Oil

Discussion in 'Ducati General Discussion' started by Loverobot, Nov 15, 2013.

  1. Not the usual what oil thread so bear with me

    Have four bikes to service and ideally would like to use the same oil viscosity in as many as poss

    Have the following -

    1995 600ss
    2001 748s
    2004 ST3
    2009 1198s

    I have seen conflicting suggestions for the 748 - 10w40 or 15w50
    Similarly with the 600ss due to its wet clutch there appears to be debate

    Anyone able to say if 10w40 or 15w50 is fine for the first three?

    Manual for st3 and the 748s says 10w40
     
    #1 Loverobot, Nov 15, 2013
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2013
  2. 10w40 will be fine for all of them. Regular oil and filter changes is the more important thing to worry about.
     
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  3. ^what fig says :upyeah:
     
  4. I use 15/50 for my ducati 748 and 1098r. This was advised by JHP. Apparently the thicker oil coats the rockers better?
     
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  5. You will get a myriad of answers. All different. :biggrin: All will probably be correct too.
     
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  6. i've had the same with 10/40 so it really doesn't matter - i think it's more about changing the oil regularly.
     
  7. Cheers - will be easier to top up having one version and means dont have loads of different oil bottles in my already jam packed garage :)
     
  8. 15W50 for me too, although I've always run two valve air cooled Ducatis.
     
  9. I think the climate has more of a bearing on the type of oil you should use rather than the engine itself. And the 1198 will be less sensitive to oil than the little'un because it doesn't have a wet clutch to look after. So just make your choice, pick a good quality oil, and stick with that, and try not to waste too much valuable brain space worrying about it, it really isn't as life-and-death as some people make out.
     
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  10. +1.

    Im not a mechanic, but from personal experience of ownership of bikes and a few performance cars the main criteria is frequent changes of oil (particularly on turbo cars..i used to change it every 3000 miles)...
    In my dukes ive always used 10/40, but as Figs has said, i think climate is an important factor...you dont want it too thick if youre using your bike as a winter commuter for instance..

    Change it regularly with good quality stuff and you wont go far wrong...touch wood, ive owned a couple of 916's and neither of them have given me any rocker issues (touch wood).
     
  11. very true lighter oil in winter, heavier in summer. on cars with dpf and turbos don't scrimp.
     
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