OK so I have an '09 ER-6N, aka the Naked version of the 650R... I just hit 1000 miles yesterday and I want to switch to Synthetic Oil... should I do that? what oil would everyone recommend? I do know there are many opinions about what type of oil, what weight, synthetic sucks, bla bla bla... but i'm new to the Kawasaki motors and i'm sure there are certain brands/flavors that are big "no-no's".

 

Well you will have as many answers on here as members almost. But I'll throw the one I used out. I switched to Amsoil over 10,000 miles ago, and the bike is still running so that's good enough for me. I am also running the Amsoil in my Dodge truck, 10,000 miles between oil changes on the truck, ....ohhh that reminds me its been almost 2 years since I changed the oil in my truck. Wow....I've only put 10,000 miles on my truck in 2 years. The rest of my miles have been on the KLX. I guess it helps that I live less than 2 miles from work.

 

I've run bikes over 100,000 miles on dino oil with no problems. The main claimed benefit of fully synthetic is supposed to be longer life, but as most riders change oil more often than they need to ( the book says 7,500, but Kawasaki actually now suggest doing the 4K service, repeating it at 8K, and doing the 7,500, which includes the oil change, at 12K, or annually if you do less than 12K a year), this advantage is of no real benefit.

I run on Halford's fully synth, because it's the only oil I can find that comes in a 2L container - exactly right for an oil change. Otherwise I have to buy 2 x 1L, which costs more even if I buy semi-synth, or 5L which gets wasted, so the fully synth is actually cheaper.

What I'm saying is that as long as you do reasonably regular oil changes and use reasonable oil of the correct grade for your ambient conditions, you don't need to worry.

Some riders claim a lot of improvements to all sorts of things when you change to synthetic. I think they're sub-consciously looking for reasons to justify the expense. I've noticed no differences at all.

Rob

 

the biggest advantages to synthetics are:

-more resistance to cold weather thickening
-more resistance to sludging (i've seen some rediculous sludge build ups inside engines that used parafin based oils)
-more resistance to high temp coking (baking/etc)

it is not any more resistance to accumulating gasolene and impurities that reduce oil efficiency

if you change oil regularly at the 3-4000 mile range then just go with the least expensive "FULLY synthetic" you can find.

do NOT use roto oil designed for diesel engines. they have some serious friction inhibitors that are bad for clutches

 

how do you waste oil? it doesn't go bad sitting there waiting for the next oil change so it can get used.

 

I just seems to disappear lol.

lawnmower, topping up the kids' cars, getting used for odd jobs around the house. I'm not really sure where it goes. Leave a half used 5L container and it's nearly all gone when the next oil change is due 12 months later.

I've got a su****ion that the dark corners of my garage are home to an alien life form that drinks the stuff.

Rob

 

btw - a language filter that doesn't allow a word like sus picion isn't fit for purpose.

Rob

 

hahaha, you should see the chat filters in use! frustrating as hell

 

it filters the word s_pic, I know cause when I post photos it replaces s_pic with stars and the link doesn't work. I tried to ask patrick why but got no answer.

 

I use Repsol oil full synthetic in all my vehicles to include lawnmower