Mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic oil?

**p.dath** · 25th July 2009, 17:56

Nearly fell over today when I saw the price of synthetic oil (I'd say about three times more expensive than traditional mineral).

In the world of cars there used to be quite a bit of debate if synthetic oils were actually any better. But that was some time ago.

So are the current breed of synthetic oils on the market worth the 3 x price they command?

**rosie631** · 25th July 2009, 17:59

I only use synthetic oil. Don't really know the answer to your question tho.

**98tls** · 25th July 2009, 18:00

For my money no,Good quality mineral is as good as anything for a bike used for road riding.Imho.Years ago i was talking to some head mechanic bloke in Wanganui about a problem i had with the TL chucking oil into the airbox,whilst yapping he mentioned that synthetic had been known to produce clutch slippage in them,dunno,theres plenty on the TL forum use it with no problem fwiw.I wonder if people using Synthetic still change there oil as much as they used to with mineral?

**FJRider** · 25th July 2009, 18:13

As I understand ... its the fact that they're not reliant so heavily on fossil fuel reserves to produce. The cost to produce, is the reason for the price ... more than their quality.

More expensive stuff is always better ... eh!!!

**rosie631** · 25th July 2009, 18:15

Originally Posted by 98tls

I wonder if people using Synthetic till change there oil as much as they used to with mineral?

Yep

10 char

**98tls** · 25th July 2009, 18:18

Originally Posted by rosie631

Yep

10 char

Whats your reasons for using it rosie?not having a crack in anyway just interested.

**rosie631** · 25th July 2009, 18:20

Nothing scientific. Was recommended by a friend whose opinion I respect. And the bike seems to like it.

**slofox** · 25th July 2009, 18:23

I wonder how much the higher price is based on the "it's not depleting fossil fuel reserves" type of thinking. In the same way that organic food is dearer...but then I am a cynical old bugger anyway...

Years ago I used Castrol R in a race bike. Until I realised how much of the stuff the bloody bike gobbled up every meet. Soon went back to GTX...

**p.dath** · 25th July 2009, 18:31

Originally Posted by 98tls

For my money no,Good quality mineral is as good as anything for a bike used for road riding.Imho.Years ago i was talking to some head mechanic bloke in Wanganui about a problem i had with the TL chucking oil into the airbox,whilst yapping he mentioned that synthetic had been known to produce clutch slippage in them,dunno,theres plenty on the TL forum use it with no problem fwiw.I wonder if people using Synthetic still change there oil as much as they used to with mineral?

As best as I can determine, synthetic oil lasts no longer. It's main benefit seems to be its temperature operating range, and friction reduction.

Mineral oil operates within the temperature range of my bikes engine already. So the only advantage seems to be a very minor reduction in friction which causes wear.

**CookMySock** · 25th July 2009, 18:49

Originally Posted by p.dath

As best as I can determine, synthetic oil lasts no longer. It's main benefit seems to be its temperature operating range, and friction reduction.

[...]the only advantage seems to be a very minor reduction in friction which causes wear.

No, and no. Synthetic oil (the good ones anyway) don't lose their viscosity as quickly, don't oxidise with high temperatures, don't become as acidic, and a whole bunch or other stuff. There is plenty of reduction in friction - often the factory machining marks are still present on a race engine internals after an entire season.

Steve

**OLD MAN BJ** · 25th July 2009, 18:50

I'm coming up to needing some new oil for the 1250 Bandit, and I usually buy in quantity to save$$.
Maybe a bit off topic, but I find it strange that the big players who make bike specific oil will always recommend it (+ $$ ) for the usual blah blah reasons. So I've been getting some info about which oil to get. Funny isnt it that the companies that dont market a bike specific oil here in NZ, are quite happy to recommend another car oil from their range. What I've been recommended!!!
1/ Penrite, HPR Gas 10, or Diesel 5
2/ Valvoline, Synguard or Durablend
3/ Mobil, Super 2000, because I told them I wanted a semi syn, and they dont have one here.
Do you ever get sick of having big companies taking the piss out of you?

**p.dath** · 25th July 2009, 18:54

Originally Posted by OLD MAN BJ

I'm coming up to needing some new oil for the 1250 Bandit, and I usually buy in quantity to save$$.
Maybe a bit off topic, but I find it strange that the big players who make bike specific oil will always recommend it (+ $$ ) for the usual blah blah reasons. So I've been getting some info about which oil to get. Funny isnt it that the companies that dont market a bike specific oil here in NZ, are quite happy to recommend another car oil from their range. What I've been recommended!!!
1/ Penrite, HPR Gas 10, or Diesel 5
2/ Valvoline, Synguard or Durablend
3/ Mobil, Super 2000, because I told them I wanted a semi syn, and they dont have one here.
Do you ever get sick of having big companies taking the piss out of you?

What does your bike manufacturer recommend?

**OLD MAN BJ** · 25th July 2009, 19:17

Originally Posted by p.dath

What does your bike manufacturer recommend?

Pretty vague like them all. SF/SG or up to SJ with Jaso. What a load of crap! You are expected to pay extra for a rating that is obsolete. The day my bike is out of warranty, it'l be getting an HDEO 15w-40 mineral oil changed regularly and as a bonus they are all 5 ltr packs.

**peasea** · 25th July 2009, 19:50

Originally Posted by p.dath

Nearly fell over today when I saw the price of synthetic oil (I'd say about three times more expensive than traditional mineral).

In the world of cars there used to be quite a bit of debate if synthetic oils were actually any better. But that was some time ago.

So are the current breed of synthetic oils on the market worth the 3 x price they command?

Read this.

http://www.vfrworld.com/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm

**pete376403** · 25th July 2009, 22:06

Originally Posted by slofox

I wonder how much the higher price is based on the "it's not depleting fossil fuel reserves" type of thinking. In the same way that organic food is dearer...but then I am a cynical old bugger anyway...

Years ago I used Castrol R in a race bike. Until I realised how much of the stuff the bloody bike gobbled up every meet. Soon went back to GTX...

If it's "not depleting fossil reserves", exactly where are the materials that become synthetic coming from? Not too many chemicals that aren't based on hydrocarbons in some form or other.
Unlike Castrol R, which is made from the first pressings of castor beans. Extra virgin if you like. And it smells beeeyoootiful. And Castrol R is one of the highest performing lubricants, if you can put up with the cost. And the gumming up the works if you leave it in motor for any length of time.

Hmmmm. Nothing quite like an oil thread.