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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: justinity on April 30, 2011, 09:55:08 AM

Title: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: justinity on April 30, 2011, 09:55:08 AM
Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
I found this link - http://gstwin.com/oil_change.htm
But if it has a wet clutch wouldn't it slip?
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: tb0lt on April 30, 2011, 10:22:30 AM
Check out Shell Rotella T6. It is tested and approved for wet clutch motorcycle use. One of the best oils you can buy and for a very low price.
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: burning1 on April 30, 2011, 11:13:39 AM
A good quality synthetic will not cause clutch slip, unless there is already something seriously wrong with your clutch. I run synthetic in my GS - the only real issue is that with the GS500's consumption rate, running a $8/qt oil can be a little expensive.

There are a couple of advantages in running synthetic with a wet clutch - synthetic oil (especially Group IV oils) tend to be very good at cooling clutch parts, meaning that repeated launches will not cook the clutch quite so fast. Synthetic oils also help keep the clutch plates moving freely after the bike has been parked for a while.

On the plus side, a good synthetic doesn't tend to burn as fast, either.
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: LEMON8 on April 30, 2011, 11:21:09 AM
On this topic. Any other brand and weight people recommend here?

I'm going to use t6, I remember they either come in15w40 or 5w40.

Just looking for options
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: mister on April 30, 2011, 12:39:27 PM
I was using Motul 5100 but am now using Motul 300V - 300V 4T FACTORYLINE 10W40.  :thumb:

Michael
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: lanesplitter on April 30, 2011, 05:10:30 PM
Word on the street is...don't use a synthetic oil that is "Energy Conserving".  If it is energy conserving it will have this little emblem on the back of the bottle.  (http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4d0_kWwEq84_0q31GzseE19Y5O-7epNUsXOJrIpU3H405EmA_&t=1)  If it's not energy conserving then the words won't be there.  If it's energy conserving it means that the oil has friction reducing additives that may adversely impact your clutch disks.
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: ojstinson on April 30, 2011, 05:39:45 PM
Always try to avoid oils with very wide viscosity spreads such as 5-40, 10- 50, etc, even with synthetics but not as critical as with conventional. One of the best and least expensive oils you can use in your bike is the 15-40 diesel ( non synthetic ) type oil, Rotella, Delco and such, it is on par with most of the $8.00 a quart "Motorcycle oil" in every respect and and superior to many. It's one of the best kept secrets among mechanics and dealers.

Paying more for a synthetic is really quite unnecessary unless it just makes you feel better, with reasonable care and regular oil changes you'll get over a hundred thousand miles out of your GS with regular old 10 40 from Walmart, so why bother. I have a friend with 160,000 original miles on his old KZ1000, and that's what he has been using since he bought it new.




Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: burning1 on April 30, 2011, 06:33:12 PM
Rotella 15w40 isn't as good as a real synthetic.

(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/ctbarbour/UOA/rotella15w40.jpg)
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: ojstinson on April 30, 2011, 06:42:36 PM
No, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper over the years and how much longer than 150,000 miles do you want your GS to last, it will last longer than you will ever want to keep just using regular old 15-40 or even 10-40.
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: MistahT on May 01, 2011, 06:42:51 AM
Ok, so for the new guy here who just bought his 92 and has never owned a motorcycle...... which oil should I get????
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: ojstinson on May 01, 2011, 07:55:53 AM
I told you. Shell Rotella 15-40 non-synthetic, you can't go wrong and you'll spend a lot less to boot---you won't regret it, smooth shifting, and you engine will last longer than you'll want to keep your bike.
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: lanesplitter on May 01, 2011, 07:36:36 PM
I've been using Castrol 5w-40 synthetic for several years now, and I'm a big fan of synthetic oils as I believe they have better long term lubricating properties.  Motor oils have improved significantly since the manuals for air cooled four stroke motorcycle engines were produced, so using an oil that has a viscosity rating slightly outside of the one recommended by the manual should be okay.  However, as long as you use a brand name oil and change it at the recommended intervals you'll be fine. 
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: Bluesmudge on May 01, 2011, 07:54:44 PM
Stop talking about oil  :2guns:
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: mach1 on May 01, 2011, 07:58:12 PM
Kendall fully synthetic is the best bang for your buck cheaper than most synthetic, and is great quality oil i used that in my GS since I got it amd till I let it go.
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: ojstinson on May 01, 2011, 08:25:37 PM
I'm with Blues, this oil thing has been debated to death, and not just this thread------for years.
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: skirecs on May 01, 2011, 08:39:10 PM
doesn't matter what oil you use, as long as it is

1. not energy conserving
2. in the bike

put oil in, check it often and that is that
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: Twisted on May 01, 2011, 09:07:37 PM
Regular and frequent oil changes are more important than synthetic or non synthetic oil. The right grade is important I noticed though in my GS. It only likes the specified 10 - 40w otherwise I get clunky gear changes and cam end float noise.

And if you don't want to talk about oil don't click on a thread about it  :cookoo:
Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: ojstinson on May 01, 2011, 09:58:04 PM
It's addictive, like drink or drugs, you can't help clicking on it and putting in your two cents, and then you hate yourself in the morning.




Title: Re: Is synthetic oil ok in a 2004 gs500f?
Post by: Twisted on May 01, 2011, 10:20:58 PM
Quote from: ojstinson on May 01, 2011, 09:58:04 PM
It's addictive, like drink or drugs, you can't help clicking on it and putting in your two cents, and then you hate yourself in the morning.





Lmao, think we have all been to that side of town before.