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Regular (Dino) or Synthetic Oil?

The Oil thread

166K views 1K replies 296 participants last post by  Pantera93 
#1 ·
Given the usefullness of the oil filter replacement thread, thought it might be useful to have a simillar (seperate) thread for oil recommendations..

Can you please pass-on your recommendations? Useful info to include might be:
Manufacturer/Rating/Synth,Semi-/Price guideline
:niceone:
 
#2 ·
Ohhh Nooo, Not the oil now (w00t)

some one will have to move the thread to here :lol:

I wouldn't recommend full synthetic as Fugaziiv pointed out. I'm sure it's clutch related and He’s in the Suzuki business.
During break in I use the recommended SAE conventional oil and follow the manufactures guidelines.
The brand and how much you want to pay is up to you. The synthetic blends reduce friction to the point that you won’t properly brake in the engine.
I use Castrol , it meets or exceeds all the manufactures warranty requirements and the price isn’t bad.
After brake in I use Syntec Blend which is good enough to be used in Turbo applications where API SL/SJ/SH is required it also exceeds ACEA A3-98 Japanese requirements. Also ILSAC GF-3 GF-2 .
It’s also fully compatible with all conventional oils. It’s like a conventional oil that has higher thermal stability. It Costs $1.79 ish a quart.
I found that Castrol gives you all the goodies of the way out priced oils, does the job and doesn’t kill you with the price.
And yes I have done a lot of research on oil also. :rolleyes:
 
#5 ·
Synthetic Im assuming? Im using regular until I hit about 7 or 8k miles. You could use it sooner, but I wouldnt recommend it before about 5k. The problem with using synthetic too early in an engines life is that it lubricates too well. The break-in is inhibited by synthetic oil, which is why I would wait at least 5k.

Anyone out there know what effect synthetic oil will have on the clutch? Because I do not.
 
#6 ·
im almost at 6000kms my last oil change was at 1000kms the baby needs new oil I can feel her starting to heat up faster... are you suggesting i wait another couple thousand km's before making the switch... 5000m its bout 8000km's
any suggestions on brands of regular?
 
#7 ·
Hesevil is correct, only use a good quality regular oil to start with, that's why I do my own oil changes, I then now exactly what's gone in. I wouldn't say it's necessary to wait 5000 miles before going over to semi or fully synt. I personally changed at 600 (let the dealer do the first for warranty purposes) and again at 2000. At 3000 I'll change filter and put in a semi synt. In relation to the clutch question make sure you use an oil designed for motorcycles and not cars. The reason being the bike oil has to deal with gearbox and clutch and the oil companies take that on board, where obviously a car doesn't. Car oils can affect the performance of your clutch. So as long as it's for a bike it's up to you and your pocket whether you go semi or fully. :niceone:
 
#9 ·
I have to admit, until I did research on motor oil and learned a bit more about what comprises a good oil, I used Castrol 20W50 automotive oil. Now I use a motorcycle specific oil, petroleum based so far, though I will probably switch to a synthetic blend at some point. I did use the cheap automotive oil for the last 25 years I've been riding without ever experiencing an oil related failure. Not that this proves anything, of course. The only time I tried using a pure synthetic oil was in my old 650. I didn't get out of the driveway before the clutch started slipping. Took a couple of oil changes with petroleum based oil to get back to normal. ;)
 
#10 ·
Yeah, the slippage with a synthetic is what I was guessing. I suppose motorcycle-use synthetic is designed to avoid that.

As far as oil that I use now, its automotive petro. I use Castrol 10w-40 here in hot-ass Florida. Many people would say its too thin for 100F summers, but on a new engine it wont do any harm.

As far as waiting the 5k miles, I will. Im not as familar with v-twin engines, or motorcycle engines in general as are many people on this board. If flipper says that 5k miles isnt necessary, Its probably true. Ive worked mostly in the automotive field in my mechanical life, and have only done mechanical repairs on motorcycles that are common to cars ((ie pistons, rods, heads, brakes, etc.)). Synthetic oil is a marvel, but only when used properly. Ive known too many friends/customers who have gone to synthetic ((in cars)) too quickly and have experienced the ill effects of such.

Suzuki defines the break-in period as the first 1k miles, with the first 500m being the most important. Theoretically, you could switch over to synthetic or semi-synthetic after the first 1k miles. The sooner you get a syn oil in your engine when its ready to use it the better. But if it is indeed ready for syn at 1k, Im more than willing to wear the engine another 4k miles before using it just to be sure.

Mine is only an opinion, and as I stated, probably not as skilled ((for motorcyles)) as some others in this forum ((ie flippers post)).

