Why Synthetic?
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
Why Synthetic?
As a DIY'er, I have an honest question for the propeller heads among us that are "in the know".
This question is NOT about brands. Though I am not against a brand recommendation, it's a technical question. If it were solely about brand, doing a search could keep a guy reading for three days with breaks only for food and bathroom.
Here goes....
Why synthetic oil rather than a conventional oil formulated for TC motorcycle use? Sythetic oil is expensive. It seems to me that if you're one who enjoys doing your own maintenance, as am I, and you're willing to change oil maybe a little more frequently, that it makes practical sense to use a conventional oil. Because I think techinally, I always do a cost/benefit analysis before simply buying into what "pop culture" tells me is going to benefit me or my equipment most. Therefore, I need some techinical help in figuring this oil thing out.
Thanks in advance.
This question is NOT about brands. Though I am not against a brand recommendation, it's a technical question. If it were solely about brand, doing a search could keep a guy reading for three days with breaks only for food and bathroom.
Here goes....
Why synthetic oil rather than a conventional oil formulated for TC motorcycle use? Sythetic oil is expensive. It seems to me that if you're one who enjoys doing your own maintenance, as am I, and you're willing to change oil maybe a little more frequently, that it makes practical sense to use a conventional oil. Because I think techinally, I always do a cost/benefit analysis before simply buying into what "pop culture" tells me is going to benefit me or my equipment most. Therefore, I need some techinical help in figuring this oil thing out.
Thanks in advance.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
I love these chemistry questions! Synthetic oil is like "cloning" the best long-chain hydrocarbon molecules of oil without the contaminants like wax and sulfur found in regular oil. They have higher boiling points and lower freezing points - they pour and lube when others are frozen or boiled off! These consistently-shaped chains lubricate better, and just as importantly, exchange heat better to keep your expensive engine running cool and with less wear - worth the extra cost in this chemist's humble opinion. To save some cash, I simply run generic Brand X synthetics in my cars and Mobil 1 15:50 in my Hog.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
I love these chemistry questions! Synthetic oil is like "cloning" the best long-chain hydrocarbon molecules of oil without the contaminants like wax and sulfur found in regular oil. They have higher boiling points and lower freezing points - they pour and lube when others are frozen or boiled off! These consistently-shaped chains lubricate better, and just as importantly, exchange heat better to keep your expensive engine running cool and with less wear - worth the extra cost in this chemist's humble opinion. To save some cash, I simply run generic Brand X synthetics in my cars and Mobil 1 15:50 in my Hog.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 9
From: Goodyear, Az
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Centeral Coast, California
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