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.

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.

[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.

[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.

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.