I just bought a 2002 Honda Shadow 750 with 1800 miles on it. I was wondering when i could switch to synthetic oil? I would use Amsoil 10w-40 because it is only $5.99/qrt and is readily accessible. Should i wait until 3000 or 5000 miles or switch now?
when can i switch to syn?
- Thread starter JonS
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I'd say you could be on the safe side and wait until 3000 miles just to make sure things are nice and tight. Or you can just change it at your next oil change because I think your bike is almost probably close to being broken in if it isn't already.
I asked the same questions many, many times before... the consensus is that there is no consensus.
While engines like the Corvette's come factory filled with synth... motorcycle engines DO NOT come with factory fill synthetic. This is why nearly every owner's manual warns against the use of synthetic during the first 1,500 miles.
Honda dino oil isn't that great, but if you want to use it until you hit 3,000 miles then you're fine because it's only just another 1,200 miles to go. After that you can go to Motul, Silkolene, or Mobil 1. My belief, after much reading, is that those are probably the top 3 brands of Motorcycle oil. I saw one bad analysis for Golden Spectro and factory dino oils are usually very cheap and poor quality... like the Honda oil.
Honda dino oil isn't that great, but if you want to use it until you hit 3,000 miles then you're fine because it's only just another 1,200 miles to go. After that you can go to Motul, Silkolene, or Mobil 1. My belief, after much reading, is that those are probably the top 3 brands of Motorcycle oil. I saw one bad analysis for Golden Spectro and factory dino oils are usually very cheap and poor quality... like the Honda oil.
New Triumphs recommend Syn. mobil 1 at frist oil change. Factory fill is a special break-in lube(@1000kms dealer rec.) which is greenish in colour. With this lube they bench test motor & gearbox,& beleive it or not whacking it off the rev. limiter, there purpose "If it's going to break we want it to happen here." My first oil change after @6400kms used motul syn.10W 40 IMO blotter test showed V.good suspension properties. http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000217;p=1#000000
[ March 23, 2004, 02:21 AM: Message edited by: Brio ]
[ March 23, 2004, 02:21 AM: Message edited by: Brio ]
You can switch now . In fact it could have been switched over much earlier in terms of miles
Double check though cause I think that engine needs or calls for a 20w-50 .
I can see why they would recommend the synthetic at the first oil change... it's at 6400km! Many Japanese bikes require an oil change at the 600 miles service and at the last miles of break in, usually at 1500 miles. This is why I don't like the idea of the first oil change using synthetic because it's much sooner than 6400km.
Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with what you said in regards to your Triumph. I also like TooSlick's idea.
I figured that since this bike is two years old , had at least the first 600 mile dealer service and probable a second and possibly a third oil change after that due to time along with the fact it's a Honda and swarf is not such a problem with those engines that time is sufficient enough to switch now . These modern engines do not need much if any ring seating time BTW .
My Triumph Bonneville calls for it's first oil change at 500 miles and as far as Triumph is concerned it must be synthetic.
At 1800 miles change away. The rings have been seated for a long while now.
on my 2002 kawasaki vn800B i went to amsoil 10w40 motorcycle oil at 575 miles. i now have 6600 miles on it an use amsoil 10w40 high performance oil. Which btw is rated jaso. and i have had no problems at all. I run my bike hard too ! hit the rev limiter many times.
You can use fully synthetic oil immedialty. Todays engine tolarence are so tight there is barely any break in needed. Ducati and Triumph use this as factory fill. right off the show room.
actually, ducatis and aprilias both come with synthetic in them.
-michael
DUcatis and Triumphs are filled with synthetic from the factroy. You can use synthetic oil IMMEDIALTY. The machine tolerances are so tight they dpnt need to be broken in at all.
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