Does it really matter? Oil brand... - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

kstateskier · 03-09-2007, 11:41 AM

Do I HAVE to go with YamahaLube 20w40SE or SAE or can I use an automotive equivalent for my VStar?

Seems like the yamaha Version is more $$$ because it SAYS Yamaha on it...

themeatmanlandry · 03-09-2007, 11:44 AM

Oh boy . . . here we go.

kstateskier · 03-09-2007, 11:48 AM

well thanks meanman thats helpful! I don't have a problem buying the Yamaha brand and spending the $$$, hence why I asked... If there isn't a difference then why waste the $$$... If there is TELL ME and thats fine too...

POE-BOY SAMICH · 03-09-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstateskier

well thanks meanman thats helpful! I don't have a problem buying the Yamaha brand and spending the $$$, hence why I asked... If there isn't a difference then why waste the $$$... If there is TELL ME and thats fine too...

Easy now, kstateskier.

I think meatman's comment regards the fact that this issue has been handled many times in this forum and using the search engine would probably find you the answers you are looking for.

FWIW, I use motorcycle oil ONLY in my C50.

OH, AND BTW:

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstateskier

well thanks meanman thats helpful!

Was this typo on purpose? LOL!

D_Klein · 03-09-2007, 12:13 PM

All brands must meet SAE standards, so I personally don't believe it makes much of a difference unless you care about additives or using the manufacturer's brand.

themeatmanlandry · 03-09-2007, 01:55 PM

Sorry, kstateskier. It's hard to enunciate with a keyboard.

Every time oil gets discussed, you get the "only motorcycle oil" crowd versus the "any oil crowd" versus the "some oils" crowd.

My bikes only get Suzuki oil. You see the oil serves not only the crankcase, but also the clutch. Lots of "regular" oils contain molybdenum (I think that's the element) and that causes clutch slip. Some folks' bikes (for whatever reason) don't have a problem (so they say

) running whatever oil they put in it. Some folks know which oils are good for bikes and which aren't.

To be safe, I just buy Suzuki oil. I get it a little cheaper when I buy it by the case, so you might try that.

<meanman??

>

**inspiron** · 03-09-2007, 02:01 PM

What he said.

kstateskier · 03-09-2007, 02:10 PM

My bad ya'll... Allow to explain myself... I'm a rookie moto owner! Woke up this morning at 5am from a bad dream... I dreamt that I've been driving my new motorcycle around for the last 200 miles with no oil! haha sounds stupid right! So I go out to the garage and open the oil fill cap and SEE NOTHING... I grab a flashlight and look into the oil window and see nothing! Shake the bike to try and find the oil level... Anyway it wasn't until I figured out that the level of oil was above the window so I wasn't going to see any level in the window. I also stopped by the yamaha dealer and popped the oil fill cap on a brand new bike and couldn't see any oil either! Imagine my relief! Either way I was just in a foul mood this morning wanting to figure out what kind of oil my bike needs and get it changed for a piece of mind! Talk about waking up on the wrong side of the bed! haha! either way I went with the YamahaLube 10W30 and a new filter... Thanks everyone.

And YES "Meanman" was a typo! haha didn't even mean to do that...

blackie1491 · 03-09-2007, 03:48 PM

Just drop into the service bay of your Yamaha dealer and check what oil they are using!!!

Motorcycle specific oil is what you want, without friction modifiers.

When I got the C50 I started to have the service dept. do all my service.
I put it down to old age. My wife is not so polite!!!

A lot seem to use Walmart as a inexpensive source.

POE-BOY SAMICH · 03-09-2007, 03:50 PM

I buy my oil at the dealership. I actually find it cheaper there than autoparts stores in my area.

**Trapper** · 03-09-2007, 04:32 PM

I use Honda MC oil in my Suzuki. Does that mean I'm going to grow a mullet and wear tight Wrangler jeans? J/K I'm in a weird mood.

blackie1491 · 03-09-2007, 04:51 PM

Weird mood=bad riding weather?????

