synthetic oil

duneseven · 07-18-2009, 07:09 PM

Ok when can I start running synthetic oil in my 08 nomad ? I have been advised anywhere from 5000 miles to any time I choose. I have found that some new cars come from the factory with synthetic , but a bike and a car are not the same I have 2000+ on mine . I am planning a couple thousand mile ride and I am sure the weather will be hot . I am leaning towards a switch to syn before I leave, but there is only 1000 to 1550 on the current oil any good suggestions and advise would be appreciated thanks in advance.

bfancett · 07-18-2009, 07:14 PM

What I did was this, and that doens't mean it is the best thing to do. When I did my 600 mile service, I knew the dealership put crappy conventional oil in it. So, at 600 miles I put a nice semi-synthetic in it. That's a mix of conventional and synthetic. At my next oil change, which will be about 2200 miles, I will put full synthetic in it.

If you have 1500 miles in it now, I would say put a semi-synthetic in it before your long hot trip.

Brian

**Cajunrider** · 07-18-2009, 07:48 PM

At my 4,000 mile oil change I went with Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50. I drop down to Mobil 1 10w-40 in the cooler months. I've been using both since. If you change your own oil at 600 miles, you can start with it then according to many lubrication experts. But, you do what you feel is the best thing to do.

bigdave · 07-18-2009, 07:50 PM

i changed mine to synthetic at 2500 miles with no problem so i think you should be fine

macmac · 07-18-2009, 08:06 PM

I consider 1,500 miles just enough for a switch, which you have passed by. So IMO you can switch just before your trip is at hand. I assume you drained the oil from the screen stainer and changed the rear end gear oil as well.

If not it would be a good idea. There is no way 6.2 oz of that gear oil will last any 24,000 miles period.

I change mine at each oil change and others skip one change.

This is the only bike I am aware of that should NOT be filled in gear oil to book spec. IMO a 2x4 should be laid flat side down under the side stand, and then the level will be about right.
Do not try to get more in the gear box, as it will blow seals, and you will find gear oil coming out of the rubber boot at the top end of the drive shaft tube.

I have no idea what you are using for a tool to open the slotted caps, but a 1/2 inch FENDER WASHER fits the best. This is the size of a silver dollar, which will work once these caps have been broken free. Other similar sized tokens can work as well.

blowndodge · 07-18-2009, 08:54 PM

When I drove me new Nomad home from the dealer I dumped the oil and put synthetics in.

dkdixie · 07-18-2009, 09:07 PM

I changed to synthetic at first oil change.

dogdoc · 07-18-2009, 09:11 PM

wow, what a difference in opinions. Everything from brand new to wait til it old. Guess your answer is in there somewhere. :-)

**voyager** · 07-18-2009, 09:16 PM

I too changed over to 100% synthetic at the first oil change. Runs like a top and doesn't burn a drop. ( hey! I'm a poet and I didn't even know it )
P.S. Never waste your money on semi-synthetic, because the manufacturer, by law, doesn't have to divulge the percentage of synthetic. So in most cases your paying too much for dyno oil.

duneseven · 07-19-2009, 12:43 PM

thanks everyone for the answers

dhomoney · 07-19-2009, 02:11 PM

At the 600 mile service I switched to Mobil-1 15W-50 Turbo Diesel Full Syn and am currently running Mobil-1 V-Twin 20W-50, when it starts to cool down I will switch to Mobil-1 4T Racing 10W-40. Full Syn all the way.

