Synthetic Oil?

cdneh · 08-20-2009, 10:39 PM

I was reading on the Kawasaki forum a discussion about the heat from the 17000 engine and a rider commented that he switched to synthetic oil and he noticed a difference. He didn't elaborate on it. I have never used synthetic and have heard pros and cons. I am coming up to my 5000 km oil change and am wondering if there are advantages to changing. Once you change, can you go back?

cantridenuf · 08-21-2009, 08:38 PM

Just curious, what are the cons that you've heard regarding synthetic? (Other than price). It maintains its viscosity over much higher temperatures than dino oil. Motorcycle engines, even the liquid-cooled versions get very hot. That is the reason why I use synthetic.

cantridenuf · 08-21-2009, 08:39 PM

Oh yeah, and you can always go back.

mrclean · 08-22-2009, 07:56 AM

Have used nothing but synthetic in my bikes and cars. Will be be putting it in my voyager in the up coming oil change the end of this week. There is no problems with switching back if thats what you want.

dogdoc · 08-27-2009, 04:33 PM

can change to syn at the 600 miles break out oil, it does help with shifting, noise, gears, heat, miles per gallon.

**glwilson** · 09-09-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

can change to syn at the 600 miles break out oil, it does help with shifting, noise, gears, heat, miles per gallon.

Exactly what Doc says... ;)

Sin City Stan · 09-09-2009, 11:55 PM

Shifts smoother. Shifts quiter. Mileage seems to have improved. Still hotter than hell though.

radco · 10-09-2009, 06:21 AM

I use synthetic in my Honda(38000 mile) and the Nomad (18000 miles) no issues,, MPG about the same,,,shifting abit better,,, Synthetic holds up better then Dino as stated,, Better thermal breakdown then dino,, longer oil changes,,,,JUST DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC that has FRICTION MODIFIERS in it! It will say ENERGY CONSERVATION on the back circle label.. THAT will cause you clutch to slip.. So MOBILE 1 Car oil is not good. MOBILE 1 10.40 MX4T or 20/50 V Twin is OK.. I did not like the Mobile 20/50 as we get cold up here in Maine.. I'm not far from the border,,,,so I use 10/40..
FYI: in a oil change .after grabbing a beer

I found out I added alittle too much oil and had to drain a tad,,,, I added it to my lawn mower..before I had to add gas to finish the yard, now it does both sides +,, with 1 tank of gas,,,,,,SO IMO that shows it make the engine run with less friction....my wrist throws off the MPG on the Nomad lol.......Rich

blowndodge · 10-21-2009, 01:02 PM

I changed to synthetics the moment I was done riding my new Nomad home from the dealer!

rusthead · 02-06-2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

I changed to synthetics the moment I was done riding my new Nomad home from the dealer!

G'day mate, have just put a car tyre on the back of my 1700. I am running at 42 psi and feels a little bit like it's a 5 psi. Only put about 100 miles on it so far but about to do a 5000 mile trip. I'll let you know how it went.
Regards Rusthead

radco · 02-07-2010, 09:55 AM

[quote=Pete "rusthead" Roberts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Blowndodge "Darksider"":lbug8cai

I changed to synthetics the moment I was done riding my new Nomad home from the dealer!

G'day mate, have just put a car tyre on the back of my 1700. I am running at 42 psi and feels a little bit like it's a 5 psi. Only put about 100 miles on it so far but about to do a 5000 mile trip. I'll let you know how it went.
Regards Rusthead[/quote:lbug8cai]

First WELCOME to the Group.. I missed your intro.
What size CT tire did you put on the 1700? You will be asked LOL....and Please keep a record of the pressures you use and the one you like best.That would be a big help to new 1700 owners... And CONGRATs on the new 1700 Nomad n(or Voyager)TONs of great info here and several members here in Queensland if I remember right...Rich

fysl33 · 10-22-2011, 03:48 PM

synthetic oil is my biggest concern now , I have 1200 miles on my nomad and I want to go synthetic but the dealer won't allow any other oil to be changed or it will revoke my warranty ?

Kawasaki has synthetic oil ,but I don't think it's good enough ? what you think ?