Don M50limited · 03-09-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstateskier

I also stopped by the yamaha dealer and popped the oil fill cap on a brand new bike and couldn't see any oil either!

Just because............ I thought I'd add that typically brand new bikes on the showroom floor don't even have fluids in them yet.

POE-BOY SAMICH · 03-09-2007, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapper

I use Honda MC oil in my Suzuki. Does that mean I'm going to grow a mullet and wear tight Wrangler jeans? J/K I'm in a weird mood.

Don't blame your poor taste and sense of fashion on your motor oil!

For the record, I use Honda MC oil in my Suzuki, too!

kstateskier · 03-09-2007, 05:58 PM

The showroom bikes had oil! Trust me!

POE-BOY SAMICH · 03-09-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstateskier

The showroom bikes had oil! Trust me!

I don't doubt your sincerety, what I doubt is the intelligence of that dealership.

I have never heard of such a thing. I don't know of a single dealer that keeps fluids in showroom bikes around here. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and figure it's something specific to your area.

Rickster · 03-09-2007, 07:06 PM

I can't belive you think they are going to ship a bike without ever running it. Or do you think they are going to take the time to drain it out after a test run. What would be the point in that?

When dealers tell you there are no fluids in the bikes on the showroom floor, it's just an excuse for them to not allow test rides.

919Hooligan · 03-09-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POE-BOY SAMICH

Don't blame your poor taste and sense of fashion on your motor oil!

For the record, I use Honda MC oil in my Suzuki, too!

Right now I'm using Suzuki oil in my Honda! Ol' Sochiro would be rolling over in his grave if he knew....

919Hooligan · 03-09-2007, 07:39 PM

My friends dad bought a Sportster back in 1979. By the time he made it home from the dealer it was really running rough. Upon further inspection he found an empty oil tank. So, in his infinite wisdom, his father went out and decided that he would hold it at full throttle in neutral until it blew so that they could take it back and tell the dealer he never made it home. So, for 15 MINUTES he pinned the throttle until it finally gave. When he called the dealer they pointed out that in the SIGNED sales contract it was the responsibility of the new owner to check all fluids and inspect the bike before leaving the dealership, meaning that it was due to neglect and that they were out of luck. His dad had just converted his brand new sporty into a paper wieght.

Rickster · 03-09-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 919Hooligan

My friends dad bought a Sportster back in 1979. By the time he made it home from the dealer it was really running rough. Upon further inspection he found an empty oil tank. So, in his infinite wisdom, his father went out and decided that he would hold it at full throttle in neutral until it blew so that they could take it back and tell the dealer he never made it home. So, for 15 MINUTES he pinned the throttle until it finally gave. When he called the dealer they pointed out that in the SIGNED sales contract it was the responsibility of the new owner to check all fluids and inspect the bike before leaving the dealership, meaning that it was due to neglect and that they were out of luck. His dad had just converted his brand new sporty into a paper wieght.

I sure am glad I got a warranty with my new bike.

03-09-2007, 11:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
kstateskier In Training Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2006 Yamaha V Star Classic Silverado Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 115	Does it really matter? Oil brand... Do I HAVE to go with YamahaLube 20w40SE or SAE or can I use an automotive equivalent for my VStar? Seems like the yamaha Version is more $$$ because it SAYS Yamaha on it... __________________ KstateSkier - Springfield, MO - 2006 Yamaha VStar 650

03-09-2007, 11:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	Oh boy . . . here we go. __________________ Go to hell

03-09-2007, 11:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
kstateskier In Training Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2006 Yamaha V Star Classic Silverado Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 115	well thanks meanman thats helpful! I don't have a problem buying the Yamaha brand and spending the $$$, hence why I asked... If there isn't a difference then why waste the $$$... If there is TELL ME and thats fine too... __________________ KstateSkier - Springfield, MO - 2006 Yamaha VStar 650

03-09-2007, 12:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
D_Klein 100% Title Free Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: '05 GSX-R750 (Anniversary Edition) Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,544	All brands must meet SAE standards, so I personally don't believe it makes much of a difference unless you care about additives or using the manufacturer's brand. __________________ "Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba...." ~Hunter S. Thompson

