Rottella oil
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- Posts: 16
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Rottella oil
Is it true that I can use " Rotella 15/40 " oil in my 98 gold wing 1500?
If so, how much do I need?
If so, how much do I need?
- CrystalPistol
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Re: Rottella oil
Yes, it's true ..... 3.9 USQts with filter I believe (whatever the book says). Likely you'll maybe even improve shift quality.JEFFERY BUCKLEY wrote:Is it true that I can use " Rotella 15/40 " oil in my 98 gold wing 1500?
If so, how much do I need?
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
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… & Have a Safe Trip!

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Re: Rottella oil
Thanks crystal Pistol...
That's what I'll use
That's what I'll use

- Fiberthree
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Re: Rottella oil
The "T-6" is the synthetic that most of us use. It doesn't have friction modifiers in it. (PTFE)
Ed
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
- Bluewaterhooker0
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Re: Rottella oil
Also, the book says it takes 3.9 qts. I have found over the years, that is too much for mine. I started filling mine via the dip stick hash marks, as is also specified in the "book". Mine actually takes more like 3.5 qts, as measured at the top of the hash mark on the stick, and it provides smoother shifting as a result, due to not being slightly overfilled. That same amount of oil has repeated with each of the last 4 changes, with filter. And, I use the larger Purolator Pure One PL 14610 filter, that holds more oil than the standard size.
I tried the regular Rotella, and the T6 Syn, as well as Mobil1 20W50 Syn Bike Oil and Valvoline 10W40 Syn Bike Oil. I finally settled on the Mobil1 10W40 Bike Oil for best results. I've heard a lot about the Delo 400 (I think it's called), but I prefer a synthetic.
I tried the regular Rotella, and the T6 Syn, as well as Mobil1 20W50 Syn Bike Oil and Valvoline 10W40 Syn Bike Oil. I finally settled on the Mobil1 10W40 Bike Oil for best results. I've heard a lot about the Delo 400 (I think it's called), but I prefer a synthetic.
Last edited by Bluewaterhooker0 on Sun Feb 05, 2017 10:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Rottella oil
Thanks Bluewaterhooker0
- RoadRogue
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Re: Rottella oil
I use Cheverons Dello 400LE 15w40 and plan on sticking with it. It is a diesel rated oil with a healthky dose of Zinc in it for the gears. I tried the Rotella but found the shifting to be smoother with the Dello in both my 1100 and 1500 

