Conventional to synthetic....but when?

[thegunny]

All,

I want what's best for my bike since I'm sure I'm going to keep this baby for a while.  I've heard mixed advice on when it's good to switch to synthetic from conventional. I have a brand new 2011 w 650 miles on it and I'm preparing to perform my 600 break in service. I already have the filter, engine oil and transfer case oil (all conventional). I read on your posts that synthetic is the way to go in hotter climates (I live in the California desert). Should I just perform the service with what I have now and switch to synthetic in the next service? Should I return everything and buy all synthetic and make the switch now?  I trust you all more than I do these other clowns I'm hearing from on base.

Semper fi!!!

Steve

[firer8r]

The sooner the better!  I switched at my first oil change after break-in.  No complaints!

[Bill L]

If you can exchange with no hassle go ahead and do it, if not your bike will be perfectly fine until the next change is due.

[tejas240]

I waited till 2000 miles and then switched, i've heard all different times to change but it's up to u. I don't think it's really a problem so long as it's sooner than later

[Fj_Ohio]

The manufacturer recommends waiting until 5 to 6 thousand miles. Feel free to do as you want as it won't make any difference one way or another. I waited until I had 6k and saved some money and my motor will last as long as any of them.

[Sweet Tooth]

I am going to switch over my next oil change i believe . Will have 12k on it.

[Vader93]

The very best, most expensive, highest performance vehicles around the world are all delivered from the factory with synthetic. The "conventional oil break-in" is nothing but a myth. As a point of fact, GM recommends nothing but synthetic oil for their high horsepowered Corvettes & Camaro ZL1's, along with their luxury Caddies, Yukons, etc.. Ford and Chrysler all use synthetic in their better vehicles, not to mention that it's exclusively used by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Rolls Royce in their cars.

So, if you want to go the conventional oil route, just buy a cheap car and it will probably come with cheap oil, which by the way is sufficient for what they're turning out.

It's as simple as that.

[thegunny]

I went ahead and went with the yamalube and filter. I did put the royal purple transfer case oil in though. I'll switch to synthetic next time... Before it gets too hot here in the desert

[silverstreek]

I went ahead and went with the yamalube and filter. I did put the royal purple transfer case oil in though. I'll switch to synthetic next time... Before it gets too hot here in the desert

Sticking with conventional oils for the first couple of times really isn't a bad idea. When first assembled any engine has micro fine particals of metal in the block from the machine work and assembly at the factory. Changing the oil and filter is the only way to clean the internals from these micro fine particals.

Being conventional oils don't last as long in the heat, or as long between changes as do synthetics, you'll end up changing conventional oil more often which ultimately leads to a cleaner internal engine enviornment when synthetic is finally added. Note: Conventional oils do break down much faster in the heat than does synthetic! Synthetic oils were first developed to combat jet engine failures due to conventional oil break-down when pressed hard developing high heat at high RPM's. Synthetics cured the failure problems. As a matter of fact, it was a jet pilot (Al Amatuzio) who saw first hand how well synthetics took care of these jet engines on the aircraft he flew. Al Amatuzio decided to introduce the first synthetics to the consumer in 1971. That Company is Amsoil!    Note: I don't sell, nor do I use Amsoil........ But, it is an interesting story to say the least!
       

[thegunny]

Thanks silverstreek!  Good info and interesting story.

[Bill L]

Thanks silverstreek!  Good info and interesting story.

  Very good info, I think I will keep the conventional in for the first 3 or 4 changes.

[thegunny]

Thanks for the tip Bill

[Viotater]

my vette ZR1 came with synth from the factory...the old you need x amount of miles before switching is a myth. And i use synth on my drag bike and it get rebuilt 4 times a season...just saying

[Bill L]

Well now I am all confused, both make good sence, I guess I could cover both and go 50/50... 

[thegunny]

50% yamalube 50% mobile 1 synthetic. Sweet. I'll try that next time.