Yamalube oil, who makes it?

[Maurice]

Does anybody know who the manufacturer is of the Yamalube oil?
I am sure Yamaha has no oilplants, so an other company must make it for them.

 

[ptfjjj]

Probably a trade secret. In order to even ask someone who may really know, you'd have to know Japanese.

 

[markjenn]

Dunno. If you're talking about their everyday motor oils, they're nothing special - I wouldn't be going out of my way to buy them. They do make some pretty good specialty stuff like Yamabond which is hard to duplicate in the aftermarket.

- Mark

 

[k woo]

Just the other day I heard a mechanic tell a customer all motorcycle brand name oil is the same. Honda, Kawi, Suzuki, Yamalube, all the same basic stuff.

 

[eemsreno]

Just the other day I heard a mechanic tell a customer all motorcycle brand name oil is the same. Honda, Kawi, Suzuki, Yamalube, all the same basic stuff.

I would agree with that. Yamaha is now offering full synthetic motorcycle oil priceyyyy It may be good though.

 

[ptfjjj]

you have to watch out, though. Some auto motor oils contain extra friction reducing agents that can cause clutch problems. Since the motor oil in a motorcycle also lubricates the transmission, those friction reducing agents can cause slippage, or so I've read. There are still plenty of choices that do not contain the friction reducing agents that do not have the motorcycle label, and therefore, not the high motorcycle oil price.

 

[roy]

Suzuki oil is made by Shell and a whole lot cheaper than Yamalube last time I looked. My wifes Zuma 125 uses 1 quart of Yamalube = $7.95

 

[Zeth609]

I know for a fact that here in Colombia, Yamalube is made by Chevron under Yamaha's "recipe", don't know if its worldwide though.

 

[Koinz]

I bought a couple of gallons of yamalube 10w40 from rockymountainatv. It wasn't that much more than normal oil and it has the JASO MA rating that I can't seem to find anywhere else. I figured the ST10 is new, I'll give it the right stuff at least during the break in period.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/productDetail.do?navTitle=Chemicals&webCatId=23&navType=type&webTypeId=100&prodFamilyId=19671&listingId=&sizeAttr=6190

 

[Yamaguy55]

In the USA, Spectro makes Yamalube, at least that was the case a few years ago. It is a very good line of motolube. I have used Mobil 1 motorcycle oil for years, still do, but Yamalube appears to be every bit as good. So when I can't find the MX4 line, I use Yamalube.

 

[Combo]

In the USA, Spectro makes Yamalube, at that was the case a few years ago. It is a very good line of motolube. I have used Mobil 1 motorcycle oil for years, still do, but Yamalube appears to be every bit as good. So when I can't find the MX4 line, I use Yamalube.

I have used Spectro in all of my two strokes I have had since the mid 70's. It is good stuff. Long piston and bore life with 0 plug fouling.

 

[Yamaguy55]

I have used Spectro in all of my two strokes I have had since the mid 70's. It is good stuff. Long piston and bore life with 0 plug fouling.

I agree...I started using Golden Spectro in my old MX bikes (new then!) in 1970-71, never had a problem. I also used a lot of BelRay MC1+ and it worked really well also. MC1 didn't tolerate any alcohol in the gas , it would separate out. Not certain if that is still true. Great part about both was zero, and I mean zero, carbon. I sure miss two strokes. I still have a few unassembled potential projects that are two strokes, but nothing running or current.

 

[rem]

Does Yamalube/Spectro make a synthetic motorcycle oil ??

