Am I imagining this?

I just completed an oil change and switched from Castrol 20w-50 to Rotella T 15w-40. I think this engine really likes it. It shifts smoother, seems to rev quicker and run quieter. It doesn't lurch as much when going into first from neutral the first time. Heck I think I even grew some hair back. I don't remember noticing anything like this from previous oil changes. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

just make sure it doesnt foam up on you. if im correct rotella oil was designed for deisels they use different additives for applications like cd cf ect. will probbibly be fine but you turn alout more rpms . tried it in 1 of my built street cars because of the designations being closer to the older car specs noticed when it got hot i lost 20 lbs oil pressure when i idled hot valves made some noise. changed back to my previous oil type everything back to normal. but that was probbibly 15 years ago.
I did notice on bikes when i went from regular oil to synthetic blend bell ray i think it was the motor was quieter went into neutral and shifted better also. Im also not sure exactly wich rotella you got . after you run it pretty hard stop open the filler just to make sure its not foaming just to be on the safe side

 

funny i had the same feeling on my last change, except i changed from the rotella to castrol actevo. after running the rotella for 3 changes and having such a huge improvement after the switch i wont be putting that dimestore crap in my bike anymore.

 

its a good possibility oil has changed over the years you see how much longer engines last now.

 

I noticed mine shifted easier when I switched to synthetic oil.

 

dime store crap, got to be at least dollar store crap

 

20w50? maybe if you live in the desert.... I always run 10w40. 20w50 is way too thick for moderate climates

 

It's not the synthetic oil, it's the regular stuff. I tried it because I heard such good things about it on another forum.

Funny how people can be so passionate about their choice of oil. I've seen flame wars erupt over it. Anyway, I just wanted to relate a pleasant experience with old bike maintenance. I don't get many of them.

 

Feeling may be similar to when we were kids and got new tennis shoes...and could swear we could run faster.

 

The main reason for new engines lasting longer is that most of them are running roller lifters or over head cams. The bad part about that is the oil companies have been able to make oils that are lacking in phosphorous and (i cann't remember the other additive) that the flat tappit engines need to last. I see that summit and some of the other "racing" parts sales places are selling "old" formula oils for older built engines that have the additional additives in them. SOOO yes oils have changed but I'm not sure if its better for the older engines or not and maybe I'm way off in left field with my thinking on this its just my point of view and I'm no oils expert.

By the way I run the Honda GN4 10w-40 oil in mine its not as expensive as the yamalube and works just as well.

 

I honestly think its as simple as the "W40." Castrol Actevo is semi-synth, I believe.

I run 20W40 in both of my XJs unless it's the REALLY hot part of the summer, then I run 20W50 in the commuter.

The clutches seem to prefer 20W40 unless it's really hot out.