SuperTech 15W40 3191 miles 08 DL650 Vstrom

[ridehike]

First UOA on this bike 6/19/10;

SuperTech 15W40 CJ-4/SM 08/Suzuki DL650 Vstrom,
3191 miles on oil & Carquest #85359 oil filter,
No make up oil needed,
Oil installed 12/23/09,
19434 total miles on bike,
SuperTech gallon bottle has WNE stamp on bottom,
SuperTech 15W40 CJ-4/SM used in bike for last 14000 miles
with 3500 mile OCIs.
Comments by Blackstone:

BILL: Only the low viscosity kept the first sample from
your Suzuki from being perfect. Wear looks great so we
don't think that the low viscosity is much of an issue.
Fuel dilution is the most common cause for a low viscosity reading but no fuel was found here nor were any other harmful contaminants present. Our universal averages show what wear
typically looks like from this engine model after an oil run of ~2,500 miles. This oil was run a little longer than that yet all wear read well within the normal range and in the proper balance. Nice engine!

Aluminum- 9
Chromium- 1
Iron- 24
Copper- 2
Lead- 2
Tin- 2
Molybdenum- 57
Nickel- 0
Manganese- 0
Silver- 0
Titanium- 0
Potassium- 1
Boron- 8
Silicon- 5
Sodium- 7
Calcium- 1382
Magnesium- 730
Phosphrorus- 1113
Zinc- 1391
Barium- 0

SUS Viscosity @ 210F- 63
cST Viscosity @ 100C- 11.05
Flashpoint in F- 400
Fuel- .5%
Antifreeze- 0%
Water- 0%
Insolubles- .3%

 

[chevrofreak]

Viscosity loss means absolutely nothing unless it is the direct cause of increased wear or poor shifting and/or clutch feel.

 

[ridehike]

The shifting has always been a little notchy since new, with new or old oil in bike. Mostly twisty riding in the mountains with lots of shifting and higher RPMs.

 

[Scooter_man]

Well, looks like the CJ-4/SM version of SuperTech 15w40 did ok. Sure - the viscosity is down some, but apparently not enough to be a problem in relation to wear-metals.

With lots of shifting and high RPM's - that Vis. drop is to be expected of any oil in a shared-sump.

I might have to consider using this stuff myself - sure can't beat the price.

 

[ridehike]

Use ST 15W40 in a 07 KLR650, 08 CRF230L, 87 Toyota Pickup, and 93 Miata, too. This is the first UOA I have had on ST 15W40.
I like the price too!

 

[genynnc]

ST 15w-40 is straight legit.

 

[sunruh]

i would have liked to have seen the susvis higher. hmmm.

do you have any other uoa's to compare wear against?

al 9
iron 24 seem to be pretty decent


no matter what, do NOT go look at the silkolene uoa that was done on a zook 650 with 1100 less miles.
if you do, you will laugh yourself silly!
p.s. your wallet is about $50 fatter too!

 

[ridehike]

Don't have another UOA for the ST 15W40 CJ-4/SM to compare, yet.

Will have future UOAs done on ST 15W40 out of the 08 DL650 & 07 KLR650 to compare in a few months.

Run the Vstrom pretty hard in the twistys between a moderate to spirited pace with higher RPMs & lots of shifting.

 

[BigJohn]

I'm a big fan of 15w40's and we use it in all three of our DL650's. Currently, we have 7 gallons of Delvac to get through and I love the stuff.

No question ST is a good oil, but I don't think it is a great oil. I will stick with Rotella or Delvac....whichever is cheaper.

 

[ridehike]

While I was waiting for the SuperTech UOA results to come back, saw Delvac on sale at the local Walmarte' for $9.00 per gallon. Checked again and the price was up to $11.00 per gallon. My Son uses Rotella 15W40 in his VTX1800.

 

[Gene K]

Originally Posted By: ridehike
While I was waiting for the SuperTech UOA results to come back, saw Delvac on sale at the local Walmarte' for $9.00 per gallon. Checked again and the price was up to $11.00 per gallon. My Son uses Rotella 15W40 in his VTX1800.


You can get Delvac 1300 15W40 at O'Reilly's through 7/27 for $7.99 Gallon.

 

[ridehike]

SuperTech is currently $9.00 per gallon @ Walmarte'.

$7.99 per gallon is a great price for Delvac!

 

[budrow79]

Good oil, I use it in my KLR.

 

[ridehike]

Using SuperTech 15W40 in my KLR650, CRF230L, 93 Miata, and 87 Toyota Pickup without problems.

When Gene K mentioned Delvac 1300 15W40 at O'Reilly's for $7.99 Gallon, I purchased four gallons of Delvac while on sale, since it was a lower price than SuperTech 15W40
@ $9.00 per gallon.

 

[sunruh]

in my tests the ST beat the pants off the 1300 delvac, but at a savings of $1.01 (or 1/9th) it would be hard to turn down. not that the delvac was bad, just not as good.
4gals will last a good long while!

 

[ridehike]

sunruh,

Did not know about your test results on the SuperTech compared to 1300 Delvac. Good info to know. Thanks!

I use "lots" of 15W40 oil with three motorcycles, one car, and a pickup. Will add a 4th motorcycle to the "active" stable this winter. Should use four gallons quickly. This is why I have been testing SuperTech, need a "good" oil for a "good" price to keep operating & maintenance cost down.

Use SuperTech 5W30 in a Focus ZX3:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1746048&page=1

 

[CaspianM]

Originally Posted By: sunruh
in my tests the ST beat the pants off the 1300 delvac, but at a savings of $1.01 (or 1/9th) it would be hard to turn down. not that the delvac was bad, just not as good.
4gals will last a good long while!


Really? Delvac is worse than ST? Would you elaborate where it failed compared to ST?
Here is a UOA of Delvac along some other oil:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post1730643

 

[sunruh]

if everything else is the same (ie wear metals, price, availability), of these which would you pick?

FLASHPOINT IN F: 385
SUS VISCOSITY @ 210 F: 70.6

FLASHPOINT IN F: 410
SUS VISCOSITY @ 210 F: 68.0

FLASHPOINT IN F: 410
SUS VISCOSITY @ 210 F: 69.8

FLASHPOINT IN F: 390
SUS VISCOSITY @ 210 F: 75.8

FLASHPOINT IN F: 400
SUS VISCOSITY @ 210 F: 72.3

FLASHPOINT IN F: 410
SUS VISCOSITY @ 210 F: 75

FLASHPOINT IN F: 400
SUS VISCOSITY @ 210 F: 68.6

all are either 5w40 or 15w40.

AND

a susvis of 68.28 is the bottom of 40wt.
so 1 is out of grade and 1 is very close to being out.

 

[CaspianM]

I would choose the thinnest oil especially on cold crank.
It is very hard to fault the Delvac.

 

[sunruh]

these are all UOA's not voa's.

some held up a *LOT* better than others.