Why switch to synthetic oil?

what are the advantages of switching? besides costing more is there any
disadvantage using synthetic oil?

 

Synthetic oils are more slippery ;-/

Seriously, though, they really do perform well on modern high-revving
engines, and many high-performance bike manufacturers recommend only
synthetics in their motors.

In theory. oil change intervals are extended if you use synthetics in
more elderly engines, but I'd say using them in something like an SOHC
Honda Four or an old Z900 is overkill.

 

GuBrCo scribbled;

 

Clutch slip, on car synthetics with friction modifiers, yeah, but
increased oil leaks? Nah.

 

The early versions of synthetic oil lacked the seal swell component
found in most lubricants, and so synthoil got the reputation of
causing leaks. No longer a problem.

 

Ah, right. Thanks. That must be damn early, because synthetic oils have
been around for decades.

 

I've always heard of it being associated with 1970s synthetics. I don't
know if that counts as "damn early" or not, as I wasn't following
synthetic oil at the time.

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

 

" Bob Scott scribbled;

 

Utter nonsense. My Ducati handbook even recommends fully synthetic oil
(Agip, as it happens, though any decent brand will do).

 

1) No additives.....means nothing not already IN the oil. ALL engine oils
have additives.

2) There are several synthetic oils made SPECIFICALLY for wet-clutch
motorcycles.

Not only are they perfectly safe for a wet-clutch vehicle, they offer
superior lubrication characteristics and increased resistance to thermal
breakdown, both in normal use and should the bike overheat for whatever
reason.

Use a synthetic designed for a car? Certainly NOT but in my book, the
slight extra cost for a good motorcycle synthetic is well worth the added
protection. It even protects (somewhat) from a stupid human trick of
forgetting to change the oil on time.

 

What does Sir think a 10/40 synthetic oil is?

 

AFAIK, synthetic oils consistently outperform regular motor oils in
resistance to viscosity breakdown from heat, retain their viscosity and
lubricating characteristics longer, and often allow engines to run
cooler (presumably because of better heat transfer characteristics, but
possibly also lower friction in the engine).

That motorcycles have, do, and will run just fine on non-synthetic motor
oils doesn't change the above. That your bike is just fine on regular
10-40 is irrelevant to synthetic oil properties. Furthermore, you got
those properties just plain wrong, though it's not uncommon for people
to claim that synthetics are unsuited to wet clutches because so many
motorcyclists used automotive synthetic oil and had problems with it.
Unfortunately for you, the problem has nothing to do with the synthetic
nature of the oil and everything to do with the additive package
designed for vehicles that don't bathe their clutch plates in engine oil.

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

 

message

Thanks for all of the information. I ride an 05 Shadow Aero 750 with 20k Km
on the clock and have made the switch to motorcycle SAE 10W 40 synthetic
oil. A friend has stated that I should do another complete oil change in
another 3k Km. to get rid of the remaining dino oil. I know synthetic and
dino oil is supposed to be fully compatible so is this oil change still
req'd?

 

No. Unless the bike is due an oil change then anyway. Your friend is an
ignoramus - no offence intended.

 

Fine. However, synthetic oil *will* offer better protection. As I
implied at the beginning of this thread, before you started getting
confused about additives, it is for the owner to decide whether the
cost/mileage equation is worth it or not.