OK.... I'm still an uber noob with my GS500F, I have only put 1100 on mine. I want to change the oil before my big bike trip this weekend. After spending a susbtantial amount of time looking at oils I decided to buy Lucas's semi-synthetic high performance motorcycle oil 10W-40. On the bottle it boasts " formulated with clutch saving technology for high RPM engines and wet clutches". "This oil is specifically designed for use in all air cooled and water cooled 4 stroke engines calling for 10W-40". I can't find anything on this oil in the forums and there isn't much info on google.... Anyone used this and what did you think of the oil? I am changing the filter in this oil change as well.
Thanks
JCocke

generally, as long as it's safe for motorcycle use, you can go ahead and have at it..
oil is extremely preferential and subjective. personally, i use what's cheap or on sale. as long as you keep changing the oil regularly, it doesnt make THAT big a difference.

Lucas always seemed like a Gimmicky company - I say that based on the number of additives they sell. Semi-synthetic is a waste of money. Either go with a non-synthetic and save some cash, or go with a full synthetic for quality.

I'd go ahead and run it, then switch to something else for the next change.

Remember to keep a close eye on your oil level.

I run pennzoil 10w40 in cold weather, and 20w50 in summer

Quote from: jeremy_nash on May 25, 2010, 04:45:59 PM
I run pennzoil 10w40 in cold weather, and 20w50 in summer

+1 for penzoil (at least right now) in my GS I usually just use what's on sale. I'm an advocate for cheaper oil and more frequent oil changes.

I usually use shell rotella in my motocross bike since it's the cheapest oil you can get around here.

really oil is oil. your service intervals are far more important that what type of oil

Cool..... Just got done with my fist big bike trip... I think I am gonna go full synthetic on the next change like I do in my Truck.... No problems with this oil though... The clutch seems to like it better than the old oil!
Thanks for the advice

Remember to keep an eye on your oil level. The GS500, like many air cooled engines, consumes oil at a faster rate than your typical water cooled engine.

(My race bike was half a liter low this weekend!)

you might be surprised how many threads on this forum are about which oil to use. look at The dipstick and buy cheap stuff.

Only use skim milk or you'll DESTROY your engine!

In all seriousness, the general feel 'round these parts is use dino oil and change regularly. Some people have had clutch feel problems on full synth, but try it if you care.

Somebody made the point that shearing is the big oil degrading factor and our bike and clutch does it much less than car so synth isn't a big deal. Don't take this as gospel, but something to look into if you care that much.

Huh?

Sheering happens because the viscosity index improvers in a high ratio multi-grade oil are shredded in the transmission. A good synthetic generally doesn't have any VIIs, so shearing isn't really a problem. I run a high quality synthetic in my K bike. After 10000 miles, my 10w40 has retained most of it's original viscosity. In fact, in the past 4000 miles, it's viscosity has only dropped by .1 centistoke at 100 degrees c.

After running 3,000 miles with the Lucas Semi-Synthetic 10-40 special motorcycle blend I changed the oil. The oil was still just as amber and clear as when I put it in, did not darken had zero metal shavings or shards in it at all... I put in cheapo fossil made oil back in ran 500 miles and drained it and put the Lucas back in... The bike didn't seem to like the dino-oil as much as the Lucas special blend. My clutch wasn't as responsive, the acceleration felt sluggish, and the oil had that smell to it when I changed it after 500 miles (that burnt rubber and gas smell), I didn't have that with the Lucas, I am going to run the Lucas for another 3,000 and if it is as good as the first 3,000 with it I will use it until the bike dies. The bike went back to original condition as soon as I put the Lucas back in it.
Thanks for all the help,
Justin

Oil is like soap. Soap that gets dirty when you wash your hands isn't necessarily bad soap. Conversely, soap that looks clean after washing your hands isn't necessarily good soap.

I ran UOA on the oil in my K1300GT after 9200 miles of abuse. We're talking shared transmission, 4 cylinder engine, making 160 horsepower, used for a combination of sporty riding and city commuting. And when I say it makes 160 horsepower, what I mean is that I use 160 horsepower.

After 9200 miles, it looks black, it smelled a little funny, and the UOA report said to keep running the same fill.

FWIW: Semi synthetics are a complete rip-off. All the price of a full synthetic, with none of the benefits.

Fancy, expensive oil is a rip off....you don't need it, it will make no difference, it is a waste of money........

If you want to waste money, just use regular oil and change it twice as often.........

Some will argue that synthetic is better, and you MUST use it, etc.........but no facts to back it up!

Although synthetics do offer some advantages, in SOME applications, the GS 500 is not an application which will benefit from synth.         


Cookie

Quote from: twocool on August 15, 2010, 03:33:06 AM
Fancy, expensive oil is a rip off....you don't need it, it will make no difference, it is a waste of money........

If you want to waste money, just use regular oil and change it twice as often.........

Some will argue that synthetic is better, and you MUST use it, etc.........but no facts to back it up!

Although synthetics do offer some advantages, in SOME applications, the GS 500 is not an application which will benefit from synth.         


Cookie

that's the best summary of why/why not for synthetic (read, expensive) oils, greases, or $300 tires. the gs will operate just fine up to 100,000 miles as some here can testify, on cheap, normal 10w40. just let it be a CHEAP FUN bike, and it will.

You are correct Cookie ( Cookie? ) my man, I have a friend who has an old KZ1000 Kaw, it's now approaching 150,000 miles and he has Never used anything but plain old cheap old Walmart 10-40 oil since he bought it new---I will say however that he does change his oil religiously at the 2000 mile mark ( the filter every 10,000 miles ) and doesn't thrash the bike. It still runs like a top and uses very little in between changes.

Quote from: Jcocke on August 14, 2010, 12:34:02 PM
...........The bike didn't seem to like the dino-oil as much as the Lucas special blend. My clutch wasn't as responsive, the acceleration felt sluggish.......

If you can tell the difference between oil brands based solely on how the engine performs its a pretty impressive ability you have got  ......whats the secret?

It's a very special gift that few Of us possess sledge, who are we to question something like that.

It would be a pretty neat trick though OJ. Getting on your mates bike taking it round the block and saying....hmmmm.....you are running Motul in there, or Silkoline, or Rock or Fuchs etc and getting the answer bang on everytime 

I bet if I stood next to you and farted........ you could tell me exactly what I had for breakfast too eh? 

Quote from: sledge on August 15, 2010, 10:29:32 AM

Quote from: Jcocke on August 14, 2010, 12:34:02 PM
...........The bike didn't seem to like the dino-oil as much as the Lucas special blend. My clutch wasn't as responsive, the acceleration felt sluggish.......

If you can tell the difference between oil brands based solely on how the engine performs its a pretty impressive ability you have got  ......whats the secret?

use it(imported german castrol 0-30) as a bandaid when your car makes funny noises above 6k

Quote from: ojstinson on August 15, 2010, 09:35:34 AM
You are correct Cookie ( Cookie? ) my man, I have a friend who has an old KZ1000 Kaw, it's now approaching 150,000 miles and he has Never used anything but plain old cheap old Walmart 10-40 oil since he bought it new---I will say however that he does change his oil religiously at the 2000 mile mark ( the filter every 10,000 miles ) and doesn't thrash the bike. It still runs like a top and uses very little in between changes.

This fancy oil stuff is what I call "A solution to a non-existant problem".  Companies go to great extemes in marketing to make you think you have a problem, and to make you thing they have the solution to the problem. 

Funny though, on another mororcycle forum I got quite a load of crap when I said that regular oil was all you need and synth was a waste in the GS.............this forum is better informed.....

Cookie