How often do you change your oil ???

[Sabex]

If you go to Napa they sell an oil test kit, $12 for basic or $25 for TBN. Comes with a container, instructions, and pre-paid stamp for it.

-Jamie M.

Alright, thanks.

 

[Invincible]

what if i want the oil to degrade so its thinner for the winter. bike calls for 10w 30. if i run the 10w 40 long enough how long before it turns to 10w 30.

If you want to have an idea of the condition of your oil, you can buy a UOA kit at Napa for $12 for the basics or $18 for the full test (inc. TBN). Go for a ride, come back, suck it out of the dipstick hole if available, without letting it idle very long, stick it in the pre-paid box, voila, you know the condition of your oil, bearings, etc.

In my 09 R6S using Amosil's MCF full synthetic motorcycle oil and their "long" premium CAR oil filter (EA15K13) I got right to 9000km's before I started to get any measurable degradation in the oil!!! So I did my changes at 10k and Amsoil did their own test (which I don't really trust, lol) when I changed my oil, and they said probably around 14k I should be changing it!! CRAZY!

-Jamie M.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

You can also go here, http://www.blackstone-labs.com/, and they'll send you a kit for free but you pay to have it analyzed.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

what if i want the oil to degrade so its thinner for the winter. bike calls for 10w 30. if i run the 10w 40 long enough how long before it turns to 10w 30.

That's not quite how viscosity ratings work. If you ran your oil long enough to break down all the viscosity modifiers (tip - don't do that) than what you would end up with would be SAE 10 - it would flow roughly the same when cold. Ideally, 10w30 and 10w40 flow the same when cold, to state that another way.

 

[alkaline nine]

I change mine every 6,500 to 7,500 km, sometimes closer to 10,000 km when iam lazy. In 30 yrs of riding i have never had any engine problems or failures related to oil. In my opinion, its manufactures wanting to sell product.

 

[toysareforboys]

what if i want the oil to degrade so its thinner for the winter. bike calls for 10w 30. if i run the 10w 40 long enough how long before it turns to 10w 30.

Don't worry about running thinner oil in the winter. Most oil filters have anti drain back valves so it keeps your system primed with oil. And as long as you're using what the manufacturer specifies in your manual, it'll do just fine in our canadian winter!

I ride my bike all year round, no issues as long as I keep my battery on a tender for those -26c starts!

-Jamie M.

 

[Sabex]

Don't worry about running thinner oil in the winter. Most oil filters have anti drain back valves so it keeps your system primed with oil. And as long as you're using what the manufacturer specifies in your manual, it'll do just fine in our canadian winter!

I ride my bike all year round, no issues as long as I keep my battery on a tender for those -26c starts!

-Jamie M.

How do you combat rust?

 

[RockerGuy]

You can also go here, http://www.blackstone-labs.com/, and they'll send you a kit for free but you pay to have it analyzed.

That's what I used also. I also spoke to the lab tech there, he used to ride.
Give me all the intricacies of oil analysis and spent 40mins on the phone with me talking oil, lol

 

[toysareforboys]

How do you combat rust?

Rust? I'm more worried about rust in the summer than I am the winter, by far! Bike is 99.7% aluminum so it doesn't rust.

Now corrosion, from salt... that's what you gotta worry about. Damn aluminum

-Jamie M.

 

[Sabex]

Rust? I'm more worried about rust in the summer than I am the winter, by far! Bike is 99.7% aluminum so it doesn't rust.

Now corrosion, from salt... that's what you gotta worry about. Damn aluminum

-Jamie M.

That's what I meant lol.

 

[toysareforboys]

That's what I meant lol.

Oh If you're riding in the salty stuff just give her a good wash down when you get home, and put new wheel bearings in come spring time

-Jamie M.

 

[Sabex]

Oh If you're riding in the salty stuff just give her a good wash down when you get home, and put new wheel bearings in come spring time

-Jamie M.

Yeah, I tried giving 'er a good wash every time I got home... but when I went into the states there wasn't any water I could just use at will.


Riding in the winter is really quite refreshing. Hopefully this winter is as mild as last; so I can at least pack in a few days if I get a bike before (really good chance of having one mid October now !)