Rotella T6 Synthetic 5w40- Says heavy duty Diesel!

[Nu2Street]

I have read that people recommend the T6 for sport bikes, but when I went to buy it I see it says heavy duty Diesel oil. Is this correct to use the T6 full synthetic 5w40 oil in my 2006 ninja 250? How about in a GSXR 600 if I add one to my collection next summer? Thanks

[adouglas]

Yes, that's the stuff. Blue jug.

[jkv45]

Shell Rotella T6 was designed as a diesel oil.

Shell has certified it as JASO MA for use in wet clutch applications like conventional cycle engines. It has the proper levels of additives you want for a cycle engine, unlike current automotive oils.

It's a Group III synthetic, which is a lower level but still more than adequate for most applications that call for conventional oil.

Overall it's a solid and safe choice for a cycle engine IMO.

[Ghostt]

Agreed I've been using it for almost 10 years now in my bikes, no issues with it.

Recently I've switched to Mobile 1 15-50w this season, and it works well too.

any 10w-40 to 20w50 rated JASO-MA/MA2 oil will do just fine.

[ducatiman]

T6 in my Honda VFR800 for 6 years now, zero issues, clutch or otherwise

good stuff, recommend for your 250 and GSXR600 too.

["A"]

I ran the T6 in my 04 Ninja 250 last year.. for my commute in NYC metro, bumper-to-bumper traffic, NYC Tunnels/Bridges, the 5w40 was fine, but the radiator fan seems to come on more frequently than using Mobil 1, 20w50, under similar conditions.
Still change the oil at the same frequency, 4-5k mi.; but if the fan can come on less often, I'll keep using the Mobil1 20w50.

[Brother Michigan]

Originally Posted by "A"

I ran the T6 in my 04 Ninja 250 last year.. for my commute in NYC metro, bumper-to-bumper traffic, NYC Tunnels/Bridges, the 5w40 was fine, but the radiator fan seems to come on more frequently than using Mobil 1, 20w50, under similar conditions.
Still change the oil at the same frequency, 4-5k mi.; but if the fan can come on less often, I'll keep using the Mobil1 20w50.

20W-50? Holy cow, you must live somewhere warm! (Sorry for threadjack.)

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by "A"

I ran the T6 in my 04 Ninja 250 last year.. for my commute in NYC metro, bumper-to-bumper traffic, NYC Tunnels/Bridges, the 5w40 was fine, but the radiator fan seems to come on more frequently than using Mobil 1, 20w50, under similar conditions.
Still change the oil at the same frequency, 4-5k mi.; but if the fan can come on less often, I'll keep using the Mobil1 20w50.

That's is odd, but thinner oil (T6) moves heat away faster/better than the heavier oil. Heavy oil moves slower and builds more pressure, which is not usually an advantage.

20W-50 is overkill, and too heavy, for a water-cooled engine IMO - even in hot temps. Those oils were developed back in the day to combat thermal breakdown in air cooled engines. When conventional oil breaks down it drops to the low end (W) rating. Synthetic oil takes a lot more heat to breakdown, and hold its viscosity better when overheated.

Heavy oil is not an advantage, even in high performance applications. Many of the top drag race and Land Speed teams run "less than 0" weight oil in their high performance engines. Granted, they aren't looking for long-term durability, but running a 400 HP 4cyl cycle engine for miles wide-open still leaves plenty of room for oil-related failure.

In cold temps, a 5W synthetic is far superior in protecting your engine from excessive wear during start-up and before the engine is up to operating temp.

["A"]

Originally Posted by Brother Michigan

20W-50? Holy cow, you must live somewhere warm! (Sorry for threadjack.)

NYC Tunnel/Bridges traffic.. can be 120F+ air temp in summer time with standstill traffic...

[Nu2Street]

Thanks for the replies so far. Today I ordered two of the Wix filters for my ninja. Tomorrow it us supposed to be 60 degrees. I plan on fueling up with ethanol free gas/ adding Stabile. Riding home and washing the bike. Then oil/filter change- (Rotella T6 5w40) short run of engine to circulate fresh oil and park bike in my heated basement like last winter. Over the winter in take off body plastics and clean/ wax/ check entire bike.

[adouglas]

Don't forget to put a battery tender on it.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Nu2Street

Thanks for the replies so far. Today I ordered two of the Wix filters for my ninja. Tomorrow it us supposed to be 60 degrees. I plan on fueling up with ethanol free gas/ adding Stabile. Riding home and washing the bike. Then oil/filter change- (Rotella T6 5w40) short run of engine to circulate fresh oil and park bike in my heated basement like last winter. Over the winter in take off body plastics and clean/ wax/ check entire bike.

Perfect!

That's the correct procedure for proper storage IMO.

