Please set me straight

[SanDiegoMike]

Alright...I need to know...is it better to run conventional oil or synthetics in your crankcase. Are the synthetics too "thin" to keep the bike running smoothly even though the oil change interval is supposedly longer? I just want what is best for my 25 year old engine. I value your opinions, and I have read through the tech tips as far as the technical aspects of oil. I want to know what YOU guys are running...

Thanks-
SDMike

[81xsproject]

From what I've read here, you can't beat the Valvoline MC oil.

[Parr8hed]

please ask this question 20 more times and you will get that many different answers. Some people on this site swear by it, and some say that it is the devil. I use castrol 20w50. That is me. Do a search and you will be up all night reading about what everyone thinks about the different kind of oils. If you get bored with that search then do one on tires!!!! Lots of different opinions here.

[trbig]

What one person swears by.... the other person swears AT. The heavy duty diesel oils are supposed to do well... and they are cheap. Try something... if your clutches slip with it, pull the plug and try another. Just don't use anything that has the words "Energy Conserving" in the little circle stamp on the oil bottle. The bottom of the circle should be blank preferably.


Tod

[xs650mike]

Been running Shell Rotella T 15w40 diesel tractor oil. Formulated for wet clutches. $8/gal. at K-mart and Walmart. When the weather turns hot (gets 105° F a lot around here in summer) I will probably switch to 20w50 Castrol GTX or Valvolene. I've used 15w50 Mobil 1 synthetic auto oil in the past, no problems with that. I don't suppose it really matters much, just so it's the right weight and you change it often. I generally change it at 2,000 miles. 1,500 miles on the XS650s but they don't have oil filters, just screens. Yamaha recommends 20w40, but the only 20w40 you can get is Yamalube, LOL.

[Geezer]

Originally posted by 81xsproject
From what I've read here, you can't beat the Valvoline MC oil.

Or Castrol. Also don't get suckered by advertizing on special motorcycle oils. Also the last I checked (along time ago) both Yamalube and Hondaline oil were both made by Ashland oil (the maker of Valvoline.)

Geezer

[edgo]

I just changed to Valvoline Four Stroke and I notice a big difference over Rotella. The engine is not as noisy and it shifts much smoother.

Next.......

Ed

[xs650mike]

Motorcycle Oil or Auto Oil? Cutting through the hype.

This article's been around awhile but in case you missed it here's what Motorcycle Consumer News has to say on the subject:
http://www.ducatimeccanica.com/oil.html

[GNEPIG]

.. im throwin in with the valvoline 20/50 MC oil crowd. it does every thing for my bike that Edgo says it does for his plus my clutches dont slip.
i get it at the auto store for $3.20 a qt
.. i agree with that other guy from washington "symthetics are pure evil"

[webbcraft2150]

Run synthetics or not, seems to be a hot topic. I have stuck with Castrol in the many bikes I have owned and run it in my cars, truck and boat. I do run syn gear lube in the bike and the truck (31 year old Dodge Power Wagon). Has easily cleared over 200k in the car and over 300k in the truck. It is interesting to note that during my tenure as mechanic and service manager for a couple of boat dealers, Mercury Marine does not condone the use of syn oil in its sterndrive/inboard engines yet there high performance engines come from the factory with Mobil 1. Go figure. Idmar marine does condone the use of syn oil, basically the same engine as Merc. Mercury also did not like muti-vis oils for there engines till they came out with there own branded multi-vis oil at $6 to 7$ per quart. Have always run 40wt GTX in my boat motors with no failures. My last boat was sold with over 500 hard hours on the 305, never had to add oil. Current boat is pushing 300 hours and still runs as strong as the day I bought it. With 63k trouble free miles on the XS, not gonna change now.