Hawk oil

OldmanofMn · 06-11-2020, 04:57 PM

Is this the oil everybody is running in their Hawks?

cycleway4 · 06-11-2020, 05:49 PM

that's it.....that's what many of us use for sure.

Vtunimog · 06-12-2020, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldmanofMn

Is this the oil everybody is running in their Hawks?

I hear good things about the T4/T6 Rotella , I have a KLR and that seems to be the goto oil of choice. I have been running Amsoil Sythentic for dirt bikes in mine and noticed some odd clutch behavior. I think I might try the T4/T6, besides at $16/L the amsoil is a bit pricey. I think you can get a gallon of the t4/T6 for a few dollars more than a liter of Amsoil.

OldmanofMn · 06-12-2020, 10:25 AM

I payed $15.99 at NAPA for this

Deckard_Cain · 06-12-2020, 10:32 AM

I found two, 2.5gallon containers at my local Meijer on clearance... $9.99 each. So 20 qts of Rotella T4 15w40 for $20? yes please!

I did the math, it's like 7 oil changes each for my Hawk, Ninja, and the Hellcat when it gets here... based on mileage, that's like 4 years of oil changes covered.

$1 per oil change.

Kenstogie · 06-12-2020, 11:14 AM

personally for me i run that for the first 3 oil changes in a new bike and then switch to the T6 version (full synthetic) which is also in my Vstrom. but all the Rotella stuff is good stuff just change it regularly

Cravin01 · 06-13-2020, 08:51 PM

I run Rotella T5 15w40 because I can access it easier than T4. It's always unavailable at the Wally worlds in my area.

Airhead · 08-21-2020, 11:50 AM

I've seen these Rotella recommendations before on various forums. I even used it briefly in my KLR650. Always bothered me that the Shell Rotella site made no mention of motorcycle use. It always seemed as though Rotella is recommended on forums mainly because it is cheap and JASO. I prefer motorcycle specific oil. I've found Valvoline for <$6/qt and full synthetic for $7.37/qt (today Walmart). Seems reasonable to spend a little more for something specifically blended for motorcycle use.

Deckard_Cain · 08-21-2020, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airhead

I've seen these Rotella recommendations before on various forums. I even used it briefly in my KLR650. Always bothered me that the Shell Rotella site made no mention of motorcycle use. It always seemed as though Rotella is recommended on forums mainly because it is cheap and JASO. I prefer motorcycle specific oil. I've found Valvoline for <$6/qt and full synthetic for $7.37/qt (today Walmart). Seems reasonable to spend a little more for something specifically blended for motorcycle use.

Thing is, many "motorcycle" oils just have different stickers with all the words we want to see stuck on there by the marketing team. "Wet clutch", "Excellent durablity", blah blah blah.

Rotella T4 is JASO MA/MA2 spec'd, Shell states it is OK for use in motorcycles because of this.

Plus, tons and tons of virgin oil analysis and used oil analysis have been performed to get the actual percentages and numbers for zinc, phosphorous, ZDDP, TBN, boron and the like. It checks out.

Thousands of riders have used this oil for practically forever... if there were issues, the entire motorsports community would be aware and talking about it.

I mean, use what you like and feel comfortable with, of course. But I'm not sweating the T4.

Airhead · 08-21-2020, 12:57 PM

I forgot to mention that I can't find any mention of use in air-cooled engines on that site. Like with anything else there will be both positive and negative reviews. Some have noted clutch problems after accumulated miles of use but that may not be attributable to the oil.

duck9191 · 08-21-2020, 02:43 PM

If it can survive gear driven valve trains, high presser oil and fuel pumps and pressure of a diesel it will be fine in a cg/cb. The high zzdp is great for flat tappet engines too.

TheChairman · 08-25-2020, 02:37 AM

There is now a Rotella T6 15w-40 on the market.

I was using the Rotella dino oil in the TT250 and Bel Ray in my Star. I plan to begin using this oil in both from now on.

I'm a diesel technician and I firmly believe in Rotella. It's formulated for high heat, high pressure, and long OCIs found in the diesel engine world. If it can handle that, it can handle 500-1000 miles in a Chinese dirtbike.

Zazu · 08-25-2020, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChairman

There is now a Rotella T6 15w-40 on the market.

I was using the Rotella dino oil in the TT250 and Bel Ray in my Star. I plan to begin using this oil in both from now on.

I'm a diesel technician and I firmly believe in Rotella. It's formulated for high heat, high pressure, and long OCIs found in the diesel engine world. If it can handle that, it can handle 500-1000 miles in a Chinese dirtbike.

