what oil y'all using?

kmrcstintn · 04-30-2012, 06:53 PM

I am contemplating the purchase of a 2009 GZ 250 w/ @ 1000 miles; the dealer will do a complimentary first service (oil will be Spectro conventional 10w-40); I plan on doing my own oil changes, chain lube, etc & wondering what oil y'all use in your GZ's...thanks

I am currently sitting on a stash of Valvoline 4-stroke 10w-40 conventional motorcycle oil & was told by the dealer to wait until the 4K service before switching to a synthetic or synthetic blend...any truth to this? thanks

GZ250 · 04-30-2012, 07:13 PM

this bike can take conventional as well as synthetic. selection/type of oil is a personal preference mostly. if you have something in bulk you can use that but spending too much on high quality oil won't help in any way. regular oil and filter changes and care will help more than using expensive products for this bike. dealer is right. you can start using your preferred oil from the next oil change. I do the filter change (suzuki stock) every time i do oil change and i have used both synthetic and non-synthetic. bike might feel more comfy with synthetic.

you might have to use gas additives (STP, seafoam, etc) to keep the carb clean. this is the main issue with this bike.

Water Warrior 2 · 04-30-2012, 10:16 PM

You can switch back and forth anytime you want. Mix them if you want. Dino and synthetic are compatible with each other.
A HiFlo oil filter HF 136 is the same as a Suzuki filter at less cost.

kmrcstintn · 05-01-2012, 02:52 AM

I use Sta-Bil marine ethanol stabilizer & either Seafoam or another cleaner in maintenance doses for the gas I bulk store in gas cans and add a few extra ounces of cleaner occasionally in the tanks of my moto & scoot...

good to hear about the HiFlo filter...looks virtually the same as the K&N element filters; guess I'll use Suzuki Synthetic Blend 10w-40 after 4K (bought some for the V Star)

mithuth · 05-17-2012, 07:46 AM

I was "y'all" in the title and said to myself, "Hey, a fellow Pennsylvanian!," before i even looked at the OP's location. LOL!!!
Apparently we're about the only ones left that uses "y'all".

Good to know on that filter. I put it in my file of "Things to not forget". I was trying to find out what oil to use and came across this thread. Just so I'm clear. Any 10-40 will due, or do I need "motorcycle specific" 10-40?

blaine · 05-17-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithuth

Any 10-40 will due, or do I need "motorcycle specific" 10-40?

You can use any oil that is not labeled "Energy conserving".Shell Rotella-t is one of the better ones.

:cool:

mithuth · 05-17-2012, 09:29 AM

Thanks. I thought "oil is oil" but didn't want to find out at 40mph+ that I was wrong. lol

blaine · 05-17-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithuth

Thanks. I thought "oil is oil" but didn't want to find out at 40mph+ that I was wrong. lol

Oil that is labeled "energy conserving" will cause your clutch to slip,and eventually ruin the clutch plates.

:2tup:

**jonathan180iq** · 05-17-2012, 11:49 AM

New oils also might say "resource conserving".

It's the same as "energy conserving" and should be avoided for things with a wet clutch.

Water Warrior 2 · 05-17-2012, 01:06 PM

Motorcycle oils have a greater "shear" resistance. The gears tend to break down oil faster due to their shear forces. Amsoil M/C 10-40 has a shear force resistance equivalent to a 90 weight gear oil.
I don't know offhand about good old Rotella but it really works well and the shifts are always smooth so I think I can safely assume it has very good shear resistance over time.

04-30-2012, 06:53 PM	#1
kmrcstintn Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Palmyra, PA Posts: 33	what oil y'all using? I am contemplating the purchase of a 2009 GZ 250 w/ @ 1000 miles; the dealer will do a complimentary first service (oil will be Spectro conventional 10w-40); I plan on doing my own oil changes, chain lube, etc & wondering what oil y'all use in your GZ's...thanks I am currently sitting on a stash of Valvoline 4-stroke 10w-40 conventional motorcycle oil & was told by the dealer to wait until the 4K service before switching to a synthetic or synthetic blend...any truth to this? thanks Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-30-2012, 07:13 PM	#2
GZ250 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 334	Re: what oil y'all using? this bike can take conventional as well as synthetic. selection/type of oil is a personal preference mostly. if you have something in bulk you can use that but spending too much on high quality oil won't help in any way. regular oil and filter changes and care will help more than using expensive products for this bike. dealer is right. you can start using your preferred oil from the next oil change. I do the filter change (suzuki stock) every time i do oil change and i have used both synthetic and non-synthetic. bike might feel more comfy with synthetic. you might have to use gas additives (STP, seafoam, etc) to keep the carb clean. this is the main issue with this bike. __________________ “God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.” “People understand me so poorly that they don't even understand my complaint about them not understanding me.” --- Søren Kierkegaard ---
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04-30-2012, 10:16 PM	#3
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: what oil y'all using? You can switch back and forth anytime you want. Mix them if you want. Dino and synthetic are compatible with each other. A HiFlo oil filter HF 136 is the same as a Suzuki filter at less cost. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-01-2012, 02:52 AM	#4
kmrcstintn Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Palmyra, PA Posts: 33	Re: what oil y'all using? I use Sta-Bil marine ethanol stabilizer & either Seafoam or another cleaner in maintenance doses for the gas I bulk store in gas cans and add a few extra ounces of cleaner occasionally in the tanks of my moto & scoot... good to hear about the HiFlo filter...looks virtually the same as the K&N element filters; guess I'll use Suzuki Synthetic Blend 10w-40 after 4K (bought some for the V Star)
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05-17-2012, 07:46 AM	#5
mithuth Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Warren, PA Posts: 43	Re: what oil y'all using? I was "y'all" in the title and said to myself, "Hey, a fellow Pennsylvanian!," before i even looked at the OP's location. LOL!!! Apparently we're about the only ones left that uses "y'all". Good to know on that filter. I put it in my file of "Things to not forget". I was trying to find out what oil to use and came across this thread. Just so I'm clear. Any 10-40 will due, or do I need "motorcycle specific" 10-40? __________________ -Jason 2001 gz250 1999 vz800 Marauder Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-17-2012, 09:29 AM	#7
mithuth Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Warren, PA Posts: 43	Re: what oil y'all using? Thanks. I thought "oil is oil" but didn't want to find out at 40mph+ that I was wrong. lol __________________ -Jason 2001 gz250 1999 vz800 Marauder
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05-17-2012, 11:49 AM	#9
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: what oil y'all using? New oils also might say "resource conserving". It's the same as "energy conserving" and should be avoided for things with a wet clutch.
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05-17-2012, 01:06 PM	#10
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: what oil y'all using? Motorcycle oils have a greater "shear" resistance. The gears tend to break down oil faster due to their shear forces. Amsoil M/C 10-40 has a shear force resistance equivalent to a 90 weight gear oil. I don't know offhand about good old Rotella but it really works well and the shifts are always smooth so I think I can safely assume it has very good shear resistance over time.
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