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GS1150 Oil Type Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter woodnikl
  • Start date Start date
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woodnikl

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My 85 GS1150 owners manual say to run 10W40 oil. I've been using regular (non synthetic) automotive 10W40 oil such as Castrol. Just wondering what others run in their machines.
 
woodnikl said:
My 85 GS1150 owners manual say to run 10W40 oil. I've been using regular (non synthetic) automotive 10W40 oil such as Castrol. Just wondering what others run in their machines.
Click to expand...

Be prepared for a flood answers. Me I use a syn 10w/40 Royal Purple. Rotella is popular, you'll hear more from the others on this one.
 
Sigh. This issue has been beaten to death, but you are new so I'll answer.
If you choose to use automotive oil, do not use Energy Conserving oil. It is bad for the clutch.
The best for a motorcycle is generally considered to be diesel oil, which has better sheer qualities for the transmission.
Many use Rotella 15W-40 oil.
Hope this helps.
 
Sorry, I should have searched the site first. I should have been more specific. I was not so concerned with brands, but more interested in weight. Would a 20W50 be a better choice than the recommended 10W40? I live in NC with average temps in the 90's during the peak riding season and a 10W oil seems like it would be to thin considering the power these motors have. Thanks for the responses.
 
Modern auto oil has reduced high pressure additives (zinc and phosphorus) compared to older auto oil and motorcycle or diesel engine oil. Shell Rotella is the forum favorite, 15W-40 regular formula, or 5W-40 synthetic.
 
I also was abused slightly for asking the same question without searching back in january.....
I will be changing my oil and switching to rotella synthetic as soon as time allows....( jug is in the garage ) plus it was a boatload cheaper then the cycle specific synthetic I was buying from the local cycle shop.
 
Umm...some of the retards on this forum get pretty worked up over the "What oil should I use in my Harley Davidson?" question
But, i have an 84 1150 so...seeing as you asked..
I use motorcycle specific oil in my 1150. 10w40 . Ambient temperature here ranges from 30 to 100+ during the riding season.
I have used shell rotella,15w40 in my 1150. I have also used 20w50 in my 1150.( not a money issue, I am in Alberta, oil is free here.)
For me the issue boils down clutch drag.(this is not my first clutch or basket) The bike tends to drive the rear wheel in neutral when cold, nothing serious but there is less drag with 10w40. Also neutral is easier to select at a stop with 10w40.
20w50 was the worse of the 3. 10w40 the best especially with a cold bike or cooler ambient temperatures.
I wouldn't use Castrol automotive, Castrol makes a decent motorcycle oil.
p.s. read some of the other oil threads
 
Last edited:
woodnikl said:
Sorry, I should have searched the site first. I should have been more specific. I was not so concerned with brands, but more interested in weight. Would a 20W50 be a better choice than the recommended 10W40? I live in NC with average temps in the 90's during the peak riding season and a 10W oil seems like it would be to thin considering the power these motors have. Thanks for the responses.
Click to expand...
The viscosity of the oil is absolutely NO measure of its protection properties.

Just because an engine makes a lot of power does not mean that it needs thicker oil.

Thicker oil does not flow as easily when cold, there is no getting around that. When your engine is cold, would you rather try to pump 20w oil through the cam bearings or rest easy knowing that the 10w is flowing through just fine?

.
 
woodnikl said:
My 85 GS1150 owners manual say to run 10W40 oil. I've been using regular (non synthetic) automotive 10W40 oil such as Castrol. Just wondering what others run in their machines.
Click to expand...

I always used Mobil 1 15w50 in my 84 1150E down here in hot old Florida.
50,000 miles and never a problem.
 
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