Conflicting advice, please help (Oil question)

[rocky]

Hi all,

I've been told constantly throughout my riding life that engines need a semi-synthetic oil to run-in properly.

I asked my Aprilia dealer what oil I should use to do an oil change pre-1000km service (around 20-200 kilometers).

The guy said Aprilia has told him Motul 300V (which is a fully synthetic oil, as far as I know), which makes no sense to me. He said it didn't to him either, but he asked 3 times to make sure, and they still said Motul 300V. Apparently other oil takes too long to heat up and can 'damage the cam chain tensioners'.

Sorry if I have missed something obvious, but I would really like someone who knows (definitely) to point me in the right direction.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

[Rayzor61]

Maybe they consider being run-in anything above the first required service (625 miles) and thats what your service guy is going by.

The owners maual also suggests burning 95 octane too; whats that?

Mine goes in next week and I wonder if I have a say as to what oil they dump in mine? I doubt they have that Amig in stock.....

[hdtech]

Hi all,

I've been told constantly throughout my riding life that engines need a semi-synthetic oil to run-in properly.

I asked my Aprilia dealer what oil I should use to do an oil change pre-1000km service (around 20-200 kilometers).

The guy said Aprilia has told him Motul 300V (which is a fully synthetic oil, as far as I know), which makes no sense to me. He said it didn't to him either, but he asked 3 times to make sure, and they still said Motul 300V. Apparently other oil takes too long to heat up and can 'damage the cam chain tensioners'.

Sorry if I have missed something obvious, but I would really like someone who knows (definitely) to point me in the right direction.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Hey Rocky, A lot of high end bikes come out from the factory with synthetic oils. These oils have better lubricating abilities and cleaning additives. They work better on newer vehicles due to the structure of the metals/materials because they are less porous. Older engines from say the 70's for example had very porous cases/ gaskets and looser machining tolerances which a synthetic oil will seep thru or blow by. Newer engines have less porous metals and tighter machined tolerances need a oil which can get into these tighter spaces and be able to handle the higher pressures and temps.

In short I recommend running a good synthetic oil in any high performance new vehicle. I run the Motul 300v 15w50 in my 2012 RSV4 Factory. I'm also a mechanic btw.

Cheers,

Justin

[rocky]

Hey Rocky, A lot of high end bikes come out from the factory with synthetic oils. These oils have better lubricating abilities and cleaning additives. They work better on newer vehicles due to the structure of the metals/materials because they are less porous. Older engines from say the 70's for example had very porous cases/ gaskets and looser machining tolerances which a synthetic oil will seep thru or blow by. Newer engines have less porous metals and tighter machined tolerances need a oil which can get into these tighter spaces and be able to handle the higher pressures and temps.

In short I recommend running a good synthetic oil in any high performance new vehicle. I run the Motul 300v 15w50 in my 2012 RSV4 Factory. I'm also a mechanic btw.

Cheers,

Justin

Justin,

Thank you mate, that's fantastic information. I can now make sense of the information provided by Aprilia.
I hope the bike is provided to me with something similar to 300v.

Thanks again

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

Agip 5w40 full syn comes in them from the factory, and is what we recommend to keep using

lots of cars also come with full syn in them from factory, all Ferraris, Porsches, and Corvettes to name a few.

[hdtech]

Justin,

Thank you mate, that's fantastic information. I can now make sense of the information provided by Aprilia.
I hope the bike is provided to me with something similar to 300v.

Thanks again

Now worries Rocky, oh and what part of oz do you live in?

[potere]

I have an additional perspective to add because I'm a chemist. The synthetic oils are better because they flow better at low temps and because they resist tearing (shearing) at high temps. These properties are the main reason a syn oil is superior. If you were an engine, which would you prefer?

Synthetics will flow at temps so low, a semi-synthetic will be a gel and a non-syn will be a block of ice. Longer chains of oil molecules equals better surface coverage. The syn's maintain that longer chain much longer than non-syns. Oil molecules are literally being ripped to pieces in the heat of an engine. More coverage of parts equals, you guessed it, less wear. Additives are additives. There are better ones today than ever no matter whether syn or non-syn. Same chemicals go into both in the same amounts.

None of this means squat if you don't change your oil religiously. The damage done by 1 missed oil-change is there forever. I change my oil before it's due and before every track day.

[scott2ride]

The owners maual also suggests burning 95 octane too; whats that?.....

Not sure if you were serious... but just in case...

95 octane is referring to the octane of the fuel. Dont run an 89 or 91 rated fuel. Use 95 or more.... low octane in these motors can cause pinging and be BAD

[standrewscross]

I was told only to run 98, noting it will run fine on 95 but any reason you would use 95 except for not having 98 available?

[Rayzor61]

The highest octane we have in my area (North Eastern USA) is Shell 93, there may be some Sunoco's that have 94. I just got a Triumph Tiger and the set-up mechanic (freah outta Triumph school) said they dont fill their new bikes up with hi-Octane because noboy buys it and it sits in the undergroud tank and collects moisture; the lower octance is fresher.....

.....I havn't used anything in my Tuono but the Shell 93....no pinging or popping so far...Whata you think?

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

EU and rest of World calculates octane ratings different from the USA. Way up in the mountains in teh USA, the most you'll find is like 90 octane.

In the USA, use the highest octane at that pump at that time.

[potere]

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Now it was also mentioned by our chemist that "The synthetic oils are better because they flow better at low temps and because they resist tearing (shearing) at high temps. These properties are the main reason a synth oil is superior. If you were an engine, which would you prefer?" Well thats exactly why they are not so great for run in. (Unless you are in sub zero temps all the time) But even then, the fact an oil is full synthetic makes no difference to how it flows at low temps. The Viscosity rating is what matters for temp.
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Have to disagree with you on these points by our non-chemist.

But before we go there, how many lab tests have you run with instrumentation with how many manufacturers oils?

[GUV]

Here we go, another thread turned into a my dogs smarter than yours.

Unsubscribe.

[W-Dog]

unleash the dogs .....

[scott2ride]

But before we go there, how many lab tests have you run with instrumentation with how many manufacturers oils?

My comments were generalised for the layman.

My business is called Enviro Test. We sub contact to Lubricants NZ & Elf Oils. All we do is test shit! So I guess 35-50 week lube related per wk?

You?