11-16-2017, 01:43 PM
(11-16-2017, 12:51 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: This bike is so ridiculously easy to change oil on. THey should all be like that. Unfortunately most aren't.
I like the spin on filters and all is very accessible, especially on the center stand.
Don't want to start an oil thread (not even winter!), but probably will switch to 10W-40 as the weather warms. Not uncommon to ride at 115 F+ here.
My owner's manual only lists 10W-30 and I have read of valve noise issues using 10W-40 (think that was my pre-purchase research on this forum).
GN4 is not expensive at $6.99 a quart (and much less by the gallon), but since the local dealer does not recycle my GN4, I am annoyed and considering Castrol 4T or maybe Castrol Power 1 synthetic, as used in my 2012 Bonneville. Seems fair to buy from where I will recycle (AutoZone or O'Reilly's).
Used Castrol 20W-50 in all my bikes until the Sporters, then used H-D 360 (2.8 quarts per change) for them.
The Bonneville was prepped with Castrol Power 1, so I continued to use it. Don't know if it was the factory oil cooler, twin oil pumps and/or synthetic oil, but the Bonneville never seemed to know it was hot. Went across the desert to SoCal and back more than once.
The recent Yamahas used Castrol 4T ($6.49/quart)
The Moto Guzzi required 10W-60 (not a typo), so I got introduced to Motoul. Good oil, but VERY expensive.
Concern switching from GN4 10W-30 to GN4 or Castrol 10W-40 would be valve noise. Switching to synthetic should not affect clutch, as it had no issues on the Bonneville.
However, the recommended 4,000 miles between changes with dino oil is farther than my comfort zone. Probably will go only 3,000. Maybe 4,000 if synthetic used.