Energy Conserving Oil

[Dandy Dan]

In the Ruckus owners manual (03 atleast, in the oil change section) it said not to use 'energy conserving' oil when you do an oil change. (On any container of oil there is a circle on there somewhere with the oil specs and in kind of a smiley faced shape around the bottom most oils say 'energy conserving'.)

I recently bought a jug of oil but the only oil I could find that weren't energy conserving were the 'high mileage' ones. I ended up buying some Castrol High Milage 5w40 (I think) for the cold Canadian winter but it got me thinking....

What is different about energy conserving oil that makes it bad for our steeds?

Would I be better off using a good energy conserving oil or a cheaper, high mileage, non energy conserving oil. (I couldn't find any sythentic oil that wasn't energy conserving).

It seems to me like energy conserving oil would be a good thing since we need to get as much of our 5hp to the rear wheel as posslble....

If anyone knows what the deal is feel free to enlighten me.

[jimthejet]

Dan, there is an excellent explanation of why at the website below. Basically, it is the anti-friction additives that make it undesirable for all motorcycle engines. Probably less so for the Ruckus, because it has no wet clutch in the motor (it's in the transmission, and dry - ha ha!).

www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~rblander/oil_opinion.html

[chanito]

Well, the main reason the energy conserving oils are not desirable for an engine lying down like in the ruckus is becouse they are super slipery and can find its way around the rings when you park it at night and create carbon deposits on the exhaust valve stems and exhaust ports, especially if you are using low viscosity oils, however i use regular car oil, (we do not have clutches in the starter or transmition) just make sure is a good brand, supposelly their aditives burn cleaner,

[pain merchant]

How good is the Honda brand oil? I get my oil from the dealer. I'm sure if it has the Honda label on it, it should be good for the ruckus. I don't know as much about oil as some of you do so I just buy the Honda oil.

[Dandy Dan]

Well I read the article (nice to see it's from my university). It cited 4 main reasons why not to use energy conserving oil in a motorcycle:

- Wear between the camshaft lobes and rockers arms due to the lubricant breaking down between the two components.
- Slipping and deterioration of wet multi-plate clutch systems.
- Slipping of one-way starter clutch systems.
- Possible wear and pitting of transmission gear teeth due to the decreased shear-stability of the oil

Of these 4 reasons it seems only the first reason applies to the Ruckus. Even then the Ruckus doesn't rev near as high as some cycles although still higher than cars.

[abe]

"shear-stability of the oil" This is one of the biggest differences between motorcycle and car oil.

You can buy Mobil 1 that is made for motorcycle engines. It is slick and can find it's way into places it shouldn't but it's the best oil made(says me). Mobil makes oil for Harleys and bikes with engines that share the tranny oil. The good part about Mobil 1 is that it doesn't burn off or break down. I guess the other is the price is'nt much higher than Honda brand or other "motorcycle" oil.

I'm open for attacks now