Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: IRULE on July 02, 2011, 12:51:15 AM
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People keeps asking me....
Man, do you feel the different after you switched to full synthetic oil....
Man, doesn't your clutch feel more responsive after you change the fluid...
Man, don't you stop so much better after you replaced the pads...
Man, doesn't your bike run so much better after you broke it in...
The answers are 'sh!t no'! I don't feel a d@mn thing whatsoever. Is this for real or it's just in your head? :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:
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The only thing I ever noticed switching to synthetic, was in the gearbox of my harley. It did make a significant difference in shifting smoothness. Other than that...nuttin.
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I notice that my wallet is lighter. I think performance differences are mostly in the riders head. I do, however, think that synthetic oil offers better wear protection--particularly with longer change intervals. I honestly can't say I've noticed any difference in shifting, engine "smoothness," etc.
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I guess you would notice if you went from this...
(http://www.sunhingfoods.com/brands/crs/img/l_crsvegoil1gal.jpg)
to this
(http://www.dirtwheelsmag.com/Media/News/Kawasaki%20performance%20oils%20email.jpg)
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I'm just saying...I don't feel any different on anything...and people swear the bike runs and feels completely different...
...I CALL B.S.! :o
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>Man, do you feel the different after you switched to full synthetic oil....
I generally notice up to a 5% mileage improvement but it doesn't sound or feel any different, no.
>Man, doesn't your clutch feel more responsive after you change the fluid...
Sure, if there was air in the line before and I had to bleed the system.
>Man, don't you stop so much better after you replaced the pads...
No but the reduction in squeaking is nice.
>Man, doesn't your bike run so much better after you broke it in...
Well, yes because I don't run it well to begin with during the break in period.
>The answers are 'sh!t no'! I don't feel a d@mn thing whatsoever. Is this for real or it's just in your head? :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:
I say the answer is like granny's underwear, "depends."
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...I CALL B.S.! :o
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/bs.gif) (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/confused1.gif) (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/smiley_dunno.gif)
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Perhaps you have not spent enough money on oil yet? I betcha' if you spend $100 on an oil change you will absolutely notice a change in how the bike runs. Perhaps in how the sun rises even but certainly in how the bike runs. If you really like your motorcycle, you should shop around and buy the most expensive oil you can find for it. Yeah, that's the ticket....
Brian
People keeps asking me....
Man, do you feel the different after you switched to full synthetic oil....
Man, doesn't your clutch feel more responsive after you change the fluid...
Man, don't you stop so much better after you replaced the pads...
Man, doesn't your bike run so much better after you broke it in...
The answers are 'sh!t no'! I don't feel a d@mn thing whatsoever. Is this for real or it's just in your head? :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:
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Yup.......my bike hated Scamsoil, sure noticed that for sure.
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I use regular oil valvoline 4 stroke motorcycle and sleep just as well as the synthetic guys.
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Attention WalMart shoppers. We have an oil thread. Cleanup in aisle 2.
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My bike was definitively different when I switched to Synthetic.
Do you feel a difference with different brands of gas?
Tony
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Absolutely! The gas from my dog, for example, is truly horrible while most other types are just bad... oh, wait, did you mean gasoline?
;D
Brian
My bike was definitively different when I switched to Synthetic.
Do you feel a difference with different brands of gas?
Tony
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Actually, I did feel a difference switching to synthetic. The shifting smoothed out and it idles quieter. 2008.
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I have also found a significant difference in the shifting of my C-14, also an '08, with various oils. But the best shifting oils I have found are Valvoline or Pennzoil 10W-40, the normal, mineral, auto oils.
Just for chuckles, try adding one ounce (one fluid ounce) of cam break- in lube to whatever oil you wish and see if that makes a difference in your bike. Make sure you use a ZDDP based additive, not a moly based additive. This is nothing but the extreme pressure lubricant all motor oils contain but the content has been reduced to 800 PPM in recent years; bringing the level back up to 1500 PPM or a little more will do more for the shifting qualities of the bike than any oil I have tried.
Sorry, I am just not a fan of the ‘synthetic oil is better’ theory. Synthetic oil IS better but we cannot find the difference with anything less than a gas turbine, and certainly not with a street legal motorcycle engine.
Yep, it's an oil thread.... :)
Brian
Actually, I did feel a difference switching to synthetic. The shifting smoothed out and it idles quieter. 2008.
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BDF,
Is there a particular brand of break-in lube that comes to mind? Something I can find at Auto Zone?
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I don't think so, this is more like a Summit racing product. I can't remember the brand but mine is a thick, red liquid that comes in an 8 oz. container. As I said before, just make sure whatever you try is zinc based (ZDDP) and NOT moly based.
Brian
BDF,
Is there a particular brand of break-in lube that comes to mind? Something I can find at Auto Zone?
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Thanks, I'll check it out.
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I find much better performance and smoother idle after I clean the windshield,
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I find much better performance and smoother idle after I clean the windshield,
I find that extremely hard to believe... ;)
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Well, with mosquitos the size of small birds, no wonder his smooths out after washing windscreen.....
