What Oil? - Page 2 - SV650.org

embee · 14-03-05, 06:03 PM

In real world use, 2 of the most significant aspects of fully synthetic oil is the high temperature stability and the potential long service life. This means the 10 or 15k miles oil change intervals common with many cars now.

Some of this is to do with the lifetime of the additives which regular mineral or even semi-synthetic oils need to avoid the viscosity changing too much.

The high temperature bit really applies to bore surfaces etc.

Either way, an engine which doesn't expose the oil to very high temps (e.g. above 130C sump temp or 160C bore surfaces) or gets oil changed frequently, doesn't really make full use of the capabilities of synthetic oils.

There are genuine benefits from using semi-synthetics rather than straight mineral oils in that the properties come from the oil molecules themselves without the reliance on so much additive use (which tend to degrade faster). Indeed certain viscosity range mineral multigrades have been severely criticised in the auto industry due to the excessive viscosity improver additives and problems that leads to.

FWIW, I use Castrol GPS 10W40 in my bikes, but I wouldn't say it's any better or worse than any other good brand bike (JASO MA) oil. I find it performs well in my engines.

14-03-05, 07:12 PM

Thanks embee.
So as I understand it the SV handbook advises using premium quality oil that meets asp SF or SG rating. Oil changes are advised at 3,500 to 4000 miles. So if semi synthetic oil is used those oil changes coiuld be extended
lets say to 5000 miles and as I alway change the filter as well, the oil change could be further extended. The hand book advises changing the filter every third oil change so maybe I'm being over cautious about the filter and wasting my money.
I just wished there was a definitive answer.

embee · 14-03-05, 07:28 PM

As Carsick said, the "SG" etc rating is a sequential system whereby, broadly speaking, any later alphabetical designation will exceed the wear/protection performance of an earlier oil. I'm not sure what the current latest designation is TBH, but I'm sure you'll find any branded oil will be at least to the spec required.

I say "broadly" because there have been one or 2 cases where problems have arisen, usually to do with trade offs of anti-wear additives versus exhaust catalyst contamination, but I think that's all in the past.

I always change the filter and oil together for the sake of a few quid.

As to frequency of changing, the type of use you give it is more important than pure mileage. If you do a lot of short journeys (i.e. lots of cold starts) then change oil more frequently.

If you only use it for reasonably long rides and the engine stays hot for longer, then you can safely extend the interval. The number of cold starts is probably the most significant factor since this is what contaminates the oil with fuel and condensation, which is only partly driven off once the oil is properly hot.

15-03-05, 09:00 AM

Personally I wouldn't use halfords oil, but have never checked it out to be honest...I have always used silkolene so I stick with that

Viney · 15-03-05, 09:41 AM

I use silkolene 4t Semi synth 10w40 and thats what the bikes used all its life.

14-03-05, 06:03 PM	#11
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,804	In real world use, 2 of the most significant aspects of fully synthetic oil is the high temperature stability and the potential long service life. This means the 10 or 15k miles oil change intervals common with many cars now. Some of this is to do with the lifetime of the additives which regular mineral or even semi-synthetic oils need to avoid the viscosity changing too much. The high temperature bit really applies to bore surfaces etc. Either way, an engine which doesn't expose the oil to very high temps (e.g. above 130C sump temp or 160C bore surfaces) or gets oil changed frequently, doesn't really make full use of the capabilities of synthetic oils. There are genuine benefits from using semi-synthetics rather than straight mineral oils in that the properties come from the oil molecules themselves without the reliance on so much additive use (which tend to degrade faster). Indeed certain viscosity range mineral multigrades have been severely criticised in the auto industry due to the excessive viscosity improver additives and problems that leads to. FWIW, I use Castrol GPS 10W40 in my bikes, but I wouldn't say it's any better or worse than any other good brand bike (JASO MA) oil. I find it performs well in my engines.

14-03-05, 07:12 PM	#12
drumwrecker Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks embee. So as I understand it the SV handbook advises using premium quality oil that meets asp SF or SG rating. Oil changes are advised at 3,500 to 4000 miles. So if semi synthetic oil is used those oil changes coiuld be extended lets say to 5000 miles and as I alway change the filter as well, the oil change could be further extended. The hand book advises changing the filter every third oil change so maybe I'm being over cautious about the filter and wasting my money. I just wished there was a definitive answer.

14-03-05, 07:28 PM	#13
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,804	As Carsick said, the "SG" etc rating is a sequential system whereby, broadly speaking, any later alphabetical designation will exceed the wear/protection performance of an earlier oil. I'm not sure what the current latest designation is TBH, but I'm sure you'll find any branded oil will be at least to the spec required. I say "broadly" because there have been one or 2 cases where problems have arisen, usually to do with trade offs of anti-wear additives versus exhaust catalyst contamination, but I think that's all in the past. I always change the filter and oil together for the sake of a few quid. As to frequency of changing, the type of use you give it is more important than pure mileage. If you do a lot of short journeys (i.e. lots of cold starts) then change oil more frequently. If you only use it for reasonably long rides and the engine stays hot for longer, then you can safely extend the interval. The number of cold starts is probably the most significant factor since this is what contaminates the oil with fuel and condensation, which is only partly driven off once the oil is properly hot.

15-03-05, 09:00 AM	#14
zx6man Guest Posts: n/a	Personally I wouldn't use halfords oil, but have never checked it out to be honest...I have always used silkolene so I stick with that

15-03-05, 09:41 AM	#15
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	I use silkolene 4t Semi synth 10w40 and thats what the bikes used all its life.