Poll

What kind of oil do you use for your C14?

Full synthetic
38 (55.9%)
Partial synthetic
4 (5.9%)
Regular oil
15 (22.1%)
Amsoil or the like
4 (5.9%)
Kawasaki branded oil
7 (10.3%)

Total Members Voted: 68

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Author Topic: Oil type  (Read 8083 times)

Offline SVonhof

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Oil type
« on: July 27, 2011, 09:31:22 AM »
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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Offline So Cal Joe

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2011, 10:26:47 AM »
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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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2011, 10:30:49 AM »
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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Offline Mister Tee

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2011, 10:39:00 AM »
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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Offline sf bay rider

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2011, 02:51:56 PM »
I'm a unrepentent Amsoil User!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bash away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Offline ZG

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2011, 03:02:21 PM »
oil thread...  :popcorn:
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Offline B.D.F.

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2011, 03:35:13 PM »
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


Quote from: Mister Tee on July 27, 2011, 10:39:00 AM
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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Offline okxd45

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2011, 03:40:56 PM »
 :popcorn: hee hee.
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2011, 05:50:13 PM »
Quote from: B.D.F. on July 27, 2011, 03:35:13 PM
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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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2011, 06:29:13 PM »
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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Offline JetJock

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2011, 07:31:36 PM »
Quote from: Jeremy Mitchell on July 27, 2011, 06:29:13 PM
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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Offline B.D.F.

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2011, 09:02:24 PM »
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

Quote from: Jeremy Mitchell on July 27, 2011, 06:29:13 PM
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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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2011, 09:05:07 PM »
Quote from: B.D.F. on July 27, 2011, 09:02:24 PM
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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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2011, 09:52:15 PM »
Quote from: Jeremy Mitchell on July 27, 2011, 09:05:07 PM
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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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #14 on: July 27, 2011, 09:53:33 PM »
15-40 <---is it JASO MA rated such as the T6 synth?
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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #15 on: July 27, 2011, 09:58:24 PM »
Quote from: stevewfl on July 27, 2011, 09:53:33 PM
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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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #16 on: July 27, 2011, 11:08:39 PM »
Quote from: Jeremy Mitchell on July 27, 2011, 09:58:24 PM
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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Offline Rick Hall

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #17 on: July 28, 2011, 12:01:46 AM »
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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Offline C1xRider

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #18 on: July 28, 2011, 12:21:37 AM »
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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Offline JetJock

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Re: Oil type
« Reply #19 on: July 28, 2011, 07:46:54 AM »
Quote from: stevewfl on July 27, 2011, 09:53:33 PM
15-40 <---is it JASO MA rated such as the T6 synth?

Yes
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