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I find that extremely hard to believe... ;)
Coming from somebody that doesn't clean their bike. :P
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Coming from somebody that doesn't clean their bike. :P
:rotflmao: Hey! It got washed as we were in Ohio heading for Wilmington. Unfortunately I was on it without rain gear. I got washed as well, though I prefer my showers a little warmer.
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So I add a Poll. Let's see how this is going to go...
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I have used Rotella 5-40 for years, when I tried the new formulation in my '91 Katana 1100, after 100 miles, shifting was notchy and clutch operation was rough. I reported this on another forum and rotella zealots said rotella was fine, I need to tear down my tranny.
I replaced the oil with Maxima Ultra 0-40 synthetic (real pao/ester syn, not the fake group III crap) and bike runs great. In the year I have had the oil in there, did a few 600 miles trips, bike runs and shifts great for an old war horse.
I replaced the Rotella 5-40 in my C14 with Maxima, driven it only 80 miles since then (changed it two months ago) just got back from a near month of vacation traveling, will take her out today...
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(http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a468/RCRide/Misc%20Edits/beatingadeadhorse.gif)
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Alright, I just replaced the gear oil and guess what...NOTHING! I feel nothing, I sense nothing! Its all in your head! :o
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AFTER CHANGING TO THE HIGH PRICED SPREAD.....
Gear Shifting foot pressure reduced. Seems harder to find Neutral from 2 gear after the change.
Engine Clattering at start up goes away much faster.
Could not tell any difference on changing to THE BIG S ($) for the rear drive.
Some of the effects noticed could be just from new fresh oil and not due to the BIG $.
(Bought the bike used and service records are unknown and this was my first change at about 8,000 miles)
2008 C14
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Well, I use synthetic oil just cause I would like to put something good in the bike. But considering the oil change interval and we do not throw the bike down the race track every day (or even every week) - well assuming most of us do not - I suppose synthetic and mineral would work the same. In my opinion, for a regular driver, synthetic is best if your oil change interval is lot longer (or in some cases extreme temperature).
I use regular synthetic or blend on my jeep and truck as I like to change out the oil in a shorter interval - at least 5000 miles. I suppose on the bike, it will be the same deal and mineral oil will just work fine. But so far, I am in denial regarding the bike and probably will be for a while ! lol
Nutshell, we do not operate our bikes (assuming most) at the extremities where synthetic based oil shows its potential over mineral based. I betcha you will not find mineral based oil in a jet engine!
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A friend got measurably better cooling after switching to Fully Synth oil in his CB900.
It was fitted with an aftermarket oil cooler.
I never noticed any difference and will continue to buy non-branded semi-synth.
As for brake pads and tyres, I buy the best out there.
If ya skimp on safety items, don't complain when it kills you. ;)
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Well, I use synthetic oil just cause I would like to put something good in the bike. But considering the oil change interval and we do not throw the bike down the race track every day (or even every week) - well assuming most of us do not - I suppose synthetic and mineral would work the same. In my opinion, for a regular driver, synthetic is best if your oil change interval is lot longer (or in some cases extreme temperature).
I use regular synthetic or blend on my jeep and truck as I like to change out the oil in a shorter interval - at least 5000 miles. I suppose on the bike, it will be the same deal and mineral oil will just work fine. But so far, I am in denial regarding the bike and probably will be for a while ! lol
Nutshell, we do not operate our bikes (assuming most) at the extremities where synthetic based oil shows its potential over mineral based. I betcha you will not find mineral based oil in a jet engine!
Bro, you didn't answer the question. Is it for real or just in your head?
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Can it be neither? ;D
Here is my thought in gist for all these. I have not used mineral based oil on my bike. Assuming it came from factory with mineral based oil, I do not 'feel' a difference between synthetic and mineral. Then you ask why I drop $40 on an oil change? And my sole reason is in theory, synthetic have better tolerance and friction protection than mineral. For our bikes, synthetic maybe overkill, but if I can afford it, I will go with the overkill just for the peace of mind. There maybe subtle differences happening inside the engine, just not something registered by the seat of our pants (or whatever else).
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Awaz, that's a no from what you are saying.
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I picked up an 83 V65 magna last spring that shifted rough. I changed over to amsoil 10w-40 motorcycle oil and could not beleive the difference it made. I have no idea what the oil was I took out but it looked fine. Just replaced it for piece of mind and it smoothed it out really nice.
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Hey Mighty,
Just for 'grins' could you put up a pic of your V65?
I had an 84 back in the day- loved that bike...
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Alright, I just replaced the gear oil and guess what...NOTHING! I feel nothing, I sense nothing! Its all in your head! :o
I stand incorrect! I do feel something...less money in my pocket!
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Hey Mighty,
Just for 'grins' could you put up a pic of your V65?
I had an 84 back in the day- loved that bike...
Here she is
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She's beautiful !!!!!
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She's beautiful !!!!!
Sorry, she is not!
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Sorry, she is not!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and since I behold'n an 83' V65 Magna, I would have to disagree. :)