03-09-2007, 01:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	Sorry, kstateskier. It's hard to enunciate with a keyboard. Every time oil gets discussed, you get the "only motorcycle oil" crowd versus the "any oil crowd" versus the "some oils" crowd. My bikes only get Suzuki oil. You see the oil serves not only the crankcase, but also the clutch. Lots of "regular" oils contain molybdenum (I think that's the element) and that causes clutch slip. Some folks' bikes (for whatever reason) don't have a problem (so they say ) running whatever oil they put in it. Some folks know which oils are good for bikes and which aren't. To be safe, I just buy Suzuki oil. I get it a little cheaper when I buy it by the case, so you might try that. <meanman?? > __________________ Go to hell Last edited by themeatmanlandry; 03-09-2007 at 02:06 PM.

03-09-2007, 02:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,073	What he said. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

03-09-2007, 02:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
kstateskier In Training Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2006 Yamaha V Star Classic Silverado Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 115	My bad ya'll... Allow to explain myself... I'm a rookie moto owner! Woke up this morning at 5am from a bad dream... I dreamt that I've been driving my new motorcycle around for the last 200 miles with no oil! haha sounds stupid right! So I go out to the garage and open the oil fill cap and SEE NOTHING... I grab a flashlight and look into the oil window and see nothing! Shake the bike to try and find the oil level... Anyway it wasn't until I figured out that the level of oil was above the window so I wasn't going to see any level in the window. I also stopped by the yamaha dealer and popped the oil fill cap on a brand new bike and couldn't see any oil either! Imagine my relief! Either way I was just in a foul mood this morning wanting to figure out what kind of oil my bike needs and get it changed for a piece of mind! Talk about waking up on the wrong side of the bed! haha! either way I went with the YamahaLube 10W30 and a new filter... Thanks everyone. And YES "Meanman" was a typo! haha didn't even mean to do that... __________________ KstateSkier - Springfield, MO - 2006 Yamaha VStar 650

03-09-2007, 03:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,333	Just drop into the service bay of your Yamaha dealer and check what oil they are using!!! Motorcycle specific oil is what you want, without friction modifiers. When I got the C50 I started to have the service dept. do all my service. I put it down to old age. My wife is not so polite!!! A lot seem to use Walmart as a inexpensive source.

03-09-2007, 03:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
POE-BOY SAMICH U.B's LoveChild Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: '07 Harley Road King Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,212	I buy my oil at the dealership. I actually find it cheaper there than autoparts stores in my area. __________________ http://www.lonestarmotorcyclealliance.com/

03-09-2007, 04:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,192	I use Honda MC oil in my Suzuki. Does that mean I'm going to grow a mullet and wear tight Wrangler jeans? J/K I'm in a weird mood. __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

03-09-2007, 04:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,333	Weird mood=bad riding weather?????

03-09-2007, 05:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
kstateskier In Training Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2006 Yamaha V Star Classic Silverado Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 115	The showroom bikes had oil! Trust me! __________________ KstateSkier - Springfield, MO - 2006 Yamaha VStar 650

03-09-2007, 07:39 PM	#19 (permalink)
919Hooligan TurtleWax Taster Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2002 Honda 919 Location: St. Louis Posts: 592	My friends dad bought a Sportster back in 1979. By the time he made it home from the dealer it was really running rough. Upon further inspection he found an empty oil tank. So, in his infinite wisdom, his father went out and decided that he would hold it at full throttle in neutral until it blew so that they could take it back and tell the dealer he never made it home. So, for 15 MINUTES he pinned the throttle until it finally gave. When he called the dealer they pointed out that in the SIGNED sales contract it was the responsibility of the new owner to check all fluids and inspect the bike before leaving the dealership, meaning that it was due to neglect and that they were out of luck. His dad had just converted his brand new sporty into a paper wieght. __________________ Life's short and hard, like a body building elf.

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