Engine Oil - Avoid Maxima Premium 4 - Buy Synthetic

[sstressfl]

I just changed my oil and used maxima premium 4... it meets all of the requirements spelled out in the Suzuki manual for a gsxs750. And it was silk! After 700 miles, I noticed an uptick in vibration. I checked the oil level. It was down from the full line to the middle of the glass, between low and full.

Since I have never lost oil before, I drained the oil immediately to see if I could detect engine damage. I wiped the oil-plug-magnet with a white paper towel and got only a tiny residue of light grey. The oil smelled good. Looked good. So I started some research. 

Did you know there us such a thing as oil evaporation? Apparently the high engine temps/pressures cause the lighter elements in the oil to burn off, vaporize and puff out the crankcase breather where they are expelled through the combustion chamber and spewed out of the exhaust. And while this oil made my bike feel better than it ever has before... smoother, silkier shifts... it doesn't appear to be able to withstand sustained abuse found in a high winding I4.

Why did I buy the Maxima stuff in the first place? Cuz it met the requirements and it was only $25.

So I just ordered some Amsoil 10w40, Full Synthetic. It was $60. And the stuff according to a 2006 study (its all I could find - syntheticperformanceoil.com/spo/pdf/study_of_motorcycle_oils.pdf ) was rated the overall winner against heat, sheer, trans wear, etc. It has to be better than the Maxima.

I'll update this post once I swap it out and let ya know how it goes.

[sp3ak]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm about to do an in between oil change at 2,000 miles with the Maxima Syn-Blend. I will diligently check it though based on your experience. I plan on switching to full synthetic at 4,000 miles and likely using Amsoil.

[mrstamp80]

I use valvoline syn blend motorcycle oil. and suzuki oem filter.. Just to give you a heads up Kendal oils makes suzuki oil.

[AshesOfAnother]

Valvoline for the win in all of my bikes

[sonicmoto]

Don't think it's oil type that is causing the loss, did you run the engine then let it settle before checking level? That can have the level on the window drop a lot.
I just did an oil change to Amsoil at near 5k miles, will be riding today to see how much cooler the engine runs and hopefully my engine noise issues go away.

BTW sign up for the amsoil membership, you get 25% off most products and will get a discount on oil.

[sstressfl]

sonicmoto if it aint oil type then someone let some out when I wasnt looking or I have sudden and severe engine fail. Rings perhaps, but I can see no evidence of that. And yes, I did the standard check of the oil level. I waited and it never came above mid level. My test will be to use Amsoil (full synthetic) and see if the level drops. If its does... NEW BIKE!!!

[ethereal]

I dont mess around with oil. It feeds the engine,tranny and clutch. Motul 7100 Take my bike to the track a lot and have found this to work for me. Did alot of research on oils and found this meets my needs. Costs $$$ but a warn out engine will cost much more the the $100 saved over 7 oil changes...


bobistheoilguy.com/