Where can I get reasonably priced synthetic oil?

D

drumstyx

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So I'm moving from a beater bike to a 2006 Vulcan 900 that's been maintained to the letter of the service manual since new, and to top it off has always had synthetic oil and premium fuel (even better would have been cantire/shell gas, screw that nasty ethanol!).

Seeing that it's always had synthetic, I figured I should stick to it, but after a cursory search, it's $15-16 at walmart, and $18!!! at Canadian Tire per quart. I find this ridiculous because I can get my car's synthetic for $30/5L (ok, that's on sale).

So any ideas on where I could find synthetic motorcycle oil (I think it calls for 10W40) for $10 or less per quart? It's to the point where if I can't find it, I'll just take a trip across the border, it's $10/quart at walmart there.
 
Certified JASO MA, so it's safe for wet clutches. Popular choice because it's a great oil that's reasonably priced.
 
What is wrong with Motul 7100? 4L for 40$...
It is bit more but not much, is it really not better for motorcycles than T6 ?
 
Germax said:
What is wrong with Motul 7100? 4L for 40$...
It is bit more but not much, is it really not better for motorcycles than T6 ?
Click to expand...
I'll try to keep this from becoming another oil thread. I have not seen a virgin analysis of 7100, but I'd be willing to bet that T6 has a better additive package.
Here is a comparison, albeit an isolated case: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2702204

In reality, both will probably do the job equally well. T6 is cheaper, readily available, and you can also run it in your car.
 
Riders choice, right on the website has that price ...
 
How does $10.10/quart sound for Amsoil MCF 10W-40? It's one of the top few moto-specific syns. If you see it in the stores, it's generally $16-$20 per quart.
 
Germax said:
What is wrong with Motul 7100? 4L for 40$...
It is bit more but not much, is it really not better for motorcycles than T6 ?
Click to expand...

Not sure what people are talking about "readily available". Riders Choice has excellent prices on Motul 5100, 7100 and 300V.
 
drumstyx said:
So I'm moving from a beater bike to a 2006 Vulcan 900 that's been maintained to the letter of the service manual since new, and to top it off has always had synthetic oil and premium fuel ...

So any ideas on where I could find synthetic motorcycle oil (I think it calls for 10W40) for $10 or less per quart? It's to the point where if I can't find it, I'll just take a trip across the border, it's $10/quart at walmart there.
Click to expand...


A Vulcan 900 does not need synthetic oil.
I know I will get flamed by people who like to read fake data from oil companies, but a liquid cooled engine in a low revving cruiser will not benefit from synthetic.

Talk to a mechanic, I've never heard of an oil -related failure or premature wear due to oil brands, just rare cases of outright abuse.

If you buy this oil matters argument, then you must love nitrogen in tires.

A border run to save a few $ on a small amount of oil? I guess your gas and vehicle wear are free, as are border fees, and health insurance.

The argument changes significantly with racing, but heat and shear forces in racing engines are logarithmically higher.
 
^Agree with above.

I've been putting semi-synthetic in mine, changed at 6,000km and change the oil filter ever 18,000km as per the service manual. Got the bike at 6,000km. Brought my motorcycle to Speedworx at 24,000 to do valves, plugs and air filter and they reported that besides the air filter looking like a vacuum cleaner bag, nothing else was off. I also do a lot of wide open throttle corner exits which means mini wheelies and close to redline shifting.

Now...if you were doing track days or competing, regardless of bike type, then yeah that would be a different story because the parts are moving much faster and constantly, meaning more microscopic metal bits will be flying around inside your engine.
 
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