Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: SVonhof on July 27, 2011, 09:31:22 AM
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I don't want this to be an oil bashing thread (Amsoil vs regular) or anything like that.
Just want to know what most people are using. I am coming up on my first oil change (since I have had the bike) and figured I would ask.
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When I had my Gold Wing I used Honda oil so in my Kawasaki I use Kawasaki oil. I don't do a lot of miles (only 8000 since I got the bike in November) so extended time between oil changes is not a concern.
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My C14 has seen Mobil1 Motorcycle Race Synth (at 10 bux a quart), Mobil1 Synth, Amsoil, And Rotella T6 Synth all with great results.
Until someone sends their oil in for analysis I wouldn't weigh too heavy on "internet opinions" in an oil thread.
Plus the internet "herd mentality" is about to run wild here 8)
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Why don't you add a few weight choices for the poll while you're at it?
And maybe the oil change interval?
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I'm a unrepentent Amsoil User!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bash away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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oil thread... :popcorn:
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I don't think a person's weight really changes the oil requirements of the bike.... unless the rider is really, really fat and then they probably need thicker oil.
Brian
Why don't you add a few weight choices for the poll while you're at it?
And maybe the oil change interval?
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:popcorn: hee hee.
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I don't think a person's weight really changes the oil requirements of the bike.... unless the rider is really, really fat and then they probably need thicker oil.
Brian
Totally agree and a beefed up suspension.
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Rotella T6 when it is cool and Rotella 15-40 when it is hot. I have noticed that the T6 starts to make the clutch feel notchy (hard to engage neutral) after a couple thousand miles. I have not had that problem with the plain jane 15-40. Great oil and it is very cheap compared to the big name brands.
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Rotella T6 when it is cool and Rotella 15-40 when it is hot. I have noticed that the T6 starts to make the clutch feel notchy (hard to engage neutral) after a couple thousand miles. I have not had that problem with the plain jane 15-40. Great oil and it is very cheap compared to the big name brands.
+1 Rotella. Quality stuff and it's my go-to choice for all my bikes.
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And if you mix the two 50/50 you will have a great oil for spring and fall. :D
The old Rotella 5W-40 worked pretty well but this new reformulated stuff (read: reduced ZDDP) has not worked well in my C-14. The shifting is notchy when the oil is new and gets worse pretty quickly. I have had better luck using 15W-40, the regular mineral oil.
Brian
Rotella T6 when it is cool and Rotella 15-40 when it is hot. I have noticed that the T6 starts to make the clutch feel notchy (hard to engage neutral) after a couple thousand miles. I have not had that problem with the plain jane 15-40. Great oil and it is very cheap compared to the big name brands.
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And if you mix the two 50/50 you will have a great oil for spring and fall. :D
The old Rotella 5W-40 worked pretty well but this new reformulated stuff (read: reduced ZDDP) has not worked well in my C-14. The shifting is notchy when the oil is new and gets worse pretty quickly. I have had better luck using 15W-40, the regular mineral oil.
Brian
Plus the regular 15-40 is $6 cheaper a gallon vs the T6. That is almost two more gallons of fuel for my bike!
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Plus the regular 15-40 is $6 cheaper a gallon vs the T6. That is almost two more gallons of fuel for my bike!
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/iconmerci.gif)
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15-40 <---is it JASO MA rated such as the T6 synth?
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15-40 <---is it JASO MA rated such as the T6 synth?
Yes it is. Works great on my wet clutch, but maybe it is just the power of KiPass......... ;)
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Yes it is. Works great on my wet clutch, but maybe it is just the power of KiPass......... ;)
Thanks!
Yup, the mad pow-ah of 8)Kipass 8)
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Mobil-1, 20w-50. Started at about 10k miles (bought the scoot new), have 165k miles now. The other Connie in the shed had ~ 18k miles when I started using Mobil-1 as above, now has 80k+ I change oil/filter at the same time as tires, about every 9k miles. Have gone longer.
I generally like the oil that comes in plastic containers with a screw top. And generally pour the oil into the hole in the engine case. And usually, but not always, so you can see it in the glass thingy in the engine case.
Oil is good, make sure you have some.
Rick
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From my research last year, the Kawi branded oil is semi-synthetic (Motul 5100). Of course they can put what ever they want in their bottle, so as SteveWFL says, this is the internet.
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15-40 <---is it JASO MA rated such as the T6 synth?
Yes
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Yes
Echo Echo Echo
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Rotella T6 in my C14, Valkyrie, DR-650, Honda Rincon ATV and Honda Rancher ATV.
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I have always run Mobil1 car oil for years without it causing problems. But I have recently switched to the mobil 1 motorcycle oil. But I noticed that it cost more than the car oil.
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Maxima Extra4 15w-50 oil in my C-14. It is VERY HOT in NorTX this summer and I feel confident in this stuff. LOTS of ZDDP and Triple Ester formula -- Woo-hoo !!
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I will have to say that since I've switched to Motul 300V 10W-40, mileage has increased noticeably, an average of roughly 4 mpg since I switched it out about a month ago.
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I will have to say that since I've switched to Motul 300V 10W-40, mileage has increased noticeably, an average of roughly 4 mpg since I switched it out about a month ago.
Thats huge over an oil brand change, congrats. What did you change from? Or translation, what oil do i not even want to use in my riding lawn mower (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/iconhammer.gif)
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Mobil-1, 20w-50. Started at about 10k miles (bought the scoot new), have 165k miles now. The other Connie in the shed had ~ 18k miles when I started using Mobil-1 as above, now has 80k+ I change oil/filter at the same time as tires, about every 9k miles. Have gone longer.
I generally like the oil that comes in plastic containers with a screw top. And generally pour the oil into the hole in the engine case. And usually, but not always, so you can see it in the glass thingy in the engine case.
Oil is good, make sure you have some.
Rick
And its still FAST (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/eek.gif)
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I mix T6 and Castrol 20W50 RS, bike shifts like butter.
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Thats huge over an oil brand change, congrats. What did you change from? Or translation, what oil do i not even want to use in my riding lawn mower (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/iconhammer.gif)
Not really, I've consistently noticed mileage jumps going from mineral oil to synthetic oil in motorcycles, less so in cars. But I was using the standard Motul non-synthetic oil before, in the same weight.