Oil - why would you use Rotella T6, a diesel oil, in your Spyder?

[Bangorbob]

I started using it in my 1st goldwing when I read about on the GW forum. I figured if GW owners would use it than I would give it a try. Been using it in all my MC's since. I like what Navydad said.

 

[troop]

I guess I will just stick with Valvoline Full Synthetic 10w40 Motorcycle Oil. Putting diesel oil in a bike just doesn’t sound right

But .. BRP uses 5w40. Why are you using a weight rating not recommended by Can-Am? Devils advocate here..

 

[SteveandBelinda]

But .. BRP uses 5w40. Why are you using a weight rating not recommended by Can-Am? Devils advocate here..

Because I don't need that weight for the cold side. Live in Michigan 7 months, and winter in Arizona

 

[Peter Aawen]

Per viewing the Mobil 1 and Castrol website, they say that they do not add Friction Modifiers to their 4T oil so as to Protect Wet Clutches. This is essentially the only major difference. so, if you want to glaze your friction clutches....rock on Rottella.
www.mobil.com
www.castrol.com

Neither does Shell when it comes to the Rotella :thumbup: . Only Shell doesn't just 'say' it, they let the JASO MA II rating say it for them! hyea:

So if there's any glazing of friction clutches to be done, it ain't gonna be the Rotella T6 doing it, cos not only does it meet &/or exceed all the necessary ratings & standards to be a pretty good Diesel Oil, but Rotella T6 ALSO meets or exceeds the necessary ratings & standards to be a pretty good Motorcycle Oil too! :thumbup:

So just cos you might see that it says 'Diesel' on the side of the container, it still doesn't stop it being a Motorcycle oil too - it's all in the fine print where the oil company specifies which Ratings & Standards the oil IN the Container meets! :yes:

 

[bikerchris1270]

Neither does Shell when it comes to the Rotella :thumbup: . Only Shell doesn't just 'say' it, they let the JASO MA II rating say it for them! hyea:

So if there's any glazing of friction clutches to be done, it ain't gonna be the Rotella T6 doing it, cos not only does it meet &/or exceed all the necessary ratings & standards to be a pretty good Diesel Oil, but Rotella T6 ALSO meets or exceeds the necessary ratings & standards to be a pretty good Motorcycle Oil too! :thumbup:

So just cos you might see that it says 'Diesel' on the side of the container, it still doesn't stop it being a Motorcycle oil too - it's all in the fine print where the oil company specifies which Ratings & Standards the oil IN the Container meets! :yes:

Ok, I completely understand what your saying………why not market it as a motorcycle oil….I have reached out to Shell Oil Co……waiting for reply.

 

[bikerbillone]

I love Rotella T6 been using it for years, but if ya can't get in 5/40, what ya gonna do? Maybe 15/40 is available, haven't explored that.

 

[Yabbadabbadoo]

Mobil's product sheet doc has this info for their 4T Racing motorcycle oil:

 

[billybovine]

Have been using Rotella T4 conventional oil in 7 Motorcycles over the last 12+ years. Have already bought 2 gallons of T6 15w40 for use on the first oil change on the F3-S. Not saying it’s the best there is out there. Just saying that it has the correct specs, is (usually) readily available, and has never failed me in the years I have used it.

Rotella T6 5w40 does have a JASO clutch slip test rating of MA/MA2. But T6 15W40 does not have a JASO clutch slip rating in the specs. That I could find. I personally would not use the 15W40 without a MA2 rating.

PS: T6 0W40 does not have a JASO rating as well.

 

[troop]

JASO MA2 is for cat equipped machines; JASO MA is for shared sump machines ..

JASO MA – This was the standard for single unit engines where the wet clutch, gearbox and engine used the same oil. JASO-MA oils don’t contain friction modifiers.

JASO MB – This lower standard was for bikes that use separate oils for the engine, clutch and gearbox (e.g Harley Davidson’s and BMW’s).

Then in 2006 JASO introduced…..

JASO-MA2 – This specification was introduced in 2006 for modern motorcycle engines. As well as being a higher standard of oil the JASO-MA2 approval means the oil is suitable for use in bikes with catalytic converts in the exhaust system.

 

[BCNewell]

Pic of back label. Shows the 15w40 T6 is both MA and MA2 rated.

 

[YPILOT]

ROTELLA T6
Made for a Cat
Strong enough for a Spyder

 

[larryd]

There is a article in this months Wing World on page 23 in the WORKBENCH section that cautions GW riders with the DCT bikes to avoid this oil due to clutch damage...I know this is a Spyder site...I'm not able to take a picture of the article and post...Maybe someone else can??? FYI ONLY...larryd

 

[billybovine]

Pic of back label. Shows the 15w40 T6 is both MA and MA2 rated.

