Another new guy question. So while I'm waiting for my baffles to come – bike's too loud to even run it the way it is – I might as well do all the regular maintenance on it. I ordered a filter and I went ahead and bought the same oil that I run in my Valkyrie – full synthetic four stroke motor oil, which is OK for a wet clutch (has no friction modifiers, moly or anything). And then I got to thinking, maybe I should ask the guys on the forum what they're running for oil. So I'm all ears, well cyber ears ;D
I think it's a matter of taste really. I run synthetic, because I like the longer life of it and I think it keeps the engine a bit quieter. I know lots here who swear by dino oil. To each his or her own.
I switched to synthetic decades ago. All my vehicles use synthetic from the first oil change (nowadays many come with synthetic). I have never had an oil related failure. Synthetic handles moisture (and weather) and heat better, so it is great for bikes. I think the bike runs and shifts better with synthetic, but have no proof of that. AND, it lasts longer. I honestly have found no reason not to use synthetic. It is more expensive but not by enough for me to notice or give up the benefit.
Do a search here for "oil" and you will come up with a lot of info.
I switched from dino to synth, when I first got my bike. The engine instantly ran much quieter.
Not sure what the PO had in the bike when I bought it but it had been sitting for a bit, so first thing was an oil change. I did it with Kawasaki oil regular stuff, and ran it with that over the winter I was seduced by the Amsoil info. So switched over to that and man was the engine loud the shifting loud and rough, so after only 3 months (nearly the whole summer here) I switched over to Kaw synthetic oil, and have been using it ever since.
OK, thanks for all the replies. Pretty much what I expected to hear (same thing most Goldwing riders say), but I just thought there might be some little "Kawasaki thing" I didn't know about why not to go with synthetic.
I have been using Amsoil in both the GW and Drifter for the past 10 years. I like it. I also use K&N filters on both... same filter for the Drifter and the GW... go figure.
Yeah, I thought when I ordered the filter it looked like the very same one that I've been putting on my Valkyrie (naked Goldwing). That is kind of funny.
Use Amsoil in everything for the last 20 years.
Ratman: Believe I am using their 10W40. Have not had the issues you describe with my 800.....what viscosity is the Kawi synthetic you are using with good results?.. perhaps a heavier or straight weight oil?
I am using the Kawasaki 100% Synthetic S4 10W40 oil. When I did use the Amsoil everything just sounded louder and more clunky, and it was also 10W40. But I think area, and use has a lot to do with it. I am happy with the S4 and so will stick to it.
I'm not going into a long story about why I wouldn't use amzoil in anything, but after having to repair vehicles run on it, I know I wouldn't even use it to lube hinges on a garden gate.
Dang Troll..your making me paranoid. What oil do you use?
I played around with a couple of different oils when I first got the Drifter. I quit messing around at about the 65,000 mile mark, and went back to my old standby, Valvoline. I use it in EVERYTHING I own and have been happy with the results for many years. The big difference between the oils I use in the Drifter and what I used in all my H-Ds is that I'm using motorcycle specific multigrade instead of straight grade racing oil. 10-40 Spring and Fall, and 20-50 in the hot weather. Let's just put my Amzoil complaint in a little perspective. Valve guides on 2 vehicles in less than 10,000 miles, on vehicles that don't EVER wear out valve guides, Blocker rings and a final drive pinion on a Peugeot, again something that doesn't wear out on these cars...that was enough for me...
Wow that's rather disconcerting about Amsoil. A lot of my fellow Valkyrie drivers use it, and swear by it, but I've been using Valvoline too and have had no issues whatever with it. One reason I like it is I can buy it at Wally world ;D.
I bought a car once that had been using Amsoil for about 40,000 miles; car had around 55,000 or so (can't remember exactly, it was about 1980 something) had to replace the lifters; the thing sounded like a diesel engine. Went to Quaker State 10-30 and that care ran beautifully after that. I do like their gear lubes though.
As to my Drifter, Kawasaki synthetic is it; I was using Kaw dino oil the first 2 years I had it, and it always had a light knock/rattle in the top end on start up if it had been sitting for a long time, lke over the winter. After switching to Kaw synthetic, no more top end noise until this spring, which was my fault....never changed the oil before parking it for the winter. Which is something I always do as preventative maintenance, it just slipped my mind....
always change in the fall and so I'll remind you when to do it and yes the mind is the first thing to go in you old people......
I have to say...no issues with AMSOIL.....multiple cars that all went substantial miles...both gas and diesel...gas engines over 150k and one diesel 300k; second diesel has 210k on it now. Used their oil analysis to zero in on intervals based on my driving. Use their extended interval oil and have been going a full 25k between changes, but changing filters every 5k on the diesels and 12k on the gas engines. Motorcycles and a marine diesel get their oil changed seasonally. So have to agree with Chief....go figure.
For Troll....seeing is believing....so can't argue there...unless those valve guides and seals were on an Alfa Romeo...:) Only said that because I saw Peugeot...and can only imagine your eclectic taste over the years.
It was a pair of Subaru 1600 station wagons. Under 10,000 miles of local driving and the guides were totally worn out. One and ONLY time I had to do guides on a Subaru with ANY kind of mileage. I was working for a dealer at the time, and the owner wanted warranty, Subaru said "NO"! The Peugeot was a 504 and the owner wanted the synthetic oil in the gearbox and the diff...BIG MISTAKE!!!!The diff pinion literally flaked itself into tiny bits. The blocker rings were worn smooth inside, Normally this takes a lot of miles or abuse, but all of them were worn out in a year....the thrust washers were also flaking off bits of metal...Warranty DENIED!!!!...I've been in the car business for over 44 years as a Master Tech, and I've seen more in the course of a week than most people see in a year....
Not good!.....thanks for the input.
This has sort of shifted from synthetic vs dino... to Amsoil like/dislike thread. There are many synthetic brands out there. I came late to the synthetic oil party but firmly believe it is a better choice for bikes. I have used Amsoil extensively and like how it performs, but like with a lot of things you have to take anecdotal evidence with a grain of salt.
Anyone interested can do an internet search and see the pros and cons of both synthetic oil use and Amsoil use.
This is my first year running Rotella T6. Ran it in my diesel engine for years. Then I read the following on a Kawasaki sight and it convinced me to try it: "There is a ZX6 owner on my local sport bike forum that has run nothing but Rotella. He just tore the engine down, and the internals were spotless. Are ya ready for this, 250,000+ miles on the motor, on Rotella oil. I have yet to find any motorcycle engine failures related to using Rotella oil."
I know opinions and experiences vary but my bike never shifted smoother or ran quieter then when I switched to Rotella. Changing it soon for the winter. Plan to look the oil over carefully to see how it faired.
Too many variables to be able to attribute engine condition simply to a brand of oil. I like synthetic because it handles heat and moisture better than any dino oil can. For bikes that live outside (not a temp controlled garage) moisture is really a problem. Dino will work fine if you really pay attention to conditions and change it religiously. A lot of people love Rotella.
My bike seems to run/shift better on synthetics, though I have only used dino a couple of times early on.
If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations and change the oil when it should be changed either should work fine.
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I use synthetic and change oil in the fall of the year. We can ride year around here, but the opportunity to ride diminishes as days are much shorter and we get a lot of rain. But, my bike is ready to go for the spring as it has mostly fresh synthetic oil in the crankcase.
My bike shifts better with synthetic. I use Mobile 1 Motorcycle Racing Oil.
Oh, and it will definitely wheelie much further on synthetic.