My dabble in synthetic oil...

[Chris Hagen]

I use Mobil1 synthetic motorcycle oil in my 821100glz. I find that when I use the 10W40 I get a better power curve, however when I use the 20W50 (VTwin oil) the bike runs a little smoother and alot cooler.

I will be going to sturgis this year so I will be picking up some 20w50 to run in the hills .

Never had a leak problem, and the clutch is still perfect at 21,000 miles (9K of those are mine).

 

[Jethro]

Poured some Golden Spectro in there tonight. We'll see how it is at $11.95/qt.

 

[rustybronco]

I noticed someone went to 5w-40, is that ok to do even though the filler cap says 10w-40 on it? sorry if this is a dumb question but I figure if I dont ask I wont know for sure. thanks

some people on the board have used rotella synthetic 5w40 and love it so the answer is yes.

 

[83GS750E]

Suzuki 5w40

Suzuki 5w40

I use suzuki 5w40 $5 bucks a ltr seems ok.

 

[jm_foote]

It is my understanding that synth has a lot more detergent in it. Would it therefore be prudent to change the oil and filter fairly early after first introducing the synthetic oil for the first time (all the gunk would be freed up)?

 

[Hoomgar]

It is my understanding that synth has a lot more detergent in it. Would it therefore be prudent to change the oil and filter fairly early after first introducing the synthetic oil for the first time (all the gunk would be freed up)?

Some would argue but I would agree with your thinking. If there is any sludge build up washed away by the increased detergent it will be in the oil.

 

[GARYEIN1]

Amsoil Synthetic
20w50 For Vtwin's

No Problems
Converted Nike Over At 7155 Miles
Now Has Just Under 14,000
Runs Sweet

 

[jm_foote]

Anyone ever try a lower viscosity? 5W30?

 

[rustybronco]

Anyone ever try a lower viscosity? 5W30?

Its an energy conserving oil so don't use it, not good for the clutches.

 

[jm_foote]

Trying out Amsoil 15W40. Seems ok so far.

 

[Guest]

Well after two months of running the semi-synthetic oil, (changed it once too) i have noticed that my engine runs smoother and is not as hot in traffic... However, i am springing leaks everywhere. I recently had a completely top end rebuild with all new gaskets, and they are just barely seeping oil in various spots. I'm gonna try retorqueing the head to see if that helps, but if it doesn't. I'll probably be switching back to regular motor oil.

Anyone else have this problem?

 

[Jethro]

I've switched back and forth with no issue before. I am running the synthetic from now on though. If your gaskets leaked from the oil, they were suspect anyway.

 

[Joe Guilbeau]

Royal Purple

Royal Purple

Been using Mobil 1 but have now moved on to Royal Purple, 20w-50w, in my GS1100EX. Owned her since she came off of a Houston dealership in the summer of 1981, figure I have over 300,000 miles on her now. 4-engines, two transmissions, umpeen tires, chains and various other parts en-route...

This week it was 102-Degrees F, doh! (San Antonio, Texas)


Anyway, you should be pleased with Royal Purple, I get mine from a NAPA dealer which is close by.

Used it in my AMC '83 Cherokee Laredo with the AMC-360 CID and it was much quieter and the engine did not "strain" as much as with the Mobil-1.

 

[ScottMc1100L]

Poured some Golden Spectro in there tonight. We'll see how it is at $11.95/qt.

So what do you think, worth the extra $$ ??

 

[Jethro]

So what do you think, worth the extra $$ ??

I don't know why I keep buying expensive oil. My bike runs no cooler or hotter, shifts no better or worse, sounds no better or worse, it doesn't leak now nor did it before, it doesn't warm up any different, I won't increase my oil change interval (becasue that has nothing to do with the quality of your oil)...

I think I am going back to Castrol Syntec becasue it has those containers that have a huge cap and no foil underneath it. Seriously.

 

[Hoomgar]

I don't know why I keep buying expensive oil. My bike runs no cooler or hotter, shifts no better or worse, sounds no better or worse, it doesn't leak now nor did it before, it doesn't warm up any different, I won't increase my oil change interval (becasue that has nothing to do with the quality of your oil)...

I think I am going back to Castrol Syntec becasue it has those containers that have a huge cap and no foil underneath it. Seriously.

I haven't even tried the syn yet but this is how I feel already and I'll bet is how I will feel if I do try it. I guess I need to try it :|

 

[Jethro]

I haven't even tried the syn yet but this is how I feel already and I'll bet is how I will feel if I do try it. I guess I need to try it :|

That what I said. And I'm one of those fools that thinks, "If it's expensive, it has to be good!":?

 

[redtires]

Shell Rotella T 'full' synth is only 13% synthetic base stock...mostly dino oil...Any deisel oil makes a great GREAT motorcycle oil though; Even Mobil 1 Extended life is not pure synthetic stock. Only full synths now are Amsoil, Redline, Motul.

I've made it this far into the thread before thinking of asking this, so apologies if it is addressed later, but has anyone used/experimented with royal purple? It's super in my car (Ztec/cold-air intake/oversized exhaust w/turbo muff...etc...), but I'm wondering about the bike?

 

[beby99]

I've made it this far into the thread before thinking of asking this, so apologies if it is addressed later, but has anyone used/experimented with royal purple? It's super in my car (Ztec/cold-air intake/oversized exhaust w/turbo muff...etc...), but I'm wondering about the bike?

Been using Mobil 1 but have now moved on to Royal Purple, 20w-50w, in my GS1100EX. Owned her since she came off of a Houston dealership in the summer of 1981, figure I have over 300,000 miles on her now. 4-engines, two transmissions, umpeen tires, chains and various other parts en-route...

This week it was 102-Degrees F, doh! (San Antonio, Texas)


Anyway, you should be pleased with Royal Purple, I get mine from a NAPA dealer which is close by.

Used it in my AMC '83 Cherokee Laredo with the AMC-360 CID and it was much quieter and the engine did not "strain" as much as with the Mobil-1.

...............

 

[joejeweler]

But isn't the original Mobil 1 still fully synthetic? I always thought so,..... but may try the Rotella 5W40 synthetic if my local Wall Mart carries it since some around here seem to like it.

Shell Rotella T 'full' synth is only 13% synthetic base stock...mostly dino oil...Any deisel oil makes a great GREAT motorcycle oil though; Even Mobil 1 Extended life is not pure synthetic stock. Only full synths now are Amsoil, Redline, Motul.