What type of oil can I use??

Hi All

Have some questions regarding oils, I have read a few of the posts here and people seem to recommend proper motorcycle oils.

although I have heard from other people that in older bikes (like my own 96 ZX6R), oils such as Castrol Magnatech or even GTX 3 are ok to use.

Is it just the viscosity of the oil (20w50 or 15w40) you need to worry about or is it a particular grade (SE) of oil also???

The Haynes manual I have (even though its in the shed at the moment) says its ok to use 10W40 or 20W50 (I think?), so does this mean I can use GTX3 in the bike?

I apologise if this is repeating the subject material through just another post, but I am interested to hear peoples views, and perhaps what everyone puts in their own bike.

Thanks

Ok hear ye hear ye hear ye!!!!!!

Do NOT use Castrol GTX , GTX II,GTX III, GTX Magnatec in your bike ANY BIKE if you have so much as the slightest respect for it!!!

Why I hear you ask???

These oils are fortified with a friction modifier which is NOT compatible with 'wet' type motorcycle clutches. The other issue is that these oils have so many additives they have become a very 'DIRTY' oil creating excessive sludging and coating the insides of your bike engine and gearbox with thick brown varnish even when regularly serviced !!

Anyone who tells you different obviously hasn't pulled too many engines apart!

You are correct in that this subject has been raised many,many times but hey , better to ask and be sure than stuff it up!!

If you are on a tight budget , get the Silkolene semi syn from Stupid Cheap [Super Cheap auto's] ..

Note;
Your ZX6 has a pretty hard running motor and will probably be starting to burn a bit of oil by now (common).
The worst thing you could do is put shit oil in it.

Crap oil + engine wear = sludge / varnish build up = coked up ring grooves = glazed bores = more oil burning = less power = more inlet valve coking = less power.
Also restricted / blocked oil galleries ie cam etc = catastrophic engine failure = YOU DEAD MID CORNER [ worst case scenario ]

I keep the motto "oil's cheaper than engines"...think about it.


Recommended(good honest not too expensive oils);

Silkolene Super-4 10W-40 [semi syn]
Motul 5100 or 7100
Shell Advance 4T


LAST WORD: If ya think I'm being a touch dramatic and you feel you can't afford proper motorcyle oil for your mighty ZX6.... You don't deserve her!!

A Hardley would be more your ride!!!

If you're worried about cost, go to Supercheap auto - they have very good prices on motorcycle oil. I use semi synthetic silkolene - just don't tell my work A lot of people and workshops use Mobile 5100 and there are many more...

As for using car oils in bikes, above is correct. for more info, try here

I like SIN15 (Penrite) but then I am in Central Qld and it doesnt get very cold.
They claim it has the highest anti sheer charecteristics.

Thanks IsleofNinja, very helpful and informative, have always wondered about this topic, and just so you know have never used car oil in a bike, but you have given some very good valid reasons for using proper oil.

Thanks mate, I appreciate your time and effort with your reply.

I also appreciate everyone elese comments as well!

Last edited by zx6rider on Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

No prob's

Anything with friction modifiers must be avoided for two wheels.

Watch out for oils which claim better fuel economy, these have the friction modifiers

For my 2000 ZX6R I use Valvoline Premium XLD, a car oil and cost only $20 for 5 litres.

Been using it for years with no problems.

For my 2000 ZX6R I use Valvoline Premium XLD, a car oil and cost only $20 for 5 litres.

Been using it for years with no problems.

I have also talked to guys that have been using car oils with no problems, thats why I wanted to ask the question. Does Valvoline have the friction modifiers added to the oil? How many Km's has your 6 done?

I only heard that the GTX are notorious with modifiers. But not Valvoline.

It has 120k + on the meter now (got it used at 56k)

Add Penrite HPR Gas 10 to the "Good Oil" list for bikes. It's a semi synthetic formulated for LPG and bike engines. It's what Penrite recommend for bikes.

XLD's your basic, no frills mineral oil.

ION, I'm personally not a huge fan of the Shell stuff. My bikes don't seem to like it as much as the others on the list - they seem to get a bit noisier in the top end and I think shift quality suffers. I'll not swear to it, though - quite possibly my imagination. Ditto everything else.

The reason it works so well for us Rusty is they have two places they mix it, somewhere down south and Briz
They reccomend SIN too, just that its is so dear they say it is best for track where cost doesnt count so much.

It has 120k + on the meter now (got it used at 56k)

have you had to any major works to it to keep it going? Good to see your still getting enjoyment from it.