Ride safe, Todd
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Re: Rottella oil
Thanks Roadrogue......
- dingdong
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Re: Rottella oil
Mine also shifts smoother with Delo 15/40.RoadRogue wrote:I use Cheverons Dello 400LE 15w40 and plan on sticking with it. It is a diesel rated oil with a healthky dose of Zinc in it for the gears. I tried the Rotella but found the shifting to be smoother with the Dello in both my 1100 and 1500
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Re: Rottella oil
How often should I change the oil in my 98 gold wing 1500. I put about 1200 to 1500 per year on it. I don't get to ride it much due to work schedule.
- CrystalPistol
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Re: Rottella oil
Oh yeah .... since others mention it ... I also use Cheveron Dello 400LE 15w40 now. Started it with the 1200, did the 1500 last time as well.
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
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- spiralout
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Re: Rottella oil
I can't answer your question being I've never had a vehicle that it took very long to get up to 3-5k miles on it so I've always went by mileage instead of time but I do have a question for you. Being in Meridian, do you work for Hartley Peavey, by any chance?JEFFERY BUCKLEY wrote:How often should I change the oil in my 98 gold wing 1500. I put about 1200 to 1500 per year on it. I don't get to ride it much due to work schedule.
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Re: Rottella oil
No, I work in the oil field..
- spiralout
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Re: Rottella oil
Cool. Just curious. I've been using Peavey musical gear made in Meridian for 30+ years.
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Re: Rottella oil
No problem...
Thanks for your reply...
Thanks for your reply...
- Bluewaterhooker0
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Re: Rottella oil
I don't know if there's a "written in stone" answer for that. I couldn't find one with a quick Google search. I suppose it depends a lot on "how" you put those 1500 miles on the bike. If you crank it up and run 50-100 (or further) miles 15-30 times per year, I personally would go with an annual change. If you make a lot of short 5 mile trips throughout that period, you might want to change it twice a year. And, if it is put up for storage 6 months at a time, I would change it right before it is stored, take a nice 25-50 mile ride so that any old oil is mixed well with the new, and to burn off any condensation from a cold start. The oil can probably handle a pretty extended change cycle, but the moisture condensation (if not ridden for extended miles each cold start) and crud (combustion blow-by) that is suspended in the oil, can contaminate it and cause unneeded wear. Like automobiles, short runs and cold starts are hell on an engine.JEFFERY BUCKLEY wrote:How often should I change the oil in my 98 gold wing 1500. I put about 1200 to 1500 per year on it. I don't get to ride it much due to work schedule.
- Fiberthree
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Re: Rottella oil
Bluewaterhooker0 wrote:... And, I use the larger Purolator Pure One PL 14610 filter, that holds more oil than the standard size.
By "larger" do you mean it is longer than stock or a bit more around? And a guestimate on how much more it holds?
I don't remove the lower cowl when I change my filter and it is a bit tight getting the old one to wiggle out after I unscrew it.
Ed
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
- Bluewaterhooker0
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Re: Rottella oil
Yes, it is longer. I think the standard is 2.5". The 14610 is 3.5", I believe. I doubt it holds more than a couple of ounces more oil. I do remove my cowl when I change the oil. I prefer the larger filter for the added filter media it contains. I think you may still be able to remove the larger filter without taking off the cowl, but the problem I have is getting the old filter loosened without removing the cowl. I swear, a filter gremlin sneaks up behind me and tightens that sucker after I've finished, as it is stupid tight when I go to remove it 5000 miles later. Same thing on cars and trucks. I'm guessing it has something to do with expansion and contraction of engine heat during the 5K mile usage between changes.Fiberthree wrote:Bluewaterhooker0 wrote:... And, I use the larger Purolator Pure One PL 14610 filter, that holds more oil than the standard size.
By "larger" do you mean it is longer than stock or a bit more around? And a guestimate on how much more it holds?
I don't remove the lower cowl when I change my filter and it is a bit tight getting the old one to wiggle out after I unscrew it.
- bstig60
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Re: Rottella oil
I use Mobil 1 full synthetic 15/50. This is an automotive oil with no friction modifiers. It works very well. I run it 5K miles between changes.
Bill
- golden highway
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Re: Rottella oil
Funny reading though this everyone has their own favorite oil and no one's bike died from their choice. Me I tired a bunch and I was using Rotella but switched to Mobile one 10w 40 motorcycle oil. It seems more consistent between oil changes. I do a once a year oil change every spring since I don't ride as much as I once did.
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Re: Rottella oil
What amazes me is not that everyone has their own favorite oil, but that no one is suggesting that the op consult his owners manual. It not only lists the specifications for the oil to be used but also lists the suggested time to change the oil. The op certainly needs to consider when to change his oil based on time in storage also.
harvey
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Re: Rottella oil
One would assume that reading the owners manual would be a good first step prior to asking questions. At least that is how I approach a perceived issue.harvey01 wrote:What amazes me is not that everyone has their own favorite oil, but that no one is suggesting that the op consult his owners manual. It not only lists the specifications for the oil to be used but also lists the suggested time to change the oil. The op certainly needs to consider when to change his oil based on time in storage also.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
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Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Fiberthree
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Re: Rottella oil
That is, if he received it from the original owner.MikeB wrote:One would assume that reading the owners manual would be a good first step prior to asking questions...harvey01 wrote:What amazes me is not that everyone has their own favorite oil, but that no one is suggesting that the op consult his owners manual. It not only lists the specifications for the oil to be used but also lists the suggested time to change the oil. The op certainly needs to consider when to change his oil based on time in storage also.
My Wing averages the best gas mileage using the Rotella T6 which is why I use it. Second choice was Royal Purple at .41 mpg less than the Shell oil. My worst mileage was achieved using Amsoil.golden highway wrote:Funny reading though this everyone has their own favorite oil and no one's bike died from their choice. Me I tired a bunch and I was using Rotella but switched to Mobile one 10w 40 motorcycle oil. It seems more consistent between oil changes. I do a once a year oil change every spring since I don't ride as much as I once did.
Ed
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
- curtm
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Re: Rottella oil
Being a mechanic, People talk about never having issues with certain types of oil how people like this brand of oil over the next, to be honest with you, I have pulled hundreds of engines apart and have never seen an engine fail because of oil brand or whatever, the trick is change it when you are supposed to at regular intervals, People that use amsoil or royal purple at $60 an oil change is a waste of money, any one ever thought how a heavy truck etc runs 2 million miles on an engine without being rebuilt, you can do a bearing roll in and new rings and pistons and do another Million or so, they dont use royal purple or any other voodoo magic oil, they use Delo or Rotella, for $12.00 a gallon. Most engine failures are due to a part breaking or neglect and most times nothing to do with what oil is used, same thought about oil filters, fram is the biggest name in filters by far, Reason is they have done a great job of marketing over the years, and yet rated one of the worst filter you can buy, Do you really think a filter that is chrome or amsoil or royal purple is made by any other company other than the 3 or 4 big oil filter companies, Some of the most expensive filter you can buy are the crappiest filter you can buy, Dont give in to marketing and all that crap, Most reason race cars , Drag cars etc use a certain type of oil is that they are being sponsored to use it, But peaple think because some a race car is using it it must be the best, Dont play in to it, Use good stuff and do regular maintenance and ride on
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- golden highway
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Re: Rottella oil
Well said curtm. Funny how a little advertising gets us questioning what we know is right