[steve s]

I have decided I think...to use synthetic oil in my wing....at least give it a go. I'm torn between the Mobil 1 RaceT4 (10-40) and the Shell Rotella 15-40 (or whatever it is) at half the price. I don't want to order oil over the internet....I want to go to Walmart and get it quick and easy.

So I guess the real question for me is, is the Rotella very good oil maybe just as good as the Mobil.....which i feel is top notch but again twice the price. I know lots of you guys use Rotella and Mobil, and I thought you might share your thoughts on why you choose one over the other.

Don't get me wrong I am no cheap skate.....I just don't want to waste money on oil if I don't need to. thank you I know in the big picture it's all cheap insurance, but again we're talking half the price.....does that equate to half the quality?

I know Toyo and maybe others have done tests on used oils from different manufacturers, and I'd like to hear results form those if possible, especially if these two brands are included.
Thanks

 

[Arn Butt Bill]

I used the Rotella T 5W-40 (blue jug) and it worked just fine. The bike really turns over quickly when it's cold with that oil.
I've got Royal Purple in there right now and the fuel economy isn't as good.
I'll be going back to Rotella.
I used Mobil1 and first gear always clunked after about 1600 miles; I didn't like that too much.

 

[steve s]

I know that Shell is a good product, and Mobil is a good product. Just trying to understand why one is twice the price? Is it the name, or hype associated with being the first syn oil manufacturer....I think that's correct? Can you see any advantages with Mobil.....apparently you see disadvantages in your case!

 

[Murgie]

I think one (mobil) is a true synthentic and the other is refined dino oil to meet the synthentics specifications.

 

[ddking]

I have used both Mobil and Amsoil. Amsoil feels as good after 16,000 miles as it does at the beginningl [Yes. I did that once.]

I've not used Rotella. Anyone wanna loan me their 1800? I'll be glad to test it for you. :lol:

 

[steve s]

Easy there big fella! No takers on a loaner yet I see?

Once again I don't mind spending more money really if it's worth it.....and I know that's subjective. But if the Rotella is a good oil( and a true synthetic) and half the price, I'm liking that! Plus I like the Walmart part. I suspect there must be something significant that I'm missing.....maybe it is the "not true synthetic" thing as mentioned above?

 

[Arn Butt Bill]

The Rotella is a group 3 ultra-refined dino.
Mobil1 used to be a true syn; not sure anymore. I've heard that they use both types of base stock but I don't know for sure.

I'd still call Amsoil the best. I'd call Redline second.
Tied for third I'd stack Mobil1, Royal Purple, Torco, Rotella T, and a few other "also-rans" including Chevron pure dino.
I've had bad results from Valvolene, Castrol, Spectro, and Motul m/c-specific products and wouldn't use them again.

 

[ddking]

Easy there big fella! No takers on a loaner yet I see?

I don't give up easily.

 

[steve s]

I found this??????

Shell ROTELLA® T Synthetic 5W-40
Shell ROTELLA® T Synthetic is a fully synthetic heavy-duty diesel and gasoline engine oil developed especially to meet the requirements of North American driving. The exclusive Shell formulation offers users exceptional performance and protection in combination with enhanced fuel economy potential over conventional 15W-40 motor oils. This synthetic multigrade engine oil meets the service requirements of virtually all four-stroke cycle diesel and gasoline engine manufacturers.

 

[steve s]

I'd still call Amsoil the best. I'd call Redline second.

Bill, why do you say that? Is it from experience, tests results you've seen/read, other peoples experiences from various conversations, or
D: all the above?

 

[KenH]

Two things to consider before deciding which oil to use:

1: many miles do you expect to put on the bike before trading??? 100K? 500K?? If only 100K, then the cheapest no-name oil you can find will work just as good as any.

If you expect to put 300K miles or so before trading, then you might consider most any syn oil - or good dino oil depending on miles between changes.

2: How many miles between oil changes. 3K? Wasting money. 5K- most any good syn or dino oil. 10K between changes? Then a good syn would be recommended.

Of couse, if it's just the "feel good" aspect of which oil to use, then buy the most expensive syn you can get.

Ken H.

 

[Pigeon Roost]

For one thing; its much a do about nothing. You won't go wrong either way. I have not used the exact oil you mention form Mobil, but I have used teh 15/50 red cap of old and the 5/40 Mobil-Delvac 1, as well as Shell Rotella. No problems at all. The shell costs less because they have decided they can make more money by selling more product at a lower profit margin. I am going to try AMSOIL and will be ready to do so in about another 6,000 miles.

prs

ps: Go ahead and loan your bike to DD, be a sport!

prs

 

[Arn Butt Bill]

I'd still call Amsoil the best. I'd call Redline second.

Bill, why do you say that? Is it from experience, tests results you've seen/read, other peoples experiences from various conversations, or
D: all the above?

I managed a taxi company for 10 years and an ambulance company for 2 before it. I've had my own little experiments and could run 400,000 mile tests on cars.
It translates to my 500,000 miles on bikes.

 

[Ellary]

I've used Amsoil, Mobil 1 and currently Rotella-T. They're all good, but since the Rotella-T is the cheapest and easiest to get it's what I use in both my bikes.

 

[William Anzik]

Why do people get so wound up over oil? As long as it meets specs and you change it at recommended intervals, don't worry about it. No need to pay double for any particular brand. It should be the least of things to worry about.

 

[Toyo]

First off check out this web site for all you want to know about oils. www.bobistheoilguy.com Alot of information on it.

Steve, You are not going to go wrong with any of the oils you are speaking of. They all far exceed what the 1800 will ever need. If you thinking about the Rotella, I would also heavily look at Chevron Delo 400 Synthetic. It is 100% synthetic. A very strong oil to say the least. I have read many reports with Rotella, Chevron Delo, Mobil Delvac. Chevron consistantly comes out on top for shear stability, etc.

 

[Cardinal Pilot]

For my first oil change, I was undecided between Mobile 1 MX4T and Rotella T. I guess I preferred to go with Rotella since it has so many positive comments here. The manual says the oil must meet spec SG. Mobil 1 MX4T said that it did, Rotella was silent (on the bottle) about SG. So I went with Mobile and the SG spec but found it odd that Rotella did not say it met that spec.

Mobile 1 was twice the price of the Rotella T.

Ed
'06 ABS

 

[cycledude]

Steve i don't think Mobil one is twice the price, at walmart its about $27 for the 5 quart container so about $5.40 per quart

Shell Rotella 5-40 synthetic is about $15 for the blue one gallon jug so about $3.75 per quart, double that price would be about $7.50 per quart

Amsoil,Mobil one and Shell Rotella synthetic are all hi quality synthetic oils that are made from highly refining good old dinasors, use whatever u like, despite what lots of folks believe NO oil brand will make your engine last significantly longer, just keep in mind years and years of oil company advertising has brainwashed lots of consumers

 

[silverado]

Why do Honda dealers adise not to use synthetic oil in the GL1800? H ementioned someithing about an additive they do not htink is good for the bike.

 

[03CANDYORANGEWING]

I have always run the Honda oil. I figure I bought the extended warranty and I'm not going to give Honda the chance to tell me it was the oil I was running that messed the engine up.