Synthetic and a wet clutch

[G-Man]

Just read that synthetic oil should not be used with a wet clutch as it may cause slipping.  Is this true?

Hope I'm not opening up a can or oily worms.

Thanks

[big poppa pump]

Bull! I have been using Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic for a long time now and my clutch is yet to slip.

[pocobubba]

There are a lot of Motorcycle specific Synthetic oils on the market that specify wet clutch compatible . Lots of guys have been using Mobile One for years , also Rotella Syn. Honda sells there own Synthetic , I believe you have been misinformed  .

[Jess from VA]

It does not require motorcycle specific synthetic oil...... any synthetic of the proper weight will do.... so long as it does not have the infamous FRICTION MODIFIERS, OR ENERGY CONSERVING words on it.  If you do that, you will be fine, if you make a mistake, you can burn your clutch in short order.

I've been running the T6 Rotella for years in both bikes.  It's all good.  Not as quiet as Amzoil, not as expensive as Amzoil either (by a long shot).

[G-Man]

Thank you.

I've been using synthetic Rotella for years now in the Valkyrie.  But now I also have the 1100 shadow and was looking on the net for oil volumeand came across an "article" that gives all the particulars for the bike and it's oil change, and it specifically said not to use synthetic with a wet clutch.

Thanks for seeting me straight.

[98valk]

only if a bike has an under sized clutch vs the amount of HP and TQ the engine makes. the org Suzuki Bandit 1200 had the problem. couldn't use syn, some would burn the clutch up. Traded mine in for the Valkyrie.
There are also syn oils that are rated for wet clutchs, some of the specs are AO-1, CA-2 etc and then there are no problems.

[saddlesore]

On a thread earlier this week I asked about additives and the wise men here told me not to use any.
My experience with synthetic oil has been positive but I change the oil and filter at around 6500 miles.
If I run it per specs (8000miles)  there seem to be something wrong. Maybe an occasional slip in the clutch.  It's usually in hot weather.  I don't want to take any chances so I change it.

[gordonv]

Thank you.

I've been using synthetic Rotella for years now in the Valkyrie.  But now I also have the 1100 shadow and was looking on the net for oil volumeand came across an "article" that gives all the particulars for the bike and it's oil change, and it specifically said not to use synthetic with a wet clutch.

Thanks for seeting me straight.

Owned the VT1100T (Shadow Tourer), and when I went to Amsoil synthetic oil, not only did I not have any problems with the clutch, but I also got 7% better fuel economy.

This meant that I saved the higher cost of the synthetic oil by paying less for gas. Then there is the annual oil change, instead of 2-3 times a year.

[snakemeister]

  My '97 Tourer has 100,000 on it and has nothing but Mobil I 15-50 run in it. The ONLY repair to the drivetrain as been to have the rear drive rebuilt at 85,000.

[98valk]

  My '97 Tourer has 100,000 on it and has nothing but Mobil I 15-50 run in it. The ONLY repair to the drivetrain as been to have the rear drive rebuilt at 85,000.

more proof that moly in the oil does no harm to a motorcycle engine.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I've  ran mobil 1  15W 50 for over 172,000 miles in my interstate. I did have to put a clutch in at 160,000 but it was rivet failure not slippage that killed the clutch.

[RicCA]

Im a bit confused about these oils..... I have looked at a few of them listed and they say diesel synthetic oil.... like the shell Rotella T6 and the Mobile 1 1300..... So are you using the diesel oil or am I looking at the wrong oils??? Help Please
Ric

[98valk]

Im a bit confused about these oils..... I have looked at a few of them listed and they say diesel synthetic oil.... like the shell Rotella T6 and the Mobile 1 1300..... So are you using the diesel oil or am I looking at the wrong oils??? Help Please
Ric

yes diesel. A diesel engine stresses the oil more than any watercooled m/c engine ever could.