Question about engine oil,... I Know, I know

[CBO Vaquero]

Got enough miles on the Vaq to do the first 600 mile oil service and the dealer told me NOT to use synthetic oil yet. I was wanting to change to the synthetic 10w40 but he said to wait til the bike has more than 2000 miles or just stick with the conventional 10w40 oil.

[Ken Vega]

I use the Castrol Semi Synthetic. Used it in my 1500 classic for 11 years. Nevervan issue and shifts were smoothe. Just put some in my Vaquero and the bike runs super smoothe. I cahnge oil about every 2500 miles. Its hot here in FL.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by CBO Vaquero

Got enough miles on the Vaq to do the first 600 mile oil service and the dealer told me NOT to use synthetic oil yet. I was wanting to change to the synthetic 10w40 but he said to wait til the bike has more than 2000 miles or just stick with the conventional 10w40 oil.

Did he say why ?

[redjay]

I tried Amsoil in my Voyager thinking it would help with the shifting like it did in my Nomad. It did not so I went back to Kawasaki 10w40 which was about $24 cheaper per oil change. I never keep my bikes long enough for synthetic to add to the longevity of the motor so why spend extra for it.

[hayes]

Originally Posted by CBO Vaquero

Got enough miles on the Vaq to do the first 600 mile oil service and the dealer told me NOT to use synthetic oil yet. I was wanting to change to the synthetic 10w40 but he said to wait til the bike has more than 2000 miles or just stick with the conventional 10w40 oil.

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Did he say why ?

Synthetic oil does such a good job at lubricating the engine that it will actually prevent proper seating of the piston rings. It is good practice to use standard oil in any engine until proper seating has occurred. Generally 3-5k miles.

[Duc796canada]

Interesting

[CBO Vaquero]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Did he say why ?

No, he did not say why. He started to explain it but got pulled away to deal with someone else.

Originally Posted by hayes

Synthetic oil does such a good job at lubricating the engine that it will actually prevent proper seating of the piston rings. It is good practice to use standard oil in any engine until proper seating has occurred. Generally 3-5k miles.

This does make since and I bet that's the reason.

[kerrymurf]

You need to give the engine time to break in before going to synthetic oil. I love synthetic oil, but never use it till Ive got at least 5000 miles on the bike or any other vehicle I own. If the rings don't seat properly in those first few thousand miles, then you'll have problems down the road with oil usage and poor compression.

[blowndodge]

Not to be mean but you "ring seating" guys have it completely wrong. Modern engines need almost no ring seating as the metal used today negate that antiquated practice. ALL new engines are started and ran to redline quite long before you get it. Many high performance engines come with fully synthetics brand new.

[hayes]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Not to be mean but you "ring seating" guys have it completely wrong. Modern engines need almost no ring seating as the metal used today negate that antiquated practice. ALL new engines are started and ran to redline quite long before you get it. Many high performance engines come with fully synthetics brand new.

If the engine was designed around synthetic, it's a different story. I've spent enough time around engines to treat mine a specific way.

You know what they say about opinions though. They're like a-holes. Everyone has one and they all stink.

[dshelly]

This is what is states in the Owners Manual.

http://www.kawasaki-techinfo.net/sho...ame=&modelyear=

[dhobbs74]

I've always used regular conventional Kawasaki oil, it works just fine

[VulcanE]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Not to be mean but you "ring seating" guys have it completely wrong. Modern engines need almost no ring seating as the metal used today negate that antiquated practice. ALL new engines are started and ran to redline quite long before you get it. Many high performance engines come with fully synthetics brand new.

This is true............... When I changed my oil for the 600 mile service (3 days after taking it off the showroom floor), I put in full synthetic 10w40 racing 4T, and been using either that or Amsoil since. 65,000 miles later it still uses no oil between changes. If you plan on keeping it a while, the sooner you start using synthetic the better.

[dshelly]

Originally Posted by VulcanE

This is true............... When I changed my oil for the 600 mile service (3 days after taking it off the showroom floor), I put in full synthetic 10w40 racing 4T, and been using either that or Amsoil since. 65,000 miles later it still uses no oil between changes. If you plan on keeping it a while, the sooner you start using synthetic the better.

I use the same 4T 10w-40 in mine too. Bike seems to like it better than the Rotella that a lot here use....

[skullbagger]

Originally Posted by CBO Vaquero

Got enough miles on the Vaq to do the first 600 mile oil service and the dealer told me NOT to use synthetic oil yet. I was wanting to change to the synthetic 10w40 but he said to wait til the bike has more than 2000 miles or just stick with the conventional 10w40 oil.

my dealer recommend it at my 1st oil change, didn't make it there at 600 miles though went a tad over 900 and he did my 1st change with amsoil
20w50