Diesel Oil
Hell yeah, hawkman, run that Rotella T!
Just change it like you should, and you'll be fine.
I know of a couple of people who have actually spoken to shell about using Rotella in bikes. Shell has actually sent letters to some, saying that it exceeds the JASO motorcycle standards and that they could label it as such if they chose to. When asked why they don't, they bacically said that truckers pay the bills, and that they don't want to jeopardize the market by labeling it for use in motorcycles.
It doesn't contain the anti-friction additives that aren't supposed to be used in bike specific oils.
Hell, I know a hardcore biker that not only uses it religiously in his bikes, but also eats it on his pancakes!
Just change it like you should, and you'll be fine.
I know of a couple of people who have actually spoken to shell about using Rotella in bikes. Shell has actually sent letters to some, saying that it exceeds the JASO motorcycle standards and that they could label it as such if they chose to. When asked why they don't, they bacically said that truckers pay the bills, and that they don't want to jeopardize the market by labeling it for use in motorcycles.
It doesn't contain the anti-friction additives that aren't supposed to be used in bike specific oils.
Hell, I know a hardcore biker that not only uses it religiously in his bikes, but also eats it on his pancakes!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: New York
From Shell's website:
http://www.shellusserver.com/qa/answ....php?rowid=169
http://www.shellusserver.com/qa/answ....php?rowid=169
Motorcycle gasoline engines may not seem in the same league as the big displacement diesel engine under your hood, but they share some of the same lubrication requirements. So yes, in many cases, a premium heavy-duty universal oil capable of serving both diesel and gasoline engines is the best choice for your bike.
The high power-to-displacement ratio of a motorcycle engine means rod and main bearings are subjected to loads that are not normally found in passenger car engines. The valve train is also highly loaded, and requires extreme pressure boundary lubrication. The same can be said about gears in the transmission, which are normally lubricated by engine oil. Oil additives containing phosphorus protect these highly loaded extreme pressure areas (in both gasoline and diesel engines). Because diesel engines have higher loading of components, more of the phosphorus-containing additive is present than in typical passenger car oils. And with advanced catalyst systems for gasoline engines, the phosphorus content has been declining in passenger car oils.
Since many bike engines are air-cooled, and tend to be operated at high power outputs and speeds, their lubricating oil needs to be more resistant to high temperature oxidation. That?s another advantage of a premium universal oil. Another thing you want in your motorcycle is oil that has excellent viscosity control, so that with use it retains high temperature viscosity. Some multiviscosity grade passenger car oils, subjected to extreme loads, can quickly thin out. Their viscosity can drop to the next lower grade.
One last thing to consider is whether oil contains friction modifier additives. For improved fuel economy, most passenger car oils have such an additive. But the wet clutch in your bike doesn?t perform right with friction modifiers. Universal engine oils don?t have friction modifiers.
Be careful choosing diesel oils. Not all of them are universal. In addition to the API Service Category CI-4 PLUS for diesels, look for API Service Category SL.
Premium universal oils like Shell ROTELLA? T Multigrade are formulated for heavy-duty performance, and your bike engine has some heavy-duty challenges for oil. For optimum performance, be sure your oil is up to the challenge.
The high power-to-displacement ratio of a motorcycle engine means rod and main bearings are subjected to loads that are not normally found in passenger car engines. The valve train is also highly loaded, and requires extreme pressure boundary lubrication. The same can be said about gears in the transmission, which are normally lubricated by engine oil. Oil additives containing phosphorus protect these highly loaded extreme pressure areas (in both gasoline and diesel engines). Because diesel engines have higher loading of components, more of the phosphorus-containing additive is present than in typical passenger car oils. And with advanced catalyst systems for gasoline engines, the phosphorus content has been declining in passenger car oils.
Since many bike engines are air-cooled, and tend to be operated at high power outputs and speeds, their lubricating oil needs to be more resistant to high temperature oxidation. That?s another advantage of a premium universal oil. Another thing you want in your motorcycle is oil that has excellent viscosity control, so that with use it retains high temperature viscosity. Some multiviscosity grade passenger car oils, subjected to extreme loads, can quickly thin out. Their viscosity can drop to the next lower grade.
One last thing to consider is whether oil contains friction modifier additives. For improved fuel economy, most passenger car oils have such an additive. But the wet clutch in your bike doesn?t perform right with friction modifiers. Universal engine oils don?t have friction modifiers.
Be careful choosing diesel oils. Not all of them are universal. In addition to the API Service Category CI-4 PLUS for diesels, look for API Service Category SL.
Premium universal oils like Shell ROTELLA? T Multigrade are formulated for heavy-duty performance, and your bike engine has some heavy-duty challenges for oil. For optimum performance, be sure your oil is up to the challenge.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
As far as I know, you can use dielse engie oil in gasoline cars and they will run great, just don't do it the othe rway. Gasoline engine oil in a diesel will destroy it. Diesel oil can stand much higher pressures and are designed for very hard enviroments so it will do jsut ifne in a gasoline engine. I've ran dielse oil in numerous gasoine engines without any issues.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 865
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From: Perth (Western Australia)
Been running diesel for 60,000k's
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
There is nothing in Rotella-T (or Delvac) that will cause any clutch issues at all, and it is 100% premium, top-shelf oil in every way. Google around...you won't find a single person who actually knows anything about oil recommend against it. I have several hundred thousand miles on Rotella-T synthetic in street bikes, dirt bikes, and road racing bikes, and I've had my oil analyzed maybe 25 times or so, and in every case it was as good as even the very most expensive stuff (the highest price stuff I ever tried and had tested was Motul full synth. in a race motor).
Go in peace...there is no reason whatsoever to waste your money on motorcycle-specific oil for your CBR. You're giving up nothing, and in many cases gaining better protection, all for $17/gal (or even cheaper for the non-synth, and it's great too.
Here's a good oil primer to read...
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html
Go in peace...there is no reason whatsoever to waste your money on motorcycle-specific oil for your CBR. You're giving up nothing, and in many cases gaining better protection, all for $17/gal (or even cheaper for the non-synth, and it's great too.
Here's a good oil primer to read...
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Technically speaking, all oil has friction modifiers. It's a question of _which_ friction modifiers are in there. Generally speaking, if it doesn't say "energy conserving" on the label, you're good.
But ya, it's great oil...all the stuff that makes it a premium oil in diesel engines also makes it great in bike engines.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery, AL USA
Im running Rotella as well, except Im using the 5W 40 synthetic. It's $20 for a 4 quart bottle at Wally World. No problems.
I know a lot of guys on another bike forum im a member of really like Rotella.
I know a lot of guys on another bike forum im a member of really like Rotella.
You're right, there are a whole lot of people running Rotella in their bikes.
BTW, I noticed last night at wally world that all the oil prices were discounted.
All except Rotella...lol..
I guess they figure it's cheap enough at $10/gal..
BTW, I noticed last night at wally world that all the oil prices were discounted.
All except Rotella...lol..
I guess they figure it's cheap enough at $10/gal..