Well isn't that interesting. The online specs from shell's site does not list the 15W40 as JASO MA/M2. Several years ago I checked the jugs in the store. The 5W40 had the motorcycle symbol on the front label and the JASO MA/M2 on the back. The other 2 viscosities did not. Well now I have to check the jugs again in the Canadian stores.

 

[troop]

Well isn't that interesting. The online specs from shell's site does not list the 15W40 as JASO MA/M2. Several years ago I checked the jugs in the store. The 5W40 had the motorcycle symbol on the front label and the JASO MA/M2 on the back. The other 2 viscosities did not. Well now I have to check the jugs again in the Canadian stores.

It does here, from their website ..
https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/pro...tella-t6-15w-40-full-synthetic-motor-oil.html

SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVALS Shell Rotella® T6 15W-40 API, CK-4, CJ-4, ACEA E9, JASO DH-2, MA/MA 2; Caterpillar ECF-2, ECF-3; Cummins CES 20086; DDC DFS 93K222; MB-Approval 228.31; Volvo VDS-4.5; Ford WSS-M2C171-F1; Allison TES 439, MAN 3775; MACK EOS-4.5

 

[K80Shooter]

It does here, from their website ..
https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/pro...tella-t6-15w-40-full-synthetic-motor-oil.html

SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVALS Shell Rotella® T6 15W-40 API, CK-4, CJ-4, ACEA E9, JASO DH-2, MA/MA 2; Caterpillar ECF-2, ECF-3; Cummins CES 20086; DDC DFS 93K222; MB-Approval 228.31; Volvo VDS-4.5; Ford WSS-M2C171-F1; Allison TES 439, MAN 3775; MACK EOS-4.5

Try looking here on the 2nd page

https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/pro...5ba16a94dded7f4aea73/shell-rotella-15w-40.pdf

 

[troop]

Try looking here on the 2nd page

https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/pro...5ba16a94dded7f4aea73/shell-rotella-15w-40.pdf

I did. That's what I copied/pasted. You have to click on the .pdf link. Read the yellow specification box. JASO DH-2, MA/MA2

 

[K80Shooter]

I did. That's what I copied/pasted. You have to click on the .pdf link. Read the yellow specification box. JASO DH-2, MA/MA2

I understand, I just linked straight to the pdf just in case some people did not see it in the link that you posted.
I didn't mean to imply that what you posted was wrong or anything.

 

[mecsw500]

But .. BRP uses 5w40. Why are you using a weight rating not recommended by Can-Am? Devils advocate here..

The number before the W is the winter weight, how the oil flows at cold temperatures, for instance if you are starting up from very cold in winter. Once your engine is up to operating temperature the oil will be flowing at the heavier 40 weight specification. I never start mine from cold below 5C let alone the -20C or so when the 5W or 10W makes a difference by 5W being slightly thinner. How the oil flow varies between the 5W and 10W specifications at 5C or above would probably be difficult to measure. For motorcycles which virtually never start below freezing, the winter weight is not that important. I think, 5W, 10W or even 15W would be just fine. I suspect they specify 5W because their snow mobiles and ATV's might start at really cold temperatures and they want to use the same oil in all of their vehicles for 1 part number, or people really ride their trikes in the snow in Canada?

 

[EdMat]

Some folks seem to have a hard time finding it. Picked up a 2 1/2 gallon jug of 15W40 at local wallyworld this afternoon, $56, they had 4 more on the shelf.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The number before the W is the winter weight, how the oil flows at cold temperatures, for instance if you are starting up from very cold in winter. Once your engine is up to operating temperature the oil will be flowing at the heavier 40 weight specification. I never start mine from cold below 5C let alone the -20C or so when the 5W or 10W makes a difference by 5W being slightly thinner. How the oil flow varies between the 5W and 10W specifications at 5C or above would probably be difficult to measure. For motorcycles which virtually never start below freezing, the winter weight is not that important. I think, 5W, 10W or even 15W would be just fine. I suspect they specify 5W because their snow mobiles and ATV's might start at really cold temperatures and they want to use the same oil in all of their vehicles for 1 part number, or people really ride their trikes in the snow in Canada?

BRP recommends 5W for two reasons .... #1.- it's what they sell .... and #2.- their oil is not FULL Synthetic ..... JMHO .... Mike :thumbup: