Engine oil

[hi8prt]

Hi guys a quicky in the past I have always used Castrol power 1 in my bikes and plan to do so. My question due to the CR a lot more powerful and advanced engine to my previous cruisers should I stick with power 1 or upgrade to power 1 racing. Thought I would run it be you TIA cheers Phil

[Skids]

Originally Posted by hi8prt

Hi guys a quicky in the past I have always used Castrol power 1 in my bikes and plan to do so. My question due to the CR a lot more powerful and advanced engine to my previous cruisers should I stick with power 1 or upgrade to power 1 racing. Thought I would run it be you TIA cheers Phil

As long as the oil meets the Honda specifications it shouldn't matter which brand or version you use.

From the Owners Manual:

Recommended engine oil
Honda 4-stroke motorcycle oil
API Service Classification SG or higher,
excluding oils marked as “Energy Conserving”
or “Resource Conserving,”
SAE 10W-30, JASO T 903 standard MA

If you use non-Honda engine oil, check the label
to make sure that the oil satisfies all of the
following standards:
● JASO T 903 standard*1: MA
● SAE standard*2: 10W-30
● API classification*3: SG or higher

[Corringdon]

Castrol Power 1 is a good oil. I use Silkolene Comp 4, but as Skids says any oil that meets Honda's specs should be OK.

[Crosspurpose]

I used Silkolene Comp 4 too, but to answer the direct question, yes, the lower spec Castrol is fine in this engine, which has been around a long time and way before the latest oils were marketed.

[hi8prt]

Thanks guys did some research and chose to go with the Silkolene comp 4 thanks for your replies cheers Phil

[Haddo]

I just discussed this thread with a former Honda mechanic I work with. He said he allways used genuine recommended Honda oils as some other oils although meeting specs are low quaulity. He also mentioned engine longevity, engine design & temperatures plus liability issiues not using genuine if something goes south.
He also mentioned he has never seen a VFR800 that needed valve adjustment under 100,000kms and even that one was just slightly out of spec and hardly warrented.

[Skids]

Originally Posted by Haddo

I just discussed this thread with a former Honda mechanic I work with. He said he allways used genuine recommended Honda oils as some other oils although meeting specs are low quaulity. He also mentioned engine longevity, engine design & temperatures plus liability issiues not using genuine if something goes south.
He also mentioned he has never seen a VFR800 that needed valve adjustment under 100,000kms and even that one was just slightly out of spec and hardly warrented.

Then he never worked on my 98 VFR800 which needed 3 new exhaust shims every 16k miles until she passed at 130k miles.

[Haddo]

Seems his emphasis was all about correct lubrication @ recommended intervals & temperatures. I'm no mechanic so I won't start a debate on the subject. Just passing on what I was told for consideration.

[Skids]

Originally Posted by Haddo

Seems his emphasis was all about correct lubrication @ recommended intervals & temperatures. I'm no mechanic so I won't start a debate on the subject. Just passing on what I was told for consideration.

I would expect no less from a Honda mechanic.

I have a good friend who was instrumental in the development and production of the Castrol product range and he says that as long as the specifications are met, it matters not which brand you use.

I'm no mechanic either m8, so these are just my experiences and opinions. 

[Haddo]

 The genuine Honda vfr recomended oil could  be made by Castrol? Anyway the dude was a highly respected mechanic until the mining $$$ beckoned. Complete genuine oil change GN4 kits are not that expensive so I for one don't see any benefits in stuffing around but it's just personal preference.