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View Full Version : changing oil from Mobil 1 to ????

KARSTEN
10-13-2006, 06:51 AM
It is time for me to change the oil in my new-to-me '94 R1100RS.The previous owner stated that he had been using Mobil 1,I have used on all my other bikes(Airheads) Golden Spectro 4 and am very happy with it.My question is should,on this bike,I continue to use Mobil 1 or can I change it to Golden Spectro 4?
robsryder
10-13-2006, 07:07 AM
If one can assume that your 94 R11RS is fully broken in (meaning has more than 15,000 miles) then use of about any good oil should be ok. Some folks have found that use of a synthetic oil (i.e., Mobil 1) before fully breaking in the engine is detrimental (increased oil consumption, longer for rings to seat).

For my 94 R11RS I use about any oil that I have handy. For warmer summer weather I like Mobil 1 as synthetic oils have somewhat higher tolerance of temperature. I have used Golden Spectro (a semi-synthetic) following Mobil 1 with no ill effects. I've also used regular dyno oil (BMW or Castrol GTX) 20W-50 after Mobil 1 - no problems there either.

I change the oil filter with every oil change. Oil is changed regularly (several times per year regardless of miles ridden) and rarely goes beyond 2,500 miles between changes.

I have had problems with use of Mobil 1 (many leaks) in my airheads, but none in the oilhead.
121247
10-13-2006, 08:05 AM
I have a 05 RT and use Mobil 1 in the gear case. The gears are very smooth to shift and in cooler weather it works great.
CW
Chicago
breyfogle
10-13-2006, 08:52 AM
....My question is should,on this bike,I continue to use Mobil 1 or can I change it to Golden Spectro 4?....

The motor, absolutely-positively, won't care which oil is used. Pick whichever brand YOU prefer. Even non-synthetic (of the correct viscosity) is more than good enough.

These bikes do have a history of tranny problems, however, and you will find lots of owners using full synthetic gear lube in the tranny even if they use dino oil in the engine.
BubbaZanetti
10-13-2006, 11:07 AM
I have a 05 RT and use Mobil 1 in the gear case. The gears are very smooth to shift and in cooler weather it works great.
CW
Chicago


you do mean mobil 1 gear oil and not motor oil, right??


switching oils shouldn't be a pain, i do it all the time. i'm about to try rotella 5W 40 for the cold new england winters
121247
10-13-2006, 03:24 PM
Yes I use Mobil 1, 75-90 gear oil in the gear case.
CW
Chicago