Blrfl
Natural Rider Enhancement
If a synthetic isn't specifically called for, you can go the full change interval with dino, synthetic or half-and-half.
--Mark
ST1300 Oil Viscosity and brands recommended
- Thread starter Dragonslayer
- Start date
--Mark
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I've chosen either Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10w40 or Mobil 1 5w40 Turbo Truck oil for use in my ST. Personally I avoid synthetic blends labeled or sold as synblends. I see them as a way for companies to raise the price without the entire benefits of a synthetic product. I could be wrong, just my opinion.
"Synthetic" is really a marketing term not a description of the oil's origins. So-called full synthetics are often a highly refined dino base oil with 30% or more pure synthetic in the additive package. In this case many "synthetics" are actually blends anyway. Most of the 5w40s are made like this and are still considered synthetics so if these are considered refined enough to be labeled as synthetic I can't be sure what really constitutes a synblend.
slmjim
Hopeless Tool Junkie
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- Which one today...?
That's been my experience too. The T6 gets a little notchy after 3-4K. Nothing major, it's kinda subtle but it's there. I've got 2 more jugs of T6, and I just changed oil recently, so I'll run the T6 for another 15K mi., 5K per change. I've been running Rotella 15w-40 in our air-cooled bikes, our two CB 750 Nighthawks and all of our Kawasaki Z-1's for the past few years, and I'd run it in our ST1300 in the recent past, so I had a baseline feel for it in the ST prior to switching to T6. The Rotella 15w-40 works fine in the air cooled bikes, good clutch feel and shifting. As far as filters, I'm still working my way through a stock of WalMart Super Tech filters I laid in just before they were discontinued. They fit both the ST and Nighthawks 
. I'll run the Purolator filters when the SuperTechs are gone.
Good Ridin'
slmjim
. I'll run the Purolator filters when the SuperTechs are gone.Good Ridin'
slmjim
I use the Mobil 1 car oil full synthetic in 15-50 when I can find it (not often) or 10-40 now that it's not energy conserving. Count me in the camp that finds the Rotella T-6 feels a little notchy when shifting. It would be interesting at a STOC event to have a couple or few ST's with recently changed oil and have people ride all the bikes without knowing which oil is in which bike, and rate the shifting. I always wonder if the T-6 feels notchy because I expect it to or because it really is.
A couple years ago three riders gathered at my place we did three oil changes on their st1300's, they each brought their favorite oil. They were told to return when the shifting started to get notchy etc.
We picked a weekend and all three returned with between 4-5k miles on their bikes. I told them I would change their oil with a secret brand, and if they liked it they all agreed to use it.
An hour or so later (after lunch) they picked up their bikes.
Everyone of them were amazed at how smooth and quiet their bikes now shifted, and agreed that they would use this new secret oil!
Truth is, I didn't change their oil at all....I used dot 4 brake fluid and simply flushed and bled their (EDIT) clutch system..... I just have brake bleeding on the brain I guess.
And yes they still speak to me.
Sometimes people tend to over think oil threads.
We picked a weekend and all three returned with between 4-5k miles on their bikes. I told them I would change their oil with a secret brand, and if they liked it they all agreed to use it.
An hour or so later (after lunch) they picked up their bikes.
Everyone of them were amazed at how smooth and quiet their bikes now shifted, and agreed that they would use this new secret oil!
Truth is, I didn't change their oil at all....I used dot 4 brake fluid and simply flushed and bled their (EDIT) clutch system..... I just have brake bleeding on the brain I guess.
And yes they still speak to me.
Sometimes people tend to over think oil threads.
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My exact experience! If I were going on a long trip over a short duration I still might choose the 15W-40 over the T6.
Ha ha ha
Kind of what I expected to happen.
Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 motorcycle oil
Royal Purple 10-2867 Oil Filter
Royal Purple 10-2867 Oil Filter
I see lots of recommendations here for Rotella T6 Synthetic , 5W-40. Silly question, but when I look for that oil it always seems to be diesel oil, which makes me nervous. Is the oil at this link the correct type for my ST1300?
https://www.amazon.com/Shell-Rotella-Synthetic-Engine-Gallon/dp/B01LH7L0KS/ref=asc_df_B01LH7L0KS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312128326273&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2562721688548778094&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013964&hvtargid=pla-568272076486&psc=1
Thanks as always!
