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Synthetic oil

Ronzee

New member
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Messages
7
Anyone else find it odd that the manual calls for the same .7 liter as .7 quart after draining? It does show a difference for the quantity after disassembly......
As for synthetics, I've used Rotella full synth in my bikes for years, never had a wet clutch slip (supposedly the reason for NOT using synthetics). I like the long life feature when on a multi-thousand mile trip and no need to change oil half way through.
YMMV.
I just changed mine and used Amsoil Metric Motorcycle 10w30. It is ma rated for wet clutches. I know there is anti Amsoil folks but I have used it in my 16 Honda Pioneer 1000 and has been great. One question is when on the center stand the bike wants to pivot forward. Which position do you check the oil? I leaned it backward, it seems to be more level that way.
 

STUBBORN

Active member
Joined
Apr 21, 2021
Messages
219
Is Hawkeye Pierce your doctor?
Here is a motorcycle oil analysis using Shell Rotella T 5w40 synthetic
1658195953728.pngI use:

Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T Motorcycle Oil - 5W40​

1658195460714.png
Specifically made for motorcycles, this premium synthetic oil has a rating of MA2 this exceeds the minimum recommended Honda 10w30 MA oil
 

MisterB

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2022
Messages
168
Location
Monroe County, Ill
WARNING WARNING WARING: Engine Oil discussions are dangerous!! It's like talking about how ugly someones Mom is, there's no good answer.
Trigger warning - The following comments are not backed up by data and are merely supposition.

I've seen oil wars in every MC forum I've been a member of and had an idea: None of the combatants will ever have a problem with their engine due to oil. Dino vs Synth, 30w or 40w, it doesn't matter.
They are fastidiously checking their oil level and researching or sending it off for testing, changing it regularly or even early.
They won't keep the vehicle long enough to measure the .0005" extra wear to some part, or they won't live long enough.
It's the riders (or drivers) who don't know anything about their oil or how to check it that really need help.

And here's the twist ending .
They get interested and learn how to check their oil by reading these Oil Wars threads!
So keep the oil wars going, it may seem like a stretch but I'm almost positive it gets young riders thinking about it and then learning how to change it and keep an eye on the level.
I've had 2 younger guys at work talk to me about oil, (1 bike, 1 truck), because of seeing Oil War threads and now they're all about their oil.
 
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dmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,135
Location
🇺🇸
The only oil annoyance I have is that the dipstick Honda used makes it hard to see fresh oil on it for checking the level. Once the oil is dirty you can see it fine.
 

SneakyDingo

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 6, 2021
Messages
1,560
The tiny little dipstick has a much finer thread than it really needs too. I'd take the kickstarter over the oil window any day though. I love my kickstarter.
 

McRuss

Member
Joined
May 10, 2021
Messages
32
Anyone else find it odd that the manual calls for the same .7 liter as .7 quart after draining? It does show a difference for the quantity after disassembly......
As for synthetics, I've used Rotella full synth in my bikes for years, never had a wet clutch slip (supposedly the reason for NOT using synthetics). I like the long life feature when on a multi-thousand mile trip and no need to change oil half way through.
YMMV.
Rotella good; full synth good. Just put 7,000 miles (to AK and back) on my F3 Spyder and never worried about the oil. Hope to have Trail 125 within two weeks....
 

Happy Campa

Member
Joined
May 3, 2023
Messages
60
Just curious... has anyone notice a decrease in high speed engine vibrations using a 40 weight oil? My return commute home was 50 miles with the wind at about 55-60 mph. My hands and feet were numb from the vibrations. I'm looking into every angle to remedy. Figured a higher viscosity oil wouldn't hurt while running it wide open and probably on the warmer side.
 

