Fazer Owners Club - Unofficial

Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner => Topic started by: Camshaft on 12 August 2013, 12:17:44 pm

Title: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Camshaft on 12 August 2013, 12:17:44 pm
I have used semi ester Belray 10W40 for my first oil change on my 01 with 57,000kms. The guy I bought it off owned it from 1 year old, told me he used full synthetic all his ownership and tracked it 10 times in the year before he sold it (put the left peg through his calf poor bastard dodging a possum on a wet night).   :'(


Is this a suitable oil for my bike being used as a commuter plus the weekend blast finding the redline a few times?


I'm sure there are plenty here with similar riding week to week  :D
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Camshaft on 12 August 2013, 12:36:49 pm
I just checked with my GPS and apparently I am on Earth. It also told me I am on a planet somewhere in a universe somewhere. Personally I'm not sure where exactly  :rollin
Australia according to my memory though. Sydney I'm sure. South of the equator.
Since I'm on the Gen 1 Thou part of this site I own and ride a Gen 1 Thou. 2001 model.


Note - a possum is a marsupial (wiki it if not sure)
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: PieEater on 12 August 2013, 01:53:52 pm
This part of the forum is entitled "Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner" so it's not safe to make assumptions which is why my fellow pie fan asked the question.
 
The Yamaha owners manual for the Fazer 1000 says to use a semi-synthetic oil which is what I use (making sure it is bike specific).
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Slaninar on 12 August 2013, 04:15:55 pm
The best: fully synthetic
Good: semi synthetic
OK: mineral
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: stevierst on 12 August 2013, 04:29:54 pm
The best: fully synthetic
Good: semi synthetic
OK: mineral
What about chip fat?
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: slimwilly on 12 August 2013, 05:40:39 pm
The stuff thats comes out of a fat birds fanny is ok !!

Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: dickturpin on 12 August 2013, 05:53:40 pm
pie, are you sure the manual says semi? I thought it gave a spec/grade that mineral can achieve.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Falcon 269 on 12 August 2013, 06:12:05 pm
Ooh, an oil thread ... luvverly! :lol

Semi-synth or fully synth, either will be good.  I favour the fully synth flavour, personally, but that's mainly because I live in a hot climate. 

Bike-specific takes out the element of uncertainty if you're not sure about auto oil additives affecting the clutch.  Again, I use an auto oil but I'm sure enough of the content not to be concerned about clutch slip.  On my part of the planet (must try that satnav thing ... ;) ) bike-specific oils are about 3 to 4 times the price of auto oil!
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Hedgetrimmer on 12 August 2013, 06:47:11 pm
Want to know more? Bored and got loads of time on your hands? Or just want to get thoroughly confused about the subject?
Look here... :lol
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,8869.0.html (http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,8869.0.html)
 
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: dickturpin on 12 August 2013, 07:13:35 pm
my manual gives a range of viscosities and states oil must be API grade SE SF SG or higher. My last oil change was a Castrol mineral oil to API SG. So whilst I'm not saying semi synth isn't better, but aren't we getting OTT when Mr Yamaha's recommendations are within the grades available from mineral?
 
Discuss.....
 
D
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 12 August 2013, 08:29:25 pm
Quote
Want to know more? Bored and got loads of time on your hands? Or just want to get thoroughly confused about the subject?
Look here... ([url]http://foc-u.co.uk/Smileys/efocicon/lol.gif[/url])
[url]http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,8869.0.html[/url] ([url]http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,8869.0.html[/url])


Aye indeed.  Or just go straight to the last page if you want the highest spec bike specific semi or fully synth oil.

Basically two commonly available high spec options are;

Motul 5100 and Motul 7100.

Quote
The guy I bought it off owned it from 1 year old, told me he used full synthetic all his ownership


Bear in mind that road bike engines in general should not be fed fully synth until they have covered at least 12,000 miles.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Falcon 269 on 13 August 2013, 04:46:50 am
my manual gives a range of viscosities and states oil must be API grade SE SF SG or higher. My last oil change was a Castrol mineral oil to API SG. So whilst I'm not saying semi synth isn't better, but aren't we getting OTT when Mr Yamaha's recommendations are within the grades available from mineral?
 
