Synthetic or Mineral Oil? Sorry, I've just bought it.

[Murray]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been done before but, you don't know if you don't ask.

I've just bought myself a 4000 Klm old 2003 Transalp.

I'm really pleased with it so far, love the comfortable upright ridding position.

I want to change the oil. What is the general consensus, syntheic or mineral based?

As you can see, I live in Sydney so I'm in a mild climate if that makes much of a difference.

Thanks guys.

Murray

[wheeliebin]

As long as the grade and spec of the oil is what Honda recommend, use what your happy with / have access to.

Personally I think using the latest high spec syntheic oils developed for racing/superbikes is a bit of a waste of money if your running it in a low reving, lightly stressed engine like the Transalps.

The key to looking after your engine is regular oil changes, Honda recommend every 8,000 miles, most people change their oil more regular, at 4,000 miles. Depends on your use of the bike.

I use a 'normal' synthetic fortified oil, which sits between mineral and semi-synthetic in the range of the brand I use (Morris Oil, a UK brand).

[robelst]

What Wheeliebin said.

Actually, I use a 10W40 mineral oil like Castrol GP or Halfords (which probably is a rebranded Castrol, Shell, Bellray or wherever they get it from). I also change every 4000 mls or so, if I were doing long-distances only (mainly do 10 mls trips to work) I'd probably stick to 8000 changes.

Just rather not use car-engine oil to prevent clutch problems, unless the oil has proven to work fine: in my poor student days I used to run an Honda NTV on cheap Valvoline car oil for 60.000 mls or so (on a single oil-filter as well, believe it or not).

[Murray]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll go the mineral and change it often.

[Lord Stig]

After reading that diesel oils have more phosphorus and no friction modifiers and are therefore safe to use with wet clutches, I'm now using diesel oil. Only 1,500 miles so far but no complaints (but then, how could I tell if the engine is wrecked in that time :bom: .

Seriously, I'm sure this stuff is fine and it's a lot cheaper than proper bike oil!

Stig

[Recycler]

Castrol GPS Semi-synthetic.
Plus it's British - God save the queen.
She's your Queen Murray so buy some and love your bike!

Great Britain - at the top of the map - in the middle.

[YEN_POWELL]

Castrol GPS Semi-synthetic.
Plus it's British - God save the queen.
She's your Queen Murray so buy some and love your bike!

Great Britain - at the top of the map - in the middle.
GENTLEMEN. I GIVE YOU.....THE QUEEN

Also Castrol GPS semi synthetic is recommended by me cos its always in stock at your nearest Halfords, which although a bit of a crap shop, has shorter queues than most bike shops.

[Fatjohn]

Castrol GPS Semi-synthetic.
Plus it's British - God save the queen.
She's your Queen Murray so buy some and love your bike!

Great Britain - at the top of the map - in the middle.


Great Britain - The USA's finest semi-autonomous statelet.

:blob6:

[YEN_POWELL]

Quickly. The keys to the Bloody Tower!!!!!

[Fatjohn]

Quickly. The keys to the Bloody Tower!!!!!

LOL!

I suppose rather than jsut hijack the man's thread I should actually post something (maybe?) useful: I use semi-synth. No particular reason other than I reckon it's more than adequate for my alp.

The tower? Bet the yanks own that 'n'all!