Engine oil investigation.

Omar · 05-02-2021, 03:33 PM

Doing a bit of research as to which oil to use in my new (ish) to me 1100 evo, when I came across this comment on an American forum. I had no idea Ducati engines would run this long reliably.

"My bike (1993 Ducati Monster M900) was recommended for 20W/50. I use that weight in the normal riding season. When it starts getting cold in the autumn (morning temps regularly below 40F (5C)) I switch to 10W/40, and keep that through late autumn/early winter, winter storage, and when I get it back out in early spring. When morning spring temps rise back to being regularly above 40F (5C), I change back to the normal 20W/50, and use that until the next autumn switch. If it's a higher-than-average miles year, I may do an additional oil change in the summer.
This program has gotten my M900 to 260K miles so far, without the engine being opened up any more than for new piston rings (once, at 122K, now due for another)."

I gather Shell Advanced Ultra 4T 15w50 Fully Synthetic or Motul 7100 fully synthetic 10w/40 are the favourite choices on our forum. I will probably go for the Motul as I understand the Shell is not technically a true fully synthetic? (and at that price it should be).

slob · 05-02-2021, 04:11 PM

Depends a bit on how you treat them.
I've done quite a few trackdays and have rebuilt my 1000DS a couple of times, it's now done over 85K (hard) miles. I have a friend in Italy, who's a tour guide/riding coach who has an original 900 on over 200K Km.
http://ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showt...ght=100K+miles

Make sure you use a motorcycle specific oil (like those you list), the Evo has a wet clutch which won't respond well to the anti-friction additives in non-motorcycle synthetic oils

Darren69 · 05-02-2021, 05:22 PM

Motul 7100 fully synthetic would be my choice or 300V for the LC 4V bikes or if you can afford it!

I don't know why they put the Shell stickers on there because I was told that even the race teams don't use it, they use 300V!

slob · 05-02-2021, 05:45 PM

sponsorship

Darren69 · 05-02-2021, 05:58 PM

Exactly! and that's all it is. i suppose that's what it comes down to, at the end of the day so don't believe the hype. There's a thing when you advertise one company's product on your product and get paid for doing so but secretly use another company's product instead because you think it's better?

rollo22 · 05-02-2021, 05:59 PM

I run my EVO on Motul - 300V 10W-40 4T Factory Line.
Theres a deal on at Sports Bike Shop £44.90 for 4 Ltrs (and they price match)
It what Ducati Aylesbury use....

Kato · 05-02-2021, 07:37 PM

For me its always Silkolene Pro R or if can can get it Royal Purple Max Cycle

chris.p · 05-02-2021, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollo22

I run my EVO on Motul - 300V 10W-40 4T Factory Line.
Theres a deal on at Sports Bike Shop £44.90 for 4 Ltrs (and they price match)
It what Ducati Aylesbury use....

With you on the Green Alien Blood Motul 300V

Omar · 06-02-2021, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollo22

I run my EVO on Motul - 300V 10W-40 4T Factory Line.
Theres a deal on at Sports Bike Shop £44.90 for 4 Ltrs (and they price match)
It what Ducati Aylesbury use....

Thanks for the tip, I have ordered some.

Darren69 · 06-02-2021, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omar

Thanks for the tip, I have ordered some.

That's a good price. It's usually works out about £15-16 per litre.

Flip · 06-02-2021, 02:13 PM

I’m another in the Silkolene corner.

I’ve used it for years (not the same oil obviously) in my road bikes and it is recommended by Nigel Lacey for use in the bevel drive motors for road and racing which is definitely up there for me and certainly never had any issues using it in my Mach 1 racer.

Darren69 · 06-02-2021, 02:30 PM

I don't know anything about the Silkolene as I've never used their engine oil but don't bevels use a straight grade not a multi? I have used their fork oil. 300V is probably overkill for a 2V but no reason not to use it if you have a dry clutch. I wouldn't use a fully synth oil for the wet clutch models though, stick to semi-synth.

Flip · 06-02-2021, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren69

I don't know anything about the Silkolene as I've never used their engine oil but don't bevels use a straight grade not a multi?

They might have done back in the day but certainly not any more in classic racing as far as the singles go (not sure about the bevel twins) and Nigel has built a lot of Ducati single motors- I guess things move on when it come to better lubricants a bit like most of the people racing two strokes like Honda’s gorgeous little MT125’s run them on kart oil rather than a motorcycle two stroke oil.

