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1100 gas and oil recommendations
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Welcome from Northumberland UK.
I'll let the left siders advise on oil and fuel because it's the US Market that is relevant to you.
I see you're in the NE and suspect you may park it in the winter, if so make sure you use the best petrol you can before a lay up and add a Stabiliser, I use Honda Pro.
Now put your tin hat on.
Upt'North.
I'll let the left siders advise on oil and fuel because it's the US Market that is relevant to you.
I see you're in the NE and suspect you may park it in the winter, if so make sure you use the best petrol you can before a lay up and add a Stabiliser, I use Honda Pro.
Now put your tin hat on.
Upt'North.
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Thanks. Lucky for me, we have indoor storage beneath the boston common so ill be able to sneak a few winter rides in!
87 is fine. Alcohol-free is better (always, but especially at times when it is infrequently ridden). I have used my quota of oil comments, so no comment.
Welcome, I am in the Rochester NY area. I agree 87 octane is all your ST1100 will need. Oil threads are fun to participate in, I am sure someone is already getting popcorn ready. You can click on the Forums section and look at the ST1100 tech section and the Technical section for all kinds of information. The most important part of oil changes is doing on a regular basis with a good quality oil and filter based on your manual recommendations, I use 10w40. PS looks like your ST1100 is in great shape, enjoy the ride!
Synthetic 10W-40 - you pick the brand.
Andrew Shadow
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My opinions.
Regular 87 octane gasoline works fine in an ST1100. It does not normally require premium fuel. Use the lowest ethanol content fuel you have available to you. Try to avoid fuel containing ethanol if you can, especially if you to tend to leave your bike sitting for long periods without use. If you store the bike for the winter months run your tank down and then fill it with ethanol free fuel if you can. Regardless of what fuel you filled it with before storage adding a fuel additive such as SeaFoam, and running it through the fuel system, is a good idea.
The engine oil that will cover the widest temperature range that you will experience is 10W40. Synthetic oil is not necessary in the sense that if you use regular oil you are putting your engine in peril. Regular oil will work perfectly fine if you adhere to the recommended oil change intervals. Synthetic can allow you to cheat and extend the oil change interval if you want to (i.e. long trip) and provides quicker lubrication at start-up in cold temperatures but before you will realize that benefit you need to ride in fairly cold temperatures.
Engine oil certified to meet JASO specification MA is called for by Honda to prevent possible clutch slippage. Many oils will state on the container that they meet the specifications of JASO MA but they have not been certified by JASO. Certified oils will have the JASO MA certification logo and certification number on the container.
Your call whether the certification is important to you or if the manufacturers claim alone is assurance enough.
Below is an example of what a JASO MA certification label looks like.
It used to be adequate to look for engine oil that does not state energy conserving or resource conserving on the container- see below pic.
This is no longer a sufficient assurance that the additives that can be harmful to the clutch are not present in the oil. Labeling standards have changed. Oils that contain the additives that make them energy/resource conserving, which can be detrimental to the clutch, are not necessarily labeled as such anymore.
The minimum that I would suggest that you look for is an oil that claims it meets the specifications of JASO MA if you are not going to go the certified route.
1996 means that you have the bigger 40 amp alternator so you don't have to worry about doing an alternator upgrade which seems to be the most common age related ST1100 failure of late.
All you have to worry about now is getting out there to ride and enjoy.
Regular 87 octane gasoline works fine in an ST1100. It does not normally require premium fuel. Use the lowest ethanol content fuel you have available to you. Try to avoid fuel containing ethanol if you can, especially if you to tend to leave your bike sitting for long periods without use. If you store the bike for the winter months run your tank down and then fill it with ethanol free fuel if you can. Regardless of what fuel you filled it with before storage adding a fuel additive such as SeaFoam, and running it through the fuel system, is a good idea.
The engine oil that will cover the widest temperature range that you will experience is 10W40. Synthetic oil is not necessary in the sense that if you use regular oil you are putting your engine in peril. Regular oil will work perfectly fine if you adhere to the recommended oil change intervals. Synthetic can allow you to cheat and extend the oil change interval if you want to (i.e. long trip) and provides quicker lubrication at start-up in cold temperatures but before you will realize that benefit you need to ride in fairly cold temperatures.
Engine oil certified to meet JASO specification MA is called for by Honda to prevent possible clutch slippage. Many oils will state on the container that they meet the specifications of JASO MA but they have not been certified by JASO. Certified oils will have the JASO MA certification logo and certification number on the container.
Your call whether the certification is important to you or if the manufacturers claim alone is assurance enough.
Below is an example of what a JASO MA certification label looks like.
It used to be adequate to look for engine oil that does not state energy conserving or resource conserving on the container- see below pic.
This is no longer a sufficient assurance that the additives that can be harmful to the clutch are not present in the oil. Labeling standards have changed. Oils that contain the additives that make them energy/resource conserving, which can be detrimental to the clutch, are not necessarily labeled as such anymore.
