Great article about oils- http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm

Info on synthetic oils- http://www.maximausa.com/technical/l...beNews2002.pdf

A while back I had questions of my own about oil. I realized I knew absolutely nothing, so I decided to educate myself on the subject. Here is what I learned:

#1) Use a Motorcycle Specific oil that is API SG/JASO MA. Avoid car oils (seriously, don't even use that garbage in your car!), and definitely don't use any "energy conserving" oils.

#2) Synthetics have huge advantages over petroleum.

#3) Ester synthetics (Maxima Extra or Ultra, Motul 5100 or 300V, Klotz, etc.), have advantages over PAO synthetics (Mobil 1 and Amsoil).

For some reason, Yamalube and Honda oils have within the last year or so, quietly gone from API SG to SJ. SG is the last descent oil produced, and you can read the thumperfaq aritcle and see why that is important. Years ago I used Yamalube, and even recently I used Honda GN4 and HP4. I no longer use any of these, now that they are not SG.

My personal preferences are all ester synthetics, but you won't find these at Wall-Mart: Maxima Extra in my autoclutch bikes and Maxima Ultra in my 400's and 450R, and Redline in my truck.

In the frozen north I might run 5W30 in winter, and 10W40 in summer. In the warmer south, maybe 10W40 in winter, and 20W50 in summer. In the middle states, maybe 10W40 all year???