07-12-2021, 02:06 PM
(07-12-2021, 06:06 AM)TCBronson_imp Wrote: Interesting, you all use synthetic. I just looked in the owners manual and it recommends Pro Honda GN4, SAE 10W-30 or equivalent motor cycle oil. Being air cooled vs water cooled do you think it matters? Just curious if synthetic is better for an air cooled engine but not necessary? Is there some real or psychological benefit to synthetic instead of using conventional oil?I don't know about REAL benefit tbh, but I'll try to explain my decision.
From what I understand, synthetic oil has carefully engineered uniform sized molecules that are more resilient to temperature differences. Synthetic oils are usually recommended for performance engines, and motorcycles have high revving engines I consider them performance engines by definition. As I live in extreme heat (for reference today is probably going to be around 120°F out on the road) I use 10w60 oil, and to find a mineral oil with similar qualities I would be looking at a very thick mineral oil, and in my head I can't justify stressing the engine with thickness when I can just put in something with optimal thickness buy better quality.
'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed