So I hear synthetic is good oil to put in. I know there are a crapload of posts on oil but I can't seem to find something that gives an exact number of miles before you can put synthetic oil in. I have about 1500 miles on my bike right now. I assume they did an oil change at 600 when I took it in. Should I do another change at 8000 with full synthetic and then just every 8k miles? Manual says 8k should I do less than that?

Mike

 

There is only what the manual says and what each individual does --

I don't wait as long as the manual suggests -- usually 3K miles and I change the oil and filter. Have been using full synthetics in my bikes since the stuff came out with no problems. I put synthetic in my bikes on the first oil change -- everytime.

You can tell the difference ... especially in the shifter. But also there's less burnt up spooge on the valve cover and non-moving internals. Not that the traditional dino oils were leaving mass quantities of crap in my engines -- just the synthetics leave none.

My stance is that changing the oil religiously is the most important thing. Most name brand oils will do just fine. Tests I've read show no significant differences between motorcycle specific oils and car oil. The synthetics typically fare better especially in shear and heat protection. Just don't use anything that says "energy conserving". My oil of choice is Mobil1 -- even use it on my salads

 

lol mobil1 salads, doesn't that give you heartburn, man when I eat some of that stuff, I get the baddest diahrrea.

 

Sweet thanks Chain! That's all I was looking for was something saying there's no problem with putting synthetic in for my next change. I think I'll chang it like you too maybe every 3-4k miles. It can't hurt right? =) Again thank you for the reply! =)

Mike

 

to put my 1/2 cent worth in on the oil thing. some of the data on the car oil is correct, but these studies are short trem only. Motorcycle oils ar fomulated for the heat range specific to our bikes. cars do not have wet clutches either. car oils are fine for a quick fix but using them for several years will break down your seals and clutches a lot faster. And yes I too use Mobile 1, but it is the 40wt bike oil.

 

1500-2000 miles is about the time you can go fully synthetic

now remember to change the oil every 3000 to 4000 miles

 

usually it's 10000mls before changing to Syn' but thats for all automotive engines what the SAE recommend,butas motorcycles rev higher your engine will be well conformed (run in)
if it bothers you that much try a semi synthetic 1st then go fully Synthetic in another 6 months

don't forget the oil filter too

 

remember bikes are wet clutch
meaning the oil also is used for the clutch
so get the best oil