[nitrous]

Originally Posted by manson

Would it be better to move to a 15W50 grade from Motul in synthetic or semi synthetic form? Another option is Mobil 1 that is rated at 5W50, or the Petronas 10W40 semi synthetic oil?

Check what owners in similar conditions as Mumbai use. Eg. Dubai.

[Raccoon]

Originally Posted by manson

I am not entirely sure what oil the previous owner of my bike fed it with, but the manual for my CBR 954 suggests a 10W40 grade oil, but then that rating is definitely derived keeping Japanese conditons in mind.
Would it be better to move to a 15W50 grade from Motul in synthetic or semi synthetic form? Another option is Mobil 1 that is rated at 5W50, or the Petronas 10W40 semi synthetic oil?

manson.

I would not consider changing the grade based on the assumption you have stated. Mobil 1 should not be used in bikes. Motul and Petronas both have 10W40 grades, IIRC. The deciding factor between synth or semi-synth is mainly the cost factor... and thats upto you.

[manson]

Motul 300V (full synthetic) and Motul 5100 (semi synthetic) are both of 15W50 grade. The 954 is strictly a weekend ride for me, sometimes once in a couple of weekends which would do in the range of 5000 odd kms in a year on the higher side.
I used to feed the Yamaha with Castrol Magnatec, worked perfectly fine.
The only reason I was thinking of using one of the Motuls for the Honda is because of the 15W50 grade being more suitable for our conditions. Any suggestions on this?

manson.

[Raccoon]

Motul definitely imports 5W40 grade (fully synth). 10W40 may also be available, in semi-synth or even fully synth. Where are you trying to source it from? If you are not getting the grade you want, contact Motul directly. Else Petronas definitely has 10W40 fully synth.

[manson]

The problem is not with availability of 10W40, its because I was wondering if a 15W50 grade would be better. I have access to both grades, synthetic or semi synthetic form, in either Petronas or Motul.

manson.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by manson

I am not entirely sure what oil the previous owner of my bike fed it with, but the manual for my CBR 954 suggests a 10W40 grade oil, but then that rating is definitely derived keeping Japanese conditons in mind.
Would it be better to move to a 15W50 grade from Motul in synthetic or semi synthetic form? Another option is Mobil 1 that is rated at 5W50, or the Petronas 10W40 semi synthetic oil?

manson.

Please do not use car engine oils in a 4 stroke bike engine, unless the bike mfr has approved them. Anti wear additives could cause your bike's clutch to slip (unless it has a dry clutch).

Also, additives in bike engine oils are different concentrations because bike engines rev harder and produde more BHP/litre than comparable car engines. They generally have harder lives than car engines.

Rgds,

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Please do not use car engine oils in a 4 stroke bike engine, unless the bike mfr has approved them. Anti wear additives could cause your bike's clutch to slip (unless it has a dry clutch).

This is the niggling doubt that prevents me from using the surplus oil (Shell helix super 15W40) I bought for my Alto, in my 2000 model Splendor. The oil recommended in the bike manual is Servo Super 20W40 multigrade,which is surely not a mobike oil. The Shell oil will be much better than the Servo one. What I am using from the second service onwards is Hero Honda 4T plus, which is a 10W30 oil.

Any inputs about using the Shell oil for Splendor are welcome! It comes in only 4 litre cans, while I need only 2.75 litres for my Alto.

[nitrous]

Guys, Manson is talking about the honda cbr 954 superbike he owns.
I wouldn't mix & match sbk and car lubricants.

[Raccoon]

Originally Posted by Gansan

This is the niggling doubt that prevents me from using the surplus oil (Shell helix super 15W40) I bought for my Alto, in my 2000 model Splendor. The oil recommended in the bike manual is Servo Super 20W40 multigrade,which is surely not a mobike oil. The Shell oil will be much better than the Servo one. What I am using from the second service onwards is Hero Honda 4T plus, which is a 10W30 oil.

Any inputs about using the Shell oil for Splendor are welcome! It comes in only 4 litre cans, while I need only 2.75 litres for my Alto.

It is obvious that that recommendation was made in 2000! So it would have been for a much lower API grade. The current grades of car oils usually contain molybdenum disulfide, etc., which you don't want in your bikes crankcase.

[manson]

Doesn't help in solving my 15W50 being more suitable than the 10W40 grade query just yet.
Would appeciate a quick input on this,prefrably with good reason.

manson.

[Jaggu]

Manson stick to 10W40, 15W50 might be lil too heavy for the bike and can zap lil bit of power also in these high performance engines. If your bike manual allows higher wattage oil, go with the synthetic brew of 15w50.

[akshay4587]

Manson,My friend is using 300V 15W50 in his R1 and its running pretty good and there has been no noticeable loss of power and bike runs super smooth.
IMHO W50 grade should be better for engine protection,since SBk's tend to heat up pretty fast,especially in traffic.

[manson]

Jaggu, IIRC the manual does not mention anything about another grade oil at all. But, why do you specifically suggest going the synthetic route if I do switch to 15W50?
Following is the list of engine oils I am considering which I have easy access to as well:

1. Petronas 5000 10W40 - Full synthetic oil at 400 odd for a liter

2. Motul 5100 15W50 - Semi synthetic oil at 350 odd for a liter

3. Motul 300V 15W50 - Full synthetic oil at 750 odd for a liter - wondering I should go the whole hog and spend that kinda money.

4. Castrol Magnatec - 10W40 - Semi synthetic oil at 300 odd for a liter - always used on my Thunderace, ran well but not sure if it would cope with the 954's motor.

manson.

[akshay4587]

Manson out of these options.

My vote goes to Motul 300V 15W50

I have used this oil for more than 50K kms on My Puny Karizma,and 6 months ago we started using this on R1 too,and its going pretty good in it too.
Though it retails at around 650-750\L but IMHO,its worth it.

[nitroxx]

Do comparisons on the net for oils used in the 954 internationally manson. There are a million forums I'm sure. That way you can sum it up and throw light on the subject yourself.