I just bought an '03 cbr 954 with 12k miles and want to change the oil but not sure what oil would be good to start using..?

 

Well we can eliminate

• vegetable oil
• suntan oil
• olive oil

So you're pretty safe beyond that Seriously for the type of performance almost everyone on this forum demands from their bike, ANY oil that's the right weight for the bike and your environment is FINE. Oil debates here are numerous and usually boils down to what you and your wallet prefer.

 

there are a few threads on this topic.
but some say to use whats recommended by honda, but shell rotella T6 is a great oil to use in any bike.
and its pretty cheap, pick up a gallon from wally world and youre good to go.

 

Crap I have a vegetable/olive oil blend in my RR right now. Guess I should get that out.

Like others said you'll be fine as long as it is motorcycle oil. I like Amsoil but it is really expensive. Some will say mobil 1, some rotella, some royal purple. It doesn't matter as long as it is a bike oil.

 

Thats a good blend, but your exhaust will smell like french fries. Suntan oil is bad for motors but great on the outside, as long as its applied with an applicator that has the bikini clad, long legged mod done. Lol

Seriously, whatever oil you choose make sure it it specified for use with a wet clutch.

 

rarely do my wallet and my head work in sync. its a pandemic really.

 

I honestly can't understand all the controversy about which oil to use in our bikes. Look in the handbook that came with your bike and use the oil that is recommended! It is simple and I bet that most of us hardly ever use our bikes to the extremes that the oil will tolerate. I've seen sports bikes like the Hyabusa crawling around town at 25-30 mph and even on the motorway you're limited to 70mph, so you are never going to cause any real damage to your engine if you use the bike manufacturer's recommended lubricant for your particular bike. In my day we had old British bikes that ran on 20W/50 and we had no problems at all. I worked for a well known oil company for 28 years and there was an oil for all types of vehicles and one was produced for motocycles, but as long as you use the manufacturers recommended oil and viscosity for your particular region and temperature and change it at the recommended interval or sooner, then all should be well. Don't waste money on expensive oils. A good 10W/40 oil is ok for most bikes today.