Discuss.....
 
D

First, those are minimum requirements.  Say you live in deepest Wogga-Wogga and can't get latest top-spec oils, the bike will still run OK on dinosaur juice.  You just need to change it more frequently.

Why?  Well, it's down to how long the oil retains its viscosity and ability to protect against wear, particularly how well it resists shearing within the gearbox.  A dino oil and a fully synth will give the same protection for, say, the first 1000 miles but after that the dino stuff starts to break down faster.  The additives in the fully synth prevent that happening so the fully synth is still performing at close to original specs for many thousands of miles longer.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Slaninar on 13 August 2013, 06:03:37 am
A dino oil and a fully synth will give the same protection for, say, the first 1000 miles but after that the dino stuff starts to break down faster.  The additives in the fully synth prevent that happening so the fully synth is still performing at close to original specs for many thousands of miles longer.

Mineral oil will not do the job as good even for the first 1000 miles. Not even for the first 100.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: PieEater on 13 August 2013, 06:50:36 am
pie, are you sure the manual says semi? I thought it gave a spec/grade that mineral can achieve.
My apologies, I was 100% certain that the manual specified semi-synthetic but you are correct that it doesn't, I even checked the Haynes manual to see if I was getting confused with that but Mr Haynes doesn't specify type either  :o
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: AdieR on 13 August 2013, 07:41:08 am
Don't know about the 1000 off hand,  but my 600 is specified as 10w30 semi synth, should think the thou is similar (maybe a different viscosity if you have high ambient temperatures).
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Camshaft on 13 August 2013, 08:51:47 am
I stand corrected  :o  re what bike...


Great feedback and will be happy to continue with the semi synthetic and save the money
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Camshaft on 13 August 2013, 08:52:43 am
This part of the forum is entitled "Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner" so it's not safe to make assumptions which is why my fellow pie fan asked the question.
 
The Yamaha owners manual for the Fazer 1000 says to use a semi-synthetic oil which is what I use (making sure it is bike specific).

I stand corrected   :o   re what bike


Great feedback and will be happy to continue with the semi synthetic and save the money
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: driller2 on 13 August 2013, 09:15:07 am
My bike is coming up for an intermediate service. Basic check all over plus new oil and filter.
Dealer wanted £200 which included £78 for 4 litres of Shell Advance 4t fully synthetic.  Gulp !!
Fortunately I picked up a link to Opei Oils on 01209 215164 who next day delivered the required 4 litres for £29 plus £5 for delivery.  (from Cornwall ???)
Good retail margins on oil.
Dunno if they will deliver to Spain.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: PieEater on 13 August 2013, 11:04:44 am
Unless I find an offer or good deal on ebay I tend to use Halfords bike specific semi-synthetic, it tends to be a fair bit cheaper than the 'name' brands and you get 5l for your money rather than 4l. Having said that I do regular changes between 4-5k and generally fit a new filter (genuine Yamaha) each time.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Hedgetrimmer on 13 August 2013, 06:38:14 pm
My bike is coming up for an intermediate service. Basic check all over plus new oil and filter.
Dealer wanted £200 which included £78 for 4 litres of Shell Advance 4t fully synthetic.  Gulp !!
Fortunately I picked up a link to Opei Oils on 01209 215164 who next day delivered the required 4 litres for £29 plus £5 for delivery.  (from Cornwall ???)
Good retail margins on oil.
Dunno if they will deliver to Spain.

 :eek  £78?!!  Just for the oil? That can't be right, surely?
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Capt on 13 August 2013, 07:20:48 pm
I used to get some fully synthetic stuff called Amsoil MCF from Opei, supposed to be the best.  The old girl went through a litre roughly every 1000 miles.  Bike had done approx 10K so switched back to Yamalube semi, doesn't use anything now.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Capt on 13 August 2013, 07:33:16 pm
I used to get some fully synthetic stuff called Amsoil MCF from Opei, supposed to be the best.  The old girl went through a litre roughly every 1000 miles.  Bike had done approx 10K so switched back to Yamalube semi, doesn't use anything now.


Damned IPAD, meant to say that stuff was £20 a litre!
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 13 August 2013, 08:04:22 pm
Quote
Dealer wanted £200 which included £78 for 4 litres of Shell Advance 4t fully synthetic.


Are you sure?  That's outrageous.  Name and shame.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pv-91507-shell-advance-ultra-4t-10w-40-performance-4-stroke-fully-synthetic-motorcycle-oil-4-litres.aspx?utm_source=ProductSearch&utm_medium=GoogleBase&utm_campaign=GoogleBase_ProductsFeed&utm_content=91507&gclid=CIaX86yN-7gCFUbHtAodqjQAtg (http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pv-91507-shell-advance-ultra-4t-10w-40-performance-4-stroke-fully-synthetic-motorcycle-oil-4-litres.aspx?utm_source=ProductSearch&utm_medium=GoogleBase&utm_campaign=GoogleBase_ProductsFeed&utm_content=91507&gclid=CIaX86yN-7gCFUbHtAodqjQAtg)

30 quid 48 pence, API SL too.

If anything you should be getting a discount on the retail price of oil and parts if you are putting your bike in for a service.

If I get work done on my car, for example, at my back street garage, he charges me his standard rate for labour but the parts are trade price. 
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: pitternator on 14 August 2013, 07:02:41 am
hi driller, ducati dealers  are bandwagonning BMW I see....speccing the highest possible oil that only they sell for ones bike...but have to say oil for the GS is cheaper than ur MS... :lol ...same number of cylinders too ... :rolleyes
 
GS is supposed to only take 10/50 fully synthetic, about £50 per oil change. Why ?...as handbook allows literally almost any oil to go in it !
 
I too found an ebay supplier for GS oil, at £26 for 4 litres. Thats 50% savings.....
 
all my fazers have been fed castrol semi synthetic or yamalube , over 77k miles without any problems at all.If you are changing at 6k intervals or less I dont see why we need better oil tbh given the lack of engine wear from semi synthetic. For instance my latest fazer at 30k miles was dynoed giving nearly 140 bhp output at rear wheel.Its still a very silky powerful engine at 40k.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: jackojet on 14 August 2013, 07:35:55 am
I use Castrol power 1 racing fully synth in mine.
Last time I bought some from Halfords I had an argument with the staff.
On the shelf the same oil in semi synth was £34.99 yet the fully synth was £29.99. Go to till with fully synth and they try and charge me £34.99? Tell them they got price wrong and they let me go with the fully synth for £29.99.
How can they charge more for the lesser oil?
The bike does feel smoother on the fully synth.
I don't do loads of miles so paying more for an
a oil change don't bother me :)
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Slaninar on 14 August 2013, 10:08:49 am
I used to get some fully synthetic stuff called Amsoil MCF from Opei, supposed to be the best.  The old girl went through a litre roughly every 1000 miles.  Bike had done approx 10K so switched back to Yamalube semi, doesn't use anything now.

Semi synth and mineral oils leave a bit of gunk residue, so it creates a sort of a seal. That's probably why the bike doesn't consume any more oil. It does not mean the engine is better protected, or fixed. On the contrary.

Heard many people putting heavy (20w50) mineral oil in order to fix the engine oil consumption. Sounds like painting a rotten metal fuel tank without previously removing the rust.


Though most oils are decent and as long as they are changed in time and the bike is warmed up before riding hard, there should be no problems. Most problems occur from lack of oil, not from mineral, cheaper oil.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 14 August 2013, 07:13:53 pm
Quote
I used to get some fully synthetic stuff called Amsoil MCF from Opei, supposed to be the best.  The old girl went through a litre roughly every 1000 miles.  Bike had done approx 10K so switched back to Yamalube semi, doesn't use anything now.


Your problem was probably that the bike had only done 6000 miles and was not yet fully scrubbed in.  You did the right thing in switching back to a semi synthetic and fortunately for you no harm was done.

