Engine oil

[Bigman]

Hi Everyone,

Not sure if this has been covered before, oil grade and change. It looks to me that the recommended oil is synthetic, anyone know if the bike comes from the factory with synthetic ?
or is the first oil mineral base, as Honda expect you to change to synthetic at the first oil change?

I'm keen to change the oil early but don't want to use synthetic if my assumption as above is correct...anyone know?

 

[TrailBoss]

The recommended grade is 10w-30.

As far as synthetic, I don't believe anybody has verified it, but I don't think the stock fill is synthetic. If you want to stay with non-syn then you're in good shape.

I personally split the difference and picked up some Castrol semi-syn 10w-30. 10w-30 seems to be an odd grade for synthetics, very few options available.

 

[Bigman]

The recommended grade is 10w-30.

As far as synthetic, I don't believe anybody has verified it, but I don't think the stock fill is synthetic. If you want to stay with non-syn then you're in good shape.

I personally split the difference and picked up some Castrol semi-syn 10w-30. 10w-30 seems to be an odd grade for synthetics, very few options available.

Thanks, think I will change the oil early and use 10w30 mineral for the first few hundred then change to semi synthetic once I'm happy all has settled down.

 

[G19Tony]

I use what Honda recommends. I’m over the oil wars.

 

[Bigman]

totally agree Honda knows best, however I'm just wondering if the bikes comes with synthetic or do they send it out with mineral oil to promote good bedding and fully
expect the first service to be synthetic, I would as I'm a fussy old man and an aircraft engineer, like to change the oil on delivery and then at 100, 200 400 600 the first say 600 using mineral.

 

[m in sc]

its conventional gn4 on assembly. its a complete roller motor so aside from rings seating, there's nothing else to 'bed' in per say. i changed mine at around 100 miles. I put in castrol synthetic mc oil in it, and i just checked valve clearances at 600 miles, oil, not surprisingly, looks fantastic. I wont touch it for probably another 3000-4000 miles.

 

[Bigman]

thanks old bean..

 

[AstroStrat89]

I changed very early in order to install the Gold Plug then again at 300 miles and used Mobile 1 full synthetic. Service manual states Honda GN4 or equivalent. API SG or higher. Since every oil these days are well above the SG API standard its pretty much your choice. I use full synthetic mostly for the narrow viscosity band maintained through out the temperature range.

 

[Msfitoy]

Motorcycle oil right? I heard that automotive oil would wreck the auto trans... Yes? No?

 

[Dover_MA]

Motorcycle oil right? I heard that automotive oil would wreck the auto trans... Yes? No?

You are correct - the clutch is bathed in engine oil so there's an issue with friction reducers that are in automotive oils. It's a JASO MA thing.

 

[AstroStrat89]

Motorcycle oil right? I heard that automotive oil would wreck the auto trans... Yes? No?

I'm using regular auto oil, but you have bought up a good point I had not considered before with the transmission. Mobile doesn't make a dedicated motorcycle oil in the correct weight so I will probably look for something different. Looks 5quarts of Honda is not too expensive but I do like the idea of full synthetic in general.

What's funny is that I have a 1971 MG Midget and the transmission just uses 20w-50 motor oil.

 

[m in sc]

yeah but your midget doesn't have a wet clutch. well, it might if you park it on a steep hill nose up. (lol)

as ive said, ive had really good experience with castrol synthetic motorcycle oil, its like 10-11 bucks a qt. Also run it in my '14 cb1100, both my concourses, the 14 sfv650. never an issue, always in stock at the Advance Auto.

 

[AZ7000']

You are correct - the clutch is bathed in engine oil so there's an issue with friction reducers that are in automotive oils. It's a JASO MA thing.

Nope, some have friction reducers, some don’t. I have 7 bikes in the garage using regular dinosaur based motor oil. 670 hours on of the 250’s with the same bottom end.

 

[Tjdemarco]

I got this Motul 5100 4T 10W-30 at Cycle Gear to top off. I lost a couple ounces after the first 300 miles. Can I use this for my first oil change? Or should I get the Honda stuff?

 

[m in sc]

motul is good stuff, no prob there.

 

[benelli]

How about some good old Honda HP4S 10W30 Full Synthetic Engine Oil?

 

[Speeddaddy]

This engine has been around since long before synthetic oil. Don’t waste money on synthetic, just keep it fresh and it will last forever. It’s a Honda. 8hp, can’t hurt itself.

 

[m in sc]

you do realize its NOT the same motor as the old CT's, right? this particular one IS a derivative of the grom motor. was 1st seen in 13-14 in that form.

either oil is fine though. at 10 bucks a qt, synthetic isn't going to break anybody's budget and does do better in hot climates typically. .02

 

[Speeddaddy]

you do realize its NOT the same motor as the old CT's, right? this particular one IS a derivative of the grom motor. was 1st seen in 13-14 in that form.

either oil is fine though. at 10 bucks a qt, synthetic isn't going to break anybody's budget and does do better in hot climates typically. .02

Points taken. Although the engineering and basic design is the same. Constant upgrades only make it better….. synthetic is more like 18-20$ a quart up here. But yeah not that expensive in the big scheme.

 

[m in sc]

where are you located? castrol 4t powersports motorcycle oil is like 11 bucks (i stand corrected.) at the parts store here.