Which Castrol 1

[Pug27]

Just realised that I've done about 6k on the oil so I'm off to Halfords on my way home....they've got Castrol 1 and Castrol 1 Racing. Which do you recommend, use/prefer. Or just the Halfords stuff?
I've just had a quick search for the oil....and there are hundreds of different opinions just wondering what you blokes use. Ta.

Also does anyone know if you can get oil filters there. Never usually use Halfords.   

[mr_diver]

One type is semi synthetic, one is fully synthetic.
You don't need fully synthetic for the Strom.
The halfords stuff is made by Comma. Not so well known company in the UK but well known and reputable makes of oil products outside of the UK.
And you get a 5ltr bottle rather than 4 in the Castrol.

[porter]

I use the castrol power1(non racing) in my Veek, seems to work OK. I don't think a strom needs a fully synthetic oil as they don't rev that high. Plus my local tesco's does the power1 oil and at the minute its £6.50 a litre but I do change it every 4000 miles, its only 20 quid when on offer. I use Suzuki filter and change it every other oil change.

[Pug27]

Cheers, Will have a look in Tesco, there's one on my way home.

[Tintent115]

Hmm.......was looking at this myself the other day.

If you use the Castrol oil selector function on it's website it recommends the Power 1 Racing Version for the Vstrom 650.

I have always used their "selector" function and in fairness it doesn't neccaserily just recommend the dearest ( I have found it will sometimes recommend "Magnatec" when Edge (dearer) is available.

I will therefore be using the Power 1 Racing version.......(it's about 3 quid dearer for 4 litres on Ebay when I looked).

[Pug27]

I went to Halfords in the end for mine. I got the Semi Synthetic power 1 not the Synthetic Racing version even though it was only £2 dearer for the Racing version.  Changed it last night all good so far but there are hundreds of different opinions on oil, it's like asking which tyres are best etc. Each to their own I think I just wondered what everyone was using on here.
I had to think twice about getting the Halfords own brand but the shiny gold bottle on the Castrol sold it for me!

[Tintent115]

I wouldn't really expect a problem after a day with the wrong oil......!

Personally I would have stuck with the recommended oil.....

But each to their own, as you say.

https://www.Suzuki-gb.co.uk/mx/my-Suzuki/promotions/Suzuki-recommends-castrol-oil/

[Pug27]

I did look at the link. Looked at few post and everyone has something different to say even the Suzuki mechanics.
Wasn't  the Suzuki recommend oil Motul 5100 semi synthetic until recently.

[Flanners]

I always use synthetic in my bikes and cars, I know it is probably not needed but it gives me piece of mind and I do like to 'open them up' now and then. As long as the oil meets the standards set for the bike/engine then it is all dandy.

[Dave L]

Hi,
I have used Castrol Racing 1 in my previous SV (basically same engine as my DL, 46,000 miles) and found that it used oil. Once I switched back to Castrol 1 (part synthetic) oil consumption dropped to nil.
I am not sure what my dealer put into my new DL, but will ask at the 7,500 mile service. Once out of warranty I will be servicing the DL.

[porter]

I was at tesco's today and they had castrol power 1 10w 40 reduced to 7 quid a litre, so I got 3. On returning home I seen the date on the bottom of the container, oct 2011!!! This is 5 years old already and I wasn't serving the Veek till march next year! Its going in wifes crapy car r the lawnmower.  Beware!

[Rich:-)]

That's a bit cheeky of Tesco - you take it back and claim it's out of date.

I think 5 years is the generally accepted shelf life of oil if stored well (not too hot and not below freezing point) but as long as it wasn't opened, and hasn't settled out any solids, it should be good still.

Just to add to the list of oils..
ALERT - OIL THREAD!!!!
I bought Motul 5000 10w40 Semi Synthetic 5 litres for £25.95 (inc delivery) to service my Wee with, from ebay.
I use to use OpieOils but just seem to get better deals on ebay nowadays.

[Joe Rocket]

This question comes up a lot (of course) and it's a little late to comment.

However there is a list of grades acceptable to use in your motorcycle in the handbook and in Haynes. I choose supermarket oil which complies to this list.

The most important thing is that the oil of correct vicosity, grade and changed regularly. Supermarkets or Halfords don't 'make' oil, it's a general flow from processers/rafineries which use the same for many makes (just like the same flour grade flour is put into Homepride or supermarket brands). Honest!

Beyond that it's your own decision how much you pay for a top brand and a shiny gold bottle. 

[Rich:-)]

Beyond that it's your own decision how much you pay for a top brand and a shiny gold bottle. 

However...., the problem is..



Seriously though... I can believe that the cheaper 'non-brand oils' are made by the main stream manufacturers, however I think it's likely that the premium brands have a better additive package. When they make oil for other re-branders they do it to a price and so I expect it's a no-frills product.
Now whether that extra additive package really helps..., and if so is it worth the extra...

[Joe Rocket]

Agreed Rich. To quote myself again:

The most important thing is that the oil is of correct vicosity, grade and changed regularly.

It's the best advice I had about car maintenance, therefore bikes. 

[Rich:-)]

Yup, the typical internet forum argument is “cheap oil changed often vs expensive oil run longer”.... To which the response is usually “expensive oil changed often” .