Oil choice

[dduelin]

It meets all three requirements contemporary to the ST1300. Remember, the API recommendation in twenty years ago in 2004 was for API rating SG or higher. This oil is API SM and the SM formulation allowed relatively high limits on phosphorous & zinc. These elements produce ash and sufficient ash present in exhaust gas over time is death to catalytic converters. The 2004 ST1300 came equipped with CCs on both sides. Hence the warning about use with CCs. However, if your jurisdiction does not test for exhaust emissions it may not be an issue for you. Many ST owners in the USA have used diesel oils with high levels of ash for many years without problems but the USA does not test motorcycles for emission compliance after they are sold.

A free bit - in the USA high levels of phosphorus were removed from motor oils in 2017 with the introduction of new limits on particulate emissions such as ash. Diesel oils today generally are not certified for use in gasoline engines notable by the disappearance of API ratings SL, SM, or SN in the container labeling. The pictured oil still carries API SM. I would use it without worry.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

I cant find another make which has the correct info.

Many people choose to use engine oils designed for other application such as the automobile market, the diesel engine market, etc.. This is perfectly acceptable but some education is required so that you know what is suitable to use and what isn't. However, it doesn't really need to be complicated if you don't want it to be, and it reads like you don't want it to be.

The simplest choice is to stick with motorcycle specific engine oils that are designed for wet clutch use rather than trying to find an automotive engine oil that will meet the needs of a motorcycle engine that also has a wet clutch. You can use any motorcycle engine specific oil that meets the criteria that Honda has stipulated. This eliminates the need to research anything.

If you want it to be even simpler than that, just use Honda engine oil and go ride. Honda sells a mineral engine oil (GN4), a semi-synthetic engine oil (HP4), and a fully synthetic engine oil (HP4S), all of which meet all of the criteria specified by Honda for use in motorcycles engines, with catalytic converters, and with wet clutches. It is easy to get at any Honda dealer, many other vendors sell it as well, or online. If you normally extend your oil changes beyond the recommended intervals consider using the synthetic. If not, use the mineral oil.

No research, no worry, just go ride.

 

[Larry Fine]

Many people choose to use engine oils designed for other application such as the automobile market, the diesel engine market, etc.. This is perfectly acceptable but some education is required so that you know what is suitable to use and what isn't. However, it doesn't really need to be complicated if you don't want it to be, and it reads like you don't want it to be.

The simplest choice is to stick with motorcycle specific engine oils that are designed for wet clutch use rather than trying to find an automotive engine oil that will meet the needs of a motorcycle engine that also has a wet clutch. You can use any motorcycle engine specific oil that meets the criteria that Honda has stipulated. This eliminates the need to research anything.

Our bikes use the engine oil to lubricate the transmission, so the oil molecules must be up to the task of being squished between the gear teeth.

Synthetic and motorcycle-specific engine oils are formulated to have longer molecular chains that stand up to this abuse better than standard oils.

 

[meta]

ok how about this one I found, is it covering all requirements d'you think, ie the wet clutch thing and the CAT?

 

[meta]

Oh just found this, seems to cover everything, please confirm?? (dont have an easy source here for that GN4)

 

[ASPC]

Rotella T6 15W-40, summer. Rotella T6 5W-40 winter. Both meet JASO MA/MA2 requirements, the other grades of Rotella T6 do not.

The motul is fine. I tried it in my ST1300 and didn’t like the way it shifted. I tried the 7100, 10w40 and was not impressed.

 

[meta]

didn’t like the way it shifted

do you mean shifted gears?

 

[ASPC]

.

do you mean shifted gears?

Yes.

 

[meta]

.

Yes.

I did not know different oils will make mechanics behave differently, this makes the subject even more complicated. What was the difference in shifting between 2 oils, did you find? #fascinating

 

[ASPC]

I did not know different oils will make mechanics behave differently, this makes the subject even more complicated. What was the difference in shifting between 2 oils, did you find? #fascinating

Use this. Problem solved. Simple. Just make sure the European version has JASO MA/MA2 listed on the back of the container. This oil is used by many thousands of motorcycle riders, including myself and W0QNX who has over 400K miles on this oil in one ST1300. Should be good enough for anyone.

 

[ST1100TX]

Use this. Problem solved. Simple. Just make sure the European version has JASO MA/MA2 listed on the back of the container. This oil is used by many thousands of motorcycle riders, including myself and W0QNX who has over 400K miles on this oil in one ST1300. Should be good enough for anyone.

Oh good, an oil thread!

Rotella T6 5W-40 the only oil I use in my bikes and cars. Never had an issue with it.

 

[meta]

Found this one now, think I'll settle for it hahaha. (what a nitemare, a lot of US oils not over here)

 

[Mellow]

ok how about this one I found, is it covering all requirements d'you think, ie the wet clutch thing and the CAT?

That's what I used on the BMW, 5w-40 but same stuff.

 

[ASPC]

Interesting alternative. Rotella T4 15w40, also meets JASO MA/MA2.

 

[Igofar]

The other day, I noticed certain jugs of Shell Rotella now show a motorcycle on them with the Semi, RV, and truck. It's been my go to since buying my bikes. Easy to find when out and about here, too. If it is common there, you'd not go wrong with it. Otherwise aim for Castrol's motocycle oils, as you've used their car oil with no issues (those'd be POWER1 and ACT>EVO).

Question...did you see these bottles in person, or just pictures of advertising on the internet posted by someone else?
I ask because Shell has denied ever putting a picture of a motorcycle on their diesel oil bottles.

 

[ASPC]

I did a search on my ipad for this photo that I took.

 

[Igofar]

Yes, I’ve seen only photos of this picture as well, but shell responded that it may have been photo shopped because they never had a picture of a motorcycle on any of their diesel oil products etc.
Makes you wonder about marketing huh?
On a side note, their 15w-40 still has the gas ratings on it, but the 5w-40 does not anymore.
Several different brands that sell the 15w-40 still have the gas ratings, but all the newer 5w-40 stuff has removed it as well, makes you wonder if the newer, lower numbers are following the suit of energy conserving types for newer vehicles.

 

[ASPC]

Yes, I’ve seen only photos of this picture as well, but shell responded that it may have been photo shopped because they never had a picture of a motorcycle on any of their diesel oil products etc.
Makes you wonder about marketing huh?
On a side note, their 15w-40 still has the gas ratings on it, but the 5w-40 does not anymore.
Several different brands that sell the 15w-40 still have the gas ratings, but all the newer 5w-40 stuff has removed it as well, makes you wonder if the newer, lower numbers are following the suit of energy conserving types for newer vehicles.

I took the photo with my iPhone.

 

[Igofar]

This is what Shell said their bottle should look like.

 

[ASPC]

This is what Shell said their bottle should look like.

That is Rotella T4. Not T6.