07-18-2009, 07:09 PM	#1
duneseven Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: spokane WA. Posts: 535	synthetic oil Ok when can I start running synthetic oil in my 08 nomad ? I have been advised anywhere from 5000 miles to any time I choose. I have found that some new cars come from the factory with synthetic , but a bike and a car are not the same I have 2000+ on mine . I am planning a couple thousand mile ride and I am sure the weather will be hot . I am leaning towards a switch to syn before I leave, but there is only 1000 to 1550 on the current oil any good suggestions and advise would be appreciated thanks in advance. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-18-2009, 07:14 PM	#2
bfancett Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MI Posts: 182	synthetic oil What I did was this, and that doens't mean it is the best thing to do. When I did my 600 mile service, I knew the dealership put crappy conventional oil in it. So, at 600 miles I put a nice semi-synthetic in it. That's a mix of conventional and synthetic. At my next oil change, which will be about 2200 miles, I will put full synthetic in it. If you have 1500 miles in it now, I would say put a semi-synthetic in it before your long hot trip. Brian
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07-18-2009, 07:48 PM	#3
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	synthetic oil At my 4,000 mile oil change I went with Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50. I drop down to Mobil 1 10w-40 in the cooler months. I've been using both since. If you change your own oil at 600 miles, you can start with it then according to many lubrication experts. But, you do what you feel is the best thing to do. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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07-18-2009, 07:50 PM	#4
bigdave Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burnsville, NC Posts: 1,589	synthetic oil i changed mine to synthetic at 2500 miles with no problem so i think you should be fine __________________ 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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07-18-2009, 08:06 PM	#5
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	synthetic oil I consider 1,500 miles just enough for a switch, which you have passed by. So IMO you can switch just before your trip is at hand. I assume you drained the oil from the screen stainer and changed the rear end gear oil as well. If not it would be a good idea. There is no way 6.2 oz of that gear oil will last any 24,000 miles period. I change mine at each oil change and others skip one change. This is the only bike I am aware of that should NOT be filled in gear oil to book spec. IMO a 2x4 should be laid flat side down under the side stand, and then the level will be about right. Do not try to get more in the gear box, as it will blow seals, and you will find gear oil coming out of the rubber boot at the top end of the drive shaft tube. I have no idea what you are using for a tool to open the slotted caps, but a 1/2 inch FENDER WASHER fits the best. This is the size of a silver dollar, which will work once these caps have been broken free. Other similar sized tokens can work as well. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-18-2009, 08:54 PM	#6
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	synthetic oil When I drove me new Nomad home from the dealer I dumped the oil and put synthetics in. __________________ 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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07-18-2009, 09:07 PM	#7
dkdixie Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Blairsville in N. GA mountains Posts: 1,625	synthetic oil I changed to synthetic at first oil change. __________________ Dick Campbell Blairsville, GA 2008 Red & Black Nomad 1600 (retired) 2009 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner (retired) 2013 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner 2018 CanAm RT Limited Spyder (Sold) 2014 Goldwing Roadsmith Red Trike (Sold) 2019 Goldwing DCT Roadsmith Copper & Black Trike VBA #243 Darkside #115 Patriot Guard Rider American Legion Rider
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07-18-2009, 09:11 PM	#8
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	synthetic oil wow, what a difference in opinions. Everything from brand new to wait til it old. Guess your answer is in there somewhere. :-)
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07-18-2009, 09:16 PM	#9
voyager Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stony Plain, Alberta Posts: 694	synthetic oil I too changed over to 100% synthetic at the first oil change. Runs like a top and doesn't burn a drop. ( hey! I'm a poet and I didn't even know it ) P.S. Never waste your money on semi-synthetic, because the manufacturer, by law, doesn't have to divulge the percentage of synthetic. So in most cases your paying too much for dyno oil. __________________ Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.........Mark Twain.
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07-19-2009, 12:43 PM	#10
duneseven Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: spokane WA. Posts: 535	synthetic oil thanks everyone for the answers
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07-19-2009, 02:11 PM	#11
dhomoney Advanced Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lake Tenkiller, OK Posts: 737	synthetic oil At the 600 mile service I switched to Mobil-1 15W-50 Turbo Diesel Full Syn and am currently running Mobil-1 V-Twin 20W-50, when it starts to cool down I will switch to Mobil-1 4T Racing 10W-40. Full Syn all the way.
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