You answered your own question. I'd rather do an oil change every 8-10k than every 3-5k. And synthetic oil is a better product. Why wouldn't you use synthetic oil in a new bike? That's the real question.
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Oil and Filter Change
- Thread starter Darkness
- Start date
You answered your own question. I'd rather do an oil change every 8-10k than every 3-5k. And synthetic oil is a better product. Why wouldn't you use synthetic oil in a new bike? That's the real question.
That. Being far from mechanically inclined, I had my first 2 oil changes done at a shop for close to what you were charged. Then I looked up on the web for instruction and decided to give it a try (with a motorcycle towing phone number on my cell, just in case). Apart from being messy when you don't know what nut to loosen first, and the trouble of going through fairing, it's *almost* as easy as filling up your gas tank. And really really gratifying too.
Griffin
Well-known member
It's a 20 minute job. Have bike warm, open drain, remove filter, have a beer, insert drain plug, replace filter, put in oil. .75 shop labour for that is ridiculous. The hourly rate you were charged iis only slightly on the high side. The amount of time charged though is ridiculous. And yeah, they squirted some lube on your chain. Still that's a big hit.
I don't bother doing my own oil changes on my car because its a bit more involved and messy but doing an oil change on a motorcycle is about the easiest mechanical task that there is.
I don't bother doing my own oil changes on my car because its a bit more involved and messy but doing an oil change on a motorcycle is about the easiest mechanical task that there is.
Griffin
Well-known member
That and the time they stood around drinking a beer waiting for the oil to drain.
polo
Well-known member
Or, you could do it the Chuck Norris way. I've edited Griffin's post to indicate the steps required.
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wonderings
Well-known member
+1
One of the easiest services you can do yourself and save yourself a bundle.
Unscrew bolt, oil empties. Remove filter, more oil empties. New filter in hand tight, bolt with fresh crush waster screwed firmly in place, pour in oil. Your done, thats it.
It amazes me how much they charge for an oil change on a bike when I can get an oil change on a car for $20, or something like that.
Because it's a specialty...
Persian-Rice
Active member
Get a service manual and do it yourself dude. I just want to give you my 2c. I used to use Amsoil all the time and it really is one of the best. However, I found that there are other oils that do just as good a job at much lower cost. If you are riding street, try Motul, Mobil or Rotella brands, Amsoil is overkill unless you have a good hookup and you beat on your bike regularly.
My local penzoil service centre and Cdn Tire have both taken used oil from me.
My local penzoil service centre and Cdn Tire have both taken used oil from me.
Don't know if you have one nearby, but waste management facilities will take your oil and filters. Basically you go in and dump the oil filter in a big bin, and empty the oil into a big vat and you're done.
Bullzie
Active member
Canadian tire will take small amounts of oil (less than 5 L) and your filter for free. Don't let them charge you, because they don't pay for it to be taken from them. The disposal charge is part of the sale price. They do the same with tires.
Malks
Well-known member
I take my used oil and filters to the twice-a-year hazardous waste day held by the Town. Since I also do oil changes on my car and truck, I have more than enough to justify the time it takes to drive over and drop it off.
One other thing, when putting the drain plug in, DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. I suggest using a torque wrench. That way you shouldn't strip the oil pan. No need to ask how I know this.
One other thing, when putting the drain plug in, DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. I suggest using a torque wrench. That way you shouldn't strip the oil pan. No need to ask how I know this.
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I always do my own oil changes....but it's not 20 minutes for me. I am supposed to remove the right fairing...but it takes about half hour before you have it off and is like a puzzle when you try to fit all the tabs in the right place putting it back on.
I do mine as well but it takes around an hour by the time I get the fairings off and on again. Can't be done with the fairings on.
You can