Which oil? - SV650.org

27-08-07, 12:59 PM

What grade/type oil is recommended for a 2001 SV650?
Semi/Fully synthetic?
Just giving the wifes bike a good service.
Also, spark plug type would be helpful.
(Still waiting for my manual to arrive) Cheers Chaps.

Lissa · 27-08-07, 01:01 PM

10/40 semi synthetic is what we use in our 2001 curvy. Think the general consensus would agree with that.

yorkie_chris · 27-08-07, 01:19 PM

Thats the specified oil. SF/SG rating.
Any bike oil that says 10/40 semi synth and most car oils will be fine.

(before anyone tries to shoot me for saying car oil is safe in bikes, its fine in mine...)

Chris

Lissa · 27-08-07, 01:24 PM

Sorry, missed the spark plugs bit

NGKCR8E is what we use

yorkie_chris · 27-08-07, 01:28 PM

Spark plugs, NGK CR8E if I remember rightly as standard, or a grade colder if it gets ragged everywhere.

Chris

28-08-07, 06:30 AM

Some car oils are ok, but steer clear of SH grade as the friction modifiers can cause clutch grief.
www.moto-tech.biz

Spanner Man · 28-08-07, 06:56 AM

Morning all.
At the risk of starting the semi versus fully synthetic 'debate' again, I would say that fully synthetic bike specific oil is the one to use if you really want the best protection for your engine, & you can afford it.
Bike specific oils from the major manufacturers contain pressure additives that assist in lubricating the gearbox, & anti foaming additives that are often absent even in good car oils, & as pointed out car oils can contain additives that are not beneficial to the clutch.
I would recommend Shell VSX Ultra 10/40, or Castrol R4 5/40.
I think that Semi synthetic is really the least you should use, for the problem with determining an oils performance is that it can take a considerable time for any deficiencies in an oils performance to appear, & with the average mileage being pretty low, an oils performance is often not apparent to the owner.

Suffice to say that the bikes that I've maintained for people over the last 15 years that have done 'telephone number' mileage (120k+) have all been run on fully synthetic bar none!

Cheers.

Now cue all those people who are going to say; 'My bikes done a million miles running on Spry crisp & dry, & I only ever change it every leap year'

28-08-07, 07:21 AM

Wot he said ^^^.

A couple of services ago I bought some Castrol R4 5/40, because it was all I could get my hands on quickly. It was decribed to me as more of the kind of oil to use if you spend a lot of time on a track. Given the fact I was doing 500 milesa week just commuting, I figured what the hell, can't be bad.

I didn't notice any difference.

The next service was with the oil in the M&P Servic kit (not sure which). The bike felt like it was running really lumpy - just after a service. So I dropped the oil & replaced with some more R4. Problem solved.

Castrol R4 is the only stuff that will go in mine now by choice, be that a placebo or not.

28-08-07, 08:11 AM

hey
read this page
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html

28-08-07, 01:47 PM

The dealer told me they weren't allowed use anything other than semi-synth cos Suzuki said so!!
I don't like that at all and I may write to Suzuki to ask them if I'm ok to use fully synth in my bikes!

I've read loads of stuff about synth being the best and long lasting without breaking down! I'm afraid there is a lot of disbelief and reluctance to change on this forum though!

27-08-07, 12:59 PM	#1
rf9rider Guest Posts: n/a	Which oil? What grade/type oil is recommended for a 2001 SV650? Semi/Fully synthetic? Just giving the wifes bike a good service. Also, spark plug type would be helpful. (Still waiting for my manual to arrive) Cheers Chaps.

27-08-07, 01:01 PM	#2
Lissa Just Ballast Mega Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rugby, South Mids Group Posts: 4,381	Re: Which oil? 10/40 semi synthetic is what we use in our 2001 curvy. Think the general consensus would agree with that. __________________ If It's Too Loud, You're Too Old! I'd Rather Have Two Big Bangs Than Four Little Strokes Last edited by Lissa; 27-08-07 at 01:22 PM.

27-08-07, 01:19 PM	#3
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Which oil? Thats the specified oil. SF/SG rating. Any bike oil that says 10/40 semi synth and most car oils will be fine. (before anyone tries to shoot me for saying car oil is safe in bikes, its fine in mine...) Chris __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

27-08-07, 01:24 PM	#4
Lissa Just Ballast Mega Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rugby, South Mids Group Posts: 4,381	Re: Which oil? Sorry, missed the spark plugs bit NGKCR8E is what we use __________________ If It's Too Loud, You're Too Old! I'd Rather Have Two Big Bangs Than Four Little Strokes

27-08-07, 01:28 PM	#5
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Which oil? Spark plugs, NGK CR8E if I remember rightly as standard, or a grade colder if it gets ragged everywhere. Chris __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

28-08-07, 06:30 AM	#6
MOTO-TECH Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which oil? Some car oils are ok, but steer clear of SH grade as the friction modifiers can cause clutch grief. www.moto-tech.biz

28-08-07, 06:56 AM	#7
Spanner Man Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sunbury Middlesex Posts: 1,396	Re: Which oil? Morning all. At the risk of starting the semi versus fully synthetic 'debate' again, I would say that fully synthetic bike specific oil is the one to use if you really want the best protection for your engine, & you can afford it. Bike specific oils from the major manufacturers contain pressure additives that assist in lubricating the gearbox, & anti foaming additives that are often absent even in good car oils, & as pointed out car oils can contain additives that are not beneficial to the clutch. I would recommend Shell VSX Ultra 10/40, or Castrol R4 5/40. I think that Semi synthetic is really the least you should use, for the problem with determining an oils performance is that it can take a considerable time for any deficiencies in an oils performance to appear, & with the average mileage being pretty low, an oils performance is often not apparent to the owner. Suffice to say that the bikes that I've maintained for people over the last 15 years that have done 'telephone number' mileage (120k+) have all been run on fully synthetic bar none! Cheers. Now cue all those people who are going to say; 'My bikes done a million miles running on Spry crisp & dry, & I only ever change it every leap year' __________________ Spanner Man http://stewarts-motorcycles.co.uk/default.html

28-08-07, 07:21 AM	#8
Baph Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which oil? Wot he said ^^^. A couple of services ago I bought some Castrol R4 5/40, because it was all I could get my hands on quickly. It was decribed to me as more of the kind of oil to use if you spend a lot of time on a track. Given the fact I was doing 500 milesa week just commuting, I figured what the hell, can't be bad. I didn't notice any difference. The next service was with the oil in the M&P Servic kit (not sure which). The bike felt like it was running really lumpy - just after a service. So I dropped the oil & replaced with some more R4. Problem solved. Castrol R4 is the only stuff that will go in mine now by choice, be that a placebo or not.

28-08-07, 08:11 AM	#9
srxaus Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which oil? hey read this page http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html Last edited by srxaus; 28-08-07 at 08:15 AM.

28-08-07, 01:47 PM	#10
RhythmJunkie Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which oil? The dealer told me they weren't allowed use anything other than semi-synth cos Suzuki said so!! I don't like that at all and I may write to Suzuki to ask them if I'm ok to use fully synth in my bikes! I've read loads of stuff about synth being the best and long lasting without breaking down! I'm afraid there is a lot of disbelief and reluctance to change on this forum though!