Using heavy duty diesel oil Shell Rotella T6 in the RS

[Grumpy Goat]

I tell you, my video has attracted the attention of an RS owner from the other forum, who says he is a chemical engineer and who does NOT recommend diesel engine oils - including Rotella T6 - in motorcycles. Here is the comment thread so far. I sort of understand where he is coming from but his word is offset by others who have had no issues with Rotella T6.

fortunato lagana
8 hours ago
chemical engineer working on industrial site including lubricant. If Rotella T6 is API SL compliant, use it. Otherwise no. Typically diesel engine oil are not suitable for gasoline end more specifically motorbike.

Grumpy Goat
3 hours ago
Thanks for the input. From what I have found out, in order to be JASO MA2 compliant, you first have to meet API SL standard, so that suggests that Rotella T6 should be compliant with both.

Besides, not all API SL oils (e.g. car oils) can / should be used in motorcycles, so that suggests that meeting SL is not the only criterion.

fortunato lagana
2 hours ago
@Grumpy Goat See the link, just for your info. You cannot be sure it is SL. I do not recommend to use diesel engine oil on motorcycle even for many other reasons. Unfortunately your test cannot be representative and it is wrong to ensure people it is suitable for a motorbike. Your oil must be SL and (not or) MA2. Sorry for my assertiveness but there are a lot of legends on oils... https://www.penriteoil.com.au/assets/tec...O%20MB.pdf

fortunato lagana
2 hours ago
​ @Grumpy Goat Sorry, I forgot this link: http://www.jalos.or.jp/onfile/pdf/4T_EV_LIST.pdf list of licensed MA2 oils. Look at it

Grumpy Goat
2 hours ago
@fortunato lagana I agree it has to be SL (or later) and MA2. I also agree that I have not be able to see a statement for Rotella T6 saying that in addition to MA2 it also meets SL or better. It just says CK-4.

I am glad to see your comments because this is what I was looking for when considering using Rotella T6, for balance.

I disagree that I am recommending to anyone that they use Rotella T6. My video is what I put in my bike. If others choose to do the same and our bikes get messed up then that is each on us, separately.

Grumpy Goat
2 hours ago
@fortunato lagana I have to look at this PDF on a computer. Looking at it on the phone is useless.

None of the documentation you have provided says NOT to use the Rotella T6 with its alleged MA2 compliance and no stated SL compliance. The Penrite Oil PDF appears to omit Rotella T6, but that doesn’t mean that it is not meeting that standard.

I know there is a lot of questionable oil stories out there, and I am not interested in adding to them. Just trying to discern whether this oil is good for me. Maybe it is maybe it isn’t. I need real unbiased proof from an independent organization that it is unsuitable and when I get that I will be the first to put up a revised video retracting what I said. I have no issue with that.

fortunato lagana
1 hour ago
@Grumpy Goat You are right you didn't recommend it (but even I didn't say you did!). The documents state: first PDF - MA2 does not mean API SL are achieved, second PDF - Rotella T6 is not MA2 (certified). ... then who read these comments can try even a frying oil on his bike, but because I'm an chemical engineer working even on lubrificant production (not for Castrol, Motul or Shell) my statements are not an opinion. You should use a API SL and MA2 certified oil and a Diesel Engine Oil is not. About the fact you need real unbiased proof I think you are in the wrong way. You don't have chemical laboratories, years of experience and enough money to achieve your target! Sorry this is the harsh reality. Peace!

Grumpy Goat
45 minutes ago
@fortunato lagana Not to belabour the point but you did state "Unfortunately your test cannot be representative and it is wrong to ensure people it is suitable for a motorbike." The subject of that sentence is my test, so it is reasonable to interpret the rest of the sentence to me, i.e. "Grumpy Goat is wrong to ensure people it is suitable for a motorbike."

I take the rest of your message in good spirit based on your stated qualification and experience. I too am an engineer (but not a chemical engineer, so I defer to you on these issues) and am also an auditor, so I am fairly well experienced and positioned to take a balanced view of facts when they are presented.

Speaking of which, someone else here posted that they put 63,000 miles on a bike like ours (RS) using only Rotella T6 and had no issues. That testimony is equally valid, in my books. ?