Oil to synthetic or not

Message

flw · #1 Unread post by **flw** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:41 am

I was reading a post here on dialing in your bike and didn't see anything on oil types. Such as synthetic oil or not?

Any opinions on either total life span or HP increase with synthetic oil, let me know.

VermilionX · Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:51 am

my mechanic recommended to me that i wait until 5K miles before i switch to synthetic.

i think i'll change my oil soon, the manual recommends every 3500 miles after the 1st oil change. but i think i'll change mine when i hit 3000 (which is pretty soon), then once i hit 5000, i'll run synthetic on her.

MotoF150 · #3 Unread post by **MotoF150** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 1:10 pm

use only Amsoil brand synthetic, all the other synthetic brands are no better than regular motor oil

basshole · #4 Unread post by **basshole** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:01 pm

Huh??...........prove it. There are many acceptable brands of synthetics you can use. Yes Amsoil is good but certainly not your only option.

MotoF150 wrote:use only Amsoil brand synthetic, all the other synthetic brands are no better than regular motor oil

ZooTech · #5 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:02 pm

I saw a pretty big improvement going from dino to Mobil-1 synthetic. The shifting became noticeably smoother and the engine temps dropped quite a bit, to the point where the fan rarely kicks on any more. Recently I switched to Amsoil but have noticed no significant change. I think the important step is just going synthetic in the first place, regardless of brand.

#6 Unread post by **Skier** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:00 pm

I never noticed any improvements in shifting feel nor engine sound/smoothness/power when switching to synthetic. I also have proof from Blackstone Labs that dino oil works hunky-dory in my bike, so I'll stick with that. No sense pouring fancy snake-oil into your bike unless it makes you feel better (which it does for many many many riders I personally know).

Flting Duck · Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:40 pm

MotoF150 wrote:use only Amsoil brand synthetic, all the other synthetic brands are no better than regular motor oil

That's funny. I take it you've never even been to Amsoil's website where they compare their synth to other synths. This disproves your hypothesis that other synths are no better than regular oil since even Amsoil's website shows that other synths do, in fact, outperform regular motor oil.

Amsoil does make good products ($$$$) but IMO Mobil-1 is the best bang for your buck. (Best price at WallyWorld generally.)

Yes, it is a good idea to break your bike in on dino oil as synthetic oil can be too slippery and breaking in on dino will allow the rings to seat properly etcetera.......

Make sure you use the right kind of oil for your bike - depedning on whether it has a wet clutch or dry clutch. If you have a dry clutch, then you can use regular car oil. If you have a wet clutch, then you want to use a motor oil made for bikes which has special additives for the clutch.

CNF2002 · #8 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:02 am

MotoF150 wrote:use only Amsoil brand synthetic, all the other synthetic brands are no better than regular motor oil

That simply isn't correct. Mobil 1 synthetic in fact gives you 10 mpg improvement, your bike will smell like fine leather, and if you rub it on yourself you will be instantly attractive to all types of women.

Scott58 · #9 Unread post by **Scott58** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:49 am

I'd wait at least 5000 before switching on a bike. I normally wait 20,000 before I change to it in my cars.

dieziege · #10 Unread post by **dieziege** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:09 am

When/if you switch seriously depends on how long you intend to use the vehicle.... if you don't plan on keeping it very long, hold off on switching. If you do plan to put 50+K miles on a bike (or 200+K on a car) then switch to synthetic as soon as it is broken in... 2 or 3 thousand miles or so.