What Oil

[Gontour]

I have had a look at a couple of threads about oil type, but I would like to ask specifically about my bike(obvious i know), its a 2000 1200 Bandit.
What grade should I be looking at, and should it be Synthetic, Semi-Synthetic, or good old fashioned stuff from the ground? Is it personal choice or are there definate specs I shoudl be looking for, all the Bike Manual says is grade SF of SG, at about 10/40.

Cheers

[MSTRS:Me]

Go the semi- way. I use Shell Advance SX4. Just make sure that you use a motorcycle specific oil since the wet clutch cannot cope with general automotive oils.

[kerryg]

Stand back and wait for about a thousand replies all with different (and plausible) opinions. This subject has been exhaustively discussed before but perhaps I can summarise a few things about which the majority seemed to agree in the past:

1. The manufacturer's recommendation is a good starting point
2. Use a bike oil, not a car oil, because the additives in some (not all) car oils aren't compatible with wet clutches
3. Whatever oil you use, change it and your filter often
4. The cost of fully synthetic oils for general road use is not generally justified (different if you're racing)
5. Mineral oils are best for running in (but I assume your bike is well past that stage)
6. Semi-synthetics are a popular compromise


As for the rest, I'll leave it to others.

Good bikes them Bandits

[zadok]

Synthetic fortified seems to be the recommendation these days. I certainly wouldn't use mineral. When I had my 6000km service last Friday, the mechanic advised semi-synthetic and he said some people even changed that every 3000km!

[vifferman]

Yeah, semi-synthetic.

Although some people swear by synthetic oils, I've been personally told not to use them, as they tend to glaze the inside of the engine, but more importantly, "Oil Guy" on the USA VFR forum was talking to a guy who works for one of the big oil companies in the US, and he himself said he wouldn't use full synthetic as its detergent properties weren't the best. IIRC, he used a mix of synthetic for its longevity/anti-shear properties, and mineral oil for its ability to clean the crud out of the engine and retain it in suspension. So you may as well use semi-synthetic.
Personally, I use Motul 5100, but with the VTR1000 (which, like many v-twins can blow a bit of erl up the zorst) I used to top it up with Shell semi-synth M/C oil, as it was considerably cheaper, and probably equal or better quality. I would run the VFR on Shell, but for some dumb reason it's almost impossible to find anyone who sells it in the 4L containers, only the 1L containers. :spudwhat:

[MSTRS:Me]

... it's almost impossible to find anyone who sells it in the 4L containers, only the 1L containers. :spudwhat:

Which one do you use? I have no problems with getting 4 litre packs

[Motu]

Frequency of change is more imortant than oil type,a motor that has regular 5000km oil changes with crap oil will last longer than one running synthetics with 50,000km change intervals.Use the best oil you can afford,a full synthetic is over kill,but budget oils are not a good idea either.You can use car or truck oils no problem,just read the label for friction modified,contrary to what everyone says,it's not that common.

Actualy some of the cheap oils are overlooked - the oil I use in my bulk tanks is Pennzoil Longlife,it's a multifleet oil rated for diesel turbos and petrol turbos,I have 10/30 and 15/40,it goes into EVERYTHING that comes into the shop.A very highly rated oil,but overlooked by a lot of buyers being marketed as a multifleet oil.

[Pwalo]

Like my learned colleagues have intimated use the recommened SAE rated oil for your bike. (Most seem to be 10W-40).

I prefer to use a semi-synthetic (Castrol GPS), and as I commute on my bike I do oil and filter changes every 2000ks. I know it's probably over the top but it seems cheap insurance, and I've never had any problems as far as reliability goes.

[Gontour]

Cheers all, I think i'll got for a 10w/40w semi synthetic, middle of the road price wise.

And after reading the replies the one about regularily changing the stuff sounds good advice.

Thanks again

[kerryg]

Cheers all, I think i'll got for a 10w/40w semi synthetic, middle of the road price wise.

And after reading the replies the one about regularily changing the stuff sounds good advice.

Thanks again

I notice that Motomail (who've got a sale on) is selling the Golden Spectro semi synthetic with a filter thrown in for $53 so that might be worth a look

[Sniper]

The cuzzies next door said just use water. Its cheeper dan dat otha stuff aye. I gota go ova 2nite and help dem figa out y der kingie isnt running aye.

PT over.

I run semi synthetic and I wouldn't run anything else, but thats just me.

[nudemetalz]

I run both the VTR and NZ on Shell semi-synth M/C oil from the local Shell garage and they're fine. Both are not young motors but still worth putting good oil in them.

[Lou Girardin]

I've used Mobil Racing 4T (synthetic) in my Bandit since I bought it. The shift stays smooth right up to 6000k's, engine internals are clean and shiny, doesn't use oil despite years of 'exuberant' riding.