Synthetic vs. Standard

[Fastprof]

I have had good results with a lot of oils over the last 30 years of riding. Can't honestly say any of them were bad and others were good. I have noticed that some oils make the tranny shift smoother than others, but no miraculous hp gains from the expensive stuff and no engine failures from the cheap automobile oils. I have run plain old Mobile 1 synth with good results, but in the last few bikes I have been running Amsoil synth oil with just as good results. I have never had any clutch slippage or any problems.

My point, they are all good, just pick an oil and feel good about your choice. It just seems you can't go wrong unless you use one of those energy conserving type oils that ruin clutch plates.

 

[FZ6Rgurl]

Royal purple all the way

Doesn't the owners manual say to use 10W-40 oil? I also use the Royal Purple made for motorcycles. Not that expensive either.

 

[JonKerr]

I've always been under the impression that once you go synthetic, there's no going back. Is that true?

 

[AfDevin86]

I've always been under the impression that once you go synthetic, there's no going back. Is that true?

In the automotive world this is correct. Engine sludge isn't just something they talk about in commercials; it's real.

 

[JSP]

In the automotive world this is correct. Engine sludge isn't just something they talk about in commercials; it's real.

NOT correct.

You can go back and forth all you want... It wont do anything. This has been a myth for a long time. Dont fall for it.

https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/Switching_Synthetic_Motor_Oil.aspx

http://valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/full-synthetic-motor-oil/

# 4

Is it ok to switch back and forth between regular and synthetic motor oil? I heard this causes leaks? Is this true?

Switching between synthetic and conventional oil does not cause problems. Because the oils are compatible, you can switch back and forth as often as you like.

 

[JonKerr]

OK, it seems like the original question was never really addressed in this thread. People are saying the brand oil they like. But what I'd like to know and I'm sure what the thread starter was after is, why would you use a synthetic oil over conventional? What I've been told (by my dad and my uncle) is that synthetics are for higher mileage engines and if you're not changing your oil as often. Basically for longer life. And that there's no real performance advantage. If you're changing your oil often (I'm currently on a 1500-2000 mile pace) you're just wasting money on expensive synthetic oil and it's advantage (long life) isn't being utilized. Is this the case?

 

[dart1963]

My grandpa and several other older racers/car enthusiasts, all had only one thing to say, pick an oil and stick with it. Didn't matter if it was synthetic or regular, mobile or valvoline or any x brand, just change the oil as needed (longer for synthetic of course)! I never understood the "stick with one brand", but I've never gone wrong with it, whether synthetic or conventional.

As a side note:
I remember an old commercial about some additive that they added to an engine, then ran it dry to "prove" they were better, as I watched the commercial, I noticed my old slant 6 engine was the "test" engine.... funny thing, that engine (not the oil, additives, etc.) could be ran into the ground... I confirmed this by a fellow mopar fanatic that was waiting to upgrade from a slant 6 to a 340 in his demon. He ran it out of oil and ran it, and ran it, and.... well, he never killed it before getting his new engine. Guess the tolerances were so loose, it wouldn't burn up.

 

[ksanbon]

Here's a couple of articles covering the debate

Synthetic Motor Oil Vs Regular Oil | eHow.com
Synthetic Versus Conventional Oil- Car Craft Magazine

I'll be switching to synthetic.

 

[ME_with_a_B]

You can go back and forth all you want... It wont do anything. This has been a myth for a long time. Dont fall for it.

# 4

Is it ok to switch back and forth between regular and synthetic motor oil? I heard this causes leaks? Is this true?

Switching between synthetic and conventional oil does not cause problems. Because the oils are compatible, you can switch back and forth as often as you like.

I've tried to read every post in the forum concerning conventional/synthetic oil -- but I didn't see this particular concern addressed: is there anything specific I have to do when changing my oil if I'm switching over from conventional to synthetic?

After all the reading, I'm ready to give Amsoil a try, but like... is there an *extra* step I should take to "ready" the bike for the synthetic? Or as long as I've drained it properly, the switch should be seamless...

 

[motomc2]

Just change it like you regularly do. Nothing special. nt

I prefer Motul....but have never had an engine problem due to different brands of oil vs. others.

 

[JonKerr]

Just make sure it's drained fully and I would suggest making sure to change the filter too. A lot of oil can be kept in that thing.

