Oil Change and Air Filter Question

[akeithan]

HI Everyone,
I have a question to ask and I know this may sound a little silly but Im not professional and seeking advice. On my 2002 750 Katana im planing to do Oil Change myself. it says that oil is 10W40. Is this motorcycle OIL ONLY or if I buy oil for car (if there is such exist at the auto stores) will it be the same, does motorcycle oil any different from car ( i know i need to check the proper# for it)
Also there seems to be filter, shape of a cone in between the seat and gas tank (kind of in the crotch area when you take off the seat and it looks dirty is that the air filter??

Thank you for your understanding and for your advice.

[foxox]

Hey akeithan. Yeah, motorcycle oil IS DIFFERENT. The difference has to do with how the motorcycle clutch is a "wet clutch" that sits in the same oil that the rest of the engine does. Regular automobile oil will mess up the clutch! Try searching the forums for threads on which oil people use. I have Castrol Actevo X-Tra 4T in my bike right now; it's what the guys at my local Cycle Gear store recommended. Next change I will try to do some research of my own first.

Under the fuel tank, toward the back near where the seat is is the "air box", the black plastic thing connected to the carburetors. Inside the airbox is the air filter, and it should be exposed on the back where air goes in through the filter.

[Wild-Bill]

I've always just used Halvolene, Castrol or synthetic blend 10w-40. Never had a clutch issue at all in 22 years of maintaining my own bike. I'd suggest avoiding high-detergent oils and I did have some Quaker State foam up really bad on me once in a VW so I avoid that.

[clark827]

I get the Mobil1 synthetic by the gallon, it's really not too expensive for being both motorcycle oil and synthetic...

[steves]

Normal oils designed for cars have friction modifiers in them, designed to make the oil more slippery. This is great for cars and helps the oil last longer.

Katana's have wet clutches though, and those friction modifiers can cause the clutch plates to glaze.

Use JASO-MA oil for best results.

[brentwoodkris]

Rotella T6 (blue bottle) for the win. It's around $20/gal. at my local Wal-Mart and it's JASO-MA full synthetic. Can't beat that. It's the only oil I use now!

[akeithan]

Does synthetic last longer or i would still have to do oil change every 2K miles? whats the difference between synthetic and regular? Also what kind of brand of Air Filter would you recommend

[teddy]

Synthetics tend to last longer, but depending on your riding conditions it may need changed just as often(inner city, heavy stop and go traffic). I let it go for around 4-5K usually though, I run Mobil 1 Racing 4T. Filtration is key when it comes to oil life, check out the oil filter thread stickied at the top of the mechanics forum, lots of good info there and you can see just what your filters are made of...

IMO, Quaker State is pure garbage oil. IIRC, it is a paraffin based oil, which leads to foaming and sludge. I won't put that crap in my lawn mower.

[akeithan]

well my riders are 95% highway.

[jeremy_nash]

I use valvoline car oil 10-w40, and I check that every bottle isn't energy conserving. Fwiw, I have never seen a bottle of 10w40 that was energy conserving, but ymmv.

:disclaimer: neither I nor katriders is responsible when you but baby oil in your bike and fubar your clutch!

[diavolo]

I've been running the Rotella T6 for about 48K of my Kat's 56K miles with no issues. It doesn't really matter whose oil you use, just change it at regular intervals for many trouble free miles. I also run super slab, and change the oil every 3K and the filter at 6K (I use a magnet on the filter as well). Use either a Suzuki oil filter or a Napa gold. Best air filter would be stock Suzuki.

[GGsgsx]

Hi Guys, what about Shell SAE 30ND?? I ride a 2006 Kat and currently run Suzuki cycle oil. The guys at Avance auto suggested the non-detergent. Would this be a safe, all weather oil? It was under 5/qt. but that's not at issue. Want what's best for the bike. thanks!

[92xjunker]

Oil is like beer, everybody has their favorite brand. Rotella is good, OEM is good, I like Lucas, some like synthetic, some probably don't care. Some probably have no idea what the shop uses......... If OEM oil works for you, keep using it. As long as it's rated properly the KAT motor is happy with it.

[GGsgsx]

Hi 92XJunker! Thanks for the quick reply! I'm mainly need to know if using the 30ND is ok for my 2006 Kat. Never used it before and am nervous about putting something in that isn't technically made for newer engines. Non detergent is always good, in my opinion, but not sure if the Shell nd30 is good for my specific engine. Any thoughts? thanks! GG

[arsenic]

A 2006 Katana engine isn't a "newer" engine. If it's motorcycle oil, specifically designed for a wet clutch it's fine. A good rule of thumb, if the snot nosed parts guy tells you to use it, don't.