Rotella T motor oil

[Relics]

I have Rotella T 15 40 Triple Action Diesel motor oil. I want to use but I am afraid of the "Diesel". Any thoughts helpful. Thanks.

[carl leo]

do not fear rotella t 15/40. the kawasaki voyager likes this oil, i have a 91 with 319k and a 96 with 226k and they have always been serviced with this oil.......

[svenolie]

Thanks Carl. I couldn't find MC oil this past week-end and used the Rotella T.
I had read it was ok, and made the leap. It's a bit cheaper too.
Glad to get your seal of approval.

[Relics]

Thank you!

[Mr Jensee]

What timing, I just bought a gallon of Rotella T 15/40 today for the Voyager. Carl is right it works just fine in it.

[cushman eagle]

I went with Rotella T-6 synthetic back in my GS1100GK days due to oil samples showing non-synthetics breaking down from high oil temperature.I know the VXII does not need it but I have not gone back.

[SgtSlag]

The difference between automotive oils, and diesel oils, as well as motorcycle oils, is that the automotive oils contain friction modifiers, which can cause wet clutches, in motorcycle, to slip. The motorcycle-specific oils do not contain said friction modifiers; diesel oils also do not have the friction modifiers.

Diesel oils are also rated for automotive use. Shell Rotella T/T6 are both rated as API SL/SM. They are safe to use in motorcycles because they meet the API specifications, and because they do not contain friction modifiers. I've been using T/T6 oils for close to nine years, in three motorcycles, two trucks, and two cars. Never an oil-related issue in any of them. Cheers!

[carl leo]

remember the T6 is a synthetic blend, less than 10% non dino. in my opinion it is not worth the extra cost over the straight T.

[FBT]

I've been running mine with Rotella T 15/40 for the entire time I've owned my Voyager XII and it hasn't given me a bit of trouble.

[SgtSlag]

Supposedly, none of the "synthetic"motor oils are Type IV oils, they've all gone to highly refined Type III oils (much cheaper to produce than Type IV...), which behave like Type IV, full synthetic oils. Even Mobil 1 "Full Synthetic" oil is, allegedly, entirely made up of highly refined Type III oil, without any Type IV oil in it. You really have to dig to find out what types of oil they're using anymore, as the Federal Courts have ruled that "Synthetic" is a relative term, and highly refined Type III oils, are equal to Type IV's, for purposes of being labelled, "Synthetic".

Having said that, I ran Rotella T6 in my car a few winters ago; T6 is full synthetic, while T5 is labelled as a blend -- I use the full synthetic T6. It sat in a parking ramp all day, with a high temperature of -10 F... When I ran conventional Valvoline 5W-30, as per the maker's spec's, it would barely turn over when I started it, and it would make a lot of noise as I waited for it to warm up -- could not put it in gear for five minutes! With the T6 in the engine, it started like it was +80 F, in July, and I could put it in gear, and drive, immediately. I don't care if it is Type III, or Type IV oil, it just plain works better than non-"synthetic" oils.

I realize it is overkill to run the T6 "Synthetic", but I know it will spin over easier, at 5 weight, when I start it up. It will thicken to 40 weight as it warms up. I prefer the thinner oil for start-up's (it flows better than heavier oils), which is when the majority of wear takes place. The way it performed in my car, in sub-zero temperatures, was enough proof of performance, for me. YMMV. Cheers!

[trigger12]

For my '03 Honda 750 Nighthawk, which is air cooled, I've been using Rotella T6 for the past 10 years, because it is not as affected by shear caused from the meshing of the transmission gears. It also allowed me the peace of mind to be able to go 4K miles between oil changes (factory recommendation), instead of 3K miles between oil changes.

Likely for my '93 Voyager, I'll use the Rotella T6 also. It doesn't cost that much more than a name brand DYN oil, and I'll have the same peace of mind as I do with the Honda.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Been using the Rotella T 15-40 since a discussion with Carl at his place. My 95 Voyager XII started having HLA (hydraulic lash adjuster) issues after 65000 miles of using synthetic oils. After fixing the issue I changed to a non synthetic for the Voyager XII and have never looked back. I do run Synthetics in other bikes in the garage, but not on the Voyager...Go with the Rotella non synthetic and you will be happy.

KB

In Southern Illinois

IPVMC

[SgtSlag]

What is wrong with synthetic oils? They can be had with the OEM recommended viscosity ranges, they have higher thermal breakdown temperatures, and they do not have Viscosity Index Improver's (for true, Type IV oils, at least). I don't see a reason not to use synthetics, and I know of no scientific studies linking them to mechanical wear issues. Please share. Thanks.

[voyager55]

I've used Amsoil for over 10 years. No problems. Others say my bike will explode using it.
Oil types/brands is a debate that can't be won

[Tonyvdb]

Just out of curiosity will using T6 5w40 be ok also?

[voyager55]

Just bought a gallon of Rotella T for my next oil change. The motorcycle oils just cost to darn much. Everytime i change oil, their price went up. Sick of it.
Wally world has Rotella cheap.

[carl leo]

bravo!! welcome to the world of getting your moneys worth!! next get a quality oil filter, i prefer the K&N 401, they can be bought for less than the OEM filter which is made by EMGO (cheeeep). your oil is only as good as the filter.

[cushman eagle]

Just out of curiosity will using T6 5w40 be ok also?

Yes.I started using T6 in my GS1100GK Suzuki about 10 years ago due to heat related oil break down,and stayed with it in my Voyager,with no problems.As the Voyager runs cooler,it does not need it,but the T6 will flow quicker on a cold start.

[Tonyvdb]

Excellent, up here the T6 5w40 is more common because it's colder in the winters. Some mornings in early spring and late fall its at 38f and later in the day up around 65f and I will still ride to work.

[Lucasind]

Here is the K& N

http://www.amazon.com/KN-401-Motorcycle ... rds=k+%26n+" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;