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939 Engine Oil

I trust the viscosity and VI index numbers oil companies supply. Have to as there is little verifying data out there.

Viscosity is what engine designers design around. The one piece of important comparison information. I look to meeting the warm engine viscosity of the specified oil.

As for VI the higher the number the better.

The test results above indicate a number of good oil options. Also some really poor options.
 
Great data RSL. So will you stick with Shell oil recommended buy Ducati or go with something like the Amsoil MCF?
 
I switch around between different oils. For my situation, working close to an Amsoil Distribution warehouse, and buying for wholesale prices, I use their products in every engine.

Your situation may be different. I think that with regular oil changes any of the top performing oils will provide the best lubrication and gear protection.

Order the EaO M 138 oil filter though. Far superior to every paper oil filter for flow and filtering.

I have the Amsoil 10w-50 dirt bike oil in there now. Great clutch feel.
 
If price doesn't matter, take that number out of the results.

Look for a top performing oil that doesn't fail any individual test, like foaming.

Look the the tests that you find important.

Then change regurlarly. Most don't own a motorcycle long enough to see lubrication failures. Most don't ride enough miles to matter either, making oil changes an annual thing. In those cases, corrosion protection should be key.

50-Results-X3.png
 
Sure would be nice to see RiDE Magazine, MCN, or another magazine take all the motorcycle oils to a ASTM lab and perform the tests. I trust ASTM test results much more than what a dealer uses, sells, oil ingredient tests, anecdotal reports, etc... I want the real scientific data.

For some reason only Amsoil publishes real ASTM test results.

Why would other oil makers NOT do the same?
 
Morrison, the Ducati rider that worked designing oils for Mobil, said that Ducati designs their engines for 40 weight viscosities at operating temperatures. That means that this is a critical number for proper bearing, pump, splash etc...

Match that number, then find the best oil that protects very well. That's an ASTM test matter.
 
Many riders swear by Shell Rotella T6 diesel engine oil.

Note the operating temperature viscosity. I wouldn't touch the stuff as it doesn't meet the Ducati engine engineers design specification.

Rotella-T6.jpg
 
Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50 meets the 15w-50 Shell viscosity specification. Probably available at a discount at Walmart too.

Mobil1-VTwin.jpg
 
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Mobil 1 4T is a bit lower viscosity than the Shell 10w-40 and a lot lower than the Shell 15w-15 viscosity. I would pass.

Mobil1-4T.jpg
 
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On another thread it was pretty much determined that everyone is changing their oil 2-3x the manufacturer specs. Pretty sure any motorcycle synthetic will fit the bill.

I'm using 20-50 lucas because it was priced nicely on amazon - it's a hot summer. In cooler weather I go to 10-40.
 
I'm reading George Morrison's discussions about viscosity again. How racing has taught us that with full synthetic oils engine output increases as viscosity is reduced. That a thick oil will increase drag on engine internals, robbing a lot of horsepower.

He was not a fan of using any 50 weight oil.

That said, what I'm looking at is the 40 weight viscosity at operating temperature. With the new Shell oil specified the viscosity is 19.9.

The 10w-50 Amsoil dirt bike oil has a viscosity of 18.1, thus the protection of a 50w synthetic oil but less rotational resistance than the 19.9 viscosity of the Shell 40 weight synthetic.

As we have seen in the ASTM tests, what viscosity is shown on the label doesn't mean that is the reality.
 
OK, the last clear statement on viscosity target for the little Ducati.

The range of viscosity we all need to stay within.

821-939-VI.jpg
 
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My research is usually far more than most are interested in. That's fine.

Many report that they have good experience with this oil or that. Good as in no problems. Well, there are only two obvious problems one could experience with oil: 1) Clutch operation or 2) Engine failure.

My desire is for the best engine protection at an affordable price. That's why I spend time every few years comparing ASTM test results and actual specifications.

All things considered, it would either be Amsoil or Mobil 1.

Since I buy Amsoil at wholesale prices, I'll stick with it for the Ducati too. Especially considering that their EaO oil filter is light years better than any other oil filter.
 
RSL said:
Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50 meets the 15w-50 Shell viscosity specification. Probably available at a discount at Walmart too.

Mobil1-VTwin.jpg
Click to expand...



I was literally just going to ask you about the Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50. Could it hurt?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
flik said:
I was literally just going to ask you about the Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50. Could it hurt?
Click to expand...

20.8 operating temperature viscosity is high. Above the top Specification viscosity.

I wouldn't that.
 
I'm going for the middle of the viscosity range, or a bit below.

One 10w-40 and two 10w-50 = 16.8 viscosity. More horsepower then the 19.9 viscosity and more protection than the 14.2 minimum viscosity.
 

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