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Any Opinions About Changing to Synthetic Oil?
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:56 pm
by ErnCol
For all you mechanical gurus...
I've always gone synthetic on my 4-wheelers.
I have a '07 Yamaha V-Star Silverado 650.
2,500 miles in the last month and a half since I bought it new.
It's had one 600 mile oil change.
I am wanting to change to synthetic (do it myself)...assuming that in the long run it will be better for the engine.
I know there are strong supporters of synthetic and those that dismiss it.
The manual makes no reference to synthetic.
Good idea?

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:57 pm
by Johnj
All I'll say is that it isn't a bad idea.
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:42 pm
by Shorts
Fabulous thing is that Honda oil I regularly get for my bike was changed to synthetic....sooo, I figured if they made it that way straight from the factory with the Honda name on it and stuck it in the same bottle and added 'synthetic' to the same label, it'll be ok in my Honda bike.
I'm so trusting these days in this cushy country of customer service.
I haven't had any problems with it in my bike.
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:46 pm
by ErnCol
Ok, then...
If it's OK with a Legendary 1000 and a Gold Site Supporter, I'll do it!
Johnj...you look familiar. Are you on the MotoCamper forum also?
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:50 pm
by Johnj
No...no MotoCamper forum for me. Is it MotoCamper forum .com or something?

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:54 pm
by ErnCol
MotoCampers.com
Sounds Euro, and I guess there is a section for that, I'm not sure.
But its quite interesting and seem to be a good group of riders.
Everything from the big tourers to dual-purpose folks who like to ride and camp.
Must of mistaken you for the other handsome fella with the beard (don't worry, I'm a gal!).

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:28 pm
by BuzZz
Synthetic oil will not adversely affect any engine at any time, with one minor exception. Break in on many (not all) engines should be done with non-synthetic oil, just to let the rings seat to the bores. You're past this point with your bike, so no worries.
Some synthetic oils have a high detergent content and so will clean out a lot of gunk in older engines. This may cause some seals to leak slightly if they are in less than great condition (gunk may be bad, but it can help older seals do the sealing). But it's not all that common, and a regular dino oil with the same detergent additives will do the same thing to the same engine and seals.
Synthetic oil is not
really synthetic, as the word is defined in a dictionary. It is not created from elemental molecules, it is based on the same crude oil as regular oil, just very highly refined. Then the additive package is added (just like regular oil, and just like regular oil, what that additive package consists of is up to the company.... some are better than others) and you have the final product. Many 'regular' oils are almost as good as many synthetics. Synthetics start with an advantage due to extremely clean and pure base stock, but after that, the additive packages make or break an oil.
Switch away, eh.

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:29 am
by MMO
I use synthetic oil and haven't encountered a problem thus far
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:55 pm
by ErnCol
Thank you all for the answers.
I'm gonna give it a try at 4K and will let you know how it works out.