that would be incorrect, any oil designated in the manual as say 10W40 will work, it does not have to say it is for motorcycle, but dont be a cheapskate, buy a high end oil or synthetic blend, full synthetic if the bike is broke in (you dont have to use full synthetic but it is recommended by eveyone on this forum)
I Ride: '07 ZX-14, '86 Honda VFR 750 & '03 Nissan 350 Z
Posts: 483
the last oil change on the VFR was with Mobil 1 synth for cars, 1k miles later no problem. On the 14 I'm staying with bike oil for now, still not fully broken in.
there is a reason why they make motorcycle oils. The main ones are because of the additives for the clutch and the fact that car oil really isn't meant to lubricate over about 8k rpm's. motorcycle oil doesn't break down as easily at higher rpm's. Go to any shop and they'll tell you to use motorcycle oil...
__________________
2007 ZX6R
Leo Vince SBK EVOII full carbon slip-on
Catalytic converter cut out
Emissions system removal
PCIIIUSB
BMC race filter
Kawasaki velocity stacks
Vortex clip-ons
Vortex rearsets
Attack Performance fiberglass race body
PowerBronze DB windscreen
Hyper Co rear spring
Galfer steel braided front brake lines
Shogun frame sliders
Rear brake resevoir relocation
what kind of oil is good for an old bike such as my 1984 gpz 750?
any of the factory lines are good. Motul, amsoil, redline, golden spectra are also good brands. something with molly is good for the engine. whether you want to go with a mineral, blend, or synthetic is up to you.
__________________
2007 ZX6R
Leo Vince SBK EVOII full carbon slip-on
Catalytic converter cut out
Emissions system removal
PCIIIUSB
BMC race filter
Kawasaki velocity stacks
Vortex clip-ons
Vortex rearsets
Attack Performance fiberglass race body
PowerBronze DB windscreen
Hyper Co rear spring
Galfer steel braided front brake lines
Shogun frame sliders
Rear brake resevoir relocation
In the end the best way to know is to check the stuff on the back of the bottle....fully synth is best but good mineral wont kill it either, 10w-40 works best in most parts of the world, anything less than 5w-40 are reserved for cars or racing motorcycles and could cause slippage and anything higher than 20w and 50 is reserved for air-cooled harley's modified to run on the surface of the sun :p
First thing to look for is the "JASO-MA" sticker....it means that japanese motorcycle manufacturers have tested it and certified it for use in four stroke motorcycles with wet clutches there now also exists JASO MA2.
If its a car oil youre looking at and cant find a dedicated motorcycle oil its not the end of the world....look that its rated API-SE SG or SG theyre the ratings given to oils that don't have the additives that make clutches slip....API-SH or higher rated oils which arnt specifically designed for wet clutches or dont have a jaso-ma sticker risk including those additives that make our clutches slip.
