Oil Additives... Yes or No???

[Havasu Secret_imp]

I am a BIG fan of oil additives like Prolong, Slick 50 or ZMax. I have a 2002 Chevy Tahoe I bought brand new. I drove it off the car lot and directly to the Autozone auto parts store across the street. I bought a bottle of Prolong and put it in immediately. My 2002 Tahoe now has 1 Million miles on it with absolutely 100% no engine problems. This 1 million miles on my engine I believe is directly due to every single time I change the oil, I add a bottle of Prolong.

I just purchased a 2014 CB1100 with 7000 miles on her. She is showroom perfect and runs like a top. The dealer I purchased it from was like a used car dealership and not a true Honda dealership. Very nice sales people, but not sure they are at the top of their game technically. They said they had just changed the oil and filter when I purchased the bike. It came with a K & N filter (which is BAD according to all I have read) and the oil in the window is very dark and was almost a quart overfilled. WHAT !!!

So I decided to order on Amazon the Mobil 1 98JA11 10W-40 Racing 4T Motorcycle Oil for Sport Bikes - 1 Quart (Pack of 6) and a genuine HONDA 15410-MFJ-D01 oil filter. I also ordered a bottle of Prolong Super Lubricants PSL11000 Engine Treatment - 12 oz.

I am going to change the oil and filter tomorrow as per Scottys excellent video instructions and then add 1/2 or 6 oz. of the Prolong along with the Mobil 1 4T oil to the proper level.

What are you opinions and suggestions please. Thank you in advance for your advise. Much appreciated.

[url=https://imgur.com/HJ2esGp]

[Houtman_imp]

I have used the Mobil 1 10/40 synthetic Motor Cycle oil in my bikes for as long as it has been available but I do not feel the need for additives with this oil.

[LongRanger_imp]

In 50 years of motorcycle ownership I’ve never experienced a single engine failure, and some of these bikes have gone over 100,000 miles. So for me, no oil additives unless they’re specifically recommended by the OEM.

[peterbaron]

Motul 10W40, 100% synthetic, takes care of all my bikes.
Also, synthetic oil lubricates all my cars as well.
NO supplements/additives.
Worry free.

[Whoops]

I think if you take a visit over to BobIsTheOilGuy.com, you will get the gamut of opinions about oil. Oil additives are a bit different. Most there seem to seek out specific additives that make up for deficiencies as identified in a lab analysis of their oil. Personally I find it to be pseudo-science at best. People seem to just build on everyone else's opinions and before long there is a hive-mind like following for some products when there isn't any scientific evidence to backup the manufacturers claims.

Honestly, just pick an oil (preferably synthetic) specifically designed for use with a motorcycle that has a common sump/wet clutch (Honda or Mobile 1, or one that at least meets all the specifications Honda outlines) and then a good filter (again, Honda or Mobil 1) and change it at least as often as the service interval dictates with regards to time and/or mileage. Do the rest of the service at schedule and the bike might outlast you.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Many very modern engines, especially Honda, have select critical surfaces treated by special processes. Example: Ceramic treatment to cylinder walls. These are patented approaches that have significant impact on engine efficiency. I am unsure if the earlier CB1100s had such treatments, but the later Honda bikes and cages have it. Third-party oil treatments are not required.

[Havasu Secret_imp]

Thank you very much for all your input and experience. I am very grateful.

So tomorrow morning it is just changing to the new Honda oil filter (filling the oil filter media with oil prior to attaching to the engine like Scotty suggested in his video) and putting in the appropriate amount of Mobil 1 oil.

Thanks again guys for your excellent input.

[Nachodaddy]

Thanks for bringing this up, Havasu Secret. When I bought my 2013 a few months ago, I was assured the oil and filter had just been changed. But reading through this, I think it might be a good idea to change it again to be sure it is done right with the right oil, since I don't ride much and don't want to take any chances.

[redbirds_imp]

One other thing to consider with an oil additive, the effect it may have on a wet clutch. Any quality synthetic oil that meets Honda's specs is what I use. I like using the Honda OE filter, which is probably made by the same folks that make filters branded as Yamaha or Kawasaki.

[GoldOxide_imp]

One other thing to consider with an oil additive, the effect it may have on a wet clutch. Any quality synthetic oil that meets Honda's specs is what I use. I like using the Honda OE filter, which is probably made by the same folks that make filters branded as Yamaha or Kawasaki.

Good note.