Hey I was just wondering how often you guys change your oil.
Personally? i like to change mine every 1500. Bike feels like new again... shifts easier... prolongs engine life. You really should do it atleast every 3000 miles i believe.
o, and if you just bought the bike... i'd go ahead and do it now.
P.S. Welcome to the site!
Welcome!
The Clymer manual states to change it every 4000 miles. That is what should be done as a minimum, if you're trying to save money, and is what I do. It certainly doesn't hurt to change your oil more often, to rid the motor of impurities.
I do it quite frequently ... about every 2 - 3000kms.
Is it bad to change the oil too much? Probably not.
Quote from: groff22I do it quite frequently ... about every 2 - 3000kms.
Is it bad to change the oil too much? Probably not.
It's never too often, unless your wallet is the judge. :roll:
Do you change the filter every time if you're changing the oil that often?
For us seasonal types in the North, I figured change it once in the spring, once in the middle of the summer and once before you put it away in the fall. Assuming you do 10,000km in a summer, you'd be changing it every 5,000.
i change mine every 2000 miles. I also change my filter everytime too.
Quote from: 94suzuki500i change mine every 2000 miles. I also change my filter everytime too.
+1
I run full synthetic and plan to change it every 4000. Since i only have 2500 on my bik and already have changed it 4 times, rather be safe then sorry during break in, it will be a while.
Quote from: manofthefieldQuote from: 94suzuki500i change mine every 2000 miles. I also change my filter everytime too.
+1
+1
I change mine every night. Hey, more frequently is better!
(5000 with synth, easy for my overtaxed brain to remember.)
I'm waiting for someone with more time on their hands than me to send a sample off to Blackstone for analysis. Heck, I might just do it. I'll even take a friendly wager that it's still within spec at that time.
Synth is so damn expensive... I can see why you'd want to wait.
4500 with Yamalube synth blend.
Worked great in the 4-stroke dirtbikes we ran for 3 years hard in tougher conditions, everything looked brand-new in the head on my cousin's bike after 3 years with exclusive Yamalube 10W40.
Never use anything else, for bikes, that I won't!
napa 10w40. car crap. that's all she needs. although I've been thinking about switching to a high milage formula. and anyware between 3-4000 miles depending on whare I am and how I am riding.
I have only put about 1000 miles on my bike, but I changed the oil when I got it @ 180 miles (cause it sat for 10 years), and again @ 1100 miles :) I just use 10/40 Penzoil or whatever is on sale @ Walmart :) I plan to change it every 1-2000. I will prob only change the filter every 3000 or so. Oil is cheap, engine rebuilds and trans probs are not :thumb:
you got your ten year old bike with 180 miles on it, lucky
+1 on the changing oil when you fist get your bike, i also do this when i get other vehicles as well. and every 1500-2000 miles after that for the bike
I change it on all my bikes with semi-synth (don't have anything new enough to gain any advantage from fully synth), every 1500 miles, and change the filters every second oil change.
Like someone said, oil is cheap, engine parts ain't!
every 4 to 5 k..but then most of my rides are long and sustained.
I go 5000 with Mobile one in my truck, will do the same with the bike. 8)
you guys think that that quaker state high mileage will help the older e's out a lil?
Changed it when I got the bike (it'd sat for a long time), will change it again when I put it away for the winter and again when I pull it out for spring. I haven't had enough time riding this season to change it mid-year.
I use the Mobile Delvac 1300 15w40 stuff you can buy in gallons at Wal-Mart for 5 bucks a pop. Diesel oils tend to be good oils for heavy-use situations, they are formulated with extra detergents. Plus, they're cheap as heck. I might have to switch up to a different oil for early winter riding though, 15-weight isn't so great for cold starts.
Quote from: daneilahQuote from: groff22I do it quite frequently ... about every 2 - 3000kms.
Is it bad to change the oil too much? Probably not.
It's never too often, unless your wallet is the judge. :roll:
Do you change the filter every time if you're changing the oil that often?
For us seasonal types in the North, I figured change it once in the spring, once in the middle of the summer and once before you put it away in the fall. Assuming you do 10,000km in a summer, you'd be changing it every 5,000.
I change the filter every time, not neccessarily the O-Ring. 10,000K a summer? Hardly 5k! :)
Quote from: davipucar crap. that's all she needs.
Ja, I've seen a couple of decent studies that show car oil works fine for bikes, and it's easier for me to get at a decent price ('round here).
Change oil every 1500? I don't have time to change it every other week. ;)
But Dave, it sounds like you're changing yours weekly? :P
na, I've slowed down, and hit my gas money limit.
so, just for a noob here, can I use the car oil, or do I have to look for a motorcycle one? howto page here says 4-stroke motorcycle, but local pep boys don't have any motorcycle oil. Do I have to look for it or am I fine with car one? also what brand/weight/etc is good, I think manual says 10w40?
Thanks!
As previously mentioned the commercial diesel oils are a great choice for the GS. They will stand up to the "shearing" effect of the gears in the tranny better than regular auto oils. I use the Mobile Devlac 1300 15w-40. I think its as good or better than "motorcycle" oil.
OR...
YES!!!
You can use car oil! :) Its all you need.. go to walmart.. or where ever, and buy some 10W40 .. Of any brand.. cheapest if you like.. pay big $$ if you really want.. The GS is a tank! Dump any brand o Dino juice in and zooooom.. :thumb:
ok now, what's a shearing effect, how do I know it's a diesel oil, and what's a dyno juice? you are dealing with a total noob here, remember :)
:lol:
Just put 10W40 in it.. same as most cars :)
You can use other like... 10W30, or other...
Dino juice is (oil) :thumb: as oposed to synthetic oil.. you can use that as well.. But as a noob...
10W40..(Thats what Manuel says ;) ). Even says it on the dipstick on mine :) buy it @ Walmart.. or any parts store... It doesnt have to say anyting special.. no.. "motorcycle oil" or stuff like that :) you could prob buy it @ the dollar store :lol: But I would stick w/ majior brands like Pensoil, Valvoline.. etc :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
laugh all you want... meanwhile I am getting myself some 10w40 :mrgreen:
I like castrol. Been using it in everything, use synthetic 10x40 in the bike and it is great.
Synthetic is actually cheaper most of the time considering you can get 5000 miles out of it and only 3000 out of regular. A side effect of synthetic is that your engine will warm up a little quicker as well.
I don't have any experience with the high milage formulas on bikes, but there was a noticable difference in my explorer when I used it. Those formulas are supposed to increase compression by filling the microscopic cracks and scrapes in the piston and cylinder walls. I would guess that bikes may develop those same cracks.
Oh...I'll definately second (or third or whatever) the comment about changing the oil when you buy a vehicle. Never believe anything the seller tells you unless there are service station records with dates and milage on them.
I purchased my GS500EY in April of 2000, new in the crate. I changed the oil at 200 miles, 400 miles, and 1200 miles. I now have 1675 miles on the bike. I figured since I average approx. 300 miles a year, I did the last change @ 1200 mi. with Synthetic. That way I won't have to change oil at least until I retire! :) Cool Huh??? :)
ok, so how do you tell a synthetic oil from a regular one?
Quote from: Soaringok, so how do you tell a synthetic oil from a regular one?
The label? :dunno:
D :cheers:
Mobil has recently come out with a synth blend - $2 a quart. I changed to that (10W40) for the last track day in the SV, and it didn't blow up. Nice smooth shifting.