TCBronson_imp
Running like a top
Thread starter
I do NOT want to start a oil war post, just curious what most folks use, conventional or synthetic?
Thanks
Thanks
Oil, conventional or synthetic
- Thread starter TCBronson_imp
- Start date
GoldOxide_imp
Road warrior
No oil thread has ever started an oil war. 
I have mostly used semi-synthetic and full-synthetic in the past four years.
Before than, conventional.
I have mostly used semi-synthetic and full-synthetic in the past four years.
Before than, conventional.
Gone in 60
Road warrior
I believe in scale of economy. I use Castrol Synthetic 10/40. I score a case when I see a good deal, since my Bonneville uses the same weight.
Houtman_imp
Road warrior
Wars in the Middle East were the REAL oil wars ...... I have only used synthetic oils in my bikes for over 30 years , always Mobil 1
Honda full synthetic 10W-30 in the CB1100, other various high quality full synthetic motorcycle specific 10W-40 oil in my Ducati, and conventional 20W-50 Harley branded oil in my Road King. I have forged pistons in my Harley that have slightly looser fit than cast pistons, so I stick with conventional oil.
tod.branko_imp
Been there
Synthetic oil, always. If there were such a thing as synthetic gasoline I'd use that too
'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed
'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed
TCBronson_imp
Running like a top
Thread starter
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?
Whatever the guy behind the Honda Service counter recommends. All things being equal my opinion is it’s more important to change it at correct intervals and keep it at the right level vs worrying over what you’re using.
I’ve never, ever had a blown motor or shot rings except in a tiller and I didn’t own it from new.
I’ve never, ever had a blown motor or shot rings except in a tiller and I didn’t own it from new.
Scotty_imp
Running like a top
Agreed. I just had the valve covers off a low mile 2001 Lexus RX300 I bought used about a year ago. Yikes, while synthetic had been used, it looks like not nearly frequently enough!Frulk_imp said:
On that note, I'm running Mobil 10W-40 4T motorcycle mix and I'm going to send in a sample to Blackstone when I change it. It's currently coming up on 3000 mi. on this interval.
Tev62
Road warrior
What the Honda people, who made the motor, put in the user manual.
michael1954
Been there
Use Motul Full Synthetic, 10W-40. Motul 7100 in the Hondas, and Motul 300AV in the Kawasaki. I put semi-synthetic in the 82' GS1100E, but not really riding it much yet, just turning it over weekly while it waits its turn in line after the DLX. May switch to better oil when it gets on the road.
peterbaron
Road warrior
^^ +1 ^^ ....and OEM oil filter, to make my CB1100 happymichael1954_imp said:
rboe
Road warrior
When I had my KZ550 Ltd I changed the oil every 2000 miles with Golden Spectro syn-blend oil. At 20K miles the shop did a compression test and I had a minimum of 190psi in each cylinder. Typical was 150psi (even in review in a bike magazine that only changed the oil at 10K after the initial break in oil change - what they deemed a typical owner would do.
For years I swore on syn-blended oil but looking back I suspect frequent oil changes had more to do with it so I stand behind Frulk on this one.
So I use syn-blend on the XR650L, the CB's (and other bikes) get full syn. From what I've seen in tests, these choices give me better protection in the Phoenix heat and gives higher mileage. So that drives my choice. When I lived in Duluth, MN full syn oil made starting an engine in the cold easier.
Now a fellow I met on Facebook that is nationally known for his builds of Vincent V twins (and others I don't recall) had had engine failures going from full synthetic back to dino oil. I don't understand it, don't have any experience with it but raise it in case others have seen it - and as a cautionary tale for folks considering switch back.
For years I swore on syn-blended oil but looking back I suspect frequent oil changes had more to do with it so I stand behind Frulk on this one.
So I use syn-blend on the XR650L, the CB's (and other bikes) get full syn. From what I've seen in tests, these choices give me better protection in the Phoenix heat and gives higher mileage. So that drives my choice. When I lived in Duluth, MN full syn oil made starting an engine in the cold easier.
Now a fellow I met on Facebook that is nationally known for his builds of Vincent V twins (and others I don't recall) had had engine failures going from full synthetic back to dino oil. I don't understand it, don't have any experience with it but raise it in case others have seen it - and as a cautionary tale for folks considering switch back.
tod.branko_imp
Been there
I don't know about REAL benefit tbh, but I'll try to explain my decision.TCBronson_imp said:
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
rboe
Road warrior
This is the first time I've seen an oil thread devolve this way.
And we wonder why more women don't ride (or join forums
)
And we wonder why more women don't ride (or join forums
)
Thank you Rboe. That’s the end of that discussion. Back to oil, please.
If anyone wonders, I edited the offending post and deleted the encouragement. This forum doesn’t Ed those sorts of conversations.
tod.branko_imp
Been there
Acknowledged. I apologize for steering in that direction, won't happen againCormanus_imp said:
'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed
No apology necessary, tod, but thank you.
PS: I don’t know what word my autocorrect turned into ‘Ed’.
PS: I don’t know what word my autocorrect turned into ‘Ed’.
