Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
did he get an owner's manual? Good advice in that.
did he get an owner's manual? Good advice in that.
No, Mobil 1 15W50 is not a suitable "long term" oil for a motorcycle. Note I said long term. For one oil change cycle, or to get the bike home on a trip, fine. But for extended miles and use a motorcycle specific oil is the better choice. These engines still need the benefit of ZDDP and similar additives that are now only common to motorcycle specific oils and some brands of "racing" oils.
I used to use Mobil 1 automotive oil. That is until I found out the formulation changed and the ZDDP additives were replaced. I now use Valvoline Full Synthetic 20W50 Racing oil which does contain high amounts of ZDDP. Oh, and my bike now has 168,000 trouble free miles on it, so the right oils may have some impact on that.
There, oil thread started, jump on everyone!
Thank you, Andy. When was the formulation for Mobil 1 15w-50 changed? I've been using it for years with excellent results. I suspect this is a recent change?
And to everyone else, no owner's manual. Please send me your addresses so I can put $5 in the mail for you.
I used to work with a guy who changed jobs from Mobil fuels to lubricants about 10+ years ago. I asked him if there was any real difference and he sent a lot of information, but bottom line is car oil was different from motorcycle oil. This was when Mobil first started making the MC oil. Probably 10-15 yrs ago.
I understood that the zinc additive was reduced for the lighter weight oils, like for water cooled engines, but was optional for the heavier weights since they are not used in the larger fleet of cars.
Then download one...
Am I reading this correctly that this would be SF or better, which is automotive oil pretty much.
Since dry clutch, no need to use MC specific oil?
It needs to be different when the transmission runs in same oil as the motor.
Otherwise it does not need to be different.
This describes all boxers and most K-bikes.
Am I reading this correctly that this would be SF or better, which is automotive oil pretty much.
Since dry clutch, no need to use MC specific oil?