Oil Type? - SV650.org

14-10-04, 04:02 PM

I bought a case of Castrol 10-W40 motor oil, and then my mechanic told me that I really shouldn't use anything except motorcycle-specific 10-W40, as there are no anti-foaming agents in regular motor oil.

Would it be detrimental to my motorcycle to use standard motor oil?

Are there additives which I can add to stabilize the oil I already purchased?

Does anyone know?

14-10-04, 04:20 PM

I think the main thing here is that standard car oil contains anti-friction additives that can make the SV's wet clutch slip. Best to go out and buy the right stuff, though you really don't have to pay a fortune for it - cheap oil but changed frequently is my advice.

.

14-10-04, 07:03 PM

All Suzuki recommend is a 10W-40 of SF or SG standard, which is actually a very lowly spec (relatively). Current API oil specs are up to SL or higher.

IMHO, 'special' motorcycle oils are nothing but packaging to get us to pay substantially more for the same stuff put into cars.

I use a Vauxhall-branded semi-synthetic API SL-spec oil @ £8-60/5 litres and have not experienced any problems.

16-10-04, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazzyb

All Suzuki recommend is a 10W-40 of SF or SG standard, which is actually a very lowly spec (relatively). Current API oil specs are up to SL or higher.

IMHO, 'special' motorcycle oils are nothing but packaging to get us to pay substantially more for the same stuff put into cars.

I use a Vauxhall-branded semi-synthetic API SL-spec oil @ £8-60/5 litres and have not experienced any problems.

Suzuki recommends the use of Suzuki Performance 4 Motor Oil or an oil which is rated SF or SG (these are old specifications) . This oil is definitely a Motorcycle Specific Oil.
The viscosity rating should be 10W-40.
If the bike is still under warranty, you will void the warranty if you have engine related problems while using car oil in your bike.
Cheers, Richard

16-10-04, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a1a

If the bike is still under warranty, you will void the warranty if you have engine related problems while using car oil in your bike.

I'm not convinced that's the case. Car oil, providing it's of the correct specification, will in no way harm your engine, just might cause a little clutch slippage if you're unlucky.

.

16-10-04, 07:38 PM

Here's what the API say.

embee · 16-10-04, 08:22 PM

There are specific tests for wet clutch anti slip, namely JASO MA approval.

http://www.ipone.fr/1/1.7.php?lang=2

An oil approved for wet clutch 4-stroke motorcycle engines will have JASO MA on the label.

It's your choice if you use an oil without this approval.

northwind · 16-10-04, 10:49 PM

Yup, that makes good reading- I'd always steered away from fully synth oil since I'd heard so much about wet clutches slipping, but after I read that I noticed that every fully synth apart from the Castrol 5W40 stuff has the JASO MA approval, and so should be fine... Still using a semisynth anyway, it's cheaper

17-10-04, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by a1a

If the bike is still under warranty, you will void the warranty if you have engine related problems while using car oil in your bike.

I'm not convinced that's the case. Car oil, providing it's of the correct specification, will in no way harm your engine, just might cause a little clutch slippage if you're unlucky.

.

jonboy,
I think you missed my point in regards to type of oil used in the SV650. I only said, if the bike is still under warranty and you have an engine related problem and take it to the Dealer.
The first thing they will want to see is the bikes service record or your own maintenance book. If it is found that car oil was used in the bike, instead of M/C Specific oil. Suzuki is under no obligation to do the repairs under the warranty agreement.
It is your choice to use what ever type and brand of oil you like. My neighbor has three bikes and two out of three have over 100,000 miles on the odometer. After the warranty period he uses 20W-50 Castrol GTX car oil only. He changes the oil every 2,000 miles, which is more frequent. Car oils have a lower TBN (total base number).Which means lower amounts of acid neutralizers in the oil and more frequent oil changes for a motorcycle. However under no circumstances should one use any manufactures oil with the friction modifiers like molybdenum disulphide (or moly), if your bike has a wet clutch.
For the record I only use M/C specific oil. Cheers, Richard

20-10-04, 11:37 AM

after scouring the internet I've found a couple web sites that explain the oil differences alot better than I could.
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/oilreport.html
I also have a bmw
and

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/links.htm#oilproducts
the links to the tests on oil filters is very interesting, I think I will pass on Fram filters from now on........

14-10-04, 04:02 PM	#1
ouchbadback Guest Posts: n/a	Oil Type? I bought a case of Castrol 10-W40 motor oil, and then my mechanic told me that I really shouldn't use anything except motorcycle-specific 10-W40, as there are no anti-foaming agents in regular motor oil. Would it be detrimental to my motorcycle to use standard motor oil? Are there additives which I can add to stabilize the oil I already purchased? Does anyone know?

16-10-04, 10:49 PM	#8
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,082	Yup, that makes good reading- I'd always steered away from fully synth oil since I'd heard so much about wet clutches slipping, but after I read that I noticed that every fully synth apart from the Castrol 5W40 stuff has the JASO MA approval, and so should be fine... Still using a semisynth anyway, it's cheaper __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

20-10-04, 11:37 AM	#10
gandalf777 Guest Posts: n/a	Which Oil? after scouring the internet I've found a couple web sites that explain the oil differences alot better than I could. http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/oilreport.html I also have a bmw and http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/links.htm#oilproducts the links to the tests on oil filters is very interesting, I think I will pass on Fram filters from now on........

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14-10-04, 04:20 PM	#2
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	I think the main thing here is that standard car oil contains anti-friction additives that can make the SV's wet clutch slip. Best to go out and buy the right stuff, though you really don't have to pay a fortune for it - cheap oil but changed frequently is my advice. .

14-10-04, 07:03 PM	#3
chazzyb Guest Posts: n/a	All Suzuki recommend is a 10W-40 of SF or SG standard, which is actually a very lowly spec (relatively). Current API oil specs are up to SL or higher. IMHO, 'special' motorcycle oils are nothing but packaging to get us to pay substantially more for the same stuff put into cars. I use a Vauxhall-branded semi-synthetic API SL-spec oil @ £8-60/5 litres and have not experienced any problems.

16-10-04, 07:38 PM	#6
chazzyb Guest Posts: n/a	Here's what the API say.

16-10-04, 08:22 PM	#7
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,801	There are specific tests for wet clutch anti slip, namely JASO MA approval. http://www.ipone.fr/1/1.7.php?lang=2 An oil approved for wet clutch 4-stroke motorcycle engines will have JASO MA on the label. It's your choice if you use an oil without this approval.