Another Stupid Oil Question

[DaJudge]

I stopped by the local Wal-Mart this afternoon to buy a gallon of Rotella T 5W-40 synthetic (as enthusiastically recommended here) in anticipation of doing an oil/filter change in the next couple weeks.  They were out of the Rotella T gallons, priced at $22 (they had some quarts), but they had, and I bought, a 5 qt jug of Mobil 1 15W-50 ($26).  

Is that OK to use in the '01 Tiger?  The only reason I ask is because the label says it has "extra anti-wear protection" and I wanted to be sure it wasn't known to cause any wet clutch problems.  It does not say on the little circular API label that it's "energy conserving".

BTW- the lady in Wally World auto said that they weren't expecting to get any more Mobil 1 in stock.  Most of types of Mobil 1 jugs were sold out.  If it's a good oil for the Tiger, I'll go back and snag the last one.

[Mustang]

[DaJudge]

Please be nice to the noobie, Mustang.  I actually did do some forum searching before posting the question.  

The posts keep talking about using "Mobil 1 4T 15W-50".  But, I don't see 4T on this jug at all.  All I really need to know is if it's the same stuff others are using successfully in their bikes (which I suspect and hope it is).

[John Stenhouse]

I believe what you have is the car version of Mobil 1, the 4T denotes the motorcycle version IIRC. On th API label does it say anything about JASO, if that is there it will work with a wet clutch, if not it's not recommended.

Having said that I'm using a Duckhams semi synth in my 2000 Girly which is definitely a car oil and so far have had no problems, not to say I wont just that I haven't.

[John Stenhouse]

I found this extremely interesting, the motorcycle links were informative too.

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

[DaJudge]

I'm going to take the Mobil 1 15W50 back to Walmart.

I found some gallon jugs of Rotella T Synthetic at our south Walmart.  The east Walmart I was at earlier today called the south store and asked them to see if they had any of the Rotella T.  They said they were completely out.  Ends up they were just too lazy to check. :roll:

Thanks for the help John.

[Jim S]

I always use Motul full synth from the local bike dealer. I'd never gamble with my oil. Clutch failure in the middle of an adventure would ruin the whole break, not to mention the costs and work recovering the bike and changing the clutch!

[DaJudge]

I'm now happily running the Rotella T Synthetic with a Purolator Pure One filter that many others here (and in other forums) have expressed their confidence in.
  :D

[2004Tiger]

I found this extremely interesting, the motorcycle links were informative too.

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

I was curious, so I read the oil site above. It reads like a compendium of old wives' tales, owner's manuals, and oil supplier's advice. Some good advice, some garbage, but mostly regurgitated common knowledge.

[Stretch]

I found this extremely interesting, the motorcycle links were informative too.

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

I was curious, so I read the oil site above. It reads like a compendium of old wives' tales, owner's manuals, and oil supplier's advice. Some good advice, some garbage, but mostly regurgitated common knowledge.

Try this one.  The data is based on actual laboratory tests...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

[iansoady]

Try this one.  The data is based on actual laboratory tests...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

Agree. There is a huge thread on a Ducati site where Bob carefully and patiently answers hundreds of stupid questions. He clearly knows his stuff.

[Sasquatch]

I always use Motul full synth from the local bike dealer. I'd never gamble with my oil. Clutch failure in the middle of an adventure would ruin the whole break, not to mention the costs and work recovering the bike and changing the clutch!

Show me one solid case that can be attributed to oil of a clutch failure.  With the tens of thousands of members on many the web forums, many who use Rotella or other 'car oils'.  if the case was there for failure, it would show up in spades.  But it does not.

I have been built many superbike motors and for the racers always recommended Delo 400 since they changed their oil after each ride.  Never, not once, did I or any of my customers experience clutch failures.  

If you want to buy a marketing guy a new Ferrari, go ahead an keep using motorcycle specific oils.  Whatever lets you sleep at night.

BTW, Rotella passed all the JASO MA standards tests per a conversation with one of their engineers.  They just chose not to pay the high fees required to put the stamp on their bottles.

[2004Tiger]

I found this extremely interesting, the motorcycle links were informative too.

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

I was curious, so I read the oil site above. It reads like a compendium of old wives' tales, owner's manuals, and oil supplier's advice. Some good advice, some garbage, but mostly regurgitated common knowledge.

Try this one.  The data is based on actual laboratory tests...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

Like the title says. Uncommon knowledge is refreshing in this world fueled by advertising.

[Jim S]

I spent a bit of time as a bike mechanic and I've changed a few clutches which the owner has admitted to using car oils. Any how, here's a post elsewhere which goes into great detail why not;
http://www.bikenomads.com/wiki/index.ph ... l_in_bikes

But hey, why waste your time reading info posted up by me? I've only 30yrs experience as a biker so what would I know? I'll think twice about wasting your time with useless advice in future. This was my first post for months on here and flamed for my info, ho hum! Back to the XRV forum!

[John Stenhouse]

some garbage

Must have missed that bit, do tell?