Who's using FULL synthetic oil in their street bike?

[AllanB]

Ah engine OIL. It's great stuff.

The Hornet 900 has turned 2 so the warranty is over and she's coming due for a oil/filter change. I'm looking forward to doing it myself as I enjoy the feeling of warm fluids over my hands. :rolleyes:

I've been considering a full synthetic (10w40) instead of the semi it's been running. Many on the USA 919 site swear by the full synth in the Hornet, but then there are the usual few who swear by using the body oils they strain from their underwear each night.

Short of winning Lotto, I'll be keeping the Hornet for a fair while, so I'm thinking the best oil is surely the best oil. Street use.

It's interesting talking to the bike shops about this - some swear by it (Triumph shop exclusively uses Mobil 4T after run-in) some say don't bother, stick with a semi. I did like the Honda guy who told me it will improve the typically 'notchy' Honda gear box!

Anyway - are you running a full, and have you noticed any differences such as better shifting, cooler running, etc?

[98tls]

Nope,neither semi or full,good quality mineral changed regularly will do the same thing for way less $.38 odd motorcycles later its still as good as anything else for road use.

[puddytat]

Always used Mobil one when I had the R6....didnt notice much or any differance in the gears or cooler, but i really just liked the best & many on R6net recommended it.
In saying that though I wasnt nana-ring about on it either.
But I do agree with 98tls too....so really Im not much help then am I.

[zx rider]

I go for the full synthetic oil for my 7. I do a bit of track riding and it's great for the clutch life and reassuring when your motor is living all day around maximum rpm's. At a recent major service the motors internals looked good as new and no wear could be found on the cams or sprockets. The bikes done almost 50k so i'll just keep using full the synth oil. It is more expensive but i believe it pays you back in the end. I use the ELF 10/50 with extra grip molecules (for the fibre clutch plates) and can highly recommend the stuff.:2thumbsup

[Cajun]

I have used shell fully sync from 6000kms service onwards (was recommended to go semi until first service. Bike is 5 1/2 years later, with over 50,000kms on it still going great

[p.dath]

I think the main advantage with a full synthetic is reduced engine wear, which means a longer life for the bike engine before it needs major work - as opposed to improved performance per see.

[MaxB]

I use the manufacturers recommended grade for the operating conditions.

A lot of people use fully synthetic when they don't have to.

[98tls]

I think the main advantage with a full synthetic is reduced engine wear, which means a longer life for the bike engine before it needs major work - as opposed to improved performance per see. Be interesting to see that ole wives tale backed up with figures re bikes used for everyday road riding,one things for certain oil companys advertising campaigns seem to be working.:niceone:

[Fatjim]

I've always used a good quality diesel engine oil. However, I've never owned an il4.

[manfred]

Motorcycle oil is expensive! I am trying that new brand Hi Rev oil which is about 2/3r'ds the price of the major brands and appears to have all the credentials. Any one given it a try?

[YellowDog]

The Triumph guys only use the recommended Fully Synthetc stuff.

I understand that the synthetic stuff is less prone to breaking down at higher temperatures.

I think it all depends upon the sort of riding you are doing amd how frequently you change it.

[p.dath]

Be interesting to see that ole wives tale backed up with figures re bikes used for everyday road riding,one things for certain oil companys advertising campaigns seem to be working.:niceone:

This is outside my area of knowledge, but many bike mechanics on here have commented that they have pulled apart engines that have run on full synthetic oil, and the engine wear has been almost undetectable.

[vifferman]

A lot of VFR owners swear by Mobil 1 synthetic, but the one time I used it I didn't reckon it; the gear changes seemed a little rougher. However, that's not very scientific, and not statistically valid. I also used it some years ago in my VF500, and I think once in the VFR750. Most of the time I use Motul 15W50 semi-synth. Seems to work all right.

There's plenty of good info on the Interdweeb from independent oil tests, and anything you read on forums like this is going to be - like my post - purely anecdotal.

[Flip]

Only use synthetic stuff myself. Just happier to use the "best" oil I can get in the bike.

