Triumphrat

erikmustride · 01-10-2008, 08:56 AM

Oil change time again. I was wondering if anybody here has used anything other than the triumph brand of oil for their Speedmaster/America/ any of the other bikes with the same 900 motor? At $75.00 a gallon I am looking for a more economical brand.

KingOfFleece · 01-10-2008, 10:01 AM

This has been covered in detail-you may want to do a search. Seems like most agree Shell Rotella Syn is a good choice.

roxythruxton · 01-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingOfFleece

This has been covered in detail-you may want to do a search. Seems like most agree Shell Rotella Syn is a good choice.

I agree . That dead horse has been thoroughly beaten.
I've read that the 15w50 Mobil1 V-Twin is identical to the 4T for Triumph .

dazco · 01-10-2008, 10:28 AM

I use Mobil1 Vtwin, available at places like auto zone for about $7.50 a quart which would be about $30 a gallon. It's AFAIK close to or the same oil as triumph oil which is also Mobil1. I don't think anyone here can tell you which is really best unless they are an oil researcher. I however came to use Vtwin not only because i'm quite sure it's close to if not the same as the triumph stuff, but i did a lot of research and at one point found a site that convinced me. The site was a forum that had a certain member who WAS a oil researcher and he seemed to be the guru there that everyone listened to. I posted and asked and he told me to definatly go with Vtwin and that i won't find anything better. There is however one oil thought to be as good or slightly better, but it's about $10 a quart (Amsoil) and VERY hard to find, i have seen nothing that convinced me as much as the guy i spoke to on that site. Also, Mobil1 oil of all types, car or bike, has a universally accepted rep as being an absolutely top notch oil. So thats what i'd recommend.

mecscc · 01-10-2008, 10:33 AM

Eric: your question is referred to as part of the "oil wars."

There are about as many answers as there are members and are many, many threads to search on this issue. For me the bottom line is that any oil that meets the standards set in your Owner's Manual is fine.

Personally, I literally mix my own: two quarts of Mobil V-Twin full synthetic 20W50, and two quarts of Pennzoil Motorcycle dino 10W40 oil. Both oils meet all standards required and combined cost about $4 a quart.

Others do their own thing. Be sure that the little round API logo on the bottle does NOT say "Energy Conserving." That means that it has additives that CAN (not necessarily WILL) cause your clutch to slip.

erikmustride · 01-10-2008, 12:50 PM

I appreciate all the info. my main concern was that some types of car oil will caise your bearings to slip instead of roll and can cause,over time, cause engine failure. i've heard as many oil types as there are riders, but I wanted to see waht you folks thought.

nbalzan · 01-10-2008, 01:33 PM

Erikmustride i don't think ist a good idea to use car oil. Very soon I have to change mine too. I am thinking of using one of these, one semi-synthetic the other fully-synthetic. Anyone using them?

Shell Advance VSX4
10W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 semi-synthetic 4-stroke motorcycle engine oil

- Shell Advance VSX 4 is a unique semi-synthetic lubricant exclusively developed for 4-stroke motorcycles, providing excellent engine protection, cleanliness and superior clutch and gearbox operation
- It is specially designed for riders of high-powered bikes who need a superior oil that protects and keeps their bike engine clean in all types of road conditions
- Its balanced formulation means the oil retains its viscosity for longer and reduces oil consumption
- The special formulation prevents clutch slippage and reduces clutch sticking after cold starts
- Smoother gear change
- Provides excellent engine protection and performance, keeping engines cleaner for longer
- It exceeds the requirements of international specification (API - SL and JASO MA) and all Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers

Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-40

Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T is a fully synthetic 4-stroke engine oil for high performance sports bikes. Its Race Derived Technology based on Castrol’s experience with racing teams ensures optimum engine performance giving increased acceleration under the most arduous riding conditions. With Trizone Technology™.

Castrol Trizone Technology:

Your 4T bike’s performance depends on the ability of 3 critical zones within your bike – The Engine, Clutch and Gearbox to synchronize and operate efficiently as one. All Castrol 4T oils are specifically designed and tested to work and provide superior protection to these critical moving parts & this is the Castrol Trizone advantage.

Approvals & specifications

JASO MA

API SJ

TOMKRILL · 01-10-2008, 03:56 PM

Best Oil

I don't have a photo but my dealer suggested AMSOIL which is a synthetic made in wisconsin since 1972- http://www.amsoil.com/

Dave Watson used to drive the USAC Stock Car sponsered by AMSOIL in the '70's and 80's until USAC stopped it's Stock Car program and stuck with Silver Crown, Sprint Cars and Midget race cars.

Since my dealer is Team Triumph in Janesville, Wisconsin:

http://www.rideteamtriumph.com/intro.htm

The best there is, I take their word for it.

erikmustride · 01-10-2008, 04:24 PM

Anyone ever used Silkolene? It's what i used in my last bike. A Honda.

gerryd01 · 01-10-2008, 08:07 PM

Hello Eric

I used Silkolene GOLD 15w50 that was the replacment oil used by the local dealer. I happenend to drop the some oil myself and I panicked or dhopuld I say S - - T Myself. as all I saw was flecks of "Gold" like material in the drain tray.This subsequently led to me getting the dealer to strip the engine looking for the "Gold" and subsequently they found nothing as they had t ocontact the factory as it was under warranty and the Factory rep investigated and was informed by the factory that there are no components in the engine that can generate something of a "Gold fleck ' material. That was at 6000klms. I have now done nearly 12,000 and ONLY use what is recommended in the Triumph Owners manual and that is "Mobil1 4T Racing 15w50. According to the Mobile Engineers in Melbourne Australia the Mobil1 4T Racing and the Mobil 1 V Twin are vitrually identical except that the V Twin has a slightly higher heat rating as it was specifically developed for the HD Tractors t oassist with the heating up of the rear cylinder.

Stick with what the book says and you can go wrong especially if something does happen to fail

All the best
Gerry D01