Hawk X Oil Change

[Hawks & Turkeys]

My 2024 Hawk (carburetor version) is at 800 miles and ready for another oil change.

I've watched a couple Hawk oil change videos and they both recommend Shell Rotella 15W-40. So I go into auto parts store today and actually had to hit the pause button. The "Shell Rotella T4 15W-40" is listed as a "Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oil." Meanwhile, right next to the Rotella is a "Valvoline 4 Stroke Motorcycle Oil" with an actual picture of a motorcycle on the label. So which to get?

I took both brands up to a clerk (who happens to own a motorcycle). He said I should go with the Rotella. Why? The oil made for a diesel engine will handle the heat better. And since the Hawk is air cooled...

Rotella it is.

[ProDigit]

The only 2 reasons people go with rotella T4, is:
1- because it's the cheapest crap out there. No need for ultra pure synthetic oil, when this thing doesn't even have an oil filter.

And
2- because it's jaso certified. This is oil for wet clutches.

You have to be careful with motorcycle oil. Some motorcycle oil isn't made for wet clutches, and can ruin the clutch (no friction, slipping clutch).

You need Jaso/Jaso2 certified oil for wet clutches, and you need cheap oil because this filterless engine does put lots of debris in the oil. More than most other bikes.

[Mumen Rider]

Diesel engine oil is fine for motorcycle use.

[Hawks & Turkeys]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

The only 2 reasons people go with rotella T4, is:
1- because it's the cheapest crap out there. No need for ultra pure synthetic oil, when this thing doesn't even have an oil filter.

And
2- because it's jaso certified. This is oil for wet clutches.

You have to be careful with motorcycle oil. Some motorcycle oil isn't made for wet clutches, and can ruin the clutch (no friction, slipping clutch).

You need Jaso/Jaso2 certified oil for wet clutches, and you need cheap oil because this filterless engine does put lots of debris in the oil. More than most other bikes.

Good point on the lack of an oil filter. I did the oil change today. If Rotella is the "cheapest crap out there," its some good looking crap. I like the way it flowed.

[Hawks & Turkeys]

Originally Posted by Mumen Rider

Diesel engine oil is fine for motorcycle use.

I was afraid the Rotella "diesel" engine oil would be too thick for the Hawk's one cylinder engine. But it flowed really nicely.

[buzz]

Rotella 15w40 is all i use on my TBR7 ,with 11,000 miles. Love this bike,its been a very good bike.

[Mumen Rider]

Originally Posted by Hawks & Turkeys

I was afraid the Rotella "diesel" engine oil would be too thick for the Hawk's one cylinder engine. But it flowed really nicely.

It had passed the JASO-MA requirements as far back as 2008 according to a Shell engineer but they didn't bother to fork out the money for official certification until several years later.

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by Hawks & Turkeys

Good point on the lack of an oil filter. I did the oil change today. If Rotella is the "cheapest crap out there," its some good looking crap. I like the way it flowed.

Yeah, it's cheap in price, but pretty similar to dino oil.
It's no oil for 10k miles oil change interval, but it is good enough for Chinese bikes.

[Hawks & Turkeys]

Originally Posted by Mumen Rider

It had passed the JASO-MA requirements as far back as 2008 according to a Shell engineer but they didn't bother to fork out the money for official certification until several years later.

Lol Shell on a tight budget.