AFAIK the pro 4 range is full synthetic and the comp 4 is a higher level semi synthetic. We can only get the comp 4 in Oz. There is some confusion as to what can be called a full synthetic and many "full synthetics" are blends of highly refined mineral oils and man made full synthetics, whereas to the purist a full synthetic would be totally man made and contain no dino oil at all. The price is a good guide as man made oils (true full synthetics) are very expensive to produce as opposed to blends of mineral oils. Comp 4 is a good semi synthetic IMO.
synthetic oils are extremely slippery - pure race engines have very fine tolerances which synthetics squeeze between effortlessly but these track/race engines arent built to last, they burn up within a few seasons - if your tracking your bike, great, go full synthetic but if your wanting to keep your blade - id be going with the honda manual - go honda GN4 or HP4 10w30. the honda CBR1000RR HRC race team here in australia had problems with the full synthetics leaking past their rings and smoking up - they use a oil thats blended for them by OLEON in melbourne which resembles honda HP4 10w30 - why do they do that, because its best for their race team and oleon is their sponsor.
Apparently Honda have stated that they only recommend Fully Synthetic oil now in later model bikes despite what it states in the manual. I came across a message someone received from someone connected with Honda and they said that Honda wishes they could change every owners manual to say that you should use fully synthetic.
Found this post, Here is Castrol's answer to this question about Fully Synthetic oil in the Fireblade. Modern bike oils go through rigorous tests to ensure wet clutch compatibility - after API SG ( API being American Petroleum Institute - a CAR specific specification ), which was the specification adopted by the Japanese as there was no specific bike one - after SG they started putting additives into the oils to reduce the friction, fine in cars where you want fuel efficiency, but bad in bikes using the oil for wet clutches - so the Japanese introduced some specific wet clutch performance tests - JASO MA, which has been uprated latterly to JASO MA-2. Any bike oil should have this JASO spec as that confirm that the frictional characteristics are suitable for wet clutches - also for engines and gearboxes which is also part of the same lube system. All Castrol 4 stroke bike oils are JASO MA-2 and many of our tests are done on Fireblade and SP2 engines. Clutches also don't last forever - you'll probably find that even changing to a new part synthetic, or even mineral oil would be enough to tip a clutch over the edge if it was on it's last legs anyway - and of course, the oil would get the blame. A lot of what's on the internet is hearsay ( I heard it from a bloke down the pub so it must be right ) or based on 90% of the facts - it was a car synthetic he used ... Etc. I am on quite a few Forums being a biker myself, but there is such a lot of half truths and misinformation - and always someone who knows better ( because a mate told him )so I just let them get on with it. Use the recommended bike specific oil, change it regular, keep it topped up - job done. Honda don't spend millions in development costs to recommend an oil that makes the clutch slip and Castrol developed the new Power 1 Racing 10W-30 specifically with Honda for Honda Fireblades ( hence the sticker on the frame recommending it ) - more power and efficiency ... and they suggest that it's backwards compatible for their other models although I normally have a rule of thumb of bikes around 2000 and newer. Hope that helps Kind regards Andy Griffin Automotive Lubricants - UK & Ireland Lubricants - Advanced Technical Support T: 0845 0821719 Email: [email protected] Engine Oil and Lubricants Castrol UK - Engine Oil and Lubricant Products
Done my oil training with Comma oils here in Gravesend some years back.They explained to me and my colleagues what will happen in the coming years regarding mineral, semi and fully synthetic oil.Mineral will be phased out,then semi to make way for all fully synthetic oil. How right they were about engine specific oils.We used to keep 4 main oils now it is 12 main oils. The new one on the block is 5w20 oil for eco Fords.At the moment it is priced at £33.50 plus VAT trade per Litre Gulp
£31.99 delivered, seems ok to me ? Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-30 Fully Synthetic Motorcycle Oil 22497009 - 4L on eBay!
What happens if you mix them? I noticed last week my Blade was low just before a ride out with mates so I said we'd have to stop off a D Tweeks and buy a litre. Cause we got talking and I didn't take any notice of what Andy gave me which was Motul 7100 Fully Synth which I topped with outside before we wazed up to Ellesmere Lake I know my Blade is on Semi which was put in by the main dealer last service So I now have approx 1/4 litre of Fully synth mixed in with he rest of the semi! Done about 50 mile before noticing when I got home and inspected the bottle properly What should I do now dya reckon ?
I have always used full synthetic in my cars & later motorbikes. Mobil 1 15/50 previously but changed to Elf moto 4 XT 10/50 when I got my blade. The gearchange is a touch better. Although it is very tough to find in the UK. I believe although the engine may be ok but the gears put a lot (different) shearing stress on the oil. For me, full synthetic and preferably no lower than x/50. BTW I tend to stick to the oil change intervals. If you do a change every 2~3k, then I guess it is a different story
Read loads today about oils and did read somewhere that they are ok to mix. Why some dealers are still using semi synthetic has me puzzled though if Honda recommend the Fully Synthetic Castrol 1 Racing. Does anyone know if the 2012/13 model uses the same oil filter as the other years. Done a search and nothing comes up for these years even on the K&N website. Wanted to use a genuine Honda one for warranty purposes.
I would definitely stick to the recommended viscosity 10w30! But what make? It's a personal choice I much prefer Silkolene over Castrol! I have Pro4 Energy 10w30 at the moment and I think it's great! My Blade just seams happier with Silkolene! When my Blades happy! I'm happy The bikes gear change is just a lot smoother and precise with Silkolene must just be different additives or the make up the oil that makes the difference but there is no right or wrong as long as the viscosity is correct! I've nothing against Castrol but I do feel Honda recommendation of Castrol is largely due to their sponsorship and financial backing with Honda Racing! Over the last few year almost every Honda race bike had Castrol on it but I've notice Motul & Putolene have got in on the act now so i wonder if Honda's recommendations will change? What this space
most oil manufacturers are the same, the entire oil base stock for the planet comes from a small handful of refineries - just make sure you choose a brand you & your blade likes (if your not doing honda oil) - just make sure its a well known, mineral or semi-synthetic 10w30 without moly.. dont forget - honda doesnt make money out of selling oil they make money out of manufacturing motorcycles - they dont need to make a single penny from oil unlike your motul, repsol, castrol etc therefore its in hondas best interest to give you the best oil for the bike they have made - in australia caltex blends honda oil for them - in the UK, i think its mobil but can someone clarify that ?
I can only say what I would do and that's change it .This is something that would grate on my mind so it would be dealt with " rapid"
Thanks for this thread ... bit confusing though. Seems to be any decent 10w30. Was using 10w40 before but will switch over.
