How often do you change the oil.

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zenman · #1 Unread post by **zenman** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:21 pm

I thought every 3000 miles. like a car. My rider friend says every 10000 to 15000 miles. Also, if I change it myself, do I have to use motorcycle oil or can I use regular car oil?

I bought 3 quarts of motorcycle oil for my GZ250 and a filter, and the total was $35. I can get it done for me for $50.

niterider · #2 Unread post by **niterider** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:43 pm

For my vulcan the manuel says every 6,000 miles.
And it calls for SAE 10W40 or 10W50 cold weather
And SAE 20W40 or 20W50 for warm weather.
As for miles I usually go 1,500 to 2,000. And use the 20W50 year round.
BTW I use castrol gtx.

#3 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:44 pm

There's plenty of threads about this. Check the search function.

I don't like faking it, so I get my oil analyzed at every oil change. It's the only way to be truly sure how your oil is doing.

Gadjet · #4 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:48 pm

I change my oil every 3000 miles (5000km) and I only use bike specific oil or Shell Rotella T.

Do not use car oil in your bike - you'll wreck your clutch

#5 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:06 pm

Gadjet wrote:Do not use car oil in your bike - you'll wreck your clutch

Not true.

#6 Unread post by **Wrider** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:57 pm

Skier wrote:
Gadjet wrote:Do not use car oil in your bike - you'll wreck your clutch
Not true.

Only true in a way... If you use car oil with a detergent it'll let it foam up easier, and also because of the modern anti-friction additives, it can make your clutch plates slip. The anti-friction additive gets into the friction material and even after you change your oil again it'll make your clutch slip.
Wrider
Oh, and about your friend's 10-15K mi between changes...

Honestly if he's doing that he's hurting his motor quite a bit.

BikerEd · #7 Unread post by **BikerEd** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:49 am

The guy that changes his oil every 10-15 K Mi. must change his bikes every year. That will kill an engine. My oil gets changed at 3000 Klm.- 1800 Mi. Had a 750 Honda for 6 years,never took oil. Used synthetic oil in my Yamaha 1100 once , clutch slipped like h#&*. Ok when i went back to Bike Oil.

-Curly- · #8 Unread post by **-Curly-** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:54 am

My owners manual says every 4,000 miles and filter every 8,000 miles. I just change them both every spring.

slimcolo · #9 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:57 am

Harley manual for my old FLH says 1000 miles my BMW says 4000

jimyed · #10 Unread post by **jimyed** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:12 am

Skier wrote:
Gadjet wrote:Do not use car oil in your bike - you'll wreck your clutch
Not true.

Could you expand on that? Everything I've raed suggests that the friction modifiers in modern car oils are bad for bike clutchs (Ok may not wreck them but are not good).

I change my oils every 5000KM or so. I use Semi Synthetic Motorcycle oil.
I change the Filter every time. And i do it myself.