Synthetic Oil 29k Miles?

[Ski21]

I'm ready for an oil change and my 2004 honda shadow spirit 1100 has about 29000 miles on it. I bought it used and not sure the history of oil change. Would it be all right to switch to the Rotella T6 synthetic or would it possibly cause problems. Should I just get regular 10-40 pennzoil or quaker state?

[davelisowski]

afaik, you don't want any oil that says "energy conserving"

on the back, there is a circle with two halves (top rocker and bottom rocker). the top half might say 'api service sn' or something like that. in the center, is the oil grade (e.g. 10w-30).

the bottom half should be blank.

other than that it should be okay. but i've heard people have problems going from standard to synthetic or synthetic blends. then again, most newer vehicles are designed to use at least a blend.

check out the oilology thread

[gdb069]

Yes to Rotella T6

[Dcocch]

T6 is awesome.

The whole "don't switch if you have ____ miles on you bike" is more for bikes that are old and their seals may be weak possibly allowing synthetic oil to leak.

[kaikara]

I switched to T6 at 25000 on my 2003 750 Spirit. Engine noise has gotten progressively louder. I have 30000 now and I'll be switching back to dino oil hopefully this weekend.

[Peepers]

I have 4700 miles on my 95 VT600, just switched to amsoil this past weekend. Haven't noticed a difference yet, and no oil puddles under the bike...

[Ski21]

Thanks guys. I bought some T6 I'll try it out. Worse case I'll have to change oil sooner then normal and go back to regular.


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[gdb069]

Originally Posted by kaikara

I switched to T6 at 25000 on my 2003 750 Spirit. Engine noise has gotten progressively louder. I have 30000 now and I'll be switching back to dino oil hopefully this weekend.

I have heard this before but there is no real reason for the engine to get louder based on oil. Let us know if it gets quieter. Do you have any way to test loudness? Smartphone app?

G.

[Ski21]

I got the oil changed. I notice that shifting through the gears seems a lot smoother. Is this just my imagination or would synthetic oil help with shifting. It just doesn't seem as rough. Before when I shift from 2nd down to first it was very noticeable, almost a chunk sound, but now it seems smooth and no sound.

[gat803]

Originally Posted by gdb069

I have heard this before but there is no real reason for the engine to get louder based on oil.

Yeah, good luck with that.
Base oil stock, viscosity, additive package, brand, all can have a bearing on engine sound, even across various engines from the same manufacturer.

I run a different oil almost every time I change it, and I can tell you without a doubt that some oils allow more sound than others. Just as an example, my Spirit 1100 hated Rotella. It made so much noise with the Rotella that I was sure the motor was about to let go. As soon as I dumped it out (after less than 400 miles) and went to Spectro it went right back to quiet.

One of my friends has the same bike, and his runs fine on the Rotella, as does my Venture. Some bikes don't like certain oils. It doesn't make sense, but in my experience it is a fact.