Backwoods

Active member
Joined
Apr 12, 2023
Messages
162
Just curious... has anyone notice a decrease in high speed engine vibrations using a 40 weight oil? My return commute home was 50 miles with the wind at about 55-60 mph. My hands and feet were numb from the vibrations. I'm looking into every angle to remedy. Figured a higher viscosity oil wouldn't hurt while running it wide open and probably on the warmer side.
Lightweight gloves and don’t have a death grip on the handlebars. They probably make cushier grips too. Fingerless jellpad biking gloves work well to reduce felt vibration.
 

dmonkey

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Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,135
Location
🇺🇸
Heavier bar end weights can help too. "Grip Puppies" or an off-brand copy are an inexpensive, simple, and reversible way to add some cushion to the grips but I personally dislike them because they increase the circumference of the grip from standard. IMO the CT125 is pretty smooth for a thumper, the stock mirrors shook a bit but vintage singles were way worse, heck, a lot of modern twins are way worse.
 

oldskool

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2022
Messages
445
Heavier bar end weights can help too. "Grip Puppies" or an off-brand copy are an inexpensive, simple, and reversible way to add some cushion to the grips but I personally dislike them because they increase the circumference of the grip from standard. IMO the CT125 is pretty smooth for a thumper, the stock mirrors shook a bit but vintage singles were way worse, heck, a lot of modern twins are way worse.
What vibration....?...It purrs like a small kitten. Ride 500 miles on a V twin from Milwaukee :ROFLMAO:
 

Backwoods

Active member
Joined
Apr 12, 2023
Messages
162
What vibration....?...It purrs like a small kitten. Ride 500 miles on a V twin from Milwaukee :ROFLMAO:
I had an 02 Harley Sportster that was wicked on vibration in the grips and a Charlie horse after 50 miles, I sold it immediately and got the 02 Road King Classic. This 125 don’t seem too bad in the grip vibration for me anyway.
 

Happy Campa

Member
Joined
May 3, 2023
Messages
60
I've started commuting on my CT125 100 miles round trip on country back roads. I didn't feel much for vibration until I sustained 55-60 mph continuously with a tail wind. (I'm in South Dakota) I ordered some new grips, perhaps a bar brace later. To keep the thread straight, how many people run 40 weight oil and for how many miles on their CT125s?

Follow Up May 22nd - I added a bar brace and some Pro Grips 714 model. The grips are a nice upgrade. I haven't been able to do 60 mph sustained yet to judge a reduction in vibration.

Some time in the future... Still no vibrations to complain about.
 
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Dusty Bottoms

New member
Joined
Feb 15, 2024
Messages
3
Location
New Berlin
I just changed mine and used Amsoil Metric Motorcycle 10w30. It is ma rated for wet clutches. I know there is anti Amsoil folks but I have used it in my 16 Honda Pioneer 1000 and has been great. One question is when on the center stand the bike wants to pivot forward. Which position do you check the oil? I leaned it backward, it seems to be more level that way
 

Dusty Bottoms

New member
Joined
Feb 15, 2024
Messages
3
Location
New Berlin
I have 4 qts left from previous Valkyries. Thinking I will use the Amsoil 10w40 in the CT. Used it for 20 years or so with no problem.
 

Happy Campa

Member
Joined
May 3, 2023
Messages
60
I have 4 qts left from previous Valkyries. Thinking I will use the Amsoil 10w40 in the CT. Used it for 20 years or so with no problem.
I've used that very oil too. It works well for long wide open runs. After a big bore kit install, I switched to Amsoil 15w50. I am still pondering the use of 20w40 as it claims better thermal break down resistance in general. I also have some Rotella 15w40 sitting around🤔
 

Farmer Mike

Active member
Joined
Dec 14, 2023
Messages
155
Location
North Florida
I'm curious if 10w-40 would be an acceptable viscosity for non cold weather use? 10w-30 is the odd viscosity in my stable. I run Castrol Power1 4t 10w-40 in the Triumphs.
Realize I'm in Florida, and it's gonna be upper 80's, mid 90's all summer (HOT). While orienting me to the bike (December) the dealer told me to just run the Honda 10-30 until 600 miles, then to switch to 10-40 for the summer, and then I could switch back to 10-30 for the winter if I wanted, but he strongly recommended I run 10-40 during the summer. I just ordered a case of Castrol Power1, I'm of the opinion it's a perfectly acceptable oil. I do run Amsoil in in all my cars/trucks, and I'm running their small engine oil in my generators, lot splitters, mowers... but I read good things about this oil, so that's what I'm going with.
 
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