Penrite oil

[Mitch]

I have been using Motul 5100 in my older track bikes forever but now things are starting to get a little tight with the dollars so I am looking at cutting a few costs down with hopefully not cutting down on security. Last thing I need is an engine to go bang.

It is time for another oil change and the cost of 5100 just seems to get more costly every time I walk into the bike shop. In the Father's Day catalogs a few of the local car shop are advertising Penrite bike oil fully and semi synth for about $30/4ltr bottle cheaper than the Motul equivalent.

So questions are
1. Has anyone used the Penrite oils. If so how has it gone?
2. Stepping from semi to full synth. Any better or should I stick with semi and pocket the change?

Thanks in advance

[z900/zx9]

No expert but doesn't fully synth mess with clutch plates.

[kawadave]

I've been running Penrite HPR DIESEL 15 semi synth in my older bikes with no dramas.
"HPR DIESEL 15 is recommended for use in petrol, light duty diesel engines, LPG/Dual fuel & four stroke motorcycles including those with wet clutches"

[Mitch]

Wow. I have heard of people running diesel oil in bikes but never really believed that they did, bit like people running castor oil.

Might have consider this next time I purchase oil. The diesel stuff seemed much cheaper than the bike stuff too

Ended up buying Penrite MC4 10-50w for $35 for 4 ltrs

[pkay]

I'm with Dave - I use Penrite HPR 15w-50 for anything prior to 1995ish and I have also started using their bike stuff for my modern bikes as well - 10 litres for $85 at Supercheap so you can churn through it without being too expensive. Good stuff and good value. You will see the little bike thing on the front of the container so don't think you're going too crazy by using it. One of the Katana guys did some analysis on zinc content and all that type of stuff certain people are wont to do and found Penrite was the best for that as well.

[Smitty]

I.................... You will see the little bike thing on the front of the container so don't think you're going too crazy by using it. One of the Katana guys did some analysis on zinc content and all that type of stuff certain people are wont to do and found Penrite was the best for that as well.

one reason why I run Penrite oil in the race car .....

old Holden race engines need a very high zinc content to survive (especially the valve train)
when you start turning them up to 7000 revs per minute around a race track

[billwest]

I have run it in both my 1200's, no problems, Perth to Phillip Island and back.
Price is good - $85 for 10 literes, at SuperCheep.

[Mitch]

Awesome. Sounds like I won't have any problems.

[billwest]

They also do this one.
10W50 JASO-MA.

[Kwakked Up]

In the Repco catalogue for this weekend - 10 ltr HPR Diesel 15w-50 semi synth for $58

[Rossco66]

Maybe an older thread but for what it's worth for others; reading it recently confirmed my decision to finally change from Motul 5100 to Penrite MC4 10/50W Semi Synth
( I'm happy enuff with paying $45/4L from Autobarn, As it felt like I was being bent over the counter at the bike shop for Motul!)

But before I put the Penrite in I had reason to take the sump off (long story), and wasn't real impressed with the sludge lying around in the bottom.
This is a 45K motor that's had Motul 7100/5100 & filter change every 5000Klms , although some time has passed between changes.

[ Bugger, couldn't work out how to insert the photos!! ]

Why i was so surprised as years ago I had a GPZ900R with 50K+ on it been running Penrite (mineral oil only) & it was as clean as New inside (another long story ).

Bonus is they are an Aussie company.

[MadKaw]

Been using the MC 4 Semi for a few years now...
No probs with it, and great price... Usually on sale somewhere...

[Mitch]

So I have been using it since I posted the original post and have had no issues with Penrite at all. I have been keeping an eye on it and have noticed no difference to using 5100 except that I have more cash in my pocket

I will continue to use it and when I current stock runs low I might even try the diesel oil that a few have mentioned. If I do I will post up the results.

[MadKaw]

35% of at Repco this weekend.....

if you can find the MC oil...

[Mister_T]

Interestingly, the 10W50 semi is what Penrite recommend for the GPX750, not either of their full synth 10W40. I have some Penrite full synth 10W40 from the last sale that I will be using to replace the Motul 20W50 mineral in the GPX at the moment.
Penrite have a thing about extra viscosity on the hot end so it makes me wonder why they don't do a full synth 10W50.