 

[Yamaguy55]

Yes they do. Wait until about three thousand miles to cut over so the engine has a chance to break in properly. Yamalube comes in petro, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic. I have done the break in in exactly that order before I cut over to full synthetic. The first dealer service at 600 miles is how they enter your bike into warranty, and the next change I usually do myself at 2k miles for the street stuff, less for something like my WRR, semi at that one, and full the next change. My guess is you wouldn't be able to tell the difference, except that the full synthetic has slicked the gearbox on every bike I've had. I use the metallic particles in the sunlight test: until I see no more in bright sunlight, I keep changing the oil. Most of that stuff is from the transmission gears wearing in, and seemingly doesn't hurt the engine, but the sooner it is out of the engine, the better. I figure a few extra oil changes for a new engine can't hurt, and usually pays off in long engine life. In my old hot rod days, we used to say oil's cheap, crankshafts are expensive. Since I never have to disassemble my engines, it certainly doesn't break things.

 

[rem]

Thanks for your thoroughness. I am in agreement with the frequent oil changes at the start. It certainly can't hurt, and may be a good thing.

Regarding the break-in with petroleum based oil, is this pretty well accepted practice all around ????

I have always done that, but for no particular reason. I use Castrol motorcycle oil, which is RELATIVELY inexpensive, for the first 2 - 3 home changes, then go to synthetic. I let the dealer put whatever he wants to in during warranty service, and if I don't like it, I change it out before too many kms.

 

[Yamaguy55]

Thanks for your thoroughness. I am in agreement with the frequent oil changes at the start. It certainly can't hurt, and may be a good thing.

Regarding the break-in with petroleum based oil, is this pretty well accepted practice all around ????

I have always done that, but for no particular reason. I use Castrol motorcycle oil, which is RELATIVELY inexpensive, for the first 2 - 3 home changes, then go to synthetic. I let the dealer put whatever he wants to in during warranty service, and if I don't like it, I change it out before too many kms.

I tell the dealer what I want in it, and they comply. For a big buck bike like this, I'm going to have them do the first two oil changes, the 600 mile one and the next, probably at 2K. I'll have regular mineral Yamalube the first change, may go to semi-synthetic the second round. From then on, I'll take care of it.
Small sump quantity and hard use tends to make me change frequently. I bought my WRR a few years ago used, 260 miles on it, it had sat for a while before I got it. (estate sale) I changed the oil and filter, ran it for a few days, changed the oil again ( only holds 1.5 qts w/filter) and now have it on a 1K change cycle, with the filter every other. I'm probably doing it too much, but I don't need to to have problems back where I ride it...long push/walk, no cell coverage. Changing the oil and doing proper maintenance is more enjoyable than breaking down, usually in a place where I would rather not work ion anything. I tried the other way, wasn't pleased with the results.

 

[rem]

Sounds about right. This boy has a dry sump oil system. From what I've read, this is a good thing. A totally new thing for me.

Oil is the lifeblood of these things. Can't hurt to use good stuff and change regularly. R

 

[colorider]

Sounds about right. This boy has a dry sump oil system. From what I've read, this is a good thing. A totally new thing for me.

New thing for me as well. Have to re-learn the oil change procedure a bit.

 

[Yamaguy55]

My '79 SR500 (based on the XT500) had a dry sump with the oil in the frame. The fact that they used a separate chamber in the engine itself is quite clever. The old TX/XS500 twin from the early seventies also used this concept. It keeps the engine depth to a minimum. I like the fact that there are no external oil lines and tanks to deal with. The only problems I ever had with the SR were related to the external oil lines. I did like the dip stick in the frame in front of the fuel tank; made for interesting conversation at gas stations with car drivers. With the very understressed nature of the the S10 engine, after the initial break in period, I'd guess oil life will be very good. My FZ is easy on oil, I change it because it is the end of riding season, not because it needs it. ( I never leave used oil in engines in the off season, that includes the snow blower..heavily used this year, and the lawn equipment as well)

 

[lotecredneck]

Does anybody know who the manufacturer is of the Yamalube oil?
I am sure Yamaha has no oilplants, so an other company must make it for them.

Correction..... It is now manufatured by Nippon Oil. The 10w30 was made by Citgo and has been discontinued. No more Hugo!
Tony