Hi all,

I'm not wanting to re-open here the "big oil debate" which has comprehensive coverage elsewhere on the site, but as I'm about to change the oil in my 1991 CBR1000FM which has been stood around doing nothing for 15 years I'd like to check a couple of things. I'm clear JASO MA (or MA2) is important. I've also seen some contributors use oil "intended" for diesel engines. Here in France, oil prices are just a little higher than in, for example, the US and for JASO-MA we're looking at the equivalent of around $100/gal. One of the favoured oils seems to be Rotella but that's not readily available over here in the wilderness (you Americans don't know how easy you have it!!!). So my question is this, if I was to take a diesel engine oil (which is of course cheaper) what, if any, "spec" would I need to look out for? Please don't shoot the messenger, just help him (again) solve a rather specific dilemma. Thanks in advance.

 

Hey, isn't Motul a French company? I'd be very surprised if you don't find Motul in France? They make some excellent oils -chose any semi synth from their range and it shouldn't be very expensive?

 

ceebeeaarguy, you're right that Motul is French (it's certainly available in France), but it's not always clear over here whether the oil's JASO MA compliant. Moreover, I was interested to learn whether there is a "Diesel oil spec" that could meet the same requirements which would probably halve(?) the cost. If there's not such a thing, then I'll search out a Motul/Elf.....JASO MA oil....

 

All the approvals should be on the bottle somewhere. If it says JASO-MA in the list, it's good to use. The engine will run on just about anything. It's the clutches that are picky about the extra slippery additives.

 

74demon, I agree the relevant notifications should be on the container but things aren't always perfect (over here) . In any case, I have the impression that using diesel engine oils is OK even though they are not JASO MA, or are you saying i) "diesel oils" are JASO MA even if it's not written on the container or ii") diesel oils are only OK to use of they do display the JASO MA certification. I'm not wanting to turn this into a major debate , but clarification for those of us who have never put diesel engine oil in our bikes would be very valuable.

 

I'm saying that any oil that is JASO MA will say so on the bottle (or at least somewhere on the web from the manufacturer). Diesel oil contains less additives, and in some cases meet the MA spec. JASO is a Japanese system for certification of oils, it's not a North American thing.

Rotella is made by Shell and is for tractors and diesels, but meets the MA requirement and says so. It's probably not sold as Rotella there, but I'm sure it can be found under a different name. I know Australia has it as Rimula...