Let's argue about oil! Lifan X-pect, specifically.

Frank Hotdogs · 07-17-2022, 07:12 PM

j/k, not looking to get too far in the weeds here, but I have a question.

The manual recommends 15w-40 for the X-pect, but I can't find a motorcycle oil in my area of that weight. Really, can't find much motorcycle oil at all, and as I understand things, regular (car) motor oil isn't a great idea because motorcycle oil has more jobs to do than it does in a car. Lubes the transmission, clutch, etc.

I keep seeing people talk about Rotella 15w-40 but from what I can determine, this is a diesel engine oil. Ok, so...am I missing something, or does diesel oil have some magic motorcycle compatibility? I can actually get this stuff locally so I'd like to use it if that's wise. Is it?

franque · 07-17-2022, 07:27 PM

Rotella works fine, 15w-40 is more common in Europe. You wouldn't hurt anything if you ran 10w-40 from any of the big 4 Japanese motorcycle brands.

Boatguy · 07-17-2022, 07:43 PM

You can definitely use the Rotella. That’s what everyone says anyway.

Rotella was really hard to find for quite a while. So I started using something else.

This stuff is formulated great for the clutch. It’s formulated for air cooled engines. And I don’t ride in the winter so the viscosity works out.

But best of all, it’s in every advanced auto, every Walmart, every AutoZone, it’s hard to go in anywhere and not see this stuff staring at you on the shelf.

Megadan · 07-17-2022, 10:44 PM

Don't think that it being called diesel oil in any way makes it bad. Rotella is also called universal engine oil. It had no friction modifiers so its wet clutch rated. It has detergent packages to suspend particulates (think clutch material), and compression and shear stability higher than most car oils (think gearbox duty and higher rpm film stability in the cylinder). It also has a high zinc level, which is ideal for the type of cam followers they come with stock. Rotella T4 is quite literally the type of oil it was intended to run, and shares most of the same qualities with that of a t4 motorcycle oil.

I have been running T6 15w40 in my Hawk since the 200 mile mark. My bike loves it, and I am pushing 2k mile oil changes.

At the end of the day, run whatever oil you like. As long as it's wet clutch rated and at least a 10w40, it will be just fine. Regular servicing will do more good for your engine than whatever type of oil you run.

kevperro · 07-18-2022, 08:45 PM

There does seem to be a lot of drama surrounding the subject. I see nothing wrong with just using a motorcycle spec'd 10W-40. Walmart stocks the Valvoline product and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...-1-QT/19514362

Megadan · 07-18-2022, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevperro

There does seem to be a lot of drama surrounding the subject. I see nothing wrong with just using a motorcycle spec'd 10W-40. Walmart stocks the Valvoline product and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...-1-QT/19514362

There ia nothing wrong with either oil. All it needs to meet is the criteria i mentioned above.

BrokeAss · 07-19-2022, 12:13 AM

Most big Vulcan riders I know use Rotella 15w40 and a lot of Harley owners use the 15w50. You can use ANY 10w40 as none are Energy/Resource Conserving meaning they are wet clutch compatible. I'm a full-time motorcycle mechanic and have used 10w40 high-mileage car oil (semi or full synthetic) exclusively for over 20 years. I have a 2020 Magician and use Castrol GTX semi-synthetic 10w40 I get from Amazon for $17.95/5qts.

landshark · 07-19-2022, 08:44 AM

I'll play. I use Mobil Delvac Extreme Heavy Duty Diesel full synthetic. 2.5 gal for $40.00 at Walmart. I use it in my Lifan, Harley, Honda, jet ski, lawn mower, Land Cruiser and more. Awesome, especially for the price. BUT...Megadan is right, many great oils, change it regularly.

I can't believe I chimed in on an oil thread. I'm losin it...

Frank Hotdogs · 07-19-2022, 08:30 PM

Thanks all for the tips!