I'd add - take it for a ride after washing to make sure any water that is sitting gets blown out. It will also warm the engine for the oil change and help evaporate any water that's sitting around the engine as well. Lube the chain when you get back to prevent rust, as it should be dry and warm.

[ChrisGuerrero]

Originally Posted by Nu2Street

Thanks for the replies so far. Today I ordered two of the Wix filters for my ninja. Tomorrow it us supposed to be 60 degrees. I plan on fueling up with ethanol free gas/ adding Stabile. Riding home and washing the bike. Then oil/filter change- (Rotella T6 5w40) short run of engine to circulate fresh oil and park bike in my heated basement like last winter. Over the winter in take off body plastics and clean/ wax/ check entire bike.

Sounds like a great plan! Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-BEST-OIL if you have any questions before, during or after your Rotella oil change. -The Shell Rotella Team

[VaFish]

That's the right stuff. Run it in both my Duramax Diesel pickup and my Ninja 250 motorcycle.

[john pierson]

The additive package is better for gearboxes than what gas engine oil has. I've used 15/40 in the past w good results and tried the rotella 5/40 this year and like it. Been using 15/50 mobil 1 in my Aprilia for quite a few yrs but might try the 5/40 next year.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by ChrisGuerrero

Sounds like a great plan! Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-BEST-OIL if you have any questions before, during or after your Rotella oil change. -The Shell Rotella Team

Uhh. Spam?

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Uhh. Spam?

Perhaps not, seems oil companies are "partnering" these days. You will find that number on the company contact us page of both Shell and Pennzoil.

Originally Posted by ChrisGuerrero

Sounds like a great plan! Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-BEST-OIL if you have any questions before, during or after your Rotella oil change. -The Shell Rotella Team

Welcome!

[choneofakind]

Maybe, but the number is giving me mixed results on google

ChrisG, I hope you're legit and I'm just prejudging you unfairly. Lookingnforward to having you participate here.

[JohnnyBravo]

Hey ain't nothin wrong with a Houston oiler on a ninjette... Or a Texan, or a cowboy

[ChrisGuerrero]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Maybe, but the number is giving me mixed results on google

ChrisG, I hope you're legit and I'm just prejudging you unfairly. Lookingnforward to having you participate here.

Yes, I am legit and I'm looking forward to participating as well! Thanks for the warm welcome haha

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by ChrisGuerrero

Yes, I am legit and I'm looking forward to participating as well! Thanks for the warm welcome haha

Tech Rep or Chemical Engineer?

Either way, we always appreciate input from Industry Professionals.

[RichmondKawi]

just put Rotella in my 2003 Ninja as well stuff is awesome

[cadd]

ChrisG, don't report me....but I go to Walmart and open every single bottle of Rotella on the shelves to take pictures under the cap for the code to enter in my "MyMilesMatters" account. I can get up to 50 bottles a day. After just 4 weeks of doing this, I'm close to redeeming a business class round trip ticket to Maui on United Airlines. Am I afraid of getting caught? Nope. I have a trusty sidekick. She's my look out.



After a hard day's work at Walmart, when she gets thirsty and I don't want to buy her the bottled water especially formulated for dogs at Walmart, I just have her take a few sips of the old T6 that I just drained.

Thanks.

[Walraz]

Hey guys, new member here, I used Rotella T6 for my last oil change, but I accidentally bought Rotella T4 Tripple Protection this time. Its a 15W-40. Does anyone know if theres and differemce between that and the T6 besides the weight? sorry if this is a dumb Q. im a new owner and a little cautious.

Thanks!

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by Walraz

Hey guys, new member here, I used Rotella T6 for my last oil change, but I accidentally bought Rotella T4 Tripple Protection this time. Its a 15W-40. Does anyone know if theres and differemce between that and the T6 besides the weight? sorry if this is a dumb Q. im a new owner and a little cautious.

Thanks!

You should be fine, it's conventional oil, not synthetic

http://rotella.shell.com/products/ro...rotection.html

http://rotella.shell.com/media/2016/...echnology.html

The one thing you want to watch out for with oil, is that it doesn't have the additives that make it more slippery, which is bad for your wet clutch.

Shell Rotella T6 has been the favorite for a long time.

Last season I switched to Mobile 1 15-50w, and I haven't had any problems.

[Brother Michigan]

Originally Posted by Walraz

Hey guys, new member here, I used Rotella T6 for my last oil change, but I accidentally bought Rotella T4 Tripple Protection this time. Its a 15W-40. Does anyone know if theres and differemce between that and the T6 besides the weight? sorry if this is a dumb Q. im a new owner and a little cautious.

Thanks!

As Ghostt said, you should be fine. The T4 is JASO-MA and -MA2 certified, so it is fine for your clutch and the higher "cold" weight won't be a problem since you obviously won't be seeing very many cold mornings!