Apparently bikes run from new on top notch fully synth often don't bed in and burn oil.  Turns some bikes into permanent oil burners, other folks claim they have chucked some cheap and nasty mineral oil in, given the bike plenty of abuse for a couple of thousand miles, switched back to semi and all was well again.

The late Kevin Ash on running in - http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/running (http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/running) 

From the infamous oil thread  :lol

Quote
Peter Brett in that article from Castrol oils;

QuotePeter Brett says that they’ve discovered synthetic oils actually interfere with running in, for reasons which go beyond their low friction properties - there also seems to be a chemical process happening which hinders it. “Although you can treat an engine as fully run in after 500 miles, surface stabilisation continues for at least the first 5,000 miles of an engine’s life,” he says. “Synthetic oils actively prevent this from happening, and not simply by holding friction surfaces apart, although we still don’t know exactly why and how this happens. But there’s no doubt they inhibit the process itself. So the consequence of using a synthetic too early is your engine will never run in properly. I would even suggest waiting until 10,000 miles (16,000km) before using it in most engines subjected to normal use. Until then, you’re best to use an inexpensive but branded mineral oil.”

Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Hedgetrimmer on 14 August 2013, 07:20:24 pm



 

From the infamous oil thread  :lol 

 

 :lol
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: pitternator on 15 August 2013, 07:22:27 am
talk to dek about how to bed an engine in .....
 
manufacturers detail a break in procedure which everyone can follow, but there are several theories about how best to do it.
My GS for example has almost no break in procedure, advice was just to avoid prolonged full throttle use ...ie thrash it , but not too much !  :lol
 
my local bmw service manager believes the harder you ride it in the first 600 miles, the better. Fully synthetic goes in at 600 miles.Hence why for first 600 ( mineral oil) it dont want to be mollycoddled) ...
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Slaninar on 15 August 2013, 07:46:45 am
talk to dek about how to bed an engine in .....
 
manufacturers detail a break in procedure which everyone can follow, but there are several theories about how best to do it.
My GS for example has almost no break in procedure, advice was just to avoid prolonged full throttle use ...ie thrash it , but not too much !  :lol
 
my local bmw service manager believes the harder you ride it in the first 600 miles, the better. Fully synthetic goes in at 600 miles.Hence why for first 600 ( mineral oil) it dont want to be mollycoddled) ...


What do you think of this, controversial, method?

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm (http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm)
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: Hedgetrimmer on 15 August 2013, 06:46:21 pm
I did thrash one bike I had right from new - an FZ750 back in about 1987/88. Red lined it in every gear in one memorable ding-dong with a 1st generation GSXR750, all whilst still supposedly running it in (less than 600 miles on the clock). That bike revved freely with no problems for all the rest of the time I owned it. So that's a bike with technology 25 years older than we have now. I can't say I remember what oil I had in it, but again, oil that is now 25 year old technology.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: cable tie on 17 August 2013, 11:12:31 pm
talk to dek about how to bed an engine in .....
 
manufacturers detail a break in procedure which everyone can follow, but there are several theories about how best to do it.
My GS for example has almost no break in procedure, advice was just to avoid prolonged full throttle use ...ie thrash it , but not too much !  :lol
 
my local bmw service manager believes the harder you ride it in the first 600 miles, the better. Fully synthetic goes in at 600 miles.Hence why for first 600 ( mineral oil) it dont want to be mollycoddled) ...

 Jon your bm ain't run in till 30k ! Now mine @ only 1000 miles on the clock, 137 mph on the autobahn and to this day it still ain't used a drop of oil.

I'm with Dek on the theory don't pussy foot around.
Title: Re: Mineral, Semi Synthetic or Full Synthetic for our machine?
Post by: JZS 600 on 18 August 2013, 12:12:36 pm
I was talking to a Beemer owner the other day and his mechanic was telling him that to run his GS in he needed to give it a thrashing.


The problem with them is the folk buying them are mostly fairly sensible and they don't normally ride that way anyway...