oil - car or motorcycle specific?

[Twisted]

Fair enough but if you are changing the oil before the specified service interval, I personally do not do the filter every change. I do it on every second.

[Bullfrog]

Dunno where exactly I read it, but fully synthetic oil may cause a slipping clutch. So if you wanna go synthetic, I'd recommend a half-mineral / half synthetic oil.

Stop repeating stuff you think you only heard somewhere and don't know if it is true. It's NOT helpful to anyone.

As long as it's helpful (and I think it is), I'm NOT gonna stop repeating it. There were several users in the german GS-forum who said that synth oil would cause a slipping clutch, so there must be something about it. Otherwise I don't see why s.o. should mention it.
I simply don't know if it's true because I've never had the problem because I only go mineral because they wrote it in the forum. Clear?

[Kijona]

Fair enough but if you are changing the oil before the specified service interval, I personally do not do the filter every change. I do it on every second.

Well, like I said, it's just something to think about - I wasn't stating it as gospel, heh.

Oil filter is a different story - there is something to be said for leaving one in for a bit longer. As the filters get "clogged" they become more effective - at the cost of restricting the flow of oil.

[ojstinson]

Oil experts who have done extensive testing say that filters do become more effective with use, they say that once your engine has been broken in and you have proper air filtration your oil filter should be effective and minimally restrictive for at least 12000 miles, they say changing the oil filter at 3000 miles with the oil is wasteful and totally unnecessary.

[crzydood17]

I run Mobile 1 4T Full Synth Racing Oil...

I change it every 5000-6000 miles, It comes out looking almost as nice as it went in, I regularly check the oil level to make sure its not running low and put in the best filter I can afford. Motoroils are a lot better than they used to be and the 3000 mile interval is a farce to sell more oil. Never used diesel oil but I have and keep hearing good things but I just pick up the best and say meh, I have enough invested into my bike that if I spend 40-50 bux for a oil change who cares. Cheapness is always the downfall of a engine. Change wear parts early and often.

[BaltimoreGS]

Not a motorcycle but my kick ass Geo that carried Adfalchius and I on a 10,000 mile cross country trip this summer just turned 198,000 miles.  It is a running testament to cheap oil changed often   

-Jessie

[redhawkdancing]

Another oil thread. The season has officially started!   

[trojanone1]

Dunno where exactly I read it, but fully synthetic oil may cause a slipping clutch. So if you wanna go synthetic, I'd recommend a half-mineral / half synthetic oil.

Stop repeating stuff you think you only heard somewhere and don't know if it is true. It's NOT helpful to anyone.

To the OP... we hardly ever get an oil thread here, thanks for asking....

You have many options available to you...

1 - truck oil
2 - any old motorcar oil
3 - cheapest motorcycle oil you can get
4 - expensive motorcycle oils

In the end you get what you want, that's within your budget and lets you sleep at night knowing you're all lubed up. Here's what I Have used and now use...

Started with some basic Motul oil for the first couple services - keep in mind I have had this bike since new and there are now 50,000+kms on it. In the beginning, getting into first was a little cluncky and a little lurchy when cold. Standard for this bike. I'd also get false neutrals.

I switched to Motul 5100 and things improved greatly. Good stuff. False neutrals a thing of the past.

I switched to Motul 300v (factoryline, as that is the motorcycle version). And I couldn't believe how much smoother the gear changes became and I could now push the bike around in gear when it was cold. Not possible with the previous oils.

Last change I switched to Mobile 1 Racing 4t Fully Synthetic and man is it good. Gear changes are smoother than anything. I read the thread about the GS500 vs the R6 and the comments on the smoothness of the R6 with gear changes and I think... use the right oil and you can get that on a GS500. So smooth are they I don't actually feel a click which changing up. Clutch in, a light tap up and she just slides in without fuss.

Of course, the Mobile doesn't smell as good as Motul (smell Motul, it has an essential oil fragrance about it) but it is better. BUT, this fully synthetic stuff is not cheap.