 

[Detrich]

i've switched between synthetic and conventional on my car, and it felt like it ran smoother with synthetic. but, i now it's probably mostly psychological. synthetic lasts longer and doesn't break down as easily, so it's probably safer for newer car engines and can withstand more abuse. i'd imagine the same thing being true on a motorcycle?

 

[motomc2]

The main

difference you will see is a slightly smoother shift. At least on my other bikes it was noticable. I'll be switching at about 1500 miles.

 

[ME_with_a_B]

Just make sure it's drained fully and I would suggest making sure to change the filter too. A lot of oil can be kept in that thing.

Yep -- I change it every time! K&N :thumbup:

THANKS for the replies everyone!!

 

[JonKerr]

Yep -- I change it every time! K&N :thumbup:

THANKS for the replies everyone!!

You don't need to change it every time. In fact it's better if you only do it every other oil change. Filters work better and become more efficient when they get some build up on them. Up to a point that is. Once you've got the motor thoroughly through break in (after 1000 miles) it's better to change the filter every other change. Especially if you're using K&N.

 

[ClickClick5]

"Motorcycle engine oil. As controversial as politics or religion."

I use stock oil for the first 4000 miles, then Shell Rotella-T9 5w-40 synthetic. The "Blue Jug" baby!

 

[ME_with_a_B]

You don't need to change it every time. In fact it's better if you only do it every other oil change. Filters work better and become more efficient when they get some build up on them. Up to a point that is. Once you've got the motor thoroughly through break in (after 1000 miles) it's better to change the filter every other change. Especially if you're using K&N.

Hmmmm I had never heard this. :eyebrow: Thanks for the tip. I suppose after I change the oil out this time (from conventional to synthetic) and change my filter to be sure I've gotten out as much of the old style of oil as possible, I won't have to change it the next go round.

I'm kinda bad about remembering to change my oil though... (both car and bike) so I tend to log a lot of miles between changes spank I guess that's why I'm accustomed to changing the filter each time.

 

[dart1963]

Hmmmm I had never heard this. :eyebrow: Thanks for the tip. I suppose after I change the oil out this time (from conventional to synthetic) and change my filter to be sure I've gotten out as much of the old style of oil as possible, I won't have to change it the next go round.

I'm kinda bad about remembering to change my oil though... (both car and bike) so I tend to log a lot of miles between changes spank I guess that's why I'm accustomed to changing the filter each time.

Just remember, synthetic is oil (on steroids)... they've just "fixed" the chain of molecules to be more consistent from "oil molecule-oil molecule", so mixing between the two isn't a "bad" thing!

On my 63 Dart, I burned through so much oil, that I really only had to change the filter every 6 months, because I put a quart in every month! Never a drop of old oil in it!

On the bike... use "Trip B" so you at least know when you last did an oil change! When it gets near 3Kish, plan to change it!

 

[ME_with_a_B]

Just remember, synthetic is oil (on steroids)... they've just "fixed" the chain of molecules to be more consistent from "oil molecule-oil molecule", so mixing between the two isn't a "bad" thing!

On my 63 Dart, I burned through so much oil, that I really only had to change the filter every 6 months, because I put a quart in every month! Never a drop of old oil in it!

On the bike... use "Trip B" so you at least know when you last did an oil change! When it gets near 3Kish, plan to change it!

I had been using Trip B to log my miles for the season, but I checked it today and noticed it somehow got reset at some point because it only has 1000 miles logged. So much for that!

Yea whoooops I'm well over 3k this go-round. Perhaps thats why I kept thinking it was shifting like crap tonight while I was out for a joy ride.

Oh and woah... I ordered that AMSOIL yesterday, and its getting delivered tomorrow. And that was standard (slow) shipping. *WIN*

 

[dart1963]

I had been using Trip B to log my miles for the season, but I checked it today and noticed it somehow got reset at some point because it only has 1000 miles logged. So much for that!

Yea whoooops I'm well over 3k this go-round. Perhaps thats why I kept thinking it was shifting like crap tonight while I was out for a joy ride.

Oh and woah... I ordered that AMSOIL yesterday, and its getting delivered tomorrow. And that was standard (slow) shipping. *WIN*

Where from? I've been so switching from synth to reg., trying to find a good price/availabilty. I did Rep-sol last time (dealer had a %40 off open house).. been doing mobil1 in-between, castrol reg. m/c oil (just been changing it at the 3-4k mark)

oh, pull the battery, lose trip A and trip B...