Quote:
Originally Posted by
bluecoup
It's not any cheaper unless your buying really nasty rubbish, so way take the risk
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It can be significantly cheaper even for decent quality semi-synth or synth. Check the API ratings, as long as it meets or exceeds what the manual requires (in the case of the XT it's SG) then it'll be ok.
Most motor factors sell unbranded good quality oil at much lower cost than the big brands. Why pay for Shell or Castrol's marketing budget? Yet, they all meet the same standards. You know the nonsense science in cosmetic commercials? Well, the same applies to the big brand oil.
As to the hoary question of car oil in bikes. I have for 20+ years run car oil in motorcycles with wet clutches. Various underpowered 70s UJMs and some modernish stuff (if the Triumph triple can be described as "modern"): GS550/GS750/GS1000/GT750/XS400/GPZ750 Turbo/MT500/Triumph Tiger 900 etc.
All without clutch slip or death.
However, I will confess to running the XT on Shell Advance because I picked 4x 4L cans of Shell Advance Semi-synth (JASO spec MA, so for motorcycles) fairly cheap.
When that runs out it'll be getting the standard semi-synth from my local motor factors.
Do what you think is best but check the specs. This is what the factory manual says:
The only thing I'd add is oil filters are cheap and I change them at every oil change.