Engine Oils

[HydBiker]

So finally after more than 4 years i switched to another engine oil from Honda's.
yesturday i got Castrol Power 1 for 250/- and ride is smooth for sure. let see how it works in the coming days..

Pls do update us on your findings!

And thanks for finding the error above... I rectified it

[sherry_unicornlover]

oh sure. i will update about the outcome in next few days.

[nirav46]

I am Using the Motul 5100 (10-50) since last 1 month. Initially the engine did not show any changes but say after 10 days its turned really smooth and the gears slot perfectly....this is by far the most cost effective oil in the market....

[HydBiker]

So finally after more than 4 years i switched to another engine oil from Honda's.
yesturday i got Castrol Power 1 for 250/- and ride is smooth for sure. let see how it works in the coming days..

^^^ @Nirav, what's the bike?

[HydBiker]

Guys, in addition to my post #153 in this thread, where I have posted a table of 4 synthetic engine oil properties, I am adding here what those properties would mean to us:

Synthetic Oil Comparision -----

Understanding Motor Oil Properties
Extracts from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_oil)


Most motor oils are made from a heavier, thicker petroleum hydrocarbon base stock derived from crude oil, with additives to improve certain properties. One of the most important properties of motor oil in maintaining a lubricating film between moving parts is its viscosity. The viscosity of a liquid can be thought of as its "thickness" or a quantity of resistance to flow. The viscosity must be high enough to maintain a satisfactory lubricating film, but low enough that the oil can flow around the engine parts satisfactorily to keep them well coated under all conditions. The viscosity index is a measure of how much the oil's viscosity changes as temperature changes. A higher viscosity index indicates the viscosity changes less with temperature than a lower viscosity index.


Viscosity index is a petroleum industry term. It is a lubricating oil quality indicator, an arbitrary measure for the change of kinematic viscosity with temperature. The viscosity of liquids decreases as temperature increases. The viscosity of a lubricant is closely related to its ability to reduce friction. Generally, you want the thinnest liquid/oil which still forces the two moving surfaces apart. If the lubricant is too thick, it will require a lot of energy to move the surfaces (such as in honey); if it is too thin, the surfaces will rub and friction will increase. The best oils (with the highest VI) will not vary much in viscosity over such a temperature range and therefore will perform well throughout.





Motor oil must be able to flow at cold winter temperatures to lubricate internal moving parts upon starting up the engine. Another important property of motor oil is its pour point, which is indicative of the lowest temperature at which the oil could still be poured satisfactorily. The lower the pour point temperature of the oil, the more desirable the oil is when starting up at cold temperature.


Oil is largely composed of hydrocarbons which can burn if ignited. Still another important property of motor oil is its flash point, the lowest temperature at which the oil gives off vapors which can ignite. It is dangerous for the oil in a motor to ignite and burn, so a high flash point is desirable. At a petroleum refinery, fractional distillation separates a motor oil fraction from other crude oil fractions, removing the volatile components which ignite more easily, and therefore increasing the oil's flash point.


Another test done on oil is to determine the Total Base Number (TBN), which is a measurement of the reserve alkalinity of an oil to neutralize acids. The resulting quantity is determined as mg KOH/ (gram of lubricant).

[pundrick]

Hey KP, that pic in #153 is not getting enlarged when clicked upon. can you check?

[HydBiker]

Hey KP, that pic in #153 is not getting enlarged when clicked upon. can you check?

addressed it. sorry for the trouble

[pundrick]

Ok, as per initial study, Petronas looks best VFM oil and AGIP like the best compromise between properties and cost for a bike with XW40 specified rating.

I have contacted Polyspin regarding procuring AGIP. Lets see what they respond.

[Praful]

^^ Why so much tension over procuring AGIP? Did you try Veedol/Motul?

[pundrick]

^^ Why so much tension over procuring AGIP? Did you try Veedol/Motul?

I did try Motul 300V because at that time an option in XW40 Fully Synthetic was not available.

I guess Veedol doesn't have Fully Syn in their stable.

[Praful]

But Motul 300V is available in 5W40 format!!!

Veedol Super Swift is available only as a Semi-Synth!!!!

[pundrick]

But Motul 300V is available in 5W40 format!!!

This is news for me. Do you have more info? I haven't heard about this in this thread either.

[Praful]

Yes sir, it has been discussed here....

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/universal-threads/4789-engine-oils-11.html#post128794

[pundrick]

Thanks Praful, Will check with retailer here.

[HydBiker]

Motul's India website does mention the availability of 300V FL in grades other than 15W50 but even the regular stock keeping guys don't have any clue about it!

Guys, did you notice the fact that Castrol Power1 Racing oil has comparatively a very good viscosity index but has a comparatively very bad numbers for kinetic viscosity and flash point??? Also, the AGIP oil has better cold abilities than Castrol and Petronas... may be because of lower Winter grade. Motul 300v is probably the best thing for P200 & 220 that have XW50 rating and Petronas seems to be the option for other bikes with XW40 rating.