First; sorry for replying to an old thread.
But I'd thought this thread is as good as place as any to share my findings.
When I first got the NT. I saw it's recommended oil is 10w30; with 10w40 being an acceptable alternative.
And the only fully synthetic, locally available, motorcycle specific, 10w30 oil; is Honda's HP4S. ( As stated in other threads: Coincidence ??)
So I had used Honda's HP4S for the first couple oil changes in my NT.
I know over the years I've seen a few guys using Rotella in their race bikes at the track.
But never gave it much thought; until I saw several threads; including this thread; about it on this forum.
So over the past several months; I did a lot of reading about using Shell's Rotella; specifically their T6; diesel motor oils in motorcycles.
I learned that many diesel motors also have wet clutches, that Shell's Rotella motor oils are MA rated,
and many riders with high mileages on their touring or sport touring (think Aspencades, Concours, ST, NT, etc..)
have been using the Rotella oils.
I was satisfied with what I found. So decided to give it a try.
Here is a BlackStone Labs UOA (Used Oil Analysis) of the T6 used in my NT.
While the report is specifically of the T6 taken on 10/13/2016.
It also shows the Honda HP4S from 5/31/2016.
I should note.
That the HP4S is one oil change pre-crash; using Honda's oil filter.
And the T6 is one oil change post-crash; using K&N oil filter.
ie. The NT was using T6 oil + K&N oil filter 1,800 miles before crash and
2k miles after the crash.
And this sampled T6 is not what was in the NT during the crash. (Hope that makes sense.)
I wonder if the more wear shown in this report is from the T6, the crash, or my riding the NT harder.
For another comparison; I'm considering going back to Honda's HP4S and re-testing that oil.
And perhaps using Motul's 300V and testing that.
After all; my GSXR that had 260K miles before being totaled by a deer; was running great, needed only two or three minor valve adjustments through out it's life, and used 300V exclusively it's entire life.
Once (if ?) my Griso dies; my NT will be my only street bike. And I will be putting 30k miles on it per year on the NT.
So I'm really interested in finding out if the difference of
$5 per quart of Shell Rotella T6,
$10 per quart for the Honda HP4S,
and the $18 per liter for the Motul 300V.
is actually cost effective.
--ET