Synthetic Oils

[jpiombo67]

Hello all,

Time to stir the proverbial pot. I noticed that on the old site xs11.com, there was a section pertaining to oil changes and it mentioned that some users were switching to synthetic.
So, my friends...I am at the crucible. I changed the oil and switched to Mobile 1 15/50 as per the XS11.com site. (Have not ridden the bike yet, just idled to check for leaks). Previously I had Castrol 20/50
Attached are picture from the (2) oils and the forum.

There are no conservation or friction modifiers on the Mobil !

Thoughts?

Have a wonderful evening. Pandora's box is open. LOL

[Bax]

If you are going to run synthetic, which I do, make sure the oil is JASO-MA or MA2 rated. A blank lower rocker on the API badge is not the same. The oil needs to be compatable for wet clutches and gear boxes for either Dino or Syn on the XS. I'll let the games begin and refrain from further comments........


---Bax

[cajun31]

I agree with what BAX has advised. My biggest problem with synthetic oil in an XS is the fact that you will not gain anything by using it. What I mean is the frequency at which you should change the oil due to the, by todays standards, loose tolerances on our old bikes you get too much gas mixed with the oil and should change it much more frequently then you would with modern bikes. So why pay synthetic prices when dino oil suffices?

[bikerphil]

Get ready to find some new leaks in the future, synth can slip past the 40yo seals easier. JMHO

[MarkD]

I have always used Castrol GTX 20/50 or 20/40. No problems. Ever. The ones with no friction modifiers ( blank bottom 1/2 of label).

[2WheelFun]

Big fan of Golden Spectro semi synthetic. Have used it for probably 30 years. It has a cohesive (sticks to itself) property that dino oil does not have and I believe it helps smooth out the shifting. I've gone cheap on a couple of occasions only to return to the motorcycle specific oil, specifically the Golden Spectro.

[jetmechmarty]

I often use synthetic without reservation. I use that designated for motorcycle.
"JASO-MA or MA2"
"I agree with what BAX has advised. My biggest problem with synthetic oil in an XS is the fact that you will not gain anything by using it."

I prefer to use Yamalube 20W50. If I don't have it, I use whatever is available locally and often that leaves synthetic due to my preferences. I know plenty of folks use Walmart 20W50 without issue.

The best oil is clean and slippery!