Ok so I am about to change my oil in my 2001 748 and as i'm sure you are aware there are loads of discussions on this topic as to the best grade and make to use. I am a little confused though after my reading... Ducati recommend 10w 40 Shell Ultra 4, but others recommend Motul 300v 15w 50. What confuses me a little is if the 15w 50 is better at protecting at high temperatures (I'm assuming that's the '50' part) then surely the 10w 40 is better at protecting at colder temps (that's the '10w' part) when just starting the engine (which I have heard is when most damage is likely to be done to the rockers as the oil takes a while to get to them). In which case wouldn't it be better to use a 10w 50 fully synthetic that way you are covering both bases? Also i have heard the Motul 300v is better at 'sticking' to the parts ie leaving a film on the rockers as the oil is thicker, is this really the case? Any oil experts out there???
I use 300V because it was cheap on Ebay so stocked up and everyone on here jumped in too. And got a free chocolate bar too as it was Christmas
Set a day aside and press the search button You're right, it's been done to death. After many years working with the bikes, I use Motul 7100 as my regular service oil and 300V for a couple of selected machines and track use. Both in 15W/50 grade. I used Shell 15W/50 for several years and whilst it's a good oil, I saw quite a few rockers fail in particular. Since switching to Motul product, on the machines I see year in year out, it's all but eliminated. For my mind, all oils are not the same. Grades are just a set of citeria the oils meet under a set controlled test. I now wouldn't use anything other than Motul in my own and my customers bikes. I personally wouldn't use a 10W/40 for a few reasons. My main one is that during hard use, track days for instance, oil pressure became or appeared to be an issue. Again in the older Desmo Quattro bikes. That's my (much simplifies) tuppenth worth anyhow. Sit back and wait.....
I've got my 1st oil chance coming up on the 996 (500 miles a week will do that). I'll take a look and see what deals are around....
The 15W/50 will be a slighty thicker oil than the 10W/40, therefore there will be better film of oil remaining on the rockers/cams at the point when you start the engine, thats my understanding anyway. I use 15w/50 Motul 300V.
IMHO the thicker oil performs better in race track conditions, and most track bikes get warmed up steadily prior to launching flat out from the line... The thinner oil is better for everyday commuting riding and those generally ridden (cold) out of the garage. (for those of us that are always late for work or a meeting!...LOL) The manufacturers guide of using 10w-40 covers the average ambient day/night temperatures down to -12c and a 15w-50 oil down to -7c... Both oils can be run in ambient temps above 40c...
So is the choice between an oil which warms up and coats the rockers quicker, or one which stays on them better between rides?
Yeah that's what i reckon the choice is, i do not do track days and my main concern is to try and avoid the rocker issue and keep the internals sweet. I never ride it in winter very much so it's only really from March-Oct so the outside temp is not an issue, I just thought that the quicker the oil gets to the rockers the better (hence why i thought maybe a 10w 40 would be OK). I know a lot on here use Motol 300v 15m 50. It is a more expensive oil than Shell's ultra but I suppose you pay for what you get.
I think I'll go with the 10w40 as well. I'll only ever do an occasional track day, and apart from quick runs just to keep it fresh through winter all my riding will be in summer.
Just an aside..... Ducati now recommend 15W/50 grade Shell Changed around 2009 iirc FWIW.... I'd use 15W/50. The arguments around "track use" vs "road" are valid, but your cooling fans run more often on the road than on track..... for me the viscosity loss when hot and resulting oil pressure issues are just as valid as looking after the rockers. An old, tired oil pump will have more issues with a thinning oil than a new pump. All oils are not the same. Outside of the test temperature ranges, viscosity changes can be massive on some oils and not just the cheap ones. For me, brand is more important. As I said above, I'd only use Motul. 7100 is a very good oil if you want a few spare beer tokens in your pocket. Rock oil is another good one (Neil Spalding swore by it) The rule with the Desmo Quattro motors is to warm them before riding off (as with all motors tbh). Keep tickover as low as possible until there's good oil feed to the heads.
Go for Motul fully synthetic and you can't go far wrong. All the oil studies I've ever read reckon the biggest quality jump is from semi synthetic to fully synthetic. Like Nelly, I use Motul 7100. Opie oils are a good source and do a forum discount.
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I use it in everything tbh. The Motul 7100 in 15W/50 flavour is my stock workshop oil. Oil flow in the 'stretta engines is much better so the cold start/thick oil is less valid and it maintains the hot protection.
I dont think its worth worrying about the extra 5w difference between the two oils.. The quality is.....
Good thread. I will look at changing in oil in my 996SPS soon. I've done 4 track days and a race and it's looking jet black. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
