Editing What Motor Oil Should You Use?
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Never has there been an issue as hotly debated as what motor oil to use in a motorcycle. Forget helmet use, forget brand-loyalty, forget counter-steering. If you want to see an inflammed ruckus with much YELLING and many exclamation points!!!!!! ask about motor oil in a motorcycle forum. | Never has there been an issue as hotly debated as what motor oil to use in a motorcycle. Forget helmet use, forget brand-loyalty, forget counter-steering. If you want to see an inflammed ruckus with much YELLING and many exclamation points!!!!!! ask about motor oil in a motorcycle forum. | ||
It seems like such a simple question. And perhaps there is a simple answer: Use the motor oil that '''you''' feel meets | It seems like such a simple question. And perhaps there is a simple answer: Use the motor oil that '''you''' feel meets your needs. | ||
But how do you decide which motor oil that is? | But how do you decide which motor oil that is? | ||
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This is your starting point. Don't use a motor oil that doesn't meet the specifications listed in the owner's manual. There's really no reason to, since there are a vast array of motor oils to choose from that will meet those requirements. | This is your starting point. Don't use a motor oil that doesn't meet the specifications listed in the owner's manual. There's really no reason to, since there are a vast array of motor oils to choose from that will meet those requirements. | ||
===API Grade=== | ===API Grade=== | ||
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The API publishes a [http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/upload/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf pamphlet] explaining the donut. | The API publishes a [http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/upload/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf pamphlet] explaining the donut. | ||
''Energy Conserving'' motor oil will increase a vehicle's mileage. However, the common wisdom in the motorcycling community is that the additives used to achieve this higher mileage is detrimental to a wet clutch, which most motorcycles sold in the U.S. have. | '''Energy Conserving''' motor oil will increase a vehicle's mileage. However, the common wisdom in the motorcycling community is that the additives used to achieve this higher mileage is detrimental to a wet clutch, which most motorcycles sold in the U.S. have. | ||
There is no objective evidence to support this notion. But, there are plenty of oils that are not rated "Energy Conserving," so it's probably best to err on the side of caution and not use "Energy Conserving" motor oils. Plus, it's mostly a non-issue. The vast majority of such oils are 5W-30 weight, and few if any motorcycles use that low of a weight of oil. | There is no objective evidence to support this notion. But, there are plenty of oils that are not rated "Energy Conserving," so it's probably best to err on the side of caution and not use "Energy Conserving" motor oils. Plus, it's mostly a non-issue. The vast majority of such oils are 5W-30 weight, and few if any motorcycles use that low of a weight of oil. | ||
The ''API Service'' is the first letter of the code in the top of the donut. | The '''API Service''' is the first letter of the code in the top of the donut. | ||
*"'''S'''" - gasoline service | *"'''S'''" - gasoline service | ||
*"'''C'''" - diesel service | *"'''C'''" - diesel service | ||
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Mark Lawrence has put together a nice summary of the various API grades on [http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/API.html this webpage]. | Mark Lawrence has put together a nice summary of the various API grades on [http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/API.html this webpage]. | ||
Your owner's manual will tell you the minimum API service and grade you need to use in your motorcycle. | Your owner's manual will tell you the minimum API service and grade you need to use in your motorcycle. | ||
But perhaps you want to go above and beyond the minimum requirements? See the More Information section below. | |||
===SAE Weight=== | ===SAE Weight=== | ||
The API donut also tells you the SAE weight of the motor oil. | The API donut also tells you the SAE weight of the motor oil. | ||