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Hey all,

I bought a brand new Ninja 650R this past Saturday. I've ridden the heck out of it and have it up to 430 miles now.

The day I got it it ran butter smooth, just like a brand new bike should. But yesterday and today it just didn't feel right. Just kinda crusty and the engine just didn't sound right. In particular, cruising around at about 30mph seemed a little jerky and rough, both feel wise and engine sound wise. I'm talking rather subtle stuff here, it's not like my bike just went to crud in two days.

So today I changed the oil, first oil change (it was at 405 miles when I changed it). I didn't change the filter.

Now it rides again like the day I got it. Am I just imagining this (entirely possible and likely). But I swear before the oil change it didn't seem right. I know a new bike needs early oil changes, so maybe it really did make a difference.

That first oil change *really* matters

Check out the oil in Mike's new vstrom after only ~50 miles!

http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=21851

The first oil change is the most important. Before the rings fully seal you get alot more blow by gases

tortus wrote:
.........

So today I changed the oil....... I didn't change the filter....

.....

Jebus, why the hell not?

I would have, if it was my bike.

If it was my bike, I'd change it tomorrow. And probably the oil as well, just to ease my mind.

The first oil change on any new engine is the most important. It flushes all the residue from manufacture and metal particles from parts mating with each other out of your new motor...... and leaves as much of it as possible in the filter. You don't really want your clean oil circulating through all that crud in the filter.

Ditto with Buzz. Don't answer but never pass on changing the filter when changing the oil.

You really need to NOW, is to drain your oil, replace the metal shaving filled filter, and fill with new oil again.

A lot of times a fresh oil change is really felt. To a small degree, there is also a placebo affect

Change the filter!

I rode it to work this morning, so I gotta ride it home. I'll stop by the dealer and grab a filter on the way. So looks like I'll be changing my oil yet again

tortus wrote:I rode it to work this morning, so I gotta ride it home. I'll stop by the dealer and grab a filter on the way. So looks like I'll be changing my oil yet again

and there was much rejoicing

You'll never, ever hurt your bike by changing the oil too often

tortus wrote:Hey all,

I bought a brand new Ninja 650R this past Saturday. I've ridden the heck out of it and have it up to 430 miles now.

The day I got it it ran butter smooth, just like a brand new bike should. But yesterday and today it just didn't feel right. Just kinda crusty and the engine just didn't sound right. In particular, cruising around at about 30mph seemed a little jerky and rough, both feel wise and engine sound wise. I'm talking rather subtle stuff here, it's not like my bike just went to crud in two days.

So today I changed the oil, first oil change (it was at 405 miles when I changed it). I didn't change the filter.

Now it rides again like the day I got it. Am I just imagining this (entirely possible and likely). But I swear before the oil change it didn't seem right. I know a new bike needs early oil changes, so maybe it really did make a difference.

Just wait until you get the fairing buzz

Did you at least get your helmet tethers?