| Author | Message | ||
     Krash01 |
2009 1125CR here. First oil, and filter change at 620 miles was done by me. I used Valvoline SynPower 20w 50, full synthetic oil. I did so because it was fully synthetic, and did not have the "energy conserving" label in the API donut.It has no JASO rating. So far no issues. Fast forward to today. I am doing research on the oil, and searching the interweb, to see if anyone else is using it, in their bike. I find a Valvoline FAQ, that states they do not recommend using their oil in motorcycles with wet clutches. Damn! I have run my bike for almost 1500 miles since then. I have ridden motorcycles, for years, but I am not familiar with the signs of "clutch slippage". So, I ask the hivemind here: Is anyone else using this oil? Is it safe to use in the CR, and what are the signs of clutch slippage? What are your thoughts? Thanks | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
No 20W50 I've ever seen has had "energy conserving" on the SAE label, and therefore none of them should have the friction modifiers that are bad for wet clutches. I use Mobil1 15W50 in all my bikes and have never had any clutch issues despite logging 30K on one bike's clutch and 20K on another's. The "not safe for wet clutches" disclaimer is just a CYA (cover your ass) manuever by the oil manufacturer. Obviously if you've gone 1500 miles with no clutch slip (assuming you don't ride like a grandma), there's no conceivable reason why you should have any problems due to the oil in the future. If the oil was going to cause your clutch to slip, it would have started happening within a couple hundred miles of switching to that oil. | ||
| Moosestang |
Royal purple auto oil made my clutch slip on my xb9. I stick with motorcycle oils now. | ||
| Krash01 |
OK, I know this is a noob question, but I don't think I have ever experienced clutch slippage. Can you describe to me what actually happens when the clutch slips? Is it just harder to shift, and put the bike into gear? | ||
| D_adams |
No, it's when you twist the throttle and don't accelerate although the motor will continue to spin faster until you let out of it. On a high revving IL4, they start slipping around 7k rpm or so, I would imagine the 1125 will do the same since it revs to 10.5k rpm. I think HD's slip a lot lower, 2-3k rpm maybe. If you have difficulty shifting into gear from a start, check your clutch engagement, then look at the oil viscosity. Thicker oil = tougher shifting in cold weather. | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
if the clutch slips you will feel the rpms go up but the bike isn't accelerating properly... like if you were pulling the clutch lever in part way while accelerating. usually will happen when really getting on it hard after shifting into second or 3rd... | ||
| Blake |
To add to what Dave (thefishrocket} stated: No engine oil greater than an xxW30 grade can be categorized as "energy conserving". | ||
| Azxb9r |
If the manufacturer says that it "is not recommended for wet clutches" then I would not use it. An oil change with something that is compatible is much cheaper than a clutch. | ||
| Krash01 |
AZxb9r, I was thinking the same thing, but so far I haven't had any of the clutch slippage symptoms everyone is describing. I checked the oil yesterday and it still seems good to go. BTW, not to hijack my own thread, but from your "favorite rides/routes", on your profile, I take it you are a Tucson boy? | ||
| Azxb9r |
That I am  You know the area? | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Azxb9r, clutches aren't terribly expensive--usually under $200 for the friction and steel plates. Of course, that's a lot more money than an oil change! Still, most times people complain about clutch slippage, changing to a different oil solves the problem. Clutch replacement is usually only needed if the clutch has been slipping for a long time and frequently ridden hard. | ||
| Krash01 |
Yes, I do. I spent 17 years there, and still have family in the area. I miss riding Mount Lemmon. Heck, I miss the whole area. I'd move back in a heartbeat if I could make the same money there that I do here | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
I grew up in Tucson as well... Went to Flowing Wells High! I moved up to phoenix after high school to go to tech school and to be honest I much prefer the phoenix valley area! Still make it to Tucson a couple times a year thou as all my family lives there. | ||
| Azxb9r |
Unfortunately Tucson has always been a "low wage town". Every place has its drawbacks right? Hard to beat the area though.  | ||
| Azxb9r |
clutches aren't terribly expensive--usually under $200 for the friction and steel plates. Of course, that's a lot more money than an oil change! That was basically my point  | ||
| Krash01 |
The scenery I miss. Gordo's I miss, but that's gone forever. At least you guys have an in-n-out burger now |
