Posted by Witch Doctor on May 20, 2000 at 04:11:27:
In Reply to: MOTOR OIL posted by MOTORCYCLEBOY on May 20, 2000 at 01:19:28:
As long as you don't use oil that says blended for use in Harley Davidson motorcycles (Hog Oil, some BelRay) bike oil is bike oil. I don't use bike specific oil, I don't feel it is worth the money. My 98 model has done the best on straight 30 weight, non-detergent oil. Everyone else here will tell you not to use it, they are correct, I lucked out when I accidently fed it to the Savage. For use here in the Memphis area, I run either Quaker State 4X4 10W40 synthetic blend, or Castrol 20W50 non-synthetic. The last batch of oil in the bike was a mix of 10W30, 10W40, 20W50, 15W40, and 30 weight, basically whatever I grabbed to top it off (mine leaks pretty bad). Ran fine, motor stayed fairly cool, good fuel economy (120 miles before reserve on average, sometimes significantly better).
Remember, Japanese bikes turn higher rpms than HDs do, and generally run best with a performance grade oil. Oh yeah, no Slick 50 or related junk is to be added to the oil, you'll destroy the clutch pack.
-WD