2-cycle oil

Is it acceptable to run TCW3 outboard oil in a oil injected 2-cycle bike? What about chain saw oil? I have a 1974 Yamaha RD60 and a 1982 Kawasaki KE175. The Yamalube is really expensive and I am looking for some alternative.

Oh Lordy, I'm bound to catch hell for this BUT..... back when I was riding two-strokers (1974 Suzuki T500L Titan then 1976 Suzuki GT750 LeMans) I started out using the prescribed (and sure as heck a LOT more expensive back in the 70's even!) proper 2-cycle oils. And yes, they DID sure work a lot better as far as burning cleaner (less deposits and visible smoke). But in short order I started using whatever good quality (or out on the open road, ANY.....) regular 30 weight Automotive oil I could find. In the close to 70,000 ring-dinger miles I put on during my youth, I have to say honestly I didn't have a single solitary problem using this much more affordable oil! As far as engine wear to the rings, pistons, cylinder walls, wrist pins, etc. these bikes as sold were in immaculate condition. I can’t account for the other 2-strokes (namely rip-snorting Kawi Triples and Yammie Twins) that were out at the time, but IF I could of hanged onto these scoots, I have little doubt they would of made the 100,000 mile bug-a-boo with NO problem at all, ON the original engines, 30 weight car oil and all! ;-)

In all honesty, IF I was lucky enough to have these classic old Susies in my garage again someday, I’d probably give em’ the best stuff I could find out there – over-priced 2-cycle oil or otherwise! But I’d say IF your out in the ‘real world’ every day and racking up significant mileage on your 2-strokers just getting to work, trying to make ends meet and still have a bit of affordable fun on the weekends (been there/done that/still AM!) then 30 weight HIGH quality name brand straight 30 weight ain’t the worst possible choice you could ever hope to make?! ;-) Nuff' said.

LRG

You need to look up the oil you are wanting to run and find out if the manufacturer has approved it for motorcycle use, several have. If not, I wouldn't do it. TCW3 outboard oil is specifically designed for continuous running at constant RPM's and to produce very little emissions. For boats, that's not a problem. For motorcycles, it spends very little time at the same RPM and runs much, much hotter. Motorcycles face much harsher loading and much higher temps. The oil could burn on to the cylinder walls and rip out your rings.

Si

Personnally, I would stick with a motorcycle type oil. You may be able to find something a little cheaper than the yamalube. Either way, I doubt those bikes really burn a ton of oil, so you really wouldn't be saving a ton of money. Just one top end rebuild will cost more than gallons of the best oil money can buy.

On the back of the Super Tech Outboard oil jug, it says it can be used in a variety of other 2-cycle engines such as motorcycles, lawnmowers, and snowmobiles where the TCW3 oils are "specified". Does this mean it would be ok for this application?

Unless it specifies oil injection, no I don't believe so.

I have to chime in with LRG. I used any old type of oil in my oil injected Suzuki years ago, and it ran fine. I don't know why oil injection would change anything, other than going through the injector. If you have the right weight oil, it should work fine. I use Super Tech oil in all of my 2-cycle engines here at home, and I haven't had a problem with it. You pay an extra lug, because Yamaha oil is sold by Yamaha, same way with any other brand specific item.

Unfortunately, I don't know either. But I have seen it specified on the oil whether its for oil injection or not.

That may be due to the weight of the oil as was mentioned..

I looked on the back of the Super Tech jug again today and it says that it can be used in both premix and oil injection systems.
ALL OPINIONS WELCOME!!!

Honest Partner, NOT tryin' to be a smartie BUT.... I'm gettin' the impression that you'd really (!) like to use this Outboard Oil you've found (at a super excellent price I'm guessing?!) and you want us to tell you it's 'ok'. Nope, that probably is just not gonna' happen. Because I think (?) a lot of us in here (old timers anyways?! ) have grown a bit gun-shy over the years and just don't want to steer you wrong.... fair enough?! IF you want a reasonable 99.99% assurance of NOT mucking up the bikes, then use the proper 2-Cycle Motorcycle-specified oil - cut and dry. You surely do NOT need to use Yamalube at a higher cost per quart - shop around online and I have no doubt you'll find a price you can live with. Need a starting place? Try www.denniskirk.com or even surprisingly enough Amazon.com - I've found just about anything on there at one time or another (better pricing too)!

LRG

I looked on the back of the Super Tech jug again today and it says that it can be used in both premix and oil injection systems. ALL OPINIONS WELCOME!!!