Once Again

[grod]

The T6 5w-40 Ro. is syn. diesel oil. I wanted to get it wright because(I said it was for gas engines & I was wrong) it is all about as clear as mud to me. I still am not sure which oil to use the 15w-40 or theT6 5w-40. I did not find the corresponding letters on the blue Rot. syn. T6 5w-40 oil jug that my book recommended. I have viewed the entire site and came away with conflicting views , it seems out their in zg1200 voyager land it could go both ways. Perhaps someone could weigh in on the subject and make clear for us all. I feel like a dummy for putting my ineptitude out on the WEB for everyone to see but I am hoping that others will benefit from the correct information as well. Thanks for all guys that help make our sport so enjoying thru more informed M/C riding!

[Gator Mike]

I know there a lot of technical specs on all kinds of oil out there but the short answer for me is this. Carl Leo with some thirty years as a Kawasaki mech, Parts rep, expert and all round nice guy recommends Shell Rotella 15W-40. I think it's his bike that's around 300K miles. That's what I'm using and hope to get that kind of milage out of my bike. Good luck on your choice ...........Gator Mike

[SgtSlag]

Shell Rotella T6 is "synthetic", and 5W-40, not 5W-20.

It is rated SM, for cars, as well as CJ-4 for diesel -- it is rated for, and will work in, both diesel, and gasoline engines. It is also JASO rated for use in motorcycles.

It does not have enough friction modifiers within it to be rated "energy efficient", so no star symbol on it. It also won't affect wet clutches (again, it IS rated for use in motorcycles, by the Japanese organisation).

Shell T6 is made from a refined Type III, base oil -- it is not a true synthetic, but it is refined enough to function like a true synthetic (true synthetics are made with Type IV base oils, much more expensive).

The T6 Synthetic is very safe to use in your ZG1200, every bit as safe as the Shell T/15W-40 oil. The T6 clocks in at 5 weight, when cold (40 weight when hot), so it pumps faster, and easier, than the 15 weight oil, at start-up, which is when 90% of all engine wear takes place: the engine is starved for oil, so friction is at its greatest; the cold, thick oil, flows very poorly until it warms up, and thins out, so a 5 weight oil, at start-up, will provide more lubrication, faster, at start-up. Cheers!

[gearheadfla]

I know there a lot of technical specs on all kinds of oil out there but the short answer for me is this. Carl Leo with some thirty years as a Kawasaki mech, Parts rep, expert and all round nice guy recommends Shell Rotella 15W-40. I think it's his bike that's around 300K miles. That's what I'm using and hope to get that kind of milage out of my bike. Good luck on your choice ...........Gator Mike

What he said.

[debron]

I know there a lot of technical specs on all kinds of oil out there but the short answer for me is this. Carl Leo with some thirty years as a Kawasaki mech, Parts rep, expert and all round nice guy recommends Shell Rotella 15W-40. I think it's his bike that's around 300K miles. That's what I'm using and hope to get that kind of milage out of my bike. Good luck on your choice ...........Gator Mike

What he said.

...and what SgtSlag said. I believe Carls recommends either Rot-T 15-40 or Rot T-6 5-40 for the XII.

[kjsett]

I know there a lot of technical specs on all kinds of oil out there but the short answer for me is this. Carl Leo with some thirty years as a Kawasaki mech, Parts rep, expert and all round nice guy recommends Shell Rotella 15W-40. I think it's his bike that's around 300K miles. That's what I'm using and hope to get that kind of milage out of my bike. Good luck on your choice ...........Gator Mike

What he said.

...and what SgtSlag said. I believe Carls recommends either Rot-T 15-40 or Rot T-6 5-40 for the XII.

I use the T6 5-40. If you don't do under 70F starts, and don't mind changing your oil every 3k miles, you can use the Rot-T 15w-40. But the T6 will protect your engine better, last longer and in the long run save you money (only 3.22qts anyway). Use the T6, ride and don't worry.

[grod]

Thanks once again to all you guys for your information & insight. I feel comfortable with the choice I made. That you took your personal time to help and assist me is muchly appreciated. This is another good reason that I enjoy being an AVA member. Hopefully I can contribute some helpful insight & suggestions to help fellow voyager riders as ya'll have done for me.