Au revoir mes amis
 
#11 ·
Read this. It will tell you everything you need to know about oil. http://www.yft.org/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm I switched over to Amzoil 20-50 synthetic(that's all they sell) motorcycle oil. I know people using Mobile 1 15w-50 full synthetic CAR oil and have never had clutch slippage. I would say that your engine is pretty well broken in by 1000 miles so that is a safe time to change over. One thing I do notice is that the bike runs a little cooler on the synthetic...probably 2-4 degrees. :niceone:
 
#12 ·
I've put 110,000 miles on a Suzuki VX800 and over 70,000 miles on a Kawasaki Concours running Mobil 1 car oil. Neither bike ever had clutch slippage. I've since switched to Delvac 1 5W40 synthetic in both the Concours and my SV1K, again with no problems. I generally switch to synthetic at 2-3,000 miles.
 
#13 ·
Originally posted by vx800@1st August 2003, 01:43 PM<br /><br /> I've put 110,000 miles on a Suzuki VX800 and over 70,000 miles on a Kawasaki Concours running Mobil 1 car oil. Neither bike ever had clutch slippage. I've since switched to Delvac 1 5W40 synthetic in both the Concours and my SV1K, again with no problems. I generally switch to synthetic at 2-3,000 miles.
Isn't Delvac a Shell product? I've heard that is good stuff. Where did you get it...and how much? $4-6/qt. is okay. $10+ is just too expensive.
 
#21 ·
What oil comes in the Sv1000 from the factory. What brand, weight? I plan on picking up my new Sv1000 in the morning and if I develop loud knocking I'm going to kill someone at Suzuki. I had enough problems with my Bandit 1200 smoker.

If the only real problem seams to be some noise I'm not too worried especially since I'll be fitting some D&D cans so hopefully they will drown any unpleasant noise out. If thats not enough I ride with a bud on a Ducati 900SS with an open clutch cover, I'll blame all noise on him.
I know you guys say there is noise but ...... Is it so bad with aftermarket cans that other people really take notice when you are near them , especially other bikers?

Let me know. I'm going to pick it up in 10 hours....


Some reassurance would be nice.
 
#22 ·
there is no oil in it from the factory, whoever preps the bike will fill it with fluids.

when i picked up mine i asked the tech what he used in it he said 10w-40. i asked him what brand and he just shrugged. suzuki reccomends its own oil of course, and when i did my first service thats what i bought...so if i have any problems in the future with a warranty claim (fingers crossed) i have the recipts that show genuine suzuki parts

-pat
 
#23 ·
Yup, when I picked mine up and had the first service done (hey, they did it for free :niceone: ) they said they use 10-40 Suzuki, or whatever the customer requests (that they carry in-shop, of course).

And don't worry SS, most people will be too busy wondering what kind of bike that is, and why the hell it just took their lunch money in that last short corner. Heheh ask them why there's is so -quiet-? :p Seriously, though, any normal noise just adds loads of character to the bike IMO (sans anything like rod knock... :shock: ).... has a very rough power sound and feel to it. Haven't met a mate yet who rides a sportbike and doesn't at least like the way the Big V looks, sounds, and feels.

Cheers
 
#24 ·
oh, and i did develop a knock after the first oil change, like so many others...it goes away itself away after 3000RPM, it is palpable in the left clipon...

i don't attribute it to the oil though...i think it has more to do with spinning the engine up over 8000RPM...which most people do after the first oil change...

i got used to in if 45 min, now it dosen't bother me...that's why i bought the extended warranty

-pat
 
#25 ·
Originally posted by spasonatwin@Oct 11 2003, 12:16 PM<br /><br /> Yup, when I picked mine up and had the first service done (hey, they did it for free :niceone: ) they said they use 10-40 Suzuki, or whatever the customer requests (that they carry in-shop, of course).

And don't worry SS, most people will be too busy wondering what kind of bike that is, and why the hell it just took their lunch money in that last short corner. Heheh ask them why there's is so -quiet-? :p Seriously, though, any normal noise just adds loads of character to the bike IMO (sans anything like rod knock... :shock: ).... has a very rough power sound and feel to it. Haven't met a mate yet who rides a sportbike and doesn't at least like the way the Big V looks, sounds, and feels.

Cheers
I use 10w-40 (doesn't everyone?) and Torco brand. using the stuff with the red label now. Will possibly go 100% synthetic eventually, but I like to change my oil often and that shit is SPENDY.
 
#26 ·
I'm about to do an oil change for the beast. I've decided long ago that synthetics are the way to go, but my question is this: How many wear-in miles on rock oil should the engine have on it -before- using a semi- or full synthetic oil? And, WHICH is healthier for the SV (semi- or full synth)? I've heard people say either/or concerning using synthetic oil, but never give a good reason for which....
Anyone know for sure? :p

If I go full synthetic (as on other bikes), I'll probably go with Amsoil... always had wonderfull feel from it.

Thanks alot :beer:
 
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