all the time. He said there was about 2" of sludge in the pan every time. He Recently transferred to a new Shop and they use rotella. He said he's done a few (pan gaskets?) on the exact same machines and not a drop of sludge. I've used shell/ rotella in my truck for years and it was great hearing first hand how clean it is.

Ps. I use and recommend nothing but 20/50 weight in any v-twin

 

[WALLSXB]

We use Shell Rotella Synthetic in our rigs at work , but i'm not sure about using it in the bike. I use Mobil 1 20/50 v-twin in both holes and get it at Autozone down the street for $8.99 a quart. I guess it comes down to convenience.

 

[IRULE]

Shell rotella is about $16/gallon. Few guys really love the rotella product for their sport touring bikes. Do I really need to stick with 20w/50 when 1125 is water cool?

 

[uly luigi]

Castrol Full Syn for V-twins 20/w50 both holes formulated for Air Cooled engines, same price as the Mobil 1

 

[turbosix]

I have been running rotella t in my bike for quite some time now xb though. I started using it in my turbo cars (gas, not diesel) for years and swear by it. High HP cars, 500 plus no complaints.

 

[dmp0001]

 

[1968patt]

The picture above is the reason I switched from Mobil 1 to Amsoil

 

[turbines]

@IRULE
I used to use shell rotella in my sport touring bike, Kawa Concours, 2000. It worked just fine. No issues. It ran quiet and did not burn it.

 

[ct1200]

Well they are helping EBR too, I mean they are the main sponsor.
Thats enough for me to switch.

Race it on Sunday, Sell it on Monday!

 

[Mike Van V]

You didn't ask about this oil but...
I've used Mobil 1, 15-50, car oil in all my bikes since 1985 with zero oil related problems.

This includes my 1125CR.
All due respect...but there is "many" ways to skin the proverbial cat...

Mike

 

[dmp0001]

I think most oils will do a good job of protection. I do recommend staying close to that 20w-50 number though. And motorcycle oil is designed for higher average temps than car oils I like to use the good stuff because it makes the bike run good to me, but any 20w-50 motorcycle oil would do the trick.

 

[jimijeans]

Yes the Sponsors will pay the bills for the Racing season. Amsoil is a good choice due to Any AirCooled Engine can benefit due to the Heat issues.I have used Amsoil products long before it was realized to be Benefical to use. I can tell you of a time I was called Crazy cause of the Price per Quart. But No internal break down issues on my bikes.I also use a pint of Lucas SYN,oil stabilizer every oil change. You all keep using the good stuff it's worth every cent. The tranny YEP use the 75/90 Amsoil gear lube,If you can't find that then Valvoline Synthetic is worth good pennys.Jimi[up]

 

[Mike Van V]

dmp -

As noted...car oils work just fine!
And there's no premium price to deal with, along with just going to my local "auto parts" store. Rather thAn having to find a shop that sells speciality oil.

I've got three sport bikes that have gone over 100,000 miles (and one I bought used that went to 89,000) with....wait...the dreaded....car oil...
So ya can't say the car oils don't work..!

Mike

 

[myronman3]

the above picture with ebr just made me a convert to amsoil. i will help erik any way i can. people who sponser him will get my business.

 

[noone1569]

I've used Harley, Lucas, Mobil 1, and Amsoil. I think the Amsoil is the smoothest in the primary . . just my opinion.

I use Rotella T in my turbo car for sure.

 

[Alfatango1]

Although I've used car synthetics in the past, I have now switched to Castrol VTwin syn. Never has an issue before but was swayed a little bit by the group and some of what I read about the friction modifiers and additives being different for the wet clutches in bikes. But the main reason is that the old Kragen store that is now an O'Reiley's carries the VTwin and it's cheap, about 8 buck I think?

 

[captain chaos]

The ONLY reason I don't use Rotella in my XB is because it is just a hair too thin at the 15w40 weight. I used it in my old GSXR before (it called for 10w40) and it worked just fine. In fact, the clutch actually felt better than with reg bike oil (Valvoline). That bike had old clutch discs in it and they would swell when it got hot causing it to be hard to shift. There was a very noticeable improvement when I switched to Rotella.

For a colder climate I would use Rotella in my bike w/o hesitation.In fact, I did use the Rotella in my Sportster in the spring/fall when the temps were milder and plan on using it in the XB as well. I just think it a tad too thin for 90deg summer temps in my air cooled XB. I would be leery of using it in a 1125 if it calls for 20w50, not because it's a bad oil (far from it) but because it is the improper weight.