I'm so hesitant to even ask.... because it's an oil question (R1100S)

iminspaaace · iminspaaace's Garage

Is anyone running Shell Rotella in their R1100S? I was looking and it appears the T6 5W-40 is the best match for the bike. I've been running Liqui-Moly 10W-50 full synthetic, but at $55/ jug versus $22 / jug for the Rotella it's more than a little compelling.

I've read some (older) threads where some seemed to say it's the best thing since sliced bread, and others said you'd have to be crazy to run something not BMW-approved, etc. I'm a bit concerned with it being a touch on the thin side for warm weather - according to the owners manual 40 weight is good up to 86F, and above that you should be running 50 weight, but I read that some said the slightly thinner viscosity helps to cool. I don't know what to believe.

So, anyone running it around here these days? Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance.

In a less contentious post next week I'll be asking about political affiliations...

sgoodwin · sgoodwin's Garage

50w is better, 40w will be noisier. It's a big twin, stick to 10/15/20w50.

Chris Canning · 03-15-2018, 02:59 AM

I’ve used Shell Advanced 10/40 for what? 15 years or more.

brentw1 · brentw1's Garage

20/50 will be quieter and what bmw specs
10/40 if you are running in really cold weather.
but i dont run in cold weather so, 20/50 synth

Chris Canning · 03-15-2018, 06:00 AM

It’s a bloody old tractor engine it don’t matter

wswartzwel · 03-15-2018, 06:44 AM

What Chris said. I have run the Synthetic rotella in my S for years. But any good oil that is changed at proper intervals will work fine.

N41EF · 03-15-2018, 05:29 PM

I like the T6 5W-40, it has excellent HTSS and is good for flat tappet cam engines. I've run it in VW diesels, Land Rover, '71 Vette, and my K Bike. I've done several oil samples and they were great in any engine I had it in.

buzzerbee · buzzerbee's Garage

Some use mineral oil.

iminspaaace · iminspaaace's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Canning

It’s a bloody old tractor engine it don’t matter

Ha! This is really close to the truth.

Nitro · Nitro's Garage

Don't do it. Using T6 will wrap the fabric of spacetime, you'll find yourself on the other side of the universe where the only enjoyment will be having anal sex with three-headed mermaids.

Don't do it!

tm1100s · 08:05 AM

Keep in mind that Shell Rotella 5w-40 is advertised as a diesel lubricant and like other diesel oils, it has a larger additive package than regular type oil. Bigger additive package means less actual base lubricant so it's entirely possible that you're trading one issue for another, especially since we don't know what else is in there. Unfortunately, Rotella 5w-40 is one that I've never sent to Blackstone to see what's in there.

If you needed some internal engine work at 100K, for instance, how would you know that it could have waited until 125K or 150K if you had used the recommended oil? You never know.

Posted a few seconds too late, but, yes, what Nitro said.

Meeni · Meeni's Garage

M1 15w50 is about the same price per quart.

YZR500 · YZR500's Garage

Brad Penn is very good oil, and it has the most ZDDP than any other oil which is good for old tractor engine like ours. It's also green,...

iminspaaace · iminspaaace's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meeni

M1 15w50 is about the same price per quart.

How do you figure? Rotella is $22/gallon on Amazon. I've never seen Mobil 1 that cheap but if you have a source I'm all for it.

TX_Biker_Scum · 03-16-2018, 09:14 PM

Walmart is $25 for a 5qt jug of Mobil 1.

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Mobil 1 goes on sale all the time at O'Reilly Auto stores. When on sale it's about $5.50 a quart...

You shouldn't pay full price for any oil as they all have sales. Just wait, then stock up.

And, you do have to compare apples to apples. Mobil 1 and most others are coming in the five-quart jug, versus some others in the four-quart...

tm1100s · 03-17-2018, 08:00 AM

Technical, procedural and financial guidance all in one place. How good does it get?

tomvv11 · tomvv11's Garage

O'Reilly's might not have it out on the floor, but if you ask, they usually do have the M1 15W-50 in the back.
Costco periodically has cases of 6 qts. of M1 for I think $26(?). 10W-40 is the closest they come to BMW specs. You have to have really good hearing and a very quiet helmet to hear the difference between 40 and 50 weight oil.

pwillikers · 06:32 PM

I use Rotella T6 in everything - even my bikes with wet clutches 'cause it's JASO MA certified. I've got sixty-two million trouble free miles with no measurable engine wear. I'm sure I could get by with straight 30W Quaker State and all would be hunky dory but I like the way the word Rotella sounds. What is a Rotella anyway? Sounds like some kind of pasta.

BTW, you should be ashamed of yourself for starting an oil thread.

iminspaaace · iminspaaace's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwillikers

I use Rotella T6 in everything - even my bikes with wet clutches 'cause it's JASO MA certified. I've got sixty-two million trouble free miles with no measurable engine wear. I'm sure I could get by with straight 30W Quaker State and all would be hunky dory but I like the way the word Rotella sounds. What is a Rotella anyway? Sounds like some kind of pasta.

Awesome, thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwillikers

BTW, you should be ashamed of yourself for starting an oil thread.

Aww...