Why Do We Have Oil Threads?

[SmithSwede]

I guess I’m asking a psychological or philosophical question.  Why exactly are oil threads such a perennial topic on all motorcycle and car/truck forums?

I’m not trying to belittle or criticize anyone here.  There is obviously a very deep seated and common human desire to discuss this stuff.  I find the topic interesting myself, even though I’ve adopted a “don’t sweat it” conclusion.  Why is that?

As I mentioned in another thread, 99.9% of people who seem to “obsess” over oil will never wear out a motorcycle or car engine due to oil related problems.    They are not angry that they are rebuilding their $%*=}~€ engine for the 4th time, and blame crappy oil for their misery.  So why is this topic of such seeming import to so many people?

I get people asking about gas mileage.   We all completely empty our tank.  We all routinely spend money at the gas pumps to fill up.  We all would prefer to get better mileage, all other things held equal. 

I get people asking about tires.  We would all like super sticky tires that last a long time.   We have all had tires slip.  And we all wear out and replace tires. 

But oil and engine wear?  Why the almost morbid fascination with the topic when most people never wear out the object of concern and have no valid reason to condemn the oil?

I blame Thanatos.  People fear death.   They view their vehicles as somewhat living beings and want their creature to thrive and live long lives.  So they focus on elixirs to keep Thanatos at bay. 

[lucian]

I think it boils down to fear of the unknown.  Pouring a concoction of unknown characteristics into our beloved machines.

[PJPR01]

I think we should have a horn thread...and which horns are compatible with different types of oil! 

 

[kballowe]

[reidy]

I blame the oil companies and upselling from car show product sharks. I remember adds from years ago that said if you use our oil or additive your car or bike will last longer and run better. Some at car shows had a display that convinced you your car would wear out by next year unless you used this great oil. People purchased it and their car did not wear out, it must be good. Oil is possibly the one thing that can be marketed as a product to extend that valuable component of your bike.

If we want to go one better than oil, it would be paint protection on your new car. That is where the dealer asks you to spend hundreds of dollars for this miracle product that will extend the life of the paint and enhance the car. It is so good that the manufacturer has not caught on yet. Every industry has these products, we just don't discuss leather lounge conditioners or roof tile sealers here, yet.

A lot of marketing is driven by fear. I can only speak for myself, but I don't like to see misinformation being spread. The only flaw in that logic is that I may not be correct.

Steve

[SIR REAL ED]

I think it is the search for the mystical, magical square circle/free lunch. 

Somewhere out there, someone has discovered and used the ultimate motor oil.  Better gas mileage, more horspower, smoother, quieter engine, cooler running, no more sore butt, flexible knees, better eyesight, no more erectile disfunction......

if we just keep reading......

[bad Chad]

Because winter comes to most of the world?

[oldbike54]

 Look , I am probably going to hear from my bosses for revealing this , but this is an example of alien mind control .

 Dusty

[reidy]

To add to my previous post I thought I would share some of my possibly irrational oil experiences that I have worked at overcoming.

The first is oil should be changed every few thousand miles. My dad taught me that one. Mainly because the car we had when I was young specified that, and he did oil changes at home. I now change my oil as per the manufactures recommendations, just like dad probably did. 

I once did not buy a ride on mower because that particular manufacturer used a Briggs and Stratton engine that did not have a filter. I could not get it through my head that some engineer had worked out the engine would last the life of the mower and not need a filter.     

I have purchase other oil for a Briggs and Stratton engine, because there straight 30 would not be good enough, even though they extend the warranty if you use it. 

Steve

[reidy]

Because winter comes to most of the world?

Don't just blame winter, it is to hot and humid here to go out to the shed. I am inside trying to keep cool. I am also to worried to start the bike as I may have to low a viscosity oil in the engine and the extra 5 degrees ambient temperature will cause premature wear  .

Steve   

[Bulldog9]

I want to know when there will FINALLY be threads on "blinker fluid...."

[Huzo]

Because correct choice of oil is an integral part of maintaining engine life, so when we make a decision regarding this we feel the need to defend our position more fervently than some other topics.
Therefore because we defend this position strongly, it spawns really good discussion and usually degenerates into a good healthy slanging match..
You don’t tend to get 8 page threads on valve cap selection..

[Perazzimx14]

Why do people spend endless hours researching and pouring over oil thread to determine what the best oil is for their $2,500 motorcycle that will never sees 1/50th the mileage of their $60,000 truck that they take to the local lube-n-go.

[Ncdan]

I understand the PO’s question as it’s really simple with today’s research technology to find out exactly what weight and amount is recommended by the factory for most every motorcycle that’s ever been made. Also when in doubt as to when it needs changing, one can’t go wrong with 2500-3000 miles.

[Lannis]

I think it's because "what kind of oil you should use" is an area of their lives that many people feel like they have control over, and so it's an area where they fervently want to be non-conforming revolutionaries.

