First off.....BLOODY HELL!! ........can't find any 'what engine oil' type threads here in the MTS section of the forum.......A....Mazing! lol 1) Looking for two local members (Somerset'ish.....I'm a couple of miles from M5 J21) who will be doing their own engine oil change sometime soon - i.e. to share in the purchase the prescribed Shell Advance Ultra 15w50 The offer I have is for 12 x 1ltr bottles which will work out at £30 each for 4ltrs. Local'ish as you'll have to collect from me ;-) Reference: Motorcycle Info Pages - MTS1200 Service & Maintenance > Engine Oil Change ....feel free to chip in with any advice / personal experience / recommendations related to MTS12 oil change.
just about to do mine, i've found some on ebay 4lt £23 + £5 postage item # 251422376544 but first i'll see the man in my local bike shop and see what he can do as he usually matches ebay prices.
I bought oil and filter from Snells worked out £11.87 a litre plus the filter and washers etc, going to change oil soon, did ask Snells to do it while they had bike in ramp while doing rear brake, but said centre stand needed removing etc so I said ill do it myself, Question if I drop oil and filter after warming engine what is the exact amount of oil required to meet the correct level, I get so confused with how it should be viewed through the oil glass, and just want to pre measure new oil out and poor it in, job done Also the bikes done 3637 miles and due 1st service, if I do change the oil will a dealer insist on changing it again or take my instructions that it's been done ?
2 x 4ltr for £50 inc p+p. shell advance. Shell Advance Ultra 10w40 4T Motorcycle Oil Fully Synthetic 8 ltrs | eBay.
You're welcome Guys.....15w50 recommended so you're not quoting like for like prices ;-) Ducati Multistrada 1200 engine oil viscosity chart (ambient climate temperature vs recommended viscosity of oil to use). Recommended by Ducati - Engine Oil Viscosity - SAE 15W-50The other viscosity values shown in the table can be used if the local average temperature falls within the limits specified for that oil viscosity...
10-40W operating range is fine for European temperatures on the whole, and most definitely northwest Europe. I suspect 15-50W is an all encompassing world wide specification.
I agree however the 15w50 does seem more appropriate to the ambient temperature ranges we see in the UK and IS recommended by Ducati - I'm no expert though! The question of what oil is best or suitable to use always leaves me baffled....as often as not as many people saying use ABC product or grade as those saying no use XYZ product/grade - so I sit on the fence and go with the manufacturers recommendation! Just for reference for anyone interested: In a 10w-40 for example the 10w bit (W = winter, not weight or watt or anything else for that matter) simply means that the oil must have a certain maximum viscosity/flow at low temperature. The lower the ?W? number the better the oils cold temperature/cold start performance. The 40 in a 10w-40 simply means that the oil must fall within certain viscosity limits at 100 degC. This is a fixed limit and all oils that end in 40 must achieve these limits. Once again the lower the number the thinner the oil, a 30 oil is thinner than a 40 oil at 100 degC etc. Your handbook will specify whether a 30, 40 or 50 etc is required.
The only one to use is Motul 300V factory line 15 -50. All the top Ducati techs and dealers i have spoken to only use this and for a very good reason - it is the best. Motul 300 V 4T Factory Motul Line 15W-50 Racing lubricant for race bikes 100% Synthetic Double Ester
Yay an oil thread Conversely I would argue 10W-40 is better suited to the UK. It retains shear strength better at lower end of the temp range and will operate far beyond what we see in the UK for upper. That said 15W is also fine to around -8c (according to that chart), so unless your seeing that on a regular basis then either is fine. Though typically 15W-50 is harder to get hold of and more expensive for giving you nothing over and above what you need ? The message I get is that any weight in that chart is recommended as long as you fall within the temp range. The 15W-50 quoted simply covers most geographies. Recommended by Ducati - Engine Oil Viscosity - SAE 15W-50The other viscosity values shown in the table can be used if the local average temperature falls within the limits specified for that oil viscosity... As for what make to use, use whatever you like as long as the spec and range are correct. The Shell recommendation is more a marketing tie in than for any technical reason.
