Car oil

[ACP]

Hi all,
I'm just about to service my Transalp for the first time with the help of a friend who is a long time biker and definate Honda man who has previously owned a TA. He used to be a courier and has riden hundreds of thousands of miles and always serviced his own bikes.
Now he reckons that to save some money that I can use (good quality) car oil instead of motorbike specific stuff.
He swears by it and claims never to have had any problems from using it but I'm still slightly dubious about doing this so can anyone explain the difference between the two and whether there will be any negative effects on the bike and if its likely to cause any damage or not?
Thanks...

[Boris]

Can't comment on car oil but Gericke do a semi synthetic motorcycle oil for about 12-13 quid for 4 litres. Not having bought car oil for a while I don't know how it compares price wise though.

[Lumiya]

Just remember that most car oils are NOT designed to work with a wet clutch and the slip additives in car oils can make the clutches slip...

But some find it a problem others don't, ASDA even do a 10-40w oil for under a tenner..

Try it, if it works it works, if not then you've wasted a tenner thought the drained fresh oil will be fine in a car.

Kymmy

[KirriePete]

Car synth or semi-synth is a definite no-no because of the friction modifiers and associated clutch slip issues - ask me how I know this to be true! When I realised what I'd done I changed the oil out for the most basic stuff I had in my shed - Halfords own brand diesel lube. Worked a treat and I've used it ever since with no problems, if anything she seems to run smoother and doesn't use any oil at all.

Legal disclaimer - Just my experience, following my advice may end in a grenaded engine (or it may not), either way it ain't my fault!

You're welcome

[Lumiya]

The type of car oil is irrelavant as Mineral, Semi or fully synth all have friction modifiers...

Bike oil (or any oil designed to work with a wet clutch) simply dont (or don;t have as much)

Apparently there's another thread going on about diesel oil (Xander PM'd Jen and I about it but although Jen responded I've not had the time to look) and I will say this..

Diesel oils are just like normal car oils except for one difference and that is the addition of stronger detergents to try to keep the engine cleaner/gunk free...

Kymmy

[Twosheds]

But it is 'Blade' innit!!!....you feeling lucky, ACP?

[xrv_jim]

I use good quality 'car' oil (usually Duckhams Q) in both my bikes (AT and FJ1200) and have done so with all of other bikes I've had over 25+ years, due to (non) availability of 'bike' oil and pure laziness!

I've never experienced any problems with clutch slip or anything else oil related for that matter. This isn't a recommendation, just my experience, but I'd have no hesitation in filling an 'alp with 'car' oil.

[ACP]

Well I went ahead and filled with Mobil1 10w-40 and all seems fine. Not experiencing any clutch slip... and yes it is 'Blade', Mr C

[trophydave]

I use a mineral 10/40 car oil in my Alp.It is the old SG spec stuff so doesn't contain friction enhancers.No problems as yet.

[Ashley M]

This is a different question but still oil related I have always used 10w40 and ride my bike a lot off road and do a lot of motorways I was thinking of trying a thicker oil 10w50 as 10w40 seems very thin when my engine does run hot a lot of the time (off road and prolonged motorway) has anybody got any do or don’ts about tying this