OIL,.. normal or synthetic and how often?

[NZred]

I have a 03' model and have been advised to change to oil and filter at 6,000km intervals.
What is the better type of oil to use?
Was thinking Castrol... maybe.

[firestorm_al]

Good semi-synthetic oil is best. Fully synthetic can cause clutch slippage and is overkill in my humble opinion. I usually do about 2 oil changes a year which equates to about ever 2500miles (4000km)

[NZred]

Thanks,.. I was thinking that it would drink full synthetic anyway.
I would love to put Bi-Tron into the oil... but figure it would be a problem with the clutch also.

[Lucazade]

I put fully synth (Castrol R4) by mistake as I bought the wrong oil. The gearbox improved significantly, and the clutch starts slipping only in London's rush hour (basically when the temperature gauge gets well over the middle).

Apart from that I've had no problems. The bike has over 28k miles and I change oil + filter every 5-6000 miles min.

Not worth the switch from semi-synth, IMHO.

[delmeekc]

I always run-in on a semi then after about 4 to 8k miles then change to Mobil 1 R4T Fully Synth, never had any problems with the clutch slipping at all and that's on me slightly fettled VTR. It uses slightly more oil than on semi but nothing rediculous. I buy the oil in bulk and it works out at £20 for a 4litre can which is about half the price of buying it from a bike shop. Wouldn't use anything else.

Del.

[Lucazade]

To be fair, my bike has still the original clutch after 28k miles, so the slippage might be a combination of oil + worn clutch. I'll see how it goes after the next oil change.

Talking of which, where do you Mobil 1 in bulk? I managed to get Castrol R4 last year when I was racing, but they would supply only that. Is the R4T a bike-specific oil?

[delmeekc]

Yes mate, it's for d bikes, get it from Premier oils, if you want i can dig out an old invoice with the phone number. Give us a call tonight or somit at home mate. In the past I have bought 2 25 litre drums, 1 for the car fully synth (still got some left) and one for the scooter, that's well dead and 2 lots of mobil. Normally get 8 x 4ltrs for about £160. Have to pick it up from em tho.

Del.