I use mobil 1 on my car for years and I would like to use it for the bike, I don't know , warranty or not ???

bigdave · 10-22-2011, 07:42 PM

synthetic oil will not void the warranty dealers try to pull that all the time.

cactusjack · 10-22-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fysl33

synthetic oil is my biggest concern now , I have 1200 miles on my nomad and I want to go synthetic but the dealer won't allow any other oil to be changed or it will revoke my warranty ?

Kawasaki has synthetic oil ,but I don't think it's good enough ? what you think ?

I use mobil 1 on my car for years and I would like to use it for the bike, I don't know , warranty or not ???

That's pure, 100% bulls..t.

**glwilson** · 10-22-2011, 10:21 PM

I would ask to see what the dealer's is saying in the warranty document verbatim.

If it says that, then let us know. If not... well then... that answers the question.

08-20-2009, 10:39 PM	#1
cdneh Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 126	Synthetic Oil? I was reading on the Kawasaki forum a discussion about the heat from the 17000 engine and a rider commented that he switched to synthetic oil and he noticed a difference. He didn't elaborate on it. I have never used synthetic and have heard pros and cons. I am coming up to my 5000 km oil change and am wondering if there are advantages to changing. Once you change, can you go back? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-21-2009, 08:38 PM	#2
cantridenuf Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 258	Synthetic Oil? Just curious, what are the cons that you've heard regarding synthetic? (Other than price). It maintains its viscosity over much higher temperatures than dino oil. Motorcycle engines, even the liquid-cooled versions get very hot. That is the reason why I use synthetic.
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08-21-2009, 08:39 PM	#3
cantridenuf Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 258	Synthetic Oil? Oh yeah, and you can always go back.
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08-22-2009, 07:56 AM	#4
mrclean Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Muskegon MI Posts: 82	Synthetic Oil? Have used nothing but synthetic in my bikes and cars. Will be be putting it in my voyager in the up coming oil change the end of this week. There is no problems with switching back if thats what you want.
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08-27-2009, 04:33 PM	#5
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Synthetic Oil? can change to syn at the 600 miles break out oil, it does help with shifting, noise, gears, heat, miles per gallon. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-09-2009, 11:55 PM	#7
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	Synthetic Oil? Shifts smoother. Shifts quiter. Mileage seems to have improved. Still hotter than hell though. __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
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10-09-2009, 06:21 AM	#8
radco Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dedham Maine Posts: 4,199	Synthetic Oil? I use synthetic in my Honda(38000 mile) and the Nomad (18000 miles) no issues,, MPG about the same,,,shifting abit better,,, Synthetic holds up better then Dino as stated,, Better thermal breakdown then dino,, longer oil changes,,,,JUST DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC that has FRICTION MODIFIERS in it! It will say ENERGY CONSERVATION on the back circle label.. THAT will cause you clutch to slip.. So MOBILE 1 Car oil is not good. MOBILE 1 10.40 MX4T or 20/50 V Twin is OK.. I did not like the Mobile 20/50 as we get cold up here in Maine.. I'm not far from the border,,,,so I use 10/40.. FYI: in a oil change .after grabbing a beer I found out I added alittle too much oil and had to drain a tad,,,, I added it to my lawn mower..before I had to add gas to finish the yard, now it does both sides +,, with 1 tank of gas,,,,,,SO IMO that shows it make the engine run with less friction....my wrist throws off the MPG on the Nomad lol.......Rich __________________
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10-21-2009, 01:02 PM	#9
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Synthetic Oil? I changed to synthetics the moment I was done riding my new Nomad home from the dealer! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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10-22-2011, 03:48 PM	#12
fysl33 Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10	synthetic oil is my biggest concern now , I have 1200 miles on my nomad and I want to go synthetic but the dealer won't allow any other oil to be changed or it will revoke my warranty ? Kawasaki has synthetic oil ,but I don't think it's good enough ? what you think ? I use mobil 1 on my car for years and I would like to use it for the bike, I don't know , warranty or not ??? __________________ -2011 Vulcan nomad. - VBA #01913
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10-22-2011, 07:42 PM	#13
bigdave Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burnsville, NC Posts: 1,589	synthetic oil will not void the warranty dealers try to pull that all the time. __________________ David "BigDave" Hall Burnsville NC VBA #477 2007 Red and Silver Nomad (traded 4/10/2014) 2013 Blue and Black Voyager
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10-22-2011, 10:21 PM	#15
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	I would ask to see what the dealer's is saying in the warranty document verbatim. If it says that, then let us know. If not... well then... that answers the question. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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