I've just rolled 1400 miles on my bike. I changed the oil using convential kawasaki 10w30 motory oil at 1000. In the spring I was thinking about switching to a 15w50 synthetic oil...either mobil 1 or amsoil. Any suggestions? Is it a good thing to do? Is there a certain break in period with conventional oil? Or should I just not use it..

 

I have over 47k on my '01 ZRX1200R and have been running Mobil 1 15w-50 for about 42k of it. You will get pros and cons
about using full syn oil, but I've had no problems. Bike is easier to shift and actually runs a little cooler. There is a new formula out now for extended life, and I was hesitant about using it. I just changed my oil this past weekend and everything seemed ok.

You will get a lot of people saying not to use car oil in your bike, to use only "motorycycle specific" oil. Any oil is ok as long as it's a non-energy conserving oil. Those oils have additives that are harmful to bikes, especially the clutch.

Even though I'm using synthetic oil, I still change it and the filter every 3k miles. You can go longer, but I like the peace of mind I get from changing it at 3k. It's almost the same color as when I put it in. Some people will change the filter every other oil change.

Go ahead and put synthetic in next change. You will have about 4k on it then and broke in pretty well.

Hope this helps.

Kevin

 

I use Motul and have to say that my bike runs smother, lower temp and better shifting. Replace every 5k with new filter.

Cost about 60.00 to do oil change.

[IMG]local://upfiles/346/7AEEE4418DB84398B871BCC974866146.jpg[/IMG]

 

i run 10-40 in my 2000 zr-7 full syn. I have never had a problem, or even any motor noise. I run redline full syn. it smells bad, but it works good. My dealer said to start using it around 3000 miles, and redline is really good for kaws. Thats from what i heard, and seen!