Change Your Oil

[blaine]

I to use only suzuki aproved semi-sensetic.36000kms no problems.

[Water Warrior 2]

You can use a synthetic oil providing it is not an energy conserving oil. Many 10-40 oils fall into this group. Moto specific oil will have greater shear resistance for the tranny which is something many people forget about. Diesel oils work very well in bikes and are not energy conserving. Both of our bikes use Shell Rotella 15-40.

[patrick_777]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

You can use a synthetic oil providing it is not an energy conserving oil. Many 10-40 oils fall into this group. Moto specific oil will have greater shear resistance for the tranny which is something many people forget about. Diesel oils work very well in bikes and are not energy conserving. Both of our bikes use Shell Rotella 15-40.

:plus1: Ditto on the Rotella full synthetic.

[burkbuilds]

The Rotella synthetic meets all the criteria for the motorcycle oil certification, they just haven't bothered with the expense of having it certified, I guess, if you think about it, the volume they sell this stuff in is so large that even if every motorcycle in the country used it it just wouldn't make much difference to them. My Ford diesel trucks used 4+ gallons (yes gallons) per oil change. (15 qt pan + 2 qt filter), and that's nothing compared to a big rig diesel!

All I've used in the last 20,000 miles is the Rotella synthetic in my motorcycles, good stuff and it's less than $20 a gallon at Wal-Mart.

For that matter, it's the only oil I've used in my cars and trucks for the last five years or so.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by zenbutcher

Frankly, I don't see why you'd use anything other than what the manufacturer recommends: Suzuki 10W40 SF or SG rated oil.

Oh goody. Just what we need; yet ANOTHER oil thread !! :roll: :biggrin:

A LOT of riders do a LOT of things with their bikes that they would never think of doing with a car. Guys just need something to "tinker" with. While I understand it, I don't "agree" with a lot of it either.......but it's not my bike so none of my business.........with a couple of noteable exceptions that I will NOT elaborate on here. :whistle:

As for this subject, as long as you stay away from oils that are marked "energy conserving" and don't use any extra "additives"..........it really doesn't make any difference which high-quality oil you use.

[patrick_777]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Oh goody. Just what we need; yet ANOTHER oil thread !! :roll: :biggrin:

Technically, it's continuing a really old thread...which is just how it should happen.

[Water Warrior 2]

Shell has recently had their Rotella certified for motorcycle use. Read it here or another forum. About time.

[patrick_777]

Very likely, that'll just give retailers an excuse to raise the price a few bucks by moving it to the Motorcycle shelf.

[Maggie]

I am so excited...I did my own oil change for the very first time! I know that may be really lame-o for some of the really experienced toolers here, but I have to tell you, I have spent my life intimidated by tools and mechanical things. So thanks to Jonathan for the original post with great pics and all the others who chimed in fearlessly reporting their mistakes and adding more advice.

I was prepared with the right tools on hand, used Rotella oil (5/40 based on that engineer survey report), didn't freak out when some oil spewed out when the filter cover was removed (I even had a rag right there ready to catch the spillage), and made sure I had a measuring cup with metric units on it so I could put in exactly 1400 ml. I am proud to say not one drop of oil was spilled on the driveway and the bike has not blown up, nor have any bolts fallen off! Woohoo! :2tup:

Okay, so what's the next simple project I should try???

[blaine]

Cleaning & Lubing your chain is simple to do,and should be done every 1000kms. You will get great satisfaction doing your own serviceing. Good luck, Have fun!