hey all, first post in a long time. I was wondering what are your options on synthetic oil vs conventional oil. I have a 1994 CBR 600 and i'm about to do an oil chance. Should I use synthetic? Will I get better millage? If I use synthetic oil how long can I go befoe the next change? etc. Any information on this subject is appreciated. Thanks in advance for all the comments.

 

I've used both conventional and synth. Never motocycle specific. I've found that the synthetic is smoother through the gear box. It shifts better. Other than that..............not much to tell on my behalf. That is what I have found. Probably saves on power a touch, but not likely noticable. And........it cost more. Other than that, I like the way it shifts. That is all I can report after trying several different brands and breeds.

 

Gixxereater, what are you using if you're not using non-MC oil. I dont' need the lecture on MC oil being a rip-off, I'm up on that topic, I just want brands and types (for my next oil change).


Oh, and Maverick GO SYNTHETIC.

 

my synthetic of choise is not moto-specific, it's mobile 1 (now gold cap) or shell rotella.
i've used it all, motorcycle specific to conventional...

conventional does break down much sooner. the shifts aren't as smooth. comes out looking black if left for same duration as moto-specific or synthetic.
GN4 is good stuff...shifts pretty good until oil is old...comes out looking darker but not so bad.
mobile 1 and shell, go in like gold, come out like copper...very smooth shifting.
Motul...just plain great stuff, synthetic or not!

i've personally found that the better the oil, the smoother the shifting and longer lasting before break down.

 

Shell Rotella: Is that the stuff you can get at Wal-Mart?? I saw some that said something about being ash free. Is that the stuff?
Last change (1st for me) I used Castrol Synthetic MC oil. I would def. like to save some coin.

 

yea that's the stuff...but most of the time walmart doesn't have it so i bust mobile 1 gold cap.
jaybird, a guy i used to ride with gets his oil checked at blackstone labs. he uses 10/40 dino oil...like valvoline or something. when his oil was tested...all his levels were ok. only thing blackstone said was that the oil did break down quicker than usual and to change at 2800. those tests are crazy! pick up all types of stuff...like when he forgot to oil his K&N...it showed much more dirt in the oil. the summary said something about air filter malfunction. the bike is a zx10r ridden hard.

 

I've used Mobile standard 10/40 with decent results. Usually shifts harder than the same in Synthetic. Same with Castrol conv. Use Castrol Syntec 10/40 now. Shifts smooth. Tried the Honda oil in my old 600 and it cost a ton, but did shift good. I would concure with Tahoe, synthetic will shift better, and MC synthetic even better yet. That's about the only diff I've noticed.

 

Tahoe: So I should buy the Rotella ash free 10/40? Shifts as good as Castrol MC Synth??
What's dino oil, I've heard that term used before, is that the same as saying natural oil?

 

can't go wrong w/ mobil 1 full synthetic mx4t found at kragen

 

yea dino oil is regular car motor oil. see below for the rotella recommendation. read it to make sure it has no molybednum...and friction modifiers...this will help.

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html

check this link but do ask questions to yourself or whoever...because you should never blindly accept anything.

i knew a guy who regularly tested his oil on his bike so i just look at his data to see if his bike blows up or not...hahahha...the way he rides, it should've like a million miles ago! hahahah...

there was also this one test done with a bunch of car synthetics...after prolonged use in a bike, mobile 1 retained the most vicosity after the test period was over...was something like 87%...i don't think the bike specific oils were tested though.

i did notice with my dino oil experience that when i changed the oil...it was very dirty and the vicosity appeared to be VERY low...

i use all types of oils...cause i'm a *****.

t