regular oil vs. synthetic oil - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

old codger · 09-04-2008, 04:18 PM

Most will agree that syntetic in the proper weight is good for your cycle. I changed to synthetic at my first oil change, 600 miles, and it runs great with over 10K now.
Honda, Suzuki, Kawsaki, Yamaha, etc. got no stinking refinery as far as I know. I am of the opinion that car oil in the proper weight will work just fine and not cause clutch problems, not everyone agrees with me though.

old codger

Boulebiker · 09-04-2008, 09:32 PM

Doesn't the manual for the 2006 C50 recommend 10w-40? Yes!! So, just look for a full synthetic in 10w-40 and you will be fine. I did and the bike is running great in it's third year.

omegajim · 09-04-2008, 09:34 PM

how far do you get away with between oil changes then?

captjaneway3 · 09-04-2008, 09:38 PM

The manual also says 15W40 can be used

diamond_jim · 09-04-2008, 09:49 PM

Exactly what should the oil container not say for it to be good for motorcycles? Is there wording, a symbol, whatever that we should look for? I say this because that last 3 times I went to buy oil it looked to me as though every oil was acceptable. I've been looking at all the bottles carefully and don't recall seeing the phrase "friction modifiers added" or "environmentally whatever" on any of the bottles. At AutoZone, Advance Auto and Wal-Mart, the Castrol, Quaker State, Mobil, Rotella, Havoline, etc., all appear to be fine to use. Somebody please clarify this for me cause I'm not seeing something.

captjaneway3 · 09-04-2008, 10:27 PM

It should NOT say energy conserving

baltimorebayside · 09-05-2008, 08:39 AM

I have read extensivly that as long as you change the oil when recomended either oil will provide protection. Under normal driving conditions just use regular oil.

When I had my camper and towing in the mountains I did switch to full synthetic, in fact I ran synthetic in all my gas powered engines....generator, lawnmowers, motorcycles, cars and trucks....

But, realized it wasn't necessary if you keep the oil CLEAN and changed...

Lets face it....it only uses 3.5 quarts.....so changing the oil more frequent isn't going to break the bank.

I just changed my oil again and I only have 2,020 miles on my bike....I'll change it again in the spring.....

dan

diamond_jim · 09-05-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captjaneway3

It should NOT say energy conserving

Ok. Apparently every bottle of oil I have picked up at any of the stores has been fine for motorcycle use. I have not seen that on any of the labels. Here are five oil bottles I had in the garage, some dino and some synthetic. None of them say "energy conserving". So with the right weight, any of these are then fine to use in motorcycles then. Just wanting to clarify.

baltimorebayside · 09-05-2008, 10:12 AM

Motorcycle Oil and Filters

Here' check out this site, all about oil and filters!!
One thing has always been said....never use an oil that states "Energy Conserving" for a wet clutch motorcycle.....they WILL cause clutch slip.

Also try a search on VolusiaRiders.Com they have a lot of info on oil.....

dan

diamond_jim · 09-05-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baltimorebayside

Motorcycle Oil and FiltersOne thing has always been said....never use an oil that states "Energy Conserving" for a wet clutch motorcycle.....they WILL cause clutch slip.

I get that. Maybe it's a regional thing. Or a state thing.

I guess what confused me was having the impression that there were some motor oils, at this very moment, sitting on the shelves of my local Wal-Mart, AutoZone, Advance Auto, O' Reilly's, etc., that I shouldn't use in my motorcycle. Since I have yet to find any that say "energy conserving", I started to think I must have been missing something and developed a feeling of doubting any oil purchase. That's why I asked for clarification.

If anyone sees or has any containers of "energy conserving" oil, please identify it.

old codger · 09-05-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamond_jim

I get that. Maybe it's a regional thing. Or a state thing.

If anyone sees or has any containers of "energy conserving" oil, please identify it.

It is a US thing (at least). Look on the back of the container, you will see a circle with a smaller circle in the center, the smaller circle has the SAE weight of the oil. The outer circle at the top has the API SERVICE rating, if the oil is energy conserving it will say ENERGY CONSERVING in the bottom half of the circle. Do not use oil which has this ENERGY CONSERVING designation, it will usually be 0W, or 5W with 20 or 30 as the other number in the center. ie 5W-20 or 5W-30. If the oil is not energy conserving the bottom half of the circle will be blank. If it is blank just be sure to use the proper weight as listed in your manual.

Old Codger

diamond_jim · 09-05-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old codger

It is a US thing (at least). Look on the back of the container, you will see a circle with a smaller circle in the center, the smaller circle has the SAE weight of the oil. The outer circle at the top has the API SERVICE rating, if the oil is energy conserving it will say ENERGY CONSERVING in the bottom half of the circle. Do not use oil which has this ENERGY CONSERVING designation, it will usually be 0W, or 5W with 20 or 30 as the other number in the center. ie 5W-20 or 5W-30. If the oil is not energy conserving the bottom half of the circle will be blank. If it is blank just be sure to use the proper weight as listed in your manual.

