Oil Change Interval with Synthetic Oil

[fmwhit]

I have always used conventional oil in the bike.  I am now considering after 17k miles to making the switch to synthetic oil.  I currently change the oil at abt 1500 miles.  I am wondering what is the typical interval to change the oil before the shifting starts getting notchy with synthetic oil?

Fred

[maxtog]

Oil Thread!!!!

[VirginiaJim]

Sigh...

[MrPepsi]

I have gone from 3000 miles with dino, to 5000 with synthetic. If I changed my oil every 1500, I would be chaning the oil every other weekend.

[Conrad]

I have always used conventional oil in the bike.  I am now considering after 17k miles to making the switch to synthetic oil.  I currently change the oil at abt 1500 miles.  I am wondering what is the typical interval to change the oil before the shifting starts getting notchy with synthetic oil?

Fred

I'd say that you'd be very safe if you at least doubled your current oil change interval.

[Taff]

I have always used conventional oil in the bike.  I am now considering after 17k miles to making the switch to synthetic oil.  I currently change the oil at abt 1500 miles.  I am wondering what is the typical interval to change the oil before the shifting starts getting notchy with synthetic oil?

Fred

You would be wise to extend the oil change interval if you are switching to synthetic due to the price.
If you ride hard, then it is wise to change the oil and filter earlier than you have been advised. Running synthetic for 5000 miles is not going to hurt the engine as my other bike has semi-synthetic oil which gets changed at 6000 miles intervals.

Jon.

[Mister Tee]

I have always used conventional oil in the bike.  I am now considering after 17k miles to making the switch to synthetic oil.  I currently change the oil at abt 1500 miles.  I am wondering what is the typical interval to change the oil before the shifting starts getting notchy with synthetic oil?

Fred

If I did that, I'd be changing the oil every couple weeks.  I go 5,000 mile intervals, but I ride it pretty hard.

[olie]

the issue is not the engine... when the shifting starts to get notchy, time to change the oil.

[So Cal Joe]

With today's oils there is no need to change oil at 1500 miles. The book calls for 7500 miles and that's with conventional oil. Synthetic oil is made to go 10,000 miles between changes, the problem is what shape is you oil filter in at that point.  Shell Rotella T6 is a full synthetic and it only cost about $25.00 a gallon. A big percentage of Gold Wing riders use it in the Gold wings with great results.

[gildaguz]

Motul - 300V Ester Synthetic Oil  here 9k with no problem

[Cuda]

the issue is not the engine... when the shifting starts to get notchy, time to change the oil.

Amen

[Pokey]

 

[Taff]

 

[Rhino]

I go by the book and change at 7500 miles but I do use synthetic.

[katata1100]

.  Shell Rotella T6 is a full synthetic and it only cost about $25.00 a gallon. A big percentage of Gold Wing riders use it in the Gold wings with great results.

"Fully synthetic"? Care to define? Rotella is hydrocracked dino oil, nothing more. I used Rotella for years, then when the new T6 crap came out, I tried it and within 50 miles, my suzuki had bad shifty and grabby clutch. Dumped the oil and replaced with real synthetic (pao/ester blend) and been good for the last couple of years.

[Mister Tee]

By the way OP, thank you for giving me another oil thread in which to participate.

I don't think I could bring myself to change the oil at 7,500 miles using mineral oil though.  I might consider it with synthetic.

[stevewfl]

I have always used conventional oil in the bike.  I am now considering after 17k miles to making the switch to synthetic oil. I currently change the oil at abt 1500 miles.  I am wondering what is the typical interval to change the oil before the shifting starts getting notchy with synthetic oil?

Fred

                         

[wally_games]

                         

Must have more dollars than cents (sense). 

[maxtog]

OK, well, here is my post to add to the "yet another oil thread"...

I use synthetic in all my vehicles after breakin (usually my second oil change).  The main plus of synthetic is that it lasts much longer.  It probably performs better in other ways (less wear, better stick, better resistance to contamination, etc, etc) but everything is arguable.  Most people will agree that synthetic oil absolutely lasts way longer before breakdown.

I typically double the recommended oil change period and ignore the time period or at least double that too.  So if the recommendation is (as it is for the Concours) "replace oil every 7,500 miles or 12 months", I will replace every 15,000 and don't care about how long that is.  Has served me fine for many, many years.

[VirginiaJim]