I'm starting this thread to compare the two flavors of Rotella 15w40 in motorcycles.
Apparently the synthetic T6 was only available in 5w40 for many years, so if you wanted a Rotella 15w40, you were looking at the T4 "Dino" oil.
I've been very happy using T4 15w40 in my Nighthawk 750 (air cooled inline 4) and my Shadow 750 (liquid cooled V-Twin).
Last Spring I acquired a new-to-me CB1100, very similar to the Nighthawk 750, an air cooled inline 4.
I was thinking about using the T4 in it, but the Honda dealership threw in an oil change with the bike, so I just went with the Honda oil.
Oddly enough, the manual calls for 10w30, but the dealership only had 10w40. She got the 10w40 and it's been fine.
Now I want to change the oil before the winter season. Here in Dallas winter is still ridable, but not nearly as often or as far. I rarely ride below 40F, and I never ride below freezing... At least not on purpose
My experience with the Nighthawk and Shadow is that the T4 15w40 is better oil than Honda's oil. Ie, shifting is smoother and it maintains a transparent amber color for longer.
I don't know if looking cleaner is actually a good thing, but it's psychologically reassuring to check my motor oil with 2k miles on it and it still looks new!
Over on the CB1100 Forum, if you ask any kind of oil question, it generates a bunch of snarky comments.
Apparently quite a few people there are using the T6 5w40, but of course there are also the Honda loyalists who insist on using Honda oil in any kind of Honda product.
Looking at the TBN and shear resistance of the T6 5w40, and it doesn't seem like the 5w40 is the best choice.
Anyhow, I got a couple of gallons of the T6 15w40, and I plan to try it in both the Shadow 750 (currently running T4) and the CB1100 (currently running Honda 10w40 dino oil)
I average between 3 and 4 thousand miles a year per bike, so I usually just change the oil annually.
I'll let you know what I find out!
Apparently the synthetic T6 was only available in 5w40 for many years, so if you wanted a Rotella 15w40, you were looking at the T4 "Dino" oil.
I've been very happy using T4 15w40 in my Nighthawk 750 (air cooled inline 4) and my Shadow 750 (liquid cooled V-Twin).
Last Spring I acquired a new-to-me CB1100, very similar to the Nighthawk 750, an air cooled inline 4.
I was thinking about using the T4 in it, but the Honda dealership threw in an oil change with the bike, so I just went with the Honda oil.
Oddly enough, the manual calls for 10w30, but the dealership only had 10w40. She got the 10w40 and it's been fine.
Now I want to change the oil before the winter season. Here in Dallas winter is still ridable, but not nearly as often or as far. I rarely ride below 40F, and I never ride below freezing... At least not on purpose
My experience with the Nighthawk and Shadow is that the T4 15w40 is better oil than Honda's oil. Ie, shifting is smoother and it maintains a transparent amber color for longer.
I don't know if looking cleaner is actually a good thing, but it's psychologically reassuring to check my motor oil with 2k miles on it and it still looks new!
Over on the CB1100 Forum, if you ask any kind of oil question, it generates a bunch of snarky comments.
Apparently quite a few people there are using the T6 5w40, but of course there are also the Honda loyalists who insist on using Honda oil in any kind of Honda product.
Looking at the TBN and shear resistance of the T6 5w40, and it doesn't seem like the 5w40 is the best choice.
Anyhow, I got a couple of gallons of the T6 15w40, and I plan to try it in both the Shadow 750 (currently running T4) and the CB1100 (currently running Honda 10w40 dino oil)
I average between 3 and 4 thousand miles a year per bike, so I usually just change the oil annually.
I'll let you know what I find out!