Yeah but it's only a GS so why put in pricey oil? Fine, think that way. My GS is not "just a gs" it is the machine I am controlling, which needs to be reliable, mechanically sound and functioning to keep me from harm. If that costs me a couple bucks extra big whoop. Let's face it, riding a bike is not a Cheap thing, insurance is higher, service intervals shorter, parts wear quicker and so on. It would actually be cheaper to have a Small car.

Student with no money? Then why do you have a motorcycle? Get a pushbike and/or catch public transport. How much public transport could you catch for the $2k you bought the GS for?

I raise the money points because it's a regular theme and people need to face reality... motorcycles are NOT cheap. If you don't like it, offload the bike and save your money and spend it on other things, just don't use it as an excuse. And if the cheapest of everything is bought for the bike and it doesn't perform like a formula one race car, don't blame the bike, blame the cheap stuff bought for the bike.

Don't buy cheap batteries than complain about battery strength and power, for example.

Ok. End of rant.

Back to the question...

Use whatever oil you want. It's just a GS and the engine is bullet proof.   

Michael

idk where what direction that rant went but my $1200 *not 2K* GS is saving me money on gas compared to my SUV. i just got it last mid summer and don't plan on getting rid of it soon.
EDIT: sorry misread part about student section and got insulted  . No, the reason i got bike WAS to save money and it has the few months I rode it.

[trojanone1]

I run Mobile 1 4T Full Synth Racing Oil...

I change it every 5000-6000 miles, It comes out looking almost as nice as it went in, I regularly check the oil level to make sure its not running low and put in the best filter I can afford. Motoroils are a lot better than they used to be and the 3000 mile interval is a farce to sell more oil. Never used diesel oil but I have and keep hearing good things but I just pick up the best and say meh, I have enough invested into my bike that if I spend 40-50 bux for a oil change who cares. Cheapness is always the downfall of a engine. Change wear parts early and often.

I see your wisdom in cheapness being a downfall

Another oil thread. The season has officially started!   

I know first time changing oil w/ first bike

[BaltimoreGS]

I feel like playing devil's advocate this morning.  I think it is safe to say the majority of people that buy a GS ride it a season or two and then get rid of it for something else.  If you plan to be one of those owners then why bother shelling out more money for oil that may prolong the life of an engine when you won't reap those benefits??

-Jessie

[ojstinson]

I feel like playing devil's advocate this morning.  I think it is safe to say the majority of people that buy a GS ride it a season or two and then get rid of it for something else.  If you plan to be one of those owners then why bother shelling out more money for oil that may prolong the life of an engine when you won't reap those benefits??

-Jessie

Right, not only is paying $8 a quart highly unlikely to prolong your engines life over a regular 10-40 beyond the 100,000 mile mark, but who the hell is going to have their GS past that anyway. I have a friend with an old Kaw KZ-1000 with well over 150, 000 miles on it, he bought it new and never used anything but whatever 10-40 or 20-50 oil that Walmart had on sale at the time--oil changed at 3000 and  filter at 6000. To this day it runs strong and uses almost no oil between changes. Does anyone really believe they will still have their GS at anywhere near that?

[trojanone1]

I'm not sure how long i plan on having my little GS. I plan on keeping it at least until i graduate college but is it a waste of money to use the $8-10 motorcycle oil?

[BaltimoreGS]

I'm not sure how long i plan on having my little GS. I plan on keeping it at least until i graduate college but is it a waste of money to use the $8-10 motorcycle oil?

At the end of the day it is YOUR bike, just ask yourself what oil you feel comfortable using.

-Jessie

[trojanone1]

yeah you're right. I ended up picking up some Mobil synthetic 10W40 at Advance since it was on sale. How long does it take to change oil on the GS? changed oil in my truck but not a motorcycle.

[BaltimoreGS]

Depends how fast your work    20 minutes-ish would be a good guesstimate.

-Jessie

[ohgood]

Another oil thread. The season has officially started!   

I really don't understand why oil viscosity/brand and gas octane are so incredibly important to people. Its different forms of temporary crap, that is burned. I'll just ride instead.

[trojanone1]

about the same time as my truck than. thanks for the help guys