Engine Oil

[CptBlack]

Had a search for this but couldn't find anything.

What makes good engine oil?
I've been recommended to change the oil every 1000 miles on my 125 and use decent oil. And have been (filter also)
But I'm not sure whether the oil I've been using is 'the best' (within reason of course - Can't afford too much!)

My manual states "SAE 10W-40 and the API is SF or SG"
My local MotorWorld sells a 4 stroke, semi synthetic API SL (Exceeds SG) but seems a little expensive at £10 a litre. I also think (from reading round here) that mineral oil would suffice for these changes, but it's not sold there.

So, where do you recommend getting oil? Decent brands? What should I look for specifically when choosing the oil?

Cheers,
Chris

[Kickstart]

Hi

Not sure what bike you have.

Small 4 stroke singles tend to have very little oil in them and no oil cooler, etc, to keep it cool. Seems to give the oil a pretty hard life.

In simple terms with the oil rating (ie, SE, SF, etc) the first letter is S for spark ignition engines while the higher the 2nd letter the more recent spec oil it is. Some of the latest specs can have friction modifyers that might cause clutch problems (but in my experience generally don't) and also are limited on some of the additives used to give the best engine protection (as they damage catalytic converters).

All the best

Keith
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[stirlinggaz]

hi,
asda do a decent budget mineral oil (as do the other supermarkets) which is fine on a small 4t.
i just changed it a bit more often.
cheers,
GAZ

[CptBlack]

Hi, many thanks for the replies. I have a Hyosung Cruise II. It is oil cruise (or it says on the radiator mount that it is oil cooled)

According to the casing where the oil goes in, it says 950ml, and the manual says 1050 when changing the filter as well (to be expected) Will it be harmful to only put a litre in - 50 ml short?

I have noticed that when its getting to 1k since a change, sometimes the gears are hard to get in, and sometimes I go into neutral when changing up from 1st - is this due to losing oil (or burning up) therefore the gearbox not being properly lubricated or old oil fouling it? (Edit: likely to be the cause!)

Cheers again,
Chris

[Kickstart]

Hi

Oil level too high (ie too much oil) will cause crankcase pressure problems, and quite likely blow some seals in the engine.

Oil level too low will result in no oil pressure and a wrecked engine (likely cams or big end bearings first).

You have a bit of leeway, but not much. And if you don't keep an eye on the oil level then the chances are that the first you will know about the oil level dropping too low is the oil pressure warning light coming on to tell you that you have already done damage.

All the best

Keith
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[The Artist]

Just put 950ml, run it for a minute. leave it for another minute or 2, then check the level on level ground. Top it up as you see fit. So long as you are above minimum you are fine till you can get hold of some more oil and top it up to the full marker.

[LeeR]

Hein Gericke's own brand oil (made by Motul) 10w40 semi-synthetic API SG and JASO MA rated, is a pretty good oil @ £19.99/4L inc "free" oil filter.

It had been very reasonably priced at £13.99 until their new catalogue came out, but it's still the best priced motorcycle oil around.
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[oldbiker]

Check this site for some basic info

https://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html
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[CptBlack]

[and]

...

[WildGoose]

[stugol]

hi
can anyone please tell me the average oil consumption for a yam fj1200?
i have an old f reg with 51000 miles, it doesnt seem to smoke on start up, or smoke from the exhaust even on revving but after about 300 miles i noticed the oil level went from full to showing half way in the sight glass!?
i put around 300ml of oil to restore the full amount.
i guess this equates to about 1l per 1000 miles!
any ideas?
thanks
stugol

[temeluchus]

was it full after the change?

The oil level will settle a bit after a change as some is pumped to the various parts of the motor.
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[Robby]

Older big engined Yamahas were known for a bit of oil consumption, I think up to 1L every 1000 miles was within spec.

For another question elsewhere, an oil change every 1000 miles is correct on an air cooled 4 stroke 125, although you could change the filter every 2nd or 3rd time. The gearchange does tend to go off as the oil gets broken down.

[temeluchus]

My FJ1200 consumed next to nothing.

The culprit of that idea i think was early thunderaces as there was some problem with the way they were bored that lead to them drinking a fair bit.
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[Acemastr]

I used fully synth 10-40w in my YBR every 1500miles, was a tad too often really lol, it just felt smoother, i'll change my CBR's far less as it really doesn't need it.
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
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[ms51ves3]

[temeluchus]

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