I thought the T5 and T6 were not JASO and therefor not safe for shared sump motorcycle engines?

duck9191 · 08-25-2020, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zazu

I thought the T5 and T6 were not JASO and therefor not safe for shared sump motorcycle engines?

T6 is, T5 is not. Good chance shell just didn't want to pay for the certification the third time for T5 but you would have to ask them.

TheChairman · 08-26-2020, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zazu

I thought the T5 and T6 were not JASO and therefor not safe for shared sump motorcycle engines?

I did look at the T6 15w-40 and it is JASO, just as the 5w-40 has been.

06-11-2020, 05:49 PM	#2
cycleway4 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 269	that's it.....that's what many of us use for sure. __________________ <div>Steve 2006 Roketa DB-07A/RSX-200E 2008 Roketa 250 Scooter 2019 Brozz 250
	2

06-12-2020, 11:14 AM	#6
Kenstogie Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 336	personally for me i run that for the first 3 oil changes in a new bike and then switch to the T6 version (full synthetic) which is also in my Vstrom. but all the Rotella stuff is good stuff just change it regularly __________________ been around bikes for a while.... honda 72 cb200t, zuki 96?/2002 katana, 12 vstrom,09 vstar, kawi ltd440, 82 zuki Gs1100, Tao Tbr7 all about the Tao MotorsTBR7 http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=25553
	2

06-13-2020, 08:51 PM	#7
Cravin01 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Forney Texas Posts: 498	I run Rotella T5 15w40 because I can access it easier than T4. It's always unavailable at the Wally worlds in my area. __________________ Visit me on YouTube at "Project Next"! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6KTCi2GVbfRDv-2XCqHhsg?view_as=subscriber 2017 Bashan Storm Keihen PZ30 Pumper Carb,115 main jet,35 pilot jet, gutted factory exhaust, Sambo Digital Speedometer,LED blinkers, H4 headlight,D.I.D X-ring chain 428,17/42 sprockets,UNI cone filter.
	0

08-21-2020, 11:50 AM	#8
Airhead Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 8	I've seen these Rotella recommendations before on various forums. I even used it briefly in my KLR650. Always bothered me that the Shell Rotella site made no mention of motorcycle use. It always seemed as though Rotella is recommended on forums mainly because it is cheap and JASO. I prefer motorcycle specific oil. I've found Valvoline for <$6/qt and full synthetic for $7.37/qt (today Walmart). Seems reasonable to spend a little more for something specifically blended for motorcycle use. __________________ 2019 CSC TT250, stock carb w/jet kit, muffler mods
	0

08-21-2020, 12:57 PM	#10
Airhead Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 8	I forgot to mention that I can't find any mention of use in air-cooled engines on that site. Like with anything else there will be both positive and negative reviews. Some have noted clutch problems after accumulated miles of use but that may not be attributable to the oil. __________________ 2019 CSC TT250, stock carb w/jet kit, muffler mods
	0

06-12-2020, 10:25 AM	#4
OldmanofMn Join Date: May 2020 Location: Northern Minnesota Posts: 28	I payed $15.99 at NAPA for this
	0

06-12-2020, 10:32 AM	#5
Deckard_Cain Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Bay City, MI Posts: 397	I found two, 2.5gallon containers at my local Meijer on clearance... $9.99 each. So 20 qts of Rotella T4 15w40 for $20? yes please! I did the math, it's like 7 oil changes each for my Hawk, Ninja, and the Hellcat when it gets here... based on mileage, that's like 4 years of oil changes covered. $1 per oil change.
	1

08-21-2020, 02:43 PM	#11
duck9191 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Port Huron, Michigan Posts: 637	If it can survive gear driven valve trains, high presser oil and fuel pumps and pressure of a diesel it will be fine in a cg/cb. The high zzdp is great for flat tappet engines too. __________________ 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 rally. 2018 Bashan Storm 250. pz30b, digital cluster + gear indicator, unifilter and car customs full exhaust. 2019 Taotao 110b boulder atv. The "arm breaker" lol 2007 Honda VTX 1300R. 1974 Suzuki tm125, work in progress 2001 Suzuki Drz 400s.
	2

08-25-2020, 02:37 AM	#12
TheChairman Join Date: May 2020 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 115	There is now a Rotella T6 15w-40 on the market. I was using the Rotella dino oil in the TT250 and Bel Ray in my Star. I plan to begin using this oil in both from now on. I'm a diesel technician and I firmly believe in Rotella. It's formulated for high heat, high pressure, and long OCIs found in the diesel engine world. If it can handle that, it can handle 500-1000 miles in a Chinese dirtbike.
	1