Oil question... am I crazy?

primal · 11-14-2008, 04:35 PM

When I first got my GZ250 I promptly changed the oil to Mobil 1 MC synthetic. A week and a half ago I decided to change the oil again (early to get some winter weight oil in) and went with Shell Rotella-T synthetic. Now, after switching, I could swear my bike has more power. Part of me says its because of the oil, but the other part says that it must be the placebo effect. I mean, I was going down the road at 55 MPH in 4th gear and didn't even know it until I came to a stop light (*click click click* Did it just take 3 downshifts to get into 1st?)!

So... yea, I already know what you're gonna say, but I just had to put this out there.

alanmcorcoran · 11-14-2008, 05:15 PM

I think it may be more than psychological. When my oil was just a little low it had a huge impact on performance.

I've also noticed a big difference in power after the bike is running for about ten minutes. My bike sucks for about the first five minutes or so. Very sluggish in the high revs. I don't know squat about the MC internals, but my guess is, the oil gets more "slippery" when it's hot and the transmission exerts less drag on the engine. I'm sure that the other experts on here will set me straight.

music man · 11-14-2008, 06:31 PM

I also switched to Shell Rotella-T Synthetic, and I didnt really notice any "power" difference, but
it definetly helped my shifting, and it just seems to run smoother all around, it also seems to hold up better to the rigors of the GZ engine.

primal · 11-14-2008, 10:36 PM

Maybe my perception of "power" is more a perception of "smoothness" then?

Easy Rider · 11-15-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primal

Maybe my perception of "power" is more a perception of "smoothness" then?

Maybe it's not all perception; might be just a coincidence.
Carbuarated engines tend to run better when the air is cool and damp.
I'm guessing that you have had a shift toward that, like we have had recently.

Water Warrior 2 · 11-18-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primal

Maybe my perception of "power" is more a perception of "smoothness" then?

Fresh oil will do that for you. The tranny will definitely feel smoother and the engine will thank you. Shell Rotella is used by many riders in a variety of bikes with great results. It meets or exceeds the requirements for M/C oils but Shell has just never bothered to get it certified for bikes.

**jonathan180iq** · 11-19-2008, 05:37 PM

You're crazy.

GZ250 · 11-21-2008, 12:13 PM

havent used any synthetic oil so i cant tell about the power coming from oil but i do use the supreme 93 gas sometime and this time i used the Shell V-power (prices are reasonable again). i felt the same. more power. actually its more smoothness and soundness of engine so fell like more power. will try the Shell Rotella-T synthetic this time.

Moedad · 11-21-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan180iq

You're crazy.

Yes. No point blaming the oil either.

Water Warrior 2 · 11-22-2008, 03:07 AM

I'm just waiting for Alan to say he changed oil and it shifts better. :poked:

11-14-2008, 04:35 PM	#1
primal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 446	Oil question... am I crazy? When I first got my GZ250 I promptly changed the oil to Mobil 1 MC synthetic. A week and a half ago I decided to change the oil again (early to get some winter weight oil in) and went with Shell Rotella-T synthetic. Now, after switching, I could swear my bike has more power. Part of me says its because of the oil, but the other part says that it must be the placebo effect. I mean, I was going down the road at 55 MPH in 4th gear and didn't even know it until I came to a stop light (click click click Did it just take 3 downshifts to get into 1st?)! So... yea, I already know what you're gonna say, but I just had to put this out there. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-14-2008, 05:15 PM	#2
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: Oil question... am I crazy? I think it may be more than psychological. When my oil was just a little low it had a huge impact on performance. I've also noticed a big difference in power after the bike is running for about ten minutes. My bike sucks for about the first five minutes or so. Very sluggish in the high revs. I don't know squat about the MC internals, but my guess is, the oil gets more "slippery" when it's hot and the transmission exerts less drag on the engine. I'm sure that the other experts on here will set me straight. __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More…
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11-14-2008, 06:31 PM	#3
music man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hot Springs Arkansas Posts: 1,127	Re: Oil question... am I crazy? I also switched to Shell Rotella-T Synthetic, and I didnt really notice any "power" difference, but it definetly helped my shifting, and it just seems to run smoother all around, it also seems to hold up better to the rigors of the GZ engine. __________________ "Tell me what kind of wreck you're going to have and I'll tell you what type of helmet you need." [Author Unknown] Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-14-2008, 10:36 PM	#4
primal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 446	Re: Oil question... am I crazy? Maybe my perception of "power" is more a perception of "smoothness" then?
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11-19-2008, 05:37 PM	#7
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: Oil question... am I crazy? You're crazy.
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11-21-2008, 12:13 PM	#8
GZ250 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 334	Re: Oil question... am I crazy? havent used any synthetic oil so i cant tell about the power coming from oil but i do use the supreme 93 gas sometime and this time i used the Shell V-power (prices are reasonable again). i felt the same. more power. actually its more smoothness and soundness of engine so fell like more power. will try the Shell Rotella-T synthetic this time. __________________ “God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.” “People understand me so poorly that they don't even understand my complaint about them not understanding me.” --- Søren Kierkegaard ---
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11-22-2008, 03:07 AM	#10
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Oil question... am I crazy? I'm just waiting for Alan to say he changed oil and it shifts better. :poked:
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