Somebody, please.... just shoot me now..... :blink:
Okay, here we go.....
While there CERTAINLY isn't anything wrong with the Yamalube 20-40w (which is refined by Citgo, we are told), there are a plethora of outstanding oils to choose from that are widely used through all motorcycle communities. Bel Ray, Valvoline, Silkolene, Maxima, HondaPro, Castoil, Mobil One, etc, etc, etc.... all are outstanding oils. Any one would do an exceptional job for you.
The main thing - perhaps the ONLY thing - that is truly important here is to ensure you change your oil at *least* the specified mileage interval, or, if you don't tend to rack up that much annual mileage, on a seasonal basis so you have an appropriate viscosity for the prevailing ambient temperatures.
Clean oil = good. Dirty oil = Bad.
OK, all that having been said.....
Me, personally, I used the Doug Chapman Blend, which results in a semi-synthetic mixture. It is 50% Mobil One 15w-50, and 50% Valvoline motorcycle oil. I run this blend because when you rack up 30,000+ miles annually, that's a good 7-8 oil changes a year. Crap can be expensive, but both Mobil One 15w-50 and Valvoline motorcycle oil are readily available and relatively inexpensive.
However, in my R1, which doesn't receive anywhere near the mileage the FJR or Blackbird see, this I run Silkolene 10w-40.
Re: synthetics. Your dealer is expressing an opinion not necessarily shared by others. The Old School in me still does not like to see the use of synthetics during break-in or even during the first 5-10K miles. But there is NO reason to think synthetics are bad for the engine in good condition and well past it's break-in period.
That having been said, many folks run synthethic right from the first oil change with no issues whatsoever.
Right then... y'all are really convincing me to finally create that "Never-Ending Pointless Thread" forum.... :lol:
