What's a good oil for an R6?

[virtual120]

Just bought some Yamalube 10/50 as recommended (semi-synthetic) but have since read about fully synthetics being good. What would you recommend for a 2002 Yamaha R6 ?

Many thanks
Tim

[avgas]

That should be fine. It depends on how you ride alot - I found 5w50 suits me as I like to start up and give a bit of gas. But on the FZ1 I put 10w40 as it was more a long range hauler.

I prefer full synthetic.....but semi is just as good. It seems to be slightly better in high revving motors like 250's, where full synthetic runs a bit better in anything that revs lower than about 15,000.

[p.dath]

I think the fully synthetics are better hands down, but they cost a lot more money. If money is no object do it.

Your bike is already 7 years old. Do you treat it harshly? If so, then it may help extend the life of the bike. If not, then the reduction in machine wear may not be that much to warrant the extra cost.

Lets say you use a fully synthetic over the next 5 years. You might spend $1000 on the oil changes. Is your bike worth enough to spend that much extra to preserve it a bit longer?


My bike is a 2000. I use a semi-synthetic, because I don't think a fully synthetic is economic for what I do (I ride 3 to 4 times a week on the road). However if I bought a brand new bike, say $15k plus, then I would definately use the fully synthetic (much more bike value to protect).

[bsasuper]

If you dont like doing regular oil changes(every 3000k if you ride hard minimum) then full syn is for you.My VFR which I used as a courier bike for years has clocked up 320,000k and that had full syn oil (motul) changed every 10,000k.A quality mineral changed often if you ride hard is just as good.

[The Pastor]

Just bought some Yamalube 10/50 as recommended (semi-synthetic) but have since read about fully synthetics being good. What would you recommend for a 2002 Yamaha R6 ?

Many thanks
Tim

I'd go with engine oil myself.

[Brett]

You can't beat vege oil!


What brand of oil etc doesn't matter nearly as much as regularly changed oil. As long as you use the right viscocity you will be fine. I personally use either a semi or fully synthetic oil.

[dipshit]

I'm surprised a 10w50 is recommended for your R6. I would have thought it would call for a 10w40. What does the manual actually say?

[dipshit]

However if I bought a brand new bike, say $15k plus, then I would definately use the fully synthetic (much more bike value to protect).

That's what i have done. Running Amsoil 10-40 at the moment... but might use Shell Helix Ultra at the next change.

[bsasuper]

Well I wouldnt put full syn in a brand new bike, after about 7000k I would, otherwise youll glaze the bores

[dipshit]

Well I wouldnt put full syn in a brand new bike, after about 7000k I would, otherwise youll glaze the bores

Not true.

[p.dath]

Well I wouldnt put full syn in a brand new bike, after about 7000k I would, otherwise youll glaze the bores

All the reading I have done on this suggests it is an urban myth ...

[p.dath]

If you dont like doing regular oil changes(every 3000k if you ride hard minimum) then full syn is for you.My VFR which I used as a courier bike for years has clocked up 320,000k and that had full syn oil (motul) changed every 10,000k.A quality mineral changed often if you ride hard is just as good.

I'm not sure what kind of bike you have (not listed in your profile), but unless you spending time down on the track, I would think 3000km oil changes is probably a tad aggressive for a road bike.

I once did a change at 2,000 km, and the oil looked and felt as good as when I put it in. I'm thinking anything more frequently than 4,000km for a road bike is probably just a waste of money.

[dipshit]

All the reading I have done on this suggests it is an urban myth ...

Incidentally i didn't end up using full synthetic until 6000 ks anyhow.

The reason though was because the bike was getting quick oil changes first anyhow so synthetic would have been a waste of money.

I did the first oil change at 150 kms. It was only going to be in until the first 1000 km service. A conventional 10w40 mineral oil was fine. At the 1000 km service, the dealer used Spectro oil of some kind. ("Spectro oil" is all the workshop docket said) I doubt it was their Platinum synthetic oil.

I did the 6000 km service myself and used Amsoil.