Motor Oil?

[vulcannomad1]

I ride a 2000 Nomad 1500. I've been using Valvoline 20w50 motorcycle oil. My bike has 20,000 miles on it and I've noticed shifting between 1st & 2nd gear has been a little rough at times. I read the specs on the Valvoline synthetic and they claim that it helps smooth out rough shifting. Has anyone had any experience with this oil? Is it worth the extra money for the synthetic when the bike doesen't require it? Any help is appreciated.

[Rusty360]

Does it do this after a oil change or a few thousand miles down the road? I have read that the dino oil breaks down sooner so if you have a lot of miles between oil changes that could be your problem. Most synthetics are better than the dino counterparts and I run synthetics in everything I own.

[cnc]

Due to the nature of the shift pattern, you pass through neturel going from first to second and there is a feature called easy find neturel on the Nomad, it is often clunker. I find it hard to be 100% consistent, but I find not quite backing the throttle off all the way makes a smoother shift. Also heel shifting is the way to go IMO.

[landman]

i have been running the valvoline synthetic motor cycle oil in my 2011 vaquero with good
results.i use the 10w40 which is the proper wieght for these bikes and it really improved
the clunking betwwen shifts that these 1700's are known for.

[vulcannomad1]

Thanks for the input. I didn't really notice it until recently. I change my oil every 3,000 miles and I'm about due. I think I'll try the synthetic.

[VulcanE]

I've tried the 20w50 (mobil 1 and Amsoil), and I find that running 10w40 is a lot better, both in shifting, and in the engine top end clattering. 20w50 is just a little too thick for a water cooled engine unless you live in the desert.

[rickyboy]

I know my mileage/Kms. are low on my '06 1600 Nomad { 43,000 Kms I think } but....
I have run the recommended "dino" oil, since day one. plus I have always used the heel shift method, like Norm/"cnc" suggested too, and like most of the members probably,... never abused the bike. But I have never heard, felt or thought the shifting was anything but smooth. Clunking, rough, have never been an issue for me. Am I just lucky or is it just the 1700's that have this/these issues ??? But now I see that "vulcannomad1" is talking about his 1500. :shrug: :hmm:

[hammer]

I have been using Rotella 15W40 since 1,500K with no problems. I have used 15x50 Mobil 1 a few times for very hot weather riding. I change every 3,500 Kilometers.

[landman]

I know my mileage/Kms. are low on my '06 1600 Nomad { 43,000 Kms I think } but....
I have run the recommended "dino" oil, since day one. plus I have always used the heel shift method, like Norm/"cnc" suggested too, and like most of the members probably,... never abused the bike. But I have never heard, felt or thought the shifting was anything but smooth. Clunking, rough, have never been an issue for me. Am I just lucky or is it just the 1700's that have this/these issues ??? But now I see that "vulcannomad1" is talking about his 1500. :shrug: :hmm:

it is only the 1700"s 6 speed transmission that is a bit clunky.they do tend to improve some with some mileage on them.

[radco]

MOBILE ! 10/40 MX4T. In my 04 I didn't like 20/50 changed it after 100 miles. For the few bucks extra Synthetic is the way to go.... just my 2 cents

[ant]

Lucas 10-40 and very happy with it

[1700king]

I was with a friend when he picked up his 1500 classic from a dealer,they told him to use Dino oil and nothing else,because anything else was to thin for the clutches and change it every 3000 miles!he was using amsoil 10-40 and clutch was burned up after 10,000miles,that is what I use in vaquero and was thanking about changing to Dino oil very confused about m/c oil,wish I knew more about it

[VulcanE]

I was with a friend when he picked up his 1500 classic from a dealer,they told him to use Dino oil and nothing else,because anything else was to thin for the clutches and change it every 3000 miles!he was using amsoil 10-40 and clutch was burned up after 10,000miles,that is what I use in vaquero and was thanking about changing to Dino oil very confused about m/c oil,wish I knew more about it

I've got 61,000 + miles on mine, and except for the oil that came in it new, it has only had full synthetic (see post #6 above) Amsoil or Mobil 1 (which ever is cheaper when it comes time for an oil change, which is around 7~9000 miles). Have had no clutch issues, and still running the stock clutch spring.