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Rotella 5-40T synthetic

3K views 24 replies 10 participants last post by  SoCal 
#1 ·
I ran across this website of this guys trophy 1200 and he runs this in his bike, what do you think? I priced it, and it goes for about 11bucks a gallon. Hell of alot better than 50bucks a gallon! I know there is a old thread on oil but i think it is time to fire up a new one...what do you guys use for oil in your 1200's? Here is the link to the website, bottom of his page is the link to the rotella oil.

page link-
http://koken.org/phillip/triumph/

oil link-
http://www.rotella.com/products/rotella_t_synthetic.html

Thanks!
 
#7 ·
Check out Spectro's web site. Then, get info from others and compare. It's worth your time to investigate for yourself.

I don't sell Spectro oils. I have used Golden Spectro 20w50 semi synth. for several years, In a Buell, and 2 Beemers as well as the Trophy. I have not found anything better, for the money. Approx. $6.50 per Quart (internet).

If, for some reason, you plan to ride your bike in extreme conditions, A slow ride through Death Vally, A parade... in August, Use your bike as a Taxi in N.Y.C. Then buy super expensive oil and hope for the best, otherwise it's a waste of money.

Hope this helps, Tom.


"If You Ride Like There Is No Tomorrow...There Won't Be."
 
#6 ·
Check out Spectro's web site. Then, get info from others and compare. It's worth your time to investigate for yourself.

I don't sell Spectro oils. I have used Golden Spectro 20w50 semi synth. for several years, In a Buell, and 2 Beemers as well as the Trophy. I have not found anything better, for the money. Approx. $6.50 per Quart (internet).

If, for some reason, you plan to ride your bike in extreme conditions, A slow ride through Death Vally, A parade... in August, Use your bike as a Taxi in N.Y.C. Then buy super expensive oil and hope for the best, otherwise it's a waste of money.

Hope this helps, Tom.


"If You Ride Like There Is No Tomorrow...There Won't Be."
 
#11 ·
My '95 manual calls for 15w-50

I've used the Rotella T 15w-50 in other rides with unremarkable results (meaning, no problems). I would think the 5w-50 to be light. Currently I use Mobil full syn 15w-50. I believe Mobil 1 Red Cap has recently been replaced by a different oil.

Energy-saving oils contain friction modifiers that may (usually will) affect clutch performance.
 
#10 ·
My '95 manual calls for 15w-50

I've used the Rotella T 15w-50 in other rides with unremarkable results (meaning, no problems). I would think the 5w-50 to be light. Currently I use Mobil full syn 15w-50. I believe Mobil 1 Red Cap has recently been replaced by a different oil.

Energy-saving oils contain friction modifiers that may (usually will) affect clutch performance.
 
#14 ·
Mobil 1 Red Cap has been replaced by Mobil 1 GOLD cap- The Gold cap is free from excessive Moly, and is fine to run in your bike.

As for that website, I heard that the owner is a nutcase... Personally I would stay (far) away from him or anything he recomends.
 
#15 ·
I used it for one oil change cycle in the winter, but I changed it out after 3k instead of 6k. I "personally" think the 5w bit makes it too light and it did seem that the trans. shifted a little rougher.

But, it's made for diesel engines with turbos and long service cycles so I'm sure it can handle the heat and gears, I just feel more comfortable using 15w-50

:smug:
 
#18 ·
I now use Mobil One 4T in all my bikes and in the 2 stroke I use Motul synthetic. The old 1983 Honda Silverwing was changed to synthetic, in the mid eighties, and that bike now has 70000 miles plus without need of any engine or transmission repairs. I consider the cost of the high priced oil is far cheaper than any rebuilds so I use what I read in literature and magazines to be considered the best. I avoid the car type synthetics as they usually contain the friction modifiers that can have some effect on the clutch action. :cool:
 
#19 ·
On 2005-04-05 13:55, gararnett wrote:
On 2005-04-04 15:17, SoCal wrote:

As for that website, I heard that the owner is a nutcase... Personally I would stay (far) away from him or anything he recomends.
:jest: :roflmoa2: No fookin' doubt about that

HAHAHA.....that is funny, how did you hear that!!! thanks for the warning, looks like i am going to feel the 50dolla a gallon bang again!
 
#20 ·
Let's just say he and I have had some words... I prefer to leave personal things personal, you understand I am sure. He sent out a message earlier in the month saying he traded in the Trophy on a crappy Kawasucky Concoors, if THAT doesn't show you he lost it than I don't know what would.

It's unfortunate that some people choose to spout crap on the internet...
 
G
#23 ·
I have found him (Phil Koken) to be a good source of Trophy knowledge. He has steered me right on several occasions. Including the 'Busa brake upgrade. Good stuff.

The Concours thing was an April Fools joke that many got sucked into. (Including you, apparantly).

I just put in the Rotella 5-40T synthetic. So far, so good. Shifting in somewhat smoother.

On 2005-04-07 12:09, SoCal wrote:
Let's just say he and I have had some words... I prefer to leave personal things personal, you understand I am sure. He sent out a message earlier in the month saying he traded in the Trophy on a crappy Kawasucky Concoors, if THAT doesn't show you he lost it than I don't know what would.

It's unfortunate that some people choose to spout crap on the internet...
 
#25 ·
OK, So I am Phil Koken, and that is MY website you are talking about... and yes- I use Rotella T Synthetic oil~

The 5w part only is at startup, once the oil is hot it behaves like a 40w... hence 5w40 designation. The 5w makes for faster lubrication on cold starts, so I see no issue with using it.

Rotella Synthetic is very higly regarded amongst riders of the Honda ST1100 - I followed their lead and haven't looked back. :wink:
 
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