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Oil Survey - compiled by Michael Moore on May 28, 2003

We surveyed DML members and visitors at the end of May, 2003 on what oil they use, how often they change it, and how they ride. We got 160 responses. Here are the results of the survey.

Interestingly no one brand of oil dominated the list, and the most popular oil was Mobil 1, followed by Motul.

Oil Brand	#	%
Mobil 1	34	21 %
Motul	26	16 %
Shell Advance 4	17	10 %
Castrol	13	8 %
Silkolene	10	6 %
Golden Spectro	9	5 %
Amsoil	8	5 %
AGIP	6	3 %
Klotz	6	3 %
Redline	5	3 %
Valvolene	4	2 %
GTX	4	2 %
Torco	3	1 %
Screamin' Eagle	2	1 %
Bardahl	2	1 %
Belray	2	1 %
Motorex	2	1 %
Kawasaki	1	< 1 %
Vauxhaul	1	< 1 %
Whatever is available and resonably priced	1	< 1 %
Schaffer	1	< 1 %
Spectro 4	1	< 1 %
Maxum	1	< 1 %

However there was a clear preference for full synthetic oil:

Oil Type	#	%
Full Synthetic	114	71 %
Semi-synthetic	26	16 %
Dino Goo	19	11 %

In checking with the DML Advisory Board, the consensus was that full synthetic offers better high temperature performance. What wasn't clear though was whether this would translate to real-world engine longevity benefits. They use it because it "feels good".

Most riders are changing their oil every 3K miles, although a quarter do it every 2K:

Oil Change Interval	#	%
Every 3000 miles	81	50 %
Every 2000 miles	41	25 %
Every 6000 miles	13	8 %
Every 1000 miles	12	7 %
every spring	2	1 %
4000	2	1 %
1500	2	1 %
Yearly	2	1 %
Every race weekend	1	< 1 %
500	1	< 1 %
18-O (???)	1	< 1 %
100	1	< 1 %

It is pretty clear that riding patterns influence oil change frequency, especially racing.

Almost everyone prefers to change their own oil:

Who does your oil changes?	#	%
I always do it myself	95	59 %
Sometimes me, sometimes the shop	48	30 %
I leave it to the shop	16	10 %

We asked a bunch of questions about riding patterns to try and see if how you ride has an effect on your oil changes. The short answer is that when we looked, there was no pattern to be found. Whether you rode a little or a lot, commuted or rode fast on the weekends, your answers weren't significantly different than anybody else's.

In the question of seasonal vs. year-round riding, it was a 50-50 split. The actual mileage breakdown looks like this:

Miles ridden per year	#	%
2500 - 5000 miles	72	45 %
5000 - 10000 miles	50	31 %
1000 - 2500 miles	19	11 %
> 10000 miles	12	7 %
Too busy riding to check the odometer	6	3 %

Most folks commute with some twisties, or ride everywhere they can:

How you ride	#	%
Commuting & some twisties	61	38 %
I ride everwhere I can all the time	46	28 %
Weekend twisties mostly	39	24 %
Commuting & Touring	13	8 %

Lastly some members provided some oil-specific comments:

Comments

Jeffrey Fillmore (DML Advisory Board): One of my bikes is a M750 with a wet clutch. Some have reported problems with using full synthetic with a wet clutch. Redline Oil includes an additive to make it suitable for use in wet clutch motorcycles.

Scott R. Nelson (DML Advisory Board): I let the shop change the oil if they're doing other work when it needs it (i.e., every 6000 miles. Oil changes are so easy to do.

Daffe: I've been using moto oil but from the long oil thread, I'm thinking of switching to auto oil since the results of auto and moto oil had been published.

Rat900: also change filter with oil. Switched to K&N filter (future poll question?) Fresh oil seems to make the transmission smoother as well as engine

Nick: Been using Spectro 4 for about 18 years, always works great. If it was cr@p, I'd have had a problem by now.

Frank C: Just started using Mobil 1 v-twin formula on the bike. Hey, my last car lasted 180k with the regular Mobil 1 before it got stolen.

belladuc: the oil coming out of the duc with more miles on it looks better than the sludge that comes out of my harley

Gregg Charbonneau: I change my oil only once per year because I don't get to put on as many miles as I would like to.

Howard: No need to go with expensive motorcycle oil, just get some semi Synth 20W50 auto oil and Duc filters, then change it regularly! Easy.

nebojsa rajak: I read all this stuff and I can t believe to some people who put car oils in motorcycle.Please dont do it to you bike give him quality and special formulated motorcycle oil.

strati h: thinking about trying klotz but have used mobil 1 historically

doc: Amsoil was used by my mechanic so I stuck with it. The 10K miles are split between 2 bikes.

matt c: I usually change the oil 2-3 times a year... When winterizing and early in the season depending on mileage and age of the oil.

Paul Dent: I have often heard it recommended that you don't put synthetic in until the bike has over 3000 miles.

Veloce_M750: Couldn't find the Shell Advance Ultra 4 anywhere in the southeast. Had to go with the Full Syn Harley brand.

doug wilson: i had used motul and it seemed to work ok but at forty to fifty dollars a gallon expensive. i was at a local shop and they carry castrol oil know and since i have used it in my cars with good results i thought i would try it in my bike. so fsr so good. the bike shifts well the motor seems to run good on it and the red color looks cool.

DMNDUC: 50K a year on two different bikes. Change my own oil unless the dealer does it with the free service from DNA. I got one more coming up a the 10K and then I'll be changing it myself from them on.

Thanks to all for your participation in the survey!

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