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I know this topic can be dangerous to discuss, but I was wondering how many use conventional oil VS synthetic. I was thinking of using synthetic because of the engine being air cooled it might help with any possible over heating issues.
I have always used Honda oil in my Honda's but I have never used synthetic. I know it is expensive but maybe worth it?
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Just came back from shop picking up a couple of gallons of GN4 10W30 for the CB & GN4 10W 40 for the ST conventional oil and another Honda oem filter for each of my bikes. Guess you know how I voted lol.
Honda says it's ok to use their synthetic in the CB, so I guess any motorcycle friendly synthetic would be ok.
I change oil every 4000 miles so I see no advantage to using synthetic oil personally.
As you asked it, the subject is OK.."what do you use?", however if you had phrased it " which is best?" their might have been some trouble lol
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Just did the first oil change this weekend and used GN4 10w40 with a K & N filter.
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I use Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 synthetic. Cost at Wal Mart ($27 a gallon) is less than the Honda non synthetic at my local shop.
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I had switched to synthetic in my CB900F (919) then realized that I wasn't riding it enough to warrant the cost. About all the mileage I was putting on it was the interval of a normal oil change so I went back to Motul dino oil.
When I saw the low mileage the Bonneville and 1100 were also getting each summer I stayed with dino oil in them too.
Because I have to hibernate my bikes from early November to mid April I like to have fresh unused oil circulated in the engine before that long winter sleep.
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I buy Honda brand oil online at about $20 a gallon, Honda filters also at competitive prices.
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I miss oil threads! Thanks TC. I use conventional > Honda GN4 10w30.
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Honda GN4 10w30 $70 for oil, filter and washer.
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I used to use conventional oils exclusively, until a few years ago. I ran a few oil analysis reports that showed the extreme desert heat coupled with normal shear was breaking the oil down within a few thousand miles. Predictably this only happened during the summer months that included daily city riding in temps up to 115F. Blackstone said the viscosity in my samples was equivalent to a 20 weight (originally 15w-40).
During winter months analysis was just fine. Rather than switching oil seasonally, I just started using synthetic full time. Oil analysis revealed the synthetic held up quite well during the summer, changed at 3K - 3.5K mile intervals.
That said, if I didn't live in a suburb of hades, I'd probably still be using conventional oil.
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(09-27-2016, 03:17 AM)TCBronson_imp Wrote: I know this topic can be dangerous to discuss, but I was wondering how many use conventional oil VS synthetic. I was thinking of using synthetic because of the engine being air cooled it might help with any possible over heating issues.
I have always used Honda oil in my Honda's but I have never used synthetic. I know it is expensive but maybe worth it?
Not to me it isn't.