A closer look at Synthetics...

[Busy Little Shop]

We all have our favorite group of synthetic oil but the favorable
properties which contribute to their rapidly growing use on a variety
of engine applications are uniformity and purity...That is what you
are paying extra for...

Quote Mobil 1
"Synthetic oil is not only refined but also distilled, purified and
broken down into its basic molecules. This process not only removes
more impurities from the crude oil, but also enables individual
molecules in the oil to be tailored to the demands of modern engines.
These customized molecules provide higher levels of protection and
performance than conventional oils."

Quote Amsoil
"Pure, Uniform Molecules Form Strong, Stable Lubricants
Petroleum oils have molecular structures that are randomly organized
and, consequently, have limited performance abilities. Their varied
and inconsistent molecular structure results in less film strength and
lubricity. Their paraffinic wax content also makes them more
susceptible to viscosity variance and cold-temperature flow problems."

 

[ElHombreDorado]

...redline synthetic

 

[ST Guy]

...redline synthetic

In my humble opinion, the top three are Amsoil, Redline, and Mobil1 with Amsoil and Redline pretty much a tie.

Nice thing about Redline is that they're local and they are happy to answer questions about their products over the phone. Good people.

 

[kuksul08]

In one of my bikes I experimented with different oils because I was doing the same exact commute every day and could really accurately track mileage, oil use, etc. I never noted any differences in mileage due to oil, but I did find that redline shifted the worst out of any oils. It turned a pretty average transmission into a clunky, notchy, horrible thing. I changed to Mobil 1 and it was perfectly smooth.

Just some anecdotal evidence, but one reason I won't run redline. It also costs more than anything else.

 

[KrustyKruser]

Motul, made of special green alien blood is best!

 

[Busy Little Shop]

In my humble opinion, the top three are Amsoil, Redline, and Mobil1 with Amsoil and Redline pretty much a tie.

Nice thing about Redline is that they're local and they are happy to answer questions about their products over the phone. Good people.

Amsoil base is Mobil 1 either 0w30 or 5w30... but its up to individual whether they want to spend $12.95 qt for Amsoil or $5.40 qt Mobil 1...

Quote Amsoil rep
"0W30 is a better oil. the 0W30 is a premium synthetic in the 30
weights... and the reason for that is and you'll see some adds from
Mobil this is our our premium PAO their hacking their talking about it
now and this is what Amsoil has bought for years from Mobil for the
0W30 is the more expensive highly purified perfect PAO base stock from
Mobil it cost more money but it is the premium one... so their not
charging us this extra money for the 0W30 just to charge us extra money
they are paying more money for that superior base stock they buy to
go into it so it is the premium of the 30 weights. I think its the
same, I think its the same, no I think its the same base stock one
for a 5w30 for diesel and one 0W30 for gasoline application."

 

[stangmx13]

My engine builder said he felt bad replacing my bottom end bearings cuz they looked so good. The engine has only been run with Amsoil and Mobil1. He also says Motul 300V leaves the bearings looking like shit.

I’ll trust his opinion over marketing bullshit any day.

 

[msethhunter]

Oh, I always stick to.... whatever is on sale.

 

[Heywood]

... spend $12.95 qt for Amsoil or $5.40 qt Mobil 1...

What I want to know is where are you finding Mobile 1 4t for $5.40/qt? Maybe car oil is that cheap but not moto oil.
ETA: I'm a Mobile 1 guy. Run it in my bikes and all my cars. Truck has 255k on it runs like new and has had M1 since 3k miles.

 

[Escape pod]

Chevron Refinery Richmond boasts in news fliers that their Refinery makes and supply's all / 100% of the lube base oil for the western states.

 

[Pushrod]

oooooh. . . . an oil thread. Its been a while.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

In one of my bikes I experimented with different oils because I was doing the same exact commute every day and could really accurately track mileage, oil use, etc. I never noted any differences in mileage due to oil, but I did find that redline shifted the worst out of any oils. It turned a pretty average transmission into a clunky, notchy, horrible thing. I changed to Mobil 1 and it was perfectly smooth.

Just some anecdotal evidence, but one reason I won't run redline. It also costs more than anything else.

When experimenting with different oils its paramount to check the new oils
effect on clutch drag... because your gears can't shift smoothly if your clutch
is part way engaged... here's how to check your clutch for drag...

1 Place your bike on the center stand...

2 Start engine and establish a warm steady idle...

3 Squeeze in the clutch lever and shift into first gear...

4 Hold in the clutch lever and note if the rear wheel coast to stop...
if it continues spinning step on the rear brake... does this action
drag down the engine rpms??? thats extreme drag...

To adjust a cable equipped bike turn the small knob clock wise (out)
1/4 turn and test for clutch drag... if your bike is equipped with
hydraulics bleed system for bubbles...

Ultimately you want the rear wheel to coast to a stop when the engine
is idling and first gear selected with the clutch lever is squeezed
in...

 

[Busy Little Shop]

My engine builder said he felt bad replacing my bottom end bearings cuz they looked so good. The engine has only been run with Amsoil and Mobil1. He also says Motul 300V leaves the bearings looking like shit.

I’ll trust his opinion over marketing bullshit any day.

Its important to trust your engine builder... is his name Mike Norman???

 

[Busy Little Shop]

What I want to know is where are you finding Mobile 1 4t for $5.40/qt? Maybe car oil is that cheap but not moto oil.
ETA: I'm a Mobile 1 guy. Run it in my bikes and all my cars. Truck has 255k on it runs like new and has had M1 since 3k miles.

There is so little difference in the anti wear additives between cheap Mobil 1
auto and expensive motorcycle specific Mobil 4T...

 

[stangmx13]

Its important to trust your engine builder... is his name Mike Norman???

Quinten Robles

 

[Busy Little Shop]

Quinten Robles

According to Quinten Robles Motul 300V leaves the bearings looking like shit??? unfortunately that is an extraordinary claim and needs extraordinary evidence to prove...

 

[stangmx13]

According to Quinten Robles Motul 300V leaves the bearings looking like shit??? unfortunately that is an extraordinary claim and needs extraordinary evidence to prove...

not trying to prove anything, so I don't rly care about that. the use-case he is very experienced with is exactly what I care about. so if he says my bearings will look better NOT using 300V, I'm down.

 

[Escape pod]

Stangmx13, Analytically I think it has more to do with him being sore from the time I kicked his ass using a Motul teacup.

not trying to prove anything, so I don't rly care about that. the use-case he is very experienced with is exactly what I care about. so if he says my bearings will look better NOT using 300V, I'm down.

 

[berth]

I can barely spell "oil", but recent ads for (I think) Penzoil suggest they're making their synthetic from Natural Gas.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

not trying to prove anything, so I don't rly care about that. .

Good because I asked Quentin if he believes Motul 300V leaves the bearings
looking like shit and got this response "From what I have seen there is better
stuff out there"

There maybe better stuff out there but Motul will not leave your bearings looking like shit...