Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050
Oily Rag - Dedicated to Pat, Greywolf. 26/06/45 - 04/06/18 => Oil/Lubrication => Topic started by: Lemonwizard on May 04, 2021, 23:10:21
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Good evening,
I will soon do my first oil and filter change and wanted to ask for a bit of advice on which oil to get, as there are a few different ones on sale (Austrian website, so probably not viable for my UK gentlemen).
- Castrol Power1 10W-40 (semi synth) (https://www.xlmoto.at/motorradteile/ole--schmiermittel_c2572/servicesets-olfilter--motorol_c6144/ol-castrol-power1--o-ring-kettenspray-service-set-hiflo_pid-PP-4924319?v=20684)
- A9 Ester Racing 10W-50 (fully synth) (https://www.xlmoto.at/motorradteile/ole--schmiermittel_c2572/servicesets-olfilter--motorol_c6144/motorol-vollsynthetisch-a9-ester-racing-4l-olfilter-hiflo_pid-PP-4660935?v=20684)
The manual recommends 10W-40 but if I recall correctly some time ago I came across a motor oil discussion and someone said that they feel like their V Strom feels better with a different oil (sorry, blurry memory). So, my question is, do you b̶̪͔̓̔l̴̬̋̿o̴̪̽k̷̡̩͐̃e̸̖̻͑s̷͚̈̚ stick to the OEM recommended 10W-40 or do you swear by a different viscosity?
From my (yet) limited knowledge and quick research before posting the thread I would think that the A9 10W-50 fully synthetic should be the better choice. It's a little bit cheaper, it's more heat resistant (not unimportant I reckon since I will be going on the highway in the heat of midsummer) and it's fully synthetic which is (supposed to be?) better than semi synthetic oil.
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If your normal local temperatures are in the 30 to 40C range, then go for the 10w50. I'd stick with the recommended 10w40 oil that's fine for the European climate as the manual only suggests alternatives where that is not available.
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As above 10 /40 & you'll be fine , also I always use genuine oil filters & don't go mad overtightening the sump drain bolt.
Ian.
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I've used the Castrol power 1 from new, no trouble so far. Cams looked good when I did the 30k valve sim. I did used Power 1 15w50 once but it was so slow to pour I went back to the 10w the next change. I change the oil every 3.5k miles and the oe filter every other change but I don't think it matters much what oil you use in a vstrom really.
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but I don't think it matters much what oil you use in a vstrom really.
:eusa-doh: lol
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I've always used Castrol Power1 10W-40 semi synth and I use an OEM filters on every change of oil around the 3000 mile mark. A few £'s more than some oils but I feel confident with it.
I don't think the V-Strom engine requires fully synth oil.
Plus as already said, be careful when tightening the drain plug!! :thumb:
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Just use 10w40 semi, anything else in a Strom is just a waste money.
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Thank goodness this isn't FB :neen:
I'm a fairly gentle rider so I guess spending premium money on oil isn't necessary, huh. I have bought the Castrol Power1 10W-40 now but I'll look for cheaper options for next year's oil change. Thanks.
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As long as you use 10w-40 semi synthetic motorcycle oil. Do not use motor car oil.
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I bought my 2015 Glee new and at the 600 mile service they put semi-synthetic Castrol Power 10/40 in it and recommended I change Oil and filter at the old 3750 mile intervals.
They suggested the 2015 on bikes were changed to 7500 mile service intervals purely because of the change of recommendation to fully synthetic oil, but said the engine preferred semi-synth.
There is a link on this forum to an oil company that offers good prices on Castrol periodically. I buy it when it’s cheap and just store it for the next time needed.
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I have always used Motul 10 w40 semi synthetic but I suppose any of the top brands are much the same. most important thing is to change the oil at reg intervals, I change it every 4000 miles,
I change the filter every time, I use Hiflo 138 filters. bike always feels smoother after an oil change, cheapest servicing you can do to maintain your engine in top condition.
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So when the manual recommends 10/40, and "10/50 if you can't get 10/40" ... Is it to understand that 10/50 would be worse than 10/40 for European temperatures or just not worth it?
I ask because I got 6 Litres of Castrol 10/50 for free, and why not use it?
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Bonne, if your manual states 10 50 is an acceptable second choice option why wouldn't you use it.
But if you decide not to please post it to.....
Big Lad
Wooler
Northumberland.
:eusa-doh: An oil thread and it's only September, I knew I was going to enjoy this forum.
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I'd say use it, the way things are going, Europe will be classed as a desert climate by the time you can use 6ltrs.
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The 10W is the lower/cooler rating for the oil. In this case it remains the same.
The second number is the higher/hotter rating for the oil. In this case it is higher therefore will cope with higher temperatures better.
All oils have a cross over point & the one you have will be fine for your bike.
A simple diagram showing this............
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Last oil change I used Castrol 10w50 racing because it was on offer and cheaper than the normal 10w40 power1 non racing I've always used.
Can't say I notice anything difference,gearbox maybe smoother but it is with any new oil. I'd use it again if it reduced and I'd certainly use it if it was free!
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which is exactly the one I got.
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I simply go by my personal experience of servicing my bikes over the past 60 years and have stuck with motorcycle specific mineral oils because of the good results obtained.
My 182 Honda CX500EC has now done 269,000km and is still on the original pistons and bore while not burning oil and still returning the same average fuel consumption.
My 05 Vstrom 650 has now done 147,000km, engine untouched apart from valve checks and still returning the same average fuel consumption.
Just not convinced about the need for expensive synthetic oil short of racing use.