Old Codger

Thank you. That just what I was looking for.

Apparently I've been missing this because I read that most oils that are energy conserving are usually 0W or 5W oils, which I rarely ever buy.

diamond_jim · 09-05-2008, 05:37 PM

For others who may not know where to look, the "energy conserving" label is on the API Rating circle.

09-04-2008, 04:18 PM	#21 (permalink)
old codger Clunked into first gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Bike: GSX650F Location: Arkansas Posts: 245	Most will agree that syntetic in the proper weight is good for your cycle. I changed to synthetic at my first oil change, 600 miles, and it runs great with over 10K now. Honda, Suzuki, Kawsaki, Yamaha, etc. got no stinking refinery as far as I know. I am of the opinion that car oil in the proper weight will work just fine and not cause clutch problems, not everyone agrees with me though. old codger __________________ "I am not near the threat I expected to be 40 years ago" Arlo

09-04-2008, 09:32 PM	#22 (permalink)
Boulebiker Where Am I ? Join Date: Nov 2006 Bike: Suzuki Boulevard C50C Location: West Virginia Posts: 35	Doesn't the manual for the 2006 C50 recommend 10w-40? Yes!! So, just look for a full synthetic in 10w-40 and you will be fine. I did and the bike is running great in it's third year. __________________ "Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble wrap is cheap. You choose!!"

09-04-2008, 09:34 PM	#23 (permalink)
omegajim M-J Lifetime Achievement Award Join Date: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 10,401	how far do you get away with between oil changes then? __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value. "I have a driver's license. It doesn't mean I show up at the Indy 500 with my morgan." Ducky- NCIS and until very recently, we were Wisconsin Tourism Federation ----- no really.

09-04-2008, 09:38 PM	#24 (permalink)
captjaneway3 Ditch Magnet Join Date: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50 Black Location: Forestville, MD Posts: 169	The manual also says 15W40 can be used __________________ 2007 Boulevard C50 Black

09-04-2008, 09:49 PM	#25 (permalink)
diamond_jim M-J Master Poster Join Date: Oct 2007 Bike: Thumper Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,813	what to look for? Exactly what should the oil container not say for it to be good for motorcycles? Is there wording, a symbol, whatever that we should look for? I say this because that last 3 times I went to buy oil it looked to me as though every oil was acceptable. I've been looking at all the bottles carefully and don't recall seeing the phrase "friction modifiers added" or "environmentally whatever" on any of the bottles. At AutoZone, Advance Auto and Wal-Mart, the Castrol, Quaker State, Mobil, Rotella, Havoline, etc., all appear to be fine to use. Somebody please clarify this for me cause I'm not seeing something. __________________

09-04-2008, 10:27 PM	#26 (permalink)
captjaneway3 Ditch Magnet Join Date: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50 Black Location: Forestville, MD Posts: 169	It should NOT say energy conserving __________________ 2007 Boulevard C50 Black

09-05-2008, 08:39 AM	#27 (permalink)
baltimorebayside Puddle Runner Join Date: Jun 2007 Bike: New owner of a 2008 C50T Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 380	I have read extensivly that as long as you change the oil when recomended either oil will provide protection. Under normal driving conditions just use regular oil. When I had my camper and towing in the mountains I did switch to full synthetic, in fact I ran synthetic in all my gas powered engines....generator, lawnmowers, motorcycles, cars and trucks.... But, realized it wasn't necessary if you keep the oil CLEAN and changed... Lets face it....it only uses 3.5 quarts.....so changing the oil more frequent isn't going to break the bank. I just changed my oil again and I only have 2,020 miles on my bike....I'll change it again in the spring..... dan __________________ Don't choose a destination --- pick a direction and go.

09-05-2008, 10:12 AM	#29 (permalink)
baltimorebayside Puddle Runner Join Date: Jun 2007 Bike: New owner of a 2008 C50T Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 380	Motorcycle Oil and Filters Here' check out this site, all about oil and filters!! One thing has always been said....never use an oil that states "Energy Conserving" for a wet clutch motorcycle.....they WILL cause clutch slip. Also try a search on VolusiaRiders.Com they have a lot of info on oil..... dan __________________ Don't choose a destination --- pick a direction and go.

09-05-2008, 05:37 PM	#33 (permalink)
diamond_jim M-J Master Poster Join Date: Oct 2007 Bike: Thumper Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,813	For others who may not know where to look, the "energy conserving" label is on the API Rating circle. __________________

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