What oil to use?

Hi Everyone,

Local bike shop recommended Bel-Ray EXP Semi-Synthetic 10W40 oil for my MaximX XJ750 is this the right oil? I have been told that some if not all bikes with a "wet clutch" need organic oil.

Thanks in advance.
Chuck

This is what the manual says:

 

Chuck:

The organic/synthetic is not an issue for the wet clutch. The issue (sometimes) is whether or not the oil has "friction modifiers".

Most common automotive oils have them, to improve fuel economy. If the oil container has a sunburst symbol with the words "Energy Conserving" inside it, then it has friction modifiers.

Many specialty automotive oils, such as high performance, high mileage, diesel, etc. do not have the friction modifiers, and are perfectly acceptable for use in bikes.

I prefer synthetics, so I use Mobil 1 high performance automotive oil. It's about $17 for a 5-quart jug at Wally World. That's less than half the price of Mobil 1 motorcycle oil, AMSOIL, Royal Purple, etc.

There have been several long-running threads regarding folks choice of oil on this forum. You can search the archives to read up on different opinions and reasons for them.

Regards,
Herb

 

My om calls out Yamalube 20-40, so that's what I use. I buy it at Cycle Barn. A bit spendy, but so is a new engine.

 

This question always gets the same responses.

Some guys treat Oiling the engine by feeding it what they can get on sale.
Other guys buy Top Shelf and feed the engine to the best protection money can buy!

I plan on not needing rings or having any Cam Lobe problems for many years and many, many miles.
I also ride the bike hard.
I'm an Big XXL sized fellow.

I use only Castrol GTX 20/50.

It's not what the book recommends.
It much, much better than that!

 

you use this for summer and winter?

 

Winter?

I don't ride the bike in the Winter!
I have to deal with what the freaking snow-plow guy piles at the end of the driveway.
I fire-up the old Bolens 10-Horse Snow-Blower.

But, when that thing needs oil ... I'd put it in the Blower; too!
That's a Tecumseh 10-Horse.
Nice engine; that "Snow-King 10"
Shoots the snow half way down the block!!!

 

I'm one of the guys that believes price is largely a reflection of marketing.

Wal*Mart carries a 10w40 SF rated oil for older cars. Accel is the brand. No friction modifiers, no marketing, $1.27/quart last time I bought it.

Been using it for 3K miles and the XJ has been perfectly happy with it.

 

I've been running our house brand oil (CARQUEST) in my bike and my wife's bike without any trouble. (Shhhh! Don't tell anyone: it's made by the Ashland Oil Company. They also make NAPA's house brand and Valvoline.)

 

Been using Shell rotella. The normal one not the sythetic. I don't seem to go thru clutches as much as the regular oil
But another thumbs up to the Castrol GTX. Used that in the race 550 motor. The motor never let me down.

Sean

 

Another fan of Shell's Rotella T here -- it's actually a diesel oil, but it's been a favorite of motorcyclists for ages -- big, strong, tough oil, and usually cheap too.

Lately I've been using Canadian Tire's house branded motorcycle specific oil in 20w50. It's actually re-badged Shell product, and at $2 a liter it's a helluva bargain too for an m/c specific oil.