[Radarsdad]

Greetings All!

I'm about 400 miles away from performing my first (3000 mile) oil change on my 2008 Wing and need advice on oils. After researching the differences between synthetic and non-synthetics, I'm definitely leaning towards synthetic.

What brand of synthetic oil do you use and why? With so many available, I obviously want the best I can get but I'm not sure who makes it. Wingstuff sells the Honda synthetic oil and local auto parts stores have everything else (Mobil1, Castrol, etc., although I'm not sure who sells Amsoil).

Is 3000 miles a good time to start with Synthetic or should I put more miles on before making the switch? I'm not sure what the "Break-In" period on a new Wing is.

Thanks to all who respond!

 

[rickfrl]

Most of my synthetic friends use Amsoil. Most of them are Harley guys, and it makes the bike run cooler, so they don't catch as much heat on the legs. Like you i thought about using it, but what i gathered is that protection for dollar spent, is not much of a difference. i am sure there are those who will tell you different. but that is just my $.02 worth.

 

[budoka]

When I change, I'm going with the Amsoil and their filter too. I've done some pretty extensive studying on this and the Amsoil comes out on top in nearly every regard. Honda's own is actually pretty far down the pole so it's definitely out of the picture. Synthetic oil in a wing is really a no brainer since they don't 'use' oil like an air cooled v-twin is prone to (ok Harleys) so you should never have to worry about needing some on a long trip, and Amsoil isn't that uncommon anymore. I used to carry a qt wrapped in a plastic bag (to protect everything else in the saddlebag) for my Dyna, glad those days are long gone!

 

[Snuffy]

It doesn't really matter what oil you use as long as it is SAE rated. With the Honda engineering as long as you change it regularly and the filter too it will go a long time before it wears out. Honda engineers know what they are recommending for their designs.
I use Mobil 1 in all my cars because in the great white north here the cars sit out in -30 C weather and the synthetic flows better when cold and it helps with lubrication quickly. When was the last time you rode or started your wing, or any bike for that matter below 0 C.
There are some who obsess over oil but with todays modern metallurgy and designs as long as the oil is changed when it should be your honda will last a long time.

 

[Radarsdad]

After reading the responses to my thread, I'm now re-thinking what I thought was a cut and dried decision. A fellow Goldwing rider expressed concerns about the compatibility of synthetic oils with the "wet" clutch system used on the Wing. Also, because I typically change oil/filters on all my vehicles at 3000 mile intervals, I don't know if there's a reasonable benefit to switching to synthetics.

Has anyone experienced any clutch issues related to synthetic oil use?

 

[ronzilla]

... HOWDY ... I USE A NAME BRAND - SYNBLEND 10-40 AND CHANGE OIL AND FILTER EVERY 4 k. ... BEST OF BOTH WORLDS ... HAPPY TRAILS ...

 

[Two Wheel Wing]

Well here's my $.02 worth. I use the Honda blend 10w40 and Honda filters. I buy them from

http://www.directlineparts.com/

by the case with free shipping. Never had a problem. I change the oil every 4k miles along with the filter. I know some don't think Honda oil is very good, but if they make it and I use it then if I have a problem there will never be an issue as to what oil I did or did not use. Like I said, just my $.02.

Ride safe and don't forget to use a new crush washer!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[whacker]

Does the 1800 use a different oil weight than the 1500? My 2000SE specifies a 10w40 that meets or exceeds spec. I have 107,000 plus on the odometer and am using Castrol 10w40 high milage at 3000mi intervals. I chose the Castrol since a shop I used to frequent used only Honda or Castrol. My service advisor doesn't have a "problem" with my choice, but I haven't found a synthetic/blend in the 10w40 other than Honda, maybe I'm not looking hard enough?!

 

[ronzilla]

... Howdy ... Any Name Brand - Auto - Synblend Meets Or Exceeds Motorcycle Oils For Alot Less $$$$ ... Happy Trails ...

 

[Radarsdad]

Guess I'll stick to good 'ol Honda oil for now since I'm changing it this weekend and I bought the oil a month ago. The next oil change may be a whole 'nother ball game though. I'll keep an eye on this thread and see what the general consensus is in a week or two.

Thanks to all of you for your responses!

 

[budoka]

BMW only covers their autos with that kind of interval when the owners use the BMW store oils and fluids. They are roughly 3 times the cost of parts store prices. They are also contracted to regular manufacturers, just like Honda does with filters and likely their oil too, although I'm not positive on the oil. I ride a $30,000 bike. I'm not going to chince out on the cost of something as beneficial as my oil. tlbranth, I'm no mechanic, but I seriously doubt if your fuel mileage drop is a result of the oil; up or down. 1 mpg either way maybe. I'd suspect your fuel management (whether carb or efi) or ignition components etc.

 

[billcarr_]

Oil

I want .02 cents too. Forget any oil that promises 5000 or 7500 or even more miles between changes. Engine oil gets dirty long before it breaks down. I change oil at 3000 miles with a small fudge factor. Synthetic oil gets just as dirty as any other oil yet the manufacturer wants us to believe the dirt in "their" oil is happy dirty and doesn't need changing.

Buy rated oil (on sale) according to the recommendation of the engine maker and change it at 3000 miles.

 

[Radarsdad]

After reading all the opinions, I'm sticking with the Honda oil at 3K intervals. I'll probably be in a rest home long before the bike wears out anyway.

 

[Chopin]

The consensus on oil is : There is no consensus. There isn't even a mean to be asertained. Frustrating topic .

 

[marcsvette]

The oil debate is a "TOP 10" item on any forum dealing with somthing and a motor. My Kawasaki had a cam failure. Turned out to be a quite common problem that they were having to fix. Actual hardness of finish on cams was the deal. First question from Kawasaki was when was it serviced and what kind of oil was in it. I had bought Kawasaki oil and filter from the dealer every time just to have a record even though I did the work. 100% covered repair. Where they trying to find a way out.....who knows. The goldwing will receive HONDA brand oil and filter because Honda is a pretty smart bunch of people. They hold a strong reputation about building the best engines on the market and would not jepordize that for just anything. Just my 2 cents worth.