People listen to the Infotainment Media 24/7/365, having the pants scared off of them by asteroids, nuclear disasters, famine, floods, tornadoes, politics, and everything else, so they need something where they can be part of an elite group that doesn't "follow orders".

And when they see that the Owner's Manual commands them to use 20W50 in their motorcycle, they find some reason (another person's opinion?   An article they read?  or {Guzzi Content} what's on sale at BigBox this week?) to use something, anything besides the Official recommendation, and then defend it with their life and honor, far beyond any rational reason to swear through a nine inch plank that 10W40 is REALLY the thing to use (finger alongside nose in a knowing way) when they've really got nothing.

I suppose there must be very few other things these days worth staking your honor and reputation on, so Oil In My Motorcycle gets the nod.

Not saying this is for sure, but it fits all the facts.

Lannis   

[Tom]

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️   🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️      😁

[SIR REAL ED]

We have oil threads cause we like to empathize with our machinery.

So, I'm gonna start adding 1/2 ounce/quart of CBD oil to all the engines I own.

If it makes my knees feel better.....

[tris]

Because we haven't had a fastest colour thread for a while 

[Muzz]

Look , I am probably going to hear from my bosses for revealing this , but this is an example of alien mind control .

 Dusty

I know Prescott is a sane and balanced individual but as soon as I read the thread heading I straight away put my tinfoil hat on Dusty. They'sa not gonna get me!

[oldbike54]

I know Prescott is a sane and balanced individual but as soon as I read the thread heading I straight away put my tinfoil hat on Dusty. They'sa not gonna get me!

 Too late mate 

 Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

Now I can go back to sleep zzzzzzzzzzz

[Perazzimx14]

I think it's because "what kind of oil you should use" is an area of their lives that many people feel like they have control over, and so it's an area where they fervently want to be non-conforming revolutionaries.

People listen to the Infotainment Media 24/7/365, having the pants scared off of them by asteroids, nuclear disasters, famine, floods, tornadoes, politics, and everything else, so they need something where they can be part of an elite group that doesn't "follow orders".

And when they see that the Owner's Manual commands them to use 20W50 in their motorcycle, they find some reason (another person's opinion?   An article they read?  or {Guzzi Content} what's on sale at BigBox this week?) to use something, anything besides the Official recommendation, and then defend it with their life and honor, far beyond any rational reason to swear through a nine inch plank that 10W40 is REALLY the thing to use (finger alongside nose in a knowing way) when they've really got nothing.

I suppose there must be very few other things these days worth staking your honor and reputation on, so Oil In My Motorcycle gets the nod.

Not saying this is for sure, but it fits all the facts.

Lannis

20W-50 Pfffff what does the manufacturer know and why would you use that. I've taken all the information I gleaned from oil threads and now blend my own oil so that I have the perfect oil weight. I mix 10W60 full syn, 20W50 semi syn, 5W-30 conventional and a dash of SeaFoam and Hoppes #9 in a 5 gallon bucket to create 12.7W53 stabilized fully semi conventional blend.

 

[kballowe]

What's an oil thread without pictures ?

I always try to get something with Titanium.  If it's good enough for fighter jets, then it's good enough for me.

And, don't forget to get the ADVANCED Full Synthetic, which is far superior to the plain old FULL Synthetic.

 

[Guzzistajohn]

And that makes a sense for a guy that keeps bikes as long as you do Kevin. 

[kballowe]

And that makes a sense for a guy that keeps bikes as long as you do Kevin. 

I KNOW !!!   

And, for those of you that really want to have your car purrrrrrring....... .....

[Perazzimx14]

What's an oil thread without pictures ?

I always try to get something with Titanium.  If it's good enough for fighter jets, then it's good enough for me.

And, don't forget to get the ADVANCED Full Synthetic, which is far superior to the plain old FULL Synthetic.

 

Do you know where I can get a couple pounds of powdered synthetic Titanium? I think it would be good to add a few tablespoons every 1000 miles or so to fortify the oil. I run my bikes pretty hard.

[kballowe]

Do you know where I can get a couple pounds of powdered synthetic Titanium? I think it would be good to add a few tablespoons every 1000 miles or so to fortify the oil. I run my bikes pretty hard.

We could mix that **** with a pinch of unobtainium and double the fuel mileage !

[Ncdan]

And that makes a sense for a guy that keeps bikes as long as you do Kevin. 

LMBO,  this gets the response of the day award😂😂😂👍👍👍

[kballowe]

Ya just gotta buy in bulk.

 

[SIR REAL ED]

I want to know when there will FINALLY be threads on "blinker fluid...."

LED blinkers or the old style blinkers?  Blinker on bike with fuel injection or carbs?  African or European?

Lets narrow the field a bit before extending the invitation to just anyone with an opinion.....