Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Originally Posted By: SuzukiGoat
The transmission this is going in turns rotella to water within 800 miles or so and shifting gets clunky.
The yamalube 15w50 synthetic lasts until 1500 miles or so, but it's expensive. Looking for something under 10 bucks a quart. in the 10w40 to 20w50 range.
This is an easy one.
1. (and I am taking a guess here and please understand, just discussing)
You only mention Rotella turning to water, but your leaving out the fact that you used an oil weight not recommended by Suzuki. Again, I may be wrong but based on your complaint Im guessing you used Rotella 5w40 which is a horrible oil to use in a shared sump bike, people buy it because its a synthetic ignoring the fact its not recommended..
Its also possible you didnt realize that you did use it but 5w40 in any brand shears quickly in your bike and why 5w40 is not listed as an acceptable oil by Suzuki and many other companies.
2. The conventional Rotella CK 15w40 and Valvoline Blue CK/SN 15w40 still contain a healthy additive package, the other 15w40s not so much since the CK 4 standard. Being its conventional 15w40 you will notice good shift quality and about double the mileage of any 5w40 before shifting starts to degrade.
3. Ok,
three is a big one, warmer weather riding above 60 degrees,
Conventional 20w50 Valvoline 4 stroke motorcycle oil is the golden goose of shift quality, I think you will find it lasts longer then any oil at a fraction of the cost.
Right here in these forums I posted a few UOAs on my Suzuki (and maybe yamaha) bike, years ago, always terrific reports but for me personally, the shift quality lasted a long time.
The Valvoline 20w50 4 stroke motorcycle oil can still to this day be bought at many (but not all) walmarts for $4.00 a quart, other stores are a dollar or two higher. Also if you wish in the same weight you can buy the synthetic version, I never used the synthetic so can not say the same.
I will say, Valvoline for some reason, is the most underrated oil manufacturer in the USA. I never knew the reason, I think maybe because its a USA company and their products are cost effective, meaning for some reason if people pays 3 times the price for oil they think its better.
)
FWIW I've had good service with Valvoline VR1 20W/50 oil in my Harley and NAPA brand oil comes from the same bulk tank as Valvoline.