The minimum that I would suggest that you look for is an oil that claims it meets the specifications of JASO MA if you are not going to go the certified route.
1996 means that you have the bigger 40 amp alternator so you don't have to worry about doing an alternator upgrade which seems to be the most common age related ST1100 failure of late.
All you have to worry about now is getting out there to ride and enjoy.
CYYJ
Michael
Just use regular grade gasoline - that's what Honda specifies for the ST 1100 (they suggest premium for the ST 1300, but not the ST 1100).
@Andrew Shadow 's comment above about NOT using resource-conserving (energy conserving) oil is very important. If you put energy conserving oil into a motorcycle that has a common lubrication system for both the engine and the clutch, the clutch will slip. There's no cure for that except to replace the clutch plates ($$$).
So, buy your oil at a motorcycle shop, unless you are positive that it is not energy conserving. If you're not a technical enthusiast, just buy Honda motorcycle oil, that way, you'll know it is appropriate for use in your Honda motorcycle.
Michael
@Andrew Shadow 's comment above about NOT using resource-conserving (energy conserving) oil is very important. If you put energy conserving oil into a motorcycle that has a common lubrication system for both the engine and the clutch, the clutch will slip. There's no cure for that except to replace the clutch plates ($$$).
So, buy your oil at a motorcycle shop, unless you are positive that it is not energy conserving. If you're not a technical enthusiast, just buy Honda motorcycle oil, that way, you'll know it is appropriate for use in your Honda motorcycle.
Michael
If memory serves me right, we were looking at the ice sculptures on there on 12 31 1999. Quite a firework show too.
Upt'North.
And if your next question is about the final drive oil - get a 75W-90 synthetic gear oil. Could be an 80W-90 too.
If you have an owners manual all of your questions will be answered in there. If you don't as many have said any motorcycle spec oil in the 10W 40 viscosity will work. As far as fuel any 87 octane brand of fuel will work as long as its not more than 10 percent ethynol.
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I live on the 14th floor on mass ave. Seeing the works from here is something special!
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Thank u
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Thanks for your suggestionsMy opinions.
Regular 87 octane gasoline works fine in an ST1100. It does not normally require premium fuel. Use the lowest ethanol content fuel you have available to you. Try to avoid fuel containing ethanol if you can, especially if you to tend to leave your bike sitting for long periods without use. If you store the bike for the winter months run your tank down and then fill it with ethanol free fuel if you can. Regardless of what fuel you filled it with before storage adding a fuel additive such as SeaFoam, and running it through the fuel system, is a good idea.
The engine oil that will cover the widest temperature range that you will experience is 10W40. Synthetic oil is not necessary in the sense that if you use regular oil you are putting your engine in peril. Regular oil will work perfectly fine if you adhere to the recommended oil change intervals. Synthetic can allow you to cheat and extend the oil change interval if you want to (i.e. long trip) and provides quicker lubrication at start-up in cold temperatures but before you will realize that benefit you need to ride in fairly cold temperatures.
Engine oil certified to meet JASO specification MA is called for by Honda to prevent possible clutch slippage. Many oils will state on the container that they meet the specifications of JASO MA but they have not been certified by JASO. Certified oils will have the JASO MA certification logo and certification number on the container.
Your call whether the certification is important to you or if the manufacturers claim alone is assurance enough.
Below is an example of what a JASO MA certification label looks like.
It used to be adequate to look for engine oil that does not state energy conserving or resource conserving on the container- see below pic.
This is no longer a sufficient assurance that the additives that can be harmful to the clutch are not present in the oil. Labeling standards have changed. Oils that contain the additives that make them energy/resource conserving, which can be detrimental to the clutch, are not necessarily labeled as such anymore.
The minimum that I would suggest that you look for is an oil that claims it meets the specifications of JASO MA if you are not going to go the certified route.
1996 means that you have the bigger 40 amp alternator so you don't have to worry about doing an alternator upgrade which seems to be the most common age related ST1100 failure of late.
All you have to worry about now is getting out there to ride and enjoy.
Motul 10/40 semi synthetic oil - I have used this in all my bikes for the last 20 years with no issues at all. No real preference for fuel. Congratulations on your ST and welcome to the forum from Cornwall UK.
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Thanks!
Alcohol free oil is good too.
On a slightly more serious note...If you think what @Andrew Shadow said is confusing (about labeling regs. changing recently), just use a good motorcycle oil of the appropriate grade for the ambient temps where you ride. Heaven forbid you would use Honda GN4 10-40. This oil is not precluded despite your opening question.
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I do not have one, regrettably. Is the clymer or the haynes better?
John OoSTerhuis
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I agree, but if Honda can't be your first choice (availability) the Clymer is your next option, but fuggedabout the Haynes.