Synthetic Oils. What are you running?

99xcsp · 12-04-2014, 08:04 PM

2013 Voyager. I used to run Klotz Oil in my Harley's with good results. Other synthetic's seem to create un-wanted valve train noise., not sure why but Klotz seemed to keep things smoother

cactusjack · 12-04-2014, 08:23 PM

Really? An oil thread? What the hell...Mobil 1 v-twin synthetic 20w50.

OldSchool · 12-04-2014, 08:44 PM

$ 3.00 a gallon on ebay. Seals leaking gaskets too.You can change oil with a spoon.

robjob · 12-05-2014, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Really? An oil thread? What the hell...Mobil 1 v-twin synthetic 20w50.

Haha, maybe tomorrow someone will start a tire thread

. Kawasaki 10W40 synthetic for me

99xcsp · 12-05-2014, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Really? An oil thread? What the hell...Mobil 1 v-twin synthetic 20w50.

Sorry.. just wondering. I was also thinking about a synthetic 20w50 vs A 10w40 synthetic? Cheers!

UNCLE WILLIE · 06-21-2015, 09:16 PM

just switched to Valvoline 10-40 synthetic bike oil and see no diff. from shell dino or Valvoline dino or Castrol atx.
next im going back to Valvoline dino bike oil with a shot of lucas

fyi - in the 80's there was a test done on oil coolers and the results show 10-40 ran cooler than 20-50. for that reason and others I use the thinnest oil recommended by the factory

ponch · 06-21-2015, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNCLE WILLIE

just switched to Valvoline 10-40 synthetic bike oil and see no diff. from shell dino or Valvoline dino or Castrol atx.
next im going back to Valvoline dino bike oil with a shot of lucas

fyi - in the 80's there was a test done on oil coolers and the results show 10-40 ran cooler than 20-50. for that reason and others I use the thinnest oil recommended by the factory

I think Vulcans use 10w-40 for the most part. If you lived somewhere that the temps you rode in were over 100˚, synthetic makes sense. I found with the vulcans I owned that the shifting got a little less smooth and the clutch would get sticky when the engine was cold when the oil started getting broken down and it was getting nigh for a change anyway...

UNCLE WILLIE · 06-26-2015, 04:49 PM

dirty oil works like sandpaper no matter what kind it is
keep it clean--I change @ 3000 max because it gets chewed up in the gear box which lowers the viscosity
in the 60's the Pennzoil rep told me that according to their studies you waste oil if changed before 4000 in cars
the cars I maintain all get changed the week of every season change and it works out to @ 3000+ -- no numbers to keep up with & easy to remember

Dave · 12-07-2014, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Really? An oil thread? What the hell...Mobil 1 v-twin synthetic 20w50.

That's what I use, also.

ballbreaker · 12-04-2014, 11:07 PM

2013 Nomad. 10W40 Amsoil synthetic

**Top Cat** · 12-05-2014, 12:21 AM

Rotella T-6

jase64 · 12-05-2014, 01:43 AM

AMS OIL 10/40.. smooth as silk and only change it once a season.

Snake Ranch · 12-05-2014, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99xcsp

2013 Voyager. I used to run Klotz Oil in my Harley's with good results. Other synthetic's seem to create un-wanted valve train noise., not sure why but Klotz seemed to keep things smoother

Sayyyy did that unwanted valve train noise occur with a cold engine say about 50 degrees at start-up and continue for about 10 to 15 minutes? When I get out of work about 1am at an idle, and even after 3 or 4 miles it would tick. I went back to regular oil and so far it has not done it any more.

The other morning it was 44 degrees and it didn't have a problem with the regular oil. At around 59 to 60 degrees the engine would not tick. Didn't have the problem till I went with the synthetic so I dumped it and went back to regular oil.

99xcsp · 12-05-2014, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Ranch

Sayyyy did that unwanted valve train noise occur with a cold engine say about 50 degrees at start-up and continue for about 10 to 15 minutes? When I get out of work about 1am at an idle, and even after 3 or 4 miles it would tick. I went back to regular oil and so far it has not done it any more.

The other morning it was 44 degrees and it didn't have a problem with the regular oil. At around 59 to 60 degrees the engine would not tick. Didn't have the problem till I went with the synthetic so I dumped it and went back to regular oil.

No, my experience with my noise and synthetic oil came after 1000 milles and when the engine was very Hot, like a 85 degree of all day riding. Of Course this was with Harley not a Kawasaki VN1700. Just wondering before I make the switch?.. Thanx

redjay · 12-05-2014, 08:32 AM

I tried Amsoil in my Voyager hoping it would smooth out the transmission shifts.
It worked on my Nomad but it did not on the Voyager so I went back to regular dino oil, Kawasaki brand 10W-40.

12-04-2014, 08:04 PM	#1
99xcsp Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Warren, MI Posts: 72	Synthetic Oils. What are you running? 2013 Voyager. I used to run Klotz Oil in my Harley's with good results. Other synthetic's seem to create un-wanted valve train noise., not sure why but Klotz seemed to keep things smoother Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-04-2014, 08:23 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Really? An oil thread? What the hell...Mobil 1 v-twin synthetic 20w50. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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06-21-2015, 09:16 PM	#6
UNCLE WILLIE Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: knoxville tn Posts: 227	oil just switched to Valvoline 10-40 synthetic bike oil and see no diff. from shell dino or Valvoline dino or Castrol atx. next im going back to Valvoline dino bike oil with a shot of lucas fyi - in the 80's there was a test done on oil coolers and the results show 10-40 ran cooler than 20-50. for that reason and others I use the thinnest oil recommended by the factory
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06-26-2015, 04:49 PM	#8
UNCLE WILLIE Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: knoxville tn Posts: 227	oil dirty oil works like sandpaper no matter what kind it is keep it clean--I change @ 3000 max because it gets chewed up in the gear box which lowers the viscosity in the 60's the Pennzoil rep told me that according to their studies you waste oil if changed before 4000 in cars the cars I maintain all get changed the week of every season change and it works out to @ 3000+ -- no numbers to keep up with & easy to remember
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12-05-2014, 12:21 AM	#11
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Rotella T-6 __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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12-04-2014, 11:07 PM	#10
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	2013 Nomad. 10W40 Amsoil synthetic
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12-05-2014, 01:43 AM	#12
jase64 Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Spencer MA Posts: 98	AMS OIL 10/40.. smooth as silk and only change it once a season. __________________ 2011 BLACK VAQUERO FP Combat 2-1 exhaust EJK GEN 3 DRIVING AUX LIGHTS KURYAKYN GRIPS RAY'S THROTTLE MODE CORBIN YOUNG GUNS SEAT CHROME TANK COVER 14" WINDSHEILD INFINITY SPEAKERS KURYAKYN CUP HOLDER IPOD CONNECTOR TORDADO AIR KIT RIDE THE LIGHTNING
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12-05-2014, 08:32 AM	#15
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	I tried Amsoil in my Voyager hoping it would smooth out the transmission shifts. It worked on my Nomad but it did not on the Voyager so I went back to regular dino oil, Kawasaki brand 10W-40.
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