TominMO · 07-19-2022, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Hotdogs

Thanks all for the tips!

Said the moyel.....

07-17-2022, 07:12 PM	#1
Frank Hotdogs Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Missoula MT Posts: 37	Let's argue about oil! Lifan X-pect, specifically. j/k, not looking to get too far in the weeds here, but I have a question. The manual recommends 15w-40 for the X-pect, but I can't find a motorcycle oil in my area of that weight. Really, can't find much motorcycle oil at all, and as I understand things, regular (car) motor oil isn't a great idea because motorcycle oil has more jobs to do than it does in a car. Lubes the transmission, clutch, etc. I keep seeing people talk about Rotella 15w-40 but from what I can determine, this is a diesel engine oil. Ok, so...am I missing something, or does diesel oil have some magic motorcycle compatibility? I can actually get this stuff locally so I'd like to use it if that's wise. Is it?
	0

07-17-2022, 07:43 PM	#3
Boatguy Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Northeast Posts: 934	You can definitely use the Rotella. That’s what everyone says anyway. Rotella was really hard to find for quite a while. So I started using something else. This stuff is formulated great for the clutch. It’s formulated for air cooled engines. And I don’t ride in the winter so the viscosity works out. But best of all, it’s in every advanced auto, every Walmart, every AutoZone, it’s hard to go in anywhere and not see this stuff staring at you on the shelf. __________________ 2020 Lifan x-pect
	2

07-17-2022, 10:44 PM	#4
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,110	Don't think that it being called diesel oil in any way makes it bad. Rotella is also called universal engine oil. It had no friction modifiers so its wet clutch rated. It has detergent packages to suspend particulates (think clutch material), and compression and shear stability higher than most car oils (think gearbox duty and higher rpm film stability in the cylinder). It also has a high zinc level, which is ideal for the type of cam followers they come with stock. Rotella T4 is quite literally the type of oil it was intended to run, and shares most of the same qualities with that of a t4 motorcycle oil. I have been running T6 15w40 in my Hawk since the 200 mile mark. My bike loves it, and I am pushing 2k mile oil changes. At the end of the day, run whatever oil you like. As long as it's wet clutch rated and at least a 10w40, it will be just fine. Regular servicing will do more good for your engine than whatever type of oil you run. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	3

07-17-2022, 07:27 PM	#2
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	Rotella works fine, 15w-40 is more common in Europe. You wouldn't hurt anything if you ran 10w-40 from any of the big 4 Japanese motorcycle brands.
	1

07-18-2022, 08:45 PM	#5
kevperro Join Date: May 2022 Location: Washington Posts: 25	There does seem to be a lot of drama surrounding the subject. I see nothing wrong with just using a motorcycle spec'd 10W-40. Walmart stocks the Valvoline product and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...-1-QT/19514362
	2

07-19-2022, 12:13 AM	#7
BrokeAss Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Ohio Posts: 43	Most big Vulcan riders I know use Rotella 15w40 and a lot of Harley owners use the 15w50. You can use ANY 10w40 as none are Energy/Resource Conserving meaning they are wet clutch compatible. I'm a full-time motorcycle mechanic and have used 10w40 high-mileage car oil (semi or full synthetic) exclusively for over 20 years. I have a 2020 Magician and use Castrol GTX semi-synthetic 10w40 I get from Amazon for $17.95/5qts.
	1

07-19-2022, 08:44 AM	#8
landshark Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 53	I'll play. I use Mobil Delvac Extreme Heavy Duty Diesel full synthetic. 2.5 gal for $40.00 at Walmart. I use it in my Lifan, Harley, Honda, jet ski, lawn mower, Land Cruiser and more. Awesome, especially for the price. BUT...Megadan is right, many great oils, change it regularly. I can't believe I chimed in on an oil thread. I'm losin it...
	3

07-19-2022, 08:30 PM	#9
Frank Hotdogs Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Missoula MT Posts: 37	Thanks all for the tips!
	0