I dont use synthetic in my vintage vehicles because it may not be fully compatable with the seals in the motors.

[nallac]

Don't use Fuch's oil in the Hornet,it made the box shift worse
in my old Hornet.

[p.dath]

Check out this thread about the subject:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=104079 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=104079&highlight=synthetic)

In particular check out this post by peasea:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1129323575&postcount=14
Where they refer everyone to this article:
http://www.vfrworld.com/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm

[98tls]

This is outside my area of knowledge, but many bike mechanics on here have commented that they have pulled apart engines that have run on full synthetic oil, and the engine wear has been almost undetectable. :niceone:Rest assured it must be so then,aint the intereweb wonderful,ive enjoyed many of Carl Fogartys posts on cornering techique.

[mowgli]

Triumph Speed Four using manufacturer recommended fully synth Mobil 1 Racing 4T since run-in. She's done 82k in four years on street and track. No sign of stopping any time soon.

[Gremlin]

Yeppers, my KTM runs on fully synthetic Motorex... and has done since brand new... factory specs for it.

[doc]

I've always used a good quality diesel engine oil. However, I've never owned an il4.

Ive got a Hardly that Ive done 80k km on and have used only Mobil I from Repco since new. ( None of the V-twin stuff) . Always used sportrans in the primary. Never had a problem. HD advised not to use synthethic oils cos of "Bearing skate" FFS the manual recomends particular oils, but if not available use Diesel engine oil. :argue:

[vifferman]

Check out this thread about the subject:
Where they refer everyone to this article:
http://www.vfrworld.com/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm
Huh.
Forgot about that - read it years ago when I was on another VFR list. Mike Guillory was a frequent poster.

[Tony.OK]

A good option worth trying for the notchy Honda box is Spectro Gold semi, it worked brilliantly in my VTR (tractor gearbox), but let you know when the oil was past its best going notchy again after 4-5kms.

[98tls]

Ive got a Hardly that Ive done 80k km on and have used only Mobil I from Repco since new. ( None of the V-twin stuff) . Always used sportrans in the primary. Never had a problem. HD advised not to use synthethic oils cos of "Bearing skate" FFS the manual recomends particular oils, but if not available use Diesel engine oil. :argue: :niceone::laugh::killingmeOne of the few great things about the interweb and motorcycles is the oil threads:clap:

[Motu]

I am using Silkolene Pro 4 15/50 in my airhead,the best ester synthetic motorcycle oil you can get....just because I had some to use up.

I haven't noticed any clutch slip,and the gearbox changes the same as it always has....

[AllanB]

Good replies KBers.

Triumphs use of Mobil 4T (the Motorcycle specific equivalent of Mobil 1) is interesting in that they produce engines in the lower range of HP (unstressed) to high end screamers.

A bloke in a bike shop said the other day - "absolutely no harm will be done by using a full other than to your wallet!"

Did you all notice I did not ask what oil brand was the best :devil2: - Every bike shop in Christchurch appears to use a different brand of oil and they are all "top stuff mate" :rolleyes: And they probably are.

[Kickaha]

I haven't noticed any clutch slip,and the gearbox changes the same as it always has....


BMW Humour :lol:

[Motu]

BMW Humour :lol:

Shhhhhh!!!!! I'm waiting here patiently,and I don't need someone like you to blunder in and scare them away.

[rosie631]

I use fully synthetic

[AllanB]

BMW Humour :lol:

BMW's - they run exclusively on the excess oil drained from the bottom of the jacket when weather treating Belstaff riding gear.

[doc]

Oil is oil. Just be wary if engine oil does clutch as well . faaark all the internet experts

[AllanB]

Oil is oil. Just be wary if engine oil does clutch as well . faaark all the internet experts

All good - I have only ever used Motorcycle only oils in my bikes - avoids any clutch issues.

The motorcycle/car oil debate - I'd rather stay clear of that one!!!!!!:rolleyes:

[Moki]

I always try to use at least one grade above the manufacturer's recommended. Doesn't matter if it's synth or dino, however syth will mean you're paying extra...errr..... throwing money away. The GS is happily on 80K km+ with religious 5k changes