Is the oil at this link the correct type for my ST1300?https://www.amazon.com/Shell-Rotella-Synthetic-Engine-Gallon/dp/B01LH7L0KS/ref=asc_df_B01LH7L0KS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312128326273&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2562721688548778094&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013964&hvtargid=pla-568272076486&psc=1
Thanks as always!
That oil is just fine.I see lots of recommendations here for Rotella T6 Synthetic , 5W-40. Silly question, but when I look for that oil it always seems to be diesel oil, which makes me nervous.
https://www.amazon.com/Shell-Rotella-Synthetic-Engine-Gallon/dp/B01LH7L0KS/ref=asc_df_B01LH7L0KS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312128326273&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2562721688548778094&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013964&hvtargid=pla-568272076486&psc=1
Thanks as always!
Many riders here use Rotella oils which are often Diesel.
Purolator PureONE filter PL14610 (not the basic one)
Shell Rotella T 15w-40 petroleum oil, available at about $15/gallon (white bottle)
Shell Rotella T 5w-40 synthetic oil, available at about $20-$30/gallon (blue bottle). I do this one. Once a year I almost never hit 8K miles before year is out.
Shell Rotella T 15w-40 petroleum oil, available at about $15/gallon (white bottle)
Shell Rotella T 5w-40 synthetic oil, available at about $20-$30/gallon (blue bottle). I do this one. Once a year I almost never hit 8K miles before year is out.
Shawn K
Professional Cat Confuser
When you read "diesel oil", think oil marketed for diesel vehicles , not oil exclusively designed for diesel vehicles.
Part of what makes Rotella T a desirable oil for motorcycles is that it has no molybdenum in it ("energy conserving" automotive oils have it, but it pays havoc with wet clutches on bikes), and that it has higher levels of anti-shear additives than a lot of other oils. Those additives are valuable in bikes because bikes share oil between the engine and the transmission.
I've used Rotella T4 (non-synthetic) in my last three bikes for over a decade. It's a good oil that's available damned near everywhere. If you're a synthetic oil fan, get the Rotella T6. You can't go wrong with either.
Part of what makes Rotella T a desirable oil for motorcycles is that it has no molybdenum in it ("energy conserving" automotive oils have it, but it pays havoc with wet clutches on bikes), and that it has higher levels of anti-shear additives than a lot of other oils. Those additives are valuable in bikes because bikes share oil between the engine and the transmission.
I've used Rotella T4 (non-synthetic) in my last three bikes for over a decade. It's a good oil that's available damned near everywhere. If you're a synthetic oil fan, get the Rotella T6. You can't go wrong with either.
- Joined
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Typo in my reply.....I flushed and bled their clutch systems, not the brakes....guess I just have braking bleeding on the brain.
LOL...I was wondering how you flushed the brakes on three bikes in an hour!
Just to add to the confusion...
Rotella T6 is now available in 15w-40. This is a "full synthetic". It should hold up to the shear better than the 5w-40.
Rotella T6 is now available in 15w-40. This is a "full synthetic". It should hold up to the shear better than the 5w-40.
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Shawn K
Professional Cat Confuser
Only in very cold weather, and only for a few moments until the engine warms up. Once the engine is up to operating temperature, it's viscosity performance is the same (the "40" in 15W-40).
Shear is the break down of viscosity. The 5w oil breaks down quicker than the 15w. That's why the t4 15w-40 usually holds it's viscosity grade better than the synthetic t6 5w-40. One of the knocks on the t6 5w-40 is that the shifting gets notchy fairly quickly. The t6 15w-40 should help this.
Another option for oil filters is the OEM Honda Automobile filter. Its slightly larger then the Purolator filter for more surface area but fits the 1300 quite nicely. At the same time, while you are there you can purchase the oil drain plug crush washer and I think that's only .25 Cents.
What?? There' more than one brand/type/weight of oil other than T6 Rotella?? (Which by pure coincidence is what I use.) That's crazy talk.