The great oil debate... [Archive] - Vulcan Bagger Forums

ds06nomad

11-08-2007, 10:35 PM

OK, here I go with the can-o-worms:

Which oil (brand,weight, dyno or synthetic) is best for our bikes? I have a '06 Nomad 1600FI and am coming up on the 500-mile service. Should I stick with the stock, recommended weight dyno oil (ie, Kawasaki/MoTul brand), or ???

Would it be advantageous for me to switch to a synthetic oil or is it too early?

What oil filter(s) are best? The house brand/Kawasaki? NAPA gold? Which filter(s) should I "avoid" (ie, which one's are el crappo? Fram?)

I'm certain this topic has been beaten to death, and YES, I did a search. "BUTTTTTT....." I wanted to ask it again in case any new info was available or new "news" has come to someone's attention.

Thanks a bunch,

11-08-2007, 11:04 PM

I also have an '06 I bought brand new in January of '07. I took mine in and had the dealer do the break in service. Which I wouldn't recommend because they scratched my saddle bag and didn't clean off the oil screen. If you want something done right do it yourself. I just changed my oil last weekend (1st oil change since the break in) at 5000 miles and used Rotella 5W 40 Full synthetic 16 bucks for a gallon jug at walmart and also used a walmart filter #ST7317. Took right around 3 3/4 quarts using that longer filter.

I personally don't believe it is too soon to got to synthetic. A friend of a friend of a friend is a chemist for an oil company and he stated synthetic oils are far superior to conventional and if he had a motorcycle he would use it. I think I read something from mobile 1 stating you can go straight to full synthetic on a brand new engine and they also guarentee its good for 15,000 miles.

blowndodge

11-08-2007, 11:08 PM

I think I'm having a flashback.........?????

11-08-2007, 11:11 PM

you are............in the words of Yogi Berra "This is like deja vu all over again."

blowndodge

11-08-2007, 11:13 PM

Which is just as good as money!!

ds06nomad

11-08-2007, 11:13 PM

No risk to the seals with the synthetic in there too early? I'm just askin'..... !!!

I also used the Shell Rotella full syn on my Boulevard C50T. I didn't notice a huge difference, but if it's better for the engine, then it's a no-brainer in my book. Gollum gets the best....

Daryl

chmorro

11-08-2007, 11:15 PM

I run Mobil1 15-50 full synthetic in mine and it runs great. I run Rotella in my old 800 classic and I think the Rotella is actually smoother. I couldn't decide either a while back and decided to run both, one in each bike to decide... my conclusion? The Rotella I believe is smoother, the bike shifts easy, but the Mobil1 works great too. Can never go wrong with Mobil1. As far as a filter, I've always used trusty ole' Fram and have NEVER had a problem with them. I think a lot of the oppinions of oil filters is user error http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
I share you enthusiasm also about this site.... sometimes I'll almost fall asleep trying to stay awake to fill my brain with more Nomad info!!

blowndodge

11-08-2007, 11:16 PM

Myth, put in synthetics as soon as you want to.

chmorro

11-08-2007, 11:19 PM

Wolfman I agree, you gotta do it yourself if you can... nothing more heartbreaking than to shine up your ride every day (for me at least) and then take it in to get some work done and find a scratch some non-respectful mechanic left on your bike. I took mine in just to get the tires swapped out, picked it up with scratches on both sides of the rear fender and a nic on the front fender from where it looks like he dropped a screwdriver on it.

Top Cat

11-08-2007, 11:27 PM

Myth, put in synthetics as soon as you want to.
Are you saying ,put in synthetics as soon as you want , is a myth?
Or are you saying something else is a myth and you should put in synthetics as soon as you want .
Hey just asking for the newguy http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

joesnomad

11-09-2007, 01:32 AM

A Factory rep at Carlisle Bike week here in Pa. told me that the engines of today are buit to much tighter tolerences than that of the older ones and its ok to use synthetic from the begining. He also told me that a 06 Nomad should get 45-50 mpg when its broke in. So in my old school wisdom I waited until I had 3000 miles on mine before changing Amsoil. Good luck in your decision because every has their own idea of whats best.

ds06nomad

11-09-2007, 01:50 AM

Thanks, everyone! I have a NAPA store nearby and am wondering if anyone knows if there is a NAPA gold oil filter that'll work on the Nomad. I used to use the #1358 on the Boulevard C50T; seemed to work well.

Thanks again,
Daryl

flightdoc

11-09-2007, 08:55 AM

I run the V-TWIN Mobil1 synthetic. I noticed a difference in small things like when shifting to first gear there's less of a kick.

blowndodge

11-09-2007, 09:32 AM

See Wolfmans post above for all your oil changing needs. I understand a wise CME came his way!!!! right Wolfster??? LOL

11-09-2007, 02:33 PM

right .,................sorry for the 16 hour later reply.....long day at work

bobzinger

11-09-2007, 04:39 PM

NAPA Gold 1358
Here's a good list of filters... http://www.gadgetjq.com/oilfilters.htm
I use the long Bosch 3323 or the Walmart Supertech ST7317 (made by Champion)

Also here is a guy that cut open a bunch of different brands and checked out the innards. He claims the Fram is garbage. Some good info. http://www.tobycreek.org/oil_filters/index.shtml

11-09-2007, 07:14 PM

<marquee>http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u272/DrNickDC/rotella-1gal-5w40-z7.jpg</marquee>

mrfuni

11-09-2007, 07:14 PM

So I go to MOM and it says the recommended oil weight is 10W40, and 15W50 and 5W40 are mentioned in the replies above. I'm in Florida and I'm going to do my first oil change after break in. What should I use?.. Thanks..Joe

dogdoc

11-09-2007, 07:38 PM

JoesNomad: hate to pop your bubble or your friends theroy that a broken in Nomad will get 45-50 mpg, hey I dont know anybody on this forum that will testify that they are getting that mileage. i get 42mpg and I have heard other at 42mpg, if you get higher i think your hearing stories.

11-09-2007, 08:58 PM

I don't think I've ever gotton 42. I averaged 38 on my 2000+ mile trip this summer.

jloyva

11-10-2007, 09:35 AM

...Also here is a guy that cut open a bunch of different brands and checked out the innards. He claims the Fram is garbage. Some good info. http://www.tobycreek.org/oil_filters/index.shtml

Crap. I've always used Fram in my cars and motorcycles just because they seem to be the most common. Guess I'm going to change after seeing the cardboard end caps. Who uses cardboard in an oil filter?

jayc

11-10-2007, 09:48 AM

The Walmart filters are being made in the US again. Yay!

joesnomad

11-10-2007, 01:13 PM

I never said I was going to get 45-50. I never even got 40 regulary. Only once it was probably an error on my part.I average 35-37 mpg. driving sensible and 30-32 if I rip on it. I said that the Kawa rep told me I should get 45-50. And that the engines dont really need to be broken in because of their tight tolerances. I think there full of sh*t. I would normally wait 5000 miles to put in synthetic, but since I am having a terrible time with pinging, I decided to switch at 3000 miles because of what I have read about synthetic running cooler. Which I have found that it does run cooler but mine still pings way to much. Maybe over the winter I will do the resister mod.

bobzinger

11-11-2007, 09:35 PM

I started keeping a log of MPG and so far daily driving across town to work 7 miles each way on roads that range from 25 to 45MPH I'm averaging...28MPG. SUCKS!

11-12-2007, 09:49 AM

blowndodge

11-12-2007, 10:38 AM

Odometer is less than 5% off.

trip

11-12-2007, 10:59 AM

As all know we have a 10% error on the speedometer......does that also apply to the trip meter? I don't think the error applies to the trip meter from just watching the mileage signs on the highway vs. the trip meter....has anyone ever checked?

Reason asking...........if the 10% applied to the trip meter, my average mileage of 35 just dropped to 31.5 mpg.

You should have that answer "Trip"!

RamMan,
The "ever-capable" BD has answered correctly in my opinion. Using a GPS, I can see that my speedo is off slightly even with Metzler 880's. But, how much it's off for the odometer is beyond me.

trip

11-12-2007, 11:03 AM

I have hesitated to voice my opinion in the past when it comes to things like oil.....but, I use Mobile 1, Synthetic, 15w50 (gold cap) with a Bosch 3300 oil filter. Always have....probably always will. Just changed the oil and filter this past Saturday as a matter of fact.

That combination does me very well in the Texas climate that I live in.

11-12-2007, 12:07 PM

Mobile 1, Synthetic, 15w50 (gold cap)....Walmart 5qt jugs the cheapest.

GOLD CAP ONLY!!!! Other colored caps have additives that will adversely affect the clutch.

11-12-2007, 12:11 PM

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u272/DrNickDC/rotella-1gal-5w40-z7.jpg

socwkbiker

11-12-2007, 12:15 PM

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u272/DrNickDC/rotella-1gal-5w40-z7.jpg

Used this on my last oil change and am considering using Mobile 1 on the next just to check the difference in performance.

waterman

11-12-2007, 03:48 PM

I have used Amsoil in my bikes. Run 10-40 in the bike. Works in our cooler region. Also use it in the truck and car. Prior to that I used Mobil 1. Have had very good luck with the Amsoil. Really appreciate the 25,000 mile change interval on the vehicles other than the bike. Truck has 197,000 and still running strong.

dogdoc

11-14-2007, 02:08 PM

Hey Guys: those running full synthetic oil, how often(miles or months) are you going to change the oil NOW>>?? Should be able to run ALOT more miles w/o a change, correct?????