GSX270 and Synthetic Oil

[psmart]

...one for the bikers out there, Synthetic Oil and 4 stroke motorbike engines. Has anyone tried it and does it make a difference.

I've just serviced a Honda GSX270 engnie based generator, fully flushing it, then refilling with Lucas 0-30W fully synthetic oil. On re-starting the generator, it is noticeably quieter and less vibrations. Ill see how the economy works out in the next few months, but was interested to know if anyone using a bike engine has experience with synthetic oils in them.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi psmart,

With your Honda & GSX you are confusing me. GSX has been the letters used by Suzuki for a number of years for their bikes. Honda tend to use CB & CBR. If the engine is a low reving single then it possibly will not make so much of a difference, if the engine is a high reving multi then fully synth or semi synth is the minimum I would use.
In my CBR I use fully synth. In my R1100SS as the engine is a really really really old design it works best on mineral oil until around 15,000 miles then semi synth after that.

 

[psmart]

Sorry, Blobcat, Im getting that damned old, Im even confusing myself

Its a GX270 engine, not GSX270. Its a low revving single cylinder four-stroke side-valve engine. It runs at a constant 3000rpm but the loads can be very high, as 4Kw output is expected from it, at 3000rpm. As loading increases, noise and vibrations increase accordingly, but after servicing it with synthetic oil (literally, its like water its that thin), even at 4Kw, the vibrations are minimal.

The generator is used in sub-zero temperatures, and Ive found the ordinary 10W-40 to go like treacle at these temperatures. Combined with the good info from Oilman, I chose the 0-30W, which Ive also put in the ML.

I didnt expect any benefits, other than easier starting in sub-zero and better protection, so was suprised that the noise and vibrations were lower. Ill do a few runs to see if economy has changed.

Many thanks Blobcat, if I hit upon any snags or benefits, Ill post them.