Oil Question

[mtpockets1600]

??? Hi all! Just waitin' for the snow to melt. I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before. I tried to search but no results.
I own an 05 1600 Nad and I was looking to switch to a synthetic oil. I see all kinds of differing opinions, I thought this board would know best.
Shiney side up!!!
MT

[ponch]

An oil question, yea! Now you are in for it..I am sure this will get moved to BD's garage, but I used Mobil 1 15w-50, and I have heard good things about Amsoil. What ever you choose, make sure it does not say "energy conserving" on the container, but that rule applies to conventional oil as well.

??? Hi all! Just waitin' for the snow to melt. I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before. I tried to search but no results.
I own an 05 1600 Nad and I was looking to switch to a synthetic oil. I see all kinds of differing opinions, I thought this board would know best.
Shiney side up!!!
MT

[nomadd]

Ahhh, an oil question. I like oil questions. They evoke so much passion from us owners. Some of us swear by synthetic oil, others swear at it. Some of us use oil specifically for motorcycles and nothing else. Others use anything that is on sale. Some are deathly afraid of any oil with friction modifiers, others could care less. I say use an oil that meets the requirements set forth in MaKaw's owners manual, be it conventional or synthetic. I like synthetic oil. I have been using it for many years in my motorcycles, cars and trucks, lawnmower, lawn tractor, snowblower and any other 4 stroke engine I may have left out . But, that's just me. You have to use something that gives you a level of comfort. There just isn't 1 right answer to this question. Ride on, ride safe!

[mrclean]

I swear by Mobil synthetic V-Twin oil. It's all I've used in my last two rides. It's a little more expensive. Like my cars I prefer synthethic.

[socwkbiker]

Seems like an eternity ago, but we did have many discussions about oil here and to no one's surprise, there was no one definitive oil being used. I have a 05 1600 and use Rotella 5w-40. But others use Mobile synthetic and like it too as well as Amsoil. IMHO, Rotella is a great oil.

[rlfaubion]

Mobile 1 synthetic 15/50w.... FYI... Then I'm a flat lander in more heat.... Aside from any other benefit, I do believe synthetic helps with the tranny gears in that it shifts smoother. IMO

http://kawanow.proboards77.com/index...5686630&page=1

[mrfuni]

Amsoil when I can find it or Mobil 1 synthetic. Makes my Nomad run cooler and smoother...

[caddman11]

Amsoil MCV

[ringadingh]

Either Penzoil or Shell has worked well for me, I may try switching to a bike specific oil just to see if there is a difference. One thing I have noticed is that when I put in the Penzoil the bike seems to shift smoother with the fresh oil in it,

[jrd]

I have used the Mobil I and the Shell Rotella in previous bikes I have owned with great results.

John

One thing I have noticed is that when I put in the Penzoil the bike seems to shift smoother with the fresh oil in it,

This, I think, is a big BIG factor in the great oil debate.

Whenever you change the dirty old oil for fresh clean you're going to have improved performance, smoothness, gas mileage, and less heat; and this is pretty much regardless of which oil you use.

People say all the time things like: "I changed to X-oil and my bike ran better." They always run better right after you change it. The key is how well is it running 3000 miles later. Or say you only rode it 500 miles but then let it sit for 6 months. How is it then?

I use synthetic for those two reasons. In a high use vehicle it stays thick longer, and in a low use vehicle it stays fresh longer.

[dantama]

[quote:vx943kjq]One thing I have noticed is that when I put in the Penzoil the bike seems to shift smoother with the fresh oil in it,

This, I think, is a big BIG factor in the great oil debate.

Whenever you change the dirty old oil for fresh clean you're going to have improved performance, smoothness, gas mileage, and less heat; and this is pretty much regardless of which oil you use.

People say all the time things like: "I changed to X-oil and my bike ran better." They always run better right after you change it. The key is how well is it running 3000 miles later. Or say you only rode it 500 miles but then let it sit for 6 months. How is it then?

I use synthetic for those two reasons. In a high use vehicle it stays thick longer, and in a low use vehicle it stays fresh longer.[/quote:vx943kjq]

I was skeptical about the claims of improved shifting with the switch to synthetic, very skeptical. I thought it was just a matter of people expecting it to work wonders, so that's what they thought they achieved.

So when I switched to synthetic, I was fully expecting a big fat nothing. It really did quiet the clunk down and I was very surprised. So it wasn't because of my expectations, as I thought it was a bunch of bunk.

[donoller]

mobile 1 v twin oil is what i use, it works well

[mtpockets1600]

Thank you all very much! You helped me make a decision. Synthetic it will be. I know how well it performs in my sleds. I just wasn't too sure how it would be in a "thumper".
Be Safe!
Bob