I want to use full synthetic when I change my oil, the manual calls for 15w40, can I use 0w40 or 5w40 synthetic instead?  Thanks!

[Capacity change / oil filterSAE15W-40/SG(10W-40 acceptable alternative/cold weather)2.95 qt. (2.8L)]

This is what your manual says for the Z5

ZFORCE 500 Trail Specification
CF500US
Bore × Stroke 3.5 in. x 3.0 in (91 mm x 76.2 mm)
Displacement 495 cc
Compression ratio 10.3:1
Starting type Electric start
Lubrication type Splash /pressure feed
Engine coolant:
Type
Capacity
Mix Ratio
Commercially available – Safe for aluminum engines
3.1 qt. (3.0 L)
50% coolant / 50% distilled water
Engine oil:
Type
Engine oil volume:
Capacity change / oil filter
SAE15W-40/SG
(10W-40 acceptable alternative/cold weather)
2.95 qt. (2.8L)

[Capacity change / oil filterSAE15W-40/SG(10W-40 acceptable alternative/cold weather)2.95 qt. (2.8L)]

This is what your manual says for the Z5

ZFORCE 500 Trail Specification
CF500US
Bore × Stroke 3.5 in. x 3.0 in (91 mm x 76.2 mm)
Displacement 495 cc
Compression ratio 10.3:1
Starting type Electric start
Lubrication type Splash /pressure feed
Engine coolant:
Type
Capacity
Mix Ratio
Commercially available – Safe for aluminum engines
3.1 qt. (3.0 L)
50% coolant / 50% distilled water
Engine oil:
Type
Engine oil volume:
Capacity change / oil filter
SAE15W-40/SG
(10W-40 acceptable alternative/cold weather)
2.95 qt. (2.8L)

I can find 10w40 conventional which what i run in my two atvs.   Most local stores only have 5w40 or 0w40 in full synthetic. Thanks for the info!

  I run Lucas Semi Synthetic SAE 10W-40 ATV Engine Oil. #10720    The Engine & Trans seam to be quiter .  I pick it up at Fleet Farm.  And I Added  Lucas  Pure Synthetic Oil Stabilizer #10130.  To the diff's Now the front engages way smoother.

[Capacity change / oil filterSAE15W-40/SG(10W-40 acceptable alternative/cold weather)2.95 qt. (2.8L)]

This is what your manual says for the Z5

ZFORCE 500 Trail Specification
CF500US
Bore × Stroke 3.5 in. x 3.0 in (91 mm x 76.2 mm)
Displacement 495 cc
Compression ratio 10.3:1
Starting type Electric start
Lubrication type Splash /pressure feed
Engine coolant:
Type
Capacity
Mix Ratio
Commercially available – Safe for aluminum engines
3.1 qt. (3.0 L)
50% coolant / 50% distilled water
Engine oil:
Type
Engine oil volume:
Capacity change / oil filter
SAE15W-40/SG
(10W-40 acceptable alternative/cold weather)
2.95 qt. (2.8L)

I can find 10w40 conventional which what i run in my two atvs.   Most local stores only have 5w40 or 0w40 in full synthetic. Thanks for the info!

Just Google 10W40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil. You will find it at many place like Walmart, Amazon, NAPA...ect. I use Castrol Power-1 10W40 4T

Fully syntetic 0w-40 or 5w-40 sahould work youst fine. Theres no need for it unless you do cold starts. The manual says what it least need on certain temperatures, use that or beter. for axample a oil thats start with 10w can be used to -20 and a oil that start with 5w can bu used down to 30- (the temperatures are in celsius) (this is examples not correct values)  and same if the oil ends in ex 40 it can be used to 40c and if it ends with 50 it can be used to 50c. My poin't it's that you can use betther but it's not neccasary in some conditons.

In my 500s/520 i use a fully synthetic 10W-50 oil

Excellent information thanks everybody!

Davydo - Just an fyi.  My dealer suggested we run 10W-40, full synthetic 4 cycle motorcycle oil in our "wet clutch" Z800's, so I am running Mobile1 racing 4T because it is JASO certified.  I believe Montana winter temperatures are a bit cooler than West Virginia's, so if 10W-40 is suggested for use by our dealers I would imagine there is no need for you to be running a 5W oil.  Just my $0.02 worth.   Happy riding.

Davydo - Just an fyi.  My dealer suggested we run 10W-40, full synthetic 4 cycle motorcycle oil in our "wet clutch" Z800's, so I am running Mobile1 racing 4T because it is JASO certified.  I believe Montana winter temperatures are a bit cooler than West Virginia's, so if 10W-40 is suggested for use by our dealers I would imagine there is no need for you to be running a 5W oil.  Just my $0.02 worth.   Happy riding.

Thanks!

I can just use a high quality conventional or synthetic 10w40 SG or better, not necessarily rated for a wet clutch cvt since mine isn't, correct everybody?

I don't want to take a chance and not use wet clutch oil. Even if the machine don't have one cf moto stil recomend using it, for some reason. If something takes damage from it i don't think cf moto will take responsibility for it if you donät use wet clutch oil.