Initial Oil Change & Service

[mike_mike]

I have a brand new 2005 GS

I've completed the first part of the break in, and don't have time to take it in for the initial service until next week..

should I:

A) Change the oil myself, save the reciepts and what not for warranty purposes and then ask them not to change the oil when i take it in for first service?

B) Stop riding the bike until i take it in for the first service

C) Ride the bike as is for maybe less than 100 more miles and then bring it in for the initial service?



If the answer is A - What oil & filter should i use (05' GS500F)
Thanks

[scratch]

A. Yes.

B. No.

C. How many miles on it now?

If A - Use whatever oil you would feel comfortable with.  You may want to search the miriad of threads on this subject alone, but I will give you one answer for the oil filter and that is to use a Suzuki OEM oil filter.

Furthermore, about the oil, what oils do you have available locally?  Could you please provide a list of the motorcycle specific ones, please?  Then maybe we can suggest one, or warn of another, oil.

[mike_mike]

Sorry, i forgot to mention the actual milage

1 020 kilometers = 633.7 miles

[scratch]

C. No.

[mike_mike]

I ran a search

i found the info i needed to change it myself.

merci

[mike_mike]

I couldn't find any of the filters locally, i guess its off to the suzuki dealer.

[sys49152]

Go to the dealer to buy the oil filter, but not get them to *do* the oil change.  Also, ask your local dealer what oil they use.  Use the same.  Some of the local dealers use 5W30, and some use 10W40.  Although you're doing a complete change, at least for the intial one stick to the same oil.  You can get them to do the value check for the first service, but I really do believe for the most part it's a waste.  In fact, I'm almost willing to bet most dealers don't even bother with it, even though they charge the labour.  It's important, but I think I really don't think they check.  If you've got the time, do the check yourself afterwards.  It'll prep you for your 6K check.

[veeref]

[snip]
If the answer is A - What oil & filter should i use (05' GS500F)
Thanks

Do the oil change yourself, it's easy.  Just follow the how-to on this forum and you'll be alright.  Save all your receipts for warranty purposes. I did mine soon after I purchased my bike (used).  You DON'T need to remove the fairing to do it, either.  I ended up using the Suzuki oil filter ($4.51 + tax) and Honda GN4 10w-40 oil (3.69/qt) from my local dealer.

Regards,
Randy

[samhkang]

I had to put away my '05F for winterization only after putting 100miles on it. In the spring, first thing I did was the oil change using OEM filter (part #16510) from the dealer and Shell Rotella 15w40. The bike ran fine. Last week, I did the second oil change at 700miles or so with exact same stuff. I did consider the initial service but many people told me that the first service is nothing but tightening and the oil change as long as there is no apparent problem (confirmed by local Suzuki mechanic that they will not open up the carb). I just followed the howto section on this site to tighten things and clean the chain. I'm now at around 850miles and runs better than ever. I am keeping track of all the work on my bike for any future warranty issues.

[phire]

I ended up using the Suzuki oil filter ($4.51 + tax) and Honda GN4 10w-40 oil (3.69/qt) from my local dealer.

That's what I ended up using after going in looking for the "Suzuki Performance 4" oil that's reccomended in the manual. They said the Honda GN4 is all they use and will be discontinuing the Suzuki oil soon since it isn't used by very many people. I'm not sure why, but it looked like good oil and is SJ rated, a higher rating than what the manual reccomended. So...     No reason not to use it.

[mike_mike]

I've stopped riding the bike until i change the oil in it.. couldn't find the filter at any autoparts stores, so now i have to find one at the local dealer when i get some free time. 

[My Name Is Dave]

As far as I know, you can't get that filter anywhere BUT the dealer. You can get a Fram or whatever at AutoZone, but I'd avoid them. Not to say I have had a bad experience with them, but this is an oil filter, not turn signals, and to me it's important to use OEM Suzuki parts in this case.

Just me though...

[phire]

Also not to mention that the Suzuki OEM filter is the best option in this case. It will protect your investment better than the others especially a K&N. K&N's aren't designed to filter so much as they are to flow. In every ISO5011 filter test, the K&N does horribly on filtration and contaminent capacity.

[Alphamazing]

Also not to mention that the Suzuki OEM filter is the best option in this case. It will protect your investment better than the others especially a K&N. K&N's aren't designed to filter so much as they are to flow. In every ISO5011 filter test, the K&N does horribly on filtration and contaminent capacity.

It's true. I posted a link to one of those on here somewhere when I was all "K&N sucks blah blah blah" but then I figured that the GS engine was so indestructible, who cares?

[phire]

Well, if you're trying to maximize the life and efficiency of the engine for as long as possible, meaning if you plan on keeping the thing forever, only use a K&N on track days where every little slight ounce of performance matters. Actually, the stock GS is so lean as it is, you wouldn't want a higher flowing air filter until you've rejetted the carbs. These little things matter more on bikes than they do cars so you may have to use one regardless if you're tweaking things here and there for performance. A K&N on a street car is literally worthless and is probably doing more harm to your engine by allowing more particles through, (less filtration proved by ISO5011 tests.)  Anyways, you're probably right, who cares if it filters less, it's a good sturdy engine and it's easy to work on if anything does happen way down the road.

[FearedGS500]

as far as the first service ..... i have never done it . bought my bike in nov. of 05. have 7800 miles on it did my own service at 600 miles ( oil and filter ) at 1200 i checked the valves . at 4k i checked the valves right before my big ride to big bend,tx i did another check . i'm rolling on 8k and i have yet to have to have adjusted my valves yet .. knock on wood ...

[My Name Is Dave]

as far as the first service ..... i have never done it . bought my bike in nov. of 05. have 7800 miles on it did my own service at 600 miles ( oil and filter ) at 1200 i checked the valves . at 4k i checked the valves right before my big ride to big bend,tx i did another check . i'm rolling on 8k and i have yet to have to have adjusted my valves yet .. knock on wood ...

You pretty much exactly detailed the first services. Oil changes, checking valves, and checking the bolts and such are really all you do until 7000 miles.

[Egaeus]

Except aren't we talking about oil filters?

[FearedGS500]

yes and no .. he started off with oil filter AND "first service"  i get my filters from the stealership .. its 6 bucks and some change ....... but mines the cartrige type .. i know thats one thing they have changed ... i guess they use to be the screw on type ? or maybe the ppl at my stealership are just stupid

[Egaeus]

I think they're just stupid.  AFAIK, the GS has always used a cartridge.  I know that Wix has a spin-on and a cartridge listed, but I've yet to see the mythical GS500 with a spin-on filter.