Great link, thanks......I've read a few different articles over the years but that's one of the most comprehensive I've seen - only scanned quickly so far, that's a LOT of reading! Did pick up on this data though... So if my understanding is right: 10W40 has a lower viscosity at low temps, better for cold starts and sub zero running but way beyond what most of us would require in the UK so tick for 15W50 on that front. And more importantly, from the data above xxW50 has a higher viscosity (better!;-) at higher running temps......a good specification for a V-Twin. "Motor oil for dummies" .......no insult taken, you're not far from the mark with me! lol The original article Lets 'Talk Motor Oil – It is So Very Misunderstood' was written by Dr Ali E Haas - found it reproduced on loads of websites/forums but can't find the original and the only Dr Ali E Haas that comes up on searches is a plastic surgeon?! Thanks.....but OTT for me, a pukka fully synthetic with the price tag to match! Thanks....agreed but the low temp qualities of the 10W40 are way beyond the requirements of most of us with the exception perhaps of a few brave soles oop North and beyond......and I for one no longer ride in the Winter (mostly as I don't want to take the Mutley out on salty roads.....and as I can't afford a winter 'hack'). And the higher temp qualities of the 15W50 appear better. Too true! Yes I think so also.........just trying to get to the bottom of what's best, within reason (i.e. not prepared to pay the best part of £60 for the likes of Motul 300V!), for me and other typical UK riders. I think your very likely right there but one of the aspects that also makes me favour sticking to the recommended Shell Advance Ultra 15W50 is that it's one less thing for Ducati to quibble about should my motor suffer some form of mechanical failure (there have been a few instances of various issues documented.....I think valve stem oil seals was one!). Thanks for all your input
Solid reasoning Andy :biggrin:. But I cant help thinking your turning down 10W-40 on the premise it exceeds the range it will operate in, despite availability and cost. Motorcycling is all about choice, freedom and expression. No matter what anyone uses, if they feel good about it then its the right one. I always think its irrelevant what oil you use (within reason), the most important thing is that its changed when it should be.
......I can't help myself, 'ludite' isn't the right term (but I can't think of the right term.....brain fade!) so I take a lot of persuading to move from what I know to work and to be honest, playing safe.
Hey, another can of worms.....what oil filter! .......no don't worry......I always stick to the manufacturers branded item (playing safe again.....back to that concern over potential 'warranty' type issues;-)
Reading on the web-site it appears that they will do 15w50 at the same price so no problem with price or availability! Simply 'dealers choice' and I would go for 15w50 for the reasons given by AndyW. Possibly less mechanical noise when hot too!
Why would ypou not spend £60 on oil for an engine when its the most important part that you can add to an engine. As i mentioned i have spoken to some of the top Ducati techs in the country who strip engines on a regular basis and they will not use anything else. How much do you hope to save by buying a cheaper brand and how much do you think it will cost if that cheaper oil does not do its job correctly?
Simply because the cost isn't justifiable for road bikes with relatively stock engines........I doubt even one in a thousand owners would keep a bike long enough and/or do enough miles to actually reap any benefit. All the main stream oils at least meet the specifications set by bike (or car or whatver) manufacturers - products like shell Advance exceed them by some way. The more important factors affecting engine longevity, reliability and performance are - regular oil changes (my bikes' actually get an extra oil change annually each winter [so for the cost of one Motul 300V oil change I get two Shell AU changes;-] and 'mechanical sympathy' such as properly warming an engine before putting it under strain or giving it too much rhubarb).........all in my non expert humble opinion If that proves to be the case......bloody good spot that man!
Well said Andy. Keeping clean oil in the engine and careful warming to operating temperature are the most important factors for a long engine life.
Having done 110,000 miles since Dec 08 on regular 10w-40w fully synthetic and car type filters Fram 2839 or Mahle OC5 changed every 6000miles and never needing any major engine work I would say just change oil and filter regularly. You can still see the honing marks in the bores even after all these miles.
