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jonnythan wrote:I admit I'm a newbie, but... I can't forsee me putting a non-recommended oil weight and viscosity into my bike's engine.

It's ok to be a newbie, we all were at one time. No doubt you are here to learn about everything motorcycles. If you want to learn why I use a non-specified oil, read this article about using synthetics in motorcycles --> http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html

The article is long, but if you really care about your motorcycle, it's worth it. If you don't want to read the whole thing, just look at "Choosing an Oil for Your Motorcycle" and "Recommendations".

VermilionX wrote:
eh?

no i meant from 1st...

i normally shift from 1st gear @ 40-50mph and no problems.

but every once in a while, when push 1st gear to about 70-80mph... it doesn't kick in to 2nd when i shift. i dunno why, im pulling the lever all teh way in but sometimes... it just won't kick in to 2nd gear.

i dont want to knock your style, but isnt it a little odd riding low speed like its motogp?

isnowbrd wrote:

jonnythan wrote:I admit I'm a newbie, but... I can't forsee me putting a non-recommended oil weight and viscosity into my bike's engine.

It's ok to be a newbie, we all were at one time. No doubt you are here to learn about everything motorcycles. If you want to learn why I use a non-specified oil, read this article about using synthetics in motorcycles --> http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html

The article is long, but if you really care about your motorcycle, it's worth it. If you don't want to read the whole thing, just look at "Choosing an Oil for Your Motorcycle" and "Recommendations".

I read it, and did learn a thing or two, but I'm extremely unconvinced that using an oil contrary to what is recommended in the owner's manual is good for the bike. I saw no hard data, no extensive studies, nothing except theory from someone who admits he is not a chemical or mechanical engineer.

Hmm, you must have missed the extensive "hard data" that was included in that article.

Anyway, it sounds like you need to stick to your manual. Just make sure that you change the oil often. With a motorcycle using the oil in the transmission and wet clutch, you will lose most of your viscosity in 1000-1500 miles using regular oil.

nope, yellow SV's are NOT faster, its clearly the BLUE SV's that have the speed records......
and if you get that, you are part of too many forums, like myself.
anyways, shift it like you mean it. The SV's tranny takes a couple dozen thousand miles to break in, or was it just a dozen, cant be sure, check SVR there was a thread recently about it.
yellow sv's being faster.... NONSENSE, the blue SV's are lighter and therefore faster, yellow just makes it safer.

dbl-post, admin please remove please. Thank you

isnowbrd wrote:Hmm, you must have missed the extensive "hard data" that was included in that article.

Anyway, it sounds like you need to stick to your manual. Just make sure that you change the oil often. With a motorcycle using the oil in the transmission and wet clutch, you will lose most of your viscosity in 1000-1500 miles using regular oil.

Nope, checked again. There's no hard data about engine life while using 5W-40 in an engine designed for 10W-30... the only mention of 10W-30 is this:

"You can't use 10w-30 because of the friction modifiers."



I don't even see any scientific data that supports the viscocity loss statement either.

In fact.. I don't see any scientific data about anything at all other than a few properties of some common oils at time of purchase.

Ok, if you would like more info.

http://www.xs11.com/stories/mcnoil94.htm

The entire story is good. There are viscosity test results at the bottom. Back when I did A LOT of research to decide for myself which oil to use, I finally decided on Shell. I think you need to do the same and decide for yourself.

I just want to present information for other people so they can decide for themselves.


BTW... This statement tells me that you need to learn more about engines in general.

jonnythan wrote:an engine designed for 10W-30

isnowbrd wrote:Ok, if you would like more info.

http://www.xs11.com/stories/mcnoil94.htm

The entire story is good. There are viscosity test results at the bottom. Back when I did A LOT of research to decide for myself which oil to use, I finally decided on Shell. I think you need to do the same and decide for yourself.

I just want to present information for other people so they can decide for themselves.

The only data presented there contradicts your earlier statement.

This data shows that oil retains the great majority of its viscosity in the first 1500 miles. Mobil 1 does particularly well and loses less than one-fifth of its initial viscosity after 1500 miles.

And, you're right, I have a ton to learn about engines. I don't know much about engines at all.

If I did, I probably wouldn't need to see any scientific data to form my decisions.

However, since I do have so much to learn, some random article by a non-engineer on the internet that contains no data whatsoever and no reason whatsoever to deviate from my manufacturer's recommended oil will certainly not convince me.. especially when it simply dismisses all 10W-30 oils because "most" of them are energy conserving.

jonnythan wrote:The only data presented there contradicts your earlier statement.

This data shows that oil retains the great majority of its viscosity in the first 1500 miles. Mobil 1 does particularly well and loses less than one-fifth of its initial viscosity after 1500 miles.

No, Mobile 1 is an automotive synthetic oil that isn't recommended by any motorcycle manual (just like Shell) but will work better than motorcycle specific non-synthetic oil. That is my point exactly. After 1500 miles, these automotive synthetics retain their viscosity. That fact, along with the advantages of synthetics when your engine is very cold and when your engine is very hot (properties that apply for every engine, not just ones "designed for 10W-30") are the reasons I use oil other than what is specified by my manual.

I would appreciate that you do some research yourself and post it here for the benefit of everyone. This would be more beneficial instead of simply stating your personal option. An opinion that is lacking education.