Leamreject · 07-02-2021, 06:46 AM

JHP Ducati Coventry always puts Motul in my Evo which made my gear change difficult, I now use Silkolene Pro4 and what a difference.... silky smooth.

Evostu · 07-02-2021, 10:38 AM

I’ve used silkolene pro4 in my evo for a few years now,no issues

05-02-2021, 03:33 PM	#1
Omar Registered User Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: grimsby Bike: M1100evo Posts: 95	Engine oil investigation. Doing a bit of research as to which oil to use in my new (ish) to me 1100 evo, when I came across this comment on an American forum. I had no idea Ducati engines would run this long reliably. "My bike (1993 Ducati Monster M900) was recommended for 20W/50. I use that weight in the normal riding season. When it starts getting cold in the autumn (morning temps regularly below 40F (5C)) I switch to 10W/40, and keep that through late autumn/early winter, winter storage, and when I get it back out in early spring. When morning spring temps rise back to being regularly above 40F (5C), I change back to the normal 20W/50, and use that until the next autumn switch. If it's a higher-than-average miles year, I may do an additional oil change in the summer. This program has gotten my M900 to 260K miles so far, without the engine being opened up any more than for new piston rings (once, at 122K, now due for another)." I gather Shell Advanced Ultra 4T 15w50 Fully Synthetic or Motul 7100 fully synthetic 10w/40 are the favourite choices on our forum. I will probably go for the Motul as I understand the Shell is not technically a true fully synthetic? (and at that price it should be).

05-02-2021, 04:11 PM	#2
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,736	Depends a bit on how you treat them. I've done quite a few trackdays and have rebuilt my 1000DS a couple of times, it's now done over 85K (hard) miles. I have a friend in Italy, who's a tour guide/riding coach who has an original 900 on over 200K Km. http://ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showt...ght=100K+miles Make sure you use a motorcycle specific oil (like those you list), the Evo has a wet clutch which won't respond well to the anti-friction additives in non-motorcycle synthetic oils Last edited by slob; 05-02-2021 at 04:16 PM..

05-02-2021, 05:22 PM	#3
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,095	Motul 7100 fully synthetic would be my choice or 300V for the LC 4V bikes or if you can afford it! I don't know why they put the Shell stickers on there because I was told that even the race teams don't use it, they use 300V! __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

05-02-2021, 05:58 PM	#5
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,095	Exactly! and that's all it is. i suppose that's what it comes down to, at the end of the day so don't believe the hype. There's a thing when you advertise one company's product on your product and get paid for doing so but secretly use another company's product instead because you think it's better? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

05-02-2021, 05:59 PM	#6
rollo22 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moreton-in-Marsh Bike: M1100evo Posts: 1,083	I run my EVO on Motul - 300V 10W-40 4T Factory Line. Theres a deal on at Sports Bike Shop £44.90 for 4 Ltrs (and they price match) It what Ducati Aylesbury use.... __________________ IF ALL ELSE FAILS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

05-02-2021, 05:45 PM	#4
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,736	sponsorship

05-02-2021, 07:37 PM	#7
Kato Dismantled Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East Molesey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,247	For me its always Silkolene Pro R or if can can get it Royal Purple Max Cycle __________________ "Political correctness is just intellectual colonialism and psychological fascism for the creation of thought crime"

06-02-2021, 02:13 PM	#11
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	I’m another in the Silkolene corner. I’ve used it for years (not the same oil obviously) in my road bikes and it is recommended by Nigel Lacey for use in the bevel drive motors for road and racing which is definitely up there for me and certainly never had any issues using it in my Mach 1 racer. __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you!

06-02-2021, 02:30 PM	#12
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,095	I don't know anything about the Silkolene as I've never used their engine oil but don't bevels use a straight grade not a multi? I have used their fork oil. 300V is probably overkill for a 2V but no reason not to use it if you have a dry clutch. I wouldn't use a fully synth oil for the wet clutch models though, stick to semi-synth. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

07-02-2021, 06:46 AM	#14
Leamreject Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Leamington Spa Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 99	JHP Ducati Coventry always puts Motul in my Evo which made my gear change difficult, I now use Silkolene Pro4 and what a difference.... silky smooth. __________________ Ride it naked!

07-02-2021, 10:38 AM	#15
Evostu Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Gateshead Bike: M1100evo Posts: 54	I’ve used silkolene pro4 in my evo for a few years now,no issues