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08-11-2015, 12:52 AM | #1 |
Jr. Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 18
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Kawasaki Oil
I just did an oil change, originally planning to use Motul 5100 Semi-synthetic mostly due to price when comparing pricing from mineral to full synthetic. However I decided to give Amsoil a go, as some say it helps with shifting and the clunk as well as may help the engine run cooler. I found that the Amsoil really didn't help either. Thats fine, I can live with these things, but not sure if I will stick with Amsoil. When visiting the Kawa dealer, I found that they sell Kawasaki Full Synthetic for just under $11 a Litre. I still like the idea with sticking with a synthetic. So when comparing the Kawa oil to the Motul semi synthetic, Mobil 1 synthetic, and Amsoil at $16/litre, and the Motul full synthetic at $19/litre the Kawasaki oil seems like a good choice $ wise.
Has anyone given the Kawasaki synthetic a try? I only found a reference to Citgo previously making it for Kawasaki, and thats really about it. I do plan on doing at least a couple oil changes a year, so for $2 more per litre over the Kawa mineral oil, to me it seems like a decent option. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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08-11-2015, 02:41 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 145
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I've been using Rotella either regular 15 40 or synthetic T6 on all my bikes and never had an issue.
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08 Vulcan Nomad 1600 Red and Black colour scheme Mustang 2 up seat with back rests Highway pegs Hard bags with rear trunk Accent LED'S Baron Air Cleaner Sony MP3 Player Infinity6x9 2004 Vulcan 2000 (sold) |
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08-11-2015, 05:08 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Westlock, Alberta
Posts: 442
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Have one of the temperature dip sticks and use Amsoil oil and no it does not give a lower temp using it I noticed nothing different by the dip stick old wives tale I think. It is an oil for sure and probably very good I doubt if anyone could say one is better then the other and prove it. As long as it lubricates properly I am satisfied.
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Dave Leyh Edmonton, Alberta 2009 Kawasaki 1700 Vulcan Nomad |
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08-11-2015, 08:31 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Listowel, Ontario
Posts: 642
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I've been using Kawasaki S4 full synthetic in all my Kawasaki bikes and have been problem free for 962,000 kms. It is currently supplied by NOCO lubricants company. Definitely good stuff and reasonably priced. My dealer sells the 4 litre jug for $42, and if I bring my own jug they will fill it with bulk S4 for $35. They also have the oil change kit, includes 4 litres of S4, a filter, drain plug washer, plastic gloves and a Vulcan hat.
I change oil every 10,000 and use only Kawasaki filters.
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Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details. |
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08-11-2015, 08:52 AM | #5 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 710
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I just used Valvoline Motorcycle Oil 10W-40 full synthetic from Walmart. About $8.99 a qt. Bike seems to like it. Smoothe shifting. I will stick to 3000 mile oil changes even with full synthetic. Florida heat can break the oil down in my opinion.
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2004 Vulcan 1500 Classic "Sasha" (SOLD) 2014 Vulcan Vaquero ABS SE "Candie" On the 1500, too much to list. On the Vaquero: V&H slash cut slip ons Power Commander 5 and Ivan-ized ECU Chuckster's BAK Aux Audio adapter with bluetooth receiver. Mustang 2 up Touring Seat w/ driver and passenger backrest Kuryakyn Longhorn highway pegs. Kawasaki 12 volt charger Longer 1600 meanstreak SE kickstand Full LED Daymaker light mod. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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08-11-2015, 09:33 AM | #6 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SOUTH FLORIDA
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Quote:
LOL RACNRAY
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"TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY" |
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08-11-2015, 11:11 AM | #7 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Listowel, Ontario
Posts: 642
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Yes, of course! And I wear green underwear too.
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Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details. |
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08-11-2015, 03:28 PM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest
Posts: 273
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I use Amsoil but it's only as good as the filter. I change oil every 5000 and the K&N filter every 2500 miles. Synthetics are good, but you still need to keep it clean. Just my 2 cents.
Last edited by H8BUGZ; 08-11-2015 at 03:34 PM.
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08-11-2015, 03:59 PM | #9 | |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cartersville, Georgia
Posts: 4,838
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Quote:
I bought 4 qts of the Valvoline Motorcycle Oil 10W-40 full synthetic to try on my next oil change. Been using Mobil 1 4T 10W-40 full synthetic in my bike for the better part of 10 years now. 4 qts of the Valvoline was $12 cheaper than 4 qts of the Mobile 1 so I thought I would give it a try. I use the long Bosch filters too.
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Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381 |
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08-11-2015, 04:07 PM | #10 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Montreal QC
Posts: 12,034
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Ditto on the s4 been using Kawa oil and filters since the bike was new. I don't have anything to compare with but I don't have complaints either and since I do all my own work I feel if buying what I can from the local kawa dealer helps keep him around then I'm investing in the future. I don't want to buy my next bike from Wally World.
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Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
Last edited by cnc; 08-11-2015 at 04:10 PM.
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08-11-2015, 04:38 PM | #11 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Listowel, Ontario
Posts: 642
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Quote:
Without a functioning anti-drainback valve the oil pump has to fill the filter and lines before the cams and lifters get any lube. I know the K&N is less money and has the handy hex on the end, but not worth the risk IMO.
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Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details. |
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08-11-2015, 07:32 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: N Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 364
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I just changed my oil before a long weekend. I saw Lucas 20w50 full synthetic motorcycle oil on sale at the parts store for $9 a Quart so I thought I'd try it because of the heat in Las Vegas. I see no difference in shifting or otherwise between 10w40 Castrol synthetic, 5w40 T-6 full synthetic, or the 10w40 Mobil 1 full synthetic. I am using the long Bosch filter too.
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2010 Vulcan Voyager |
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08-11-2015, 09:02 PM | #13 | |
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Location: Warren, MI
Posts: 72
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Quote:
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08-12-2015, 07:05 PM | #14 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 99
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I use regular kawasaki oil, it's never given me any problems with any of my Kawasaki motorcycles. Never had any engine trouble, never smoked, runs cool and fires up on the first crank every time. I don't know about you guys but I don't have a need for that expensive stuff because conventional oil has never let me down
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08-12-2015, 07:17 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Kansan. City, KS
Posts: 141
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I agree. I've used The recommended Kawasaki oil and filter since the first oil change. I've never felt the need to try any others, since I truly haven't ridden my Nomad much due to deployments. Since retiring in '13 from the Army Guard, I no longer have to deal with deployments. I have my weekends back for family and friends. I've started to ride more to work as well. I'm planning on changing the oil this next week. I might try full synthetic for a turn just to see if there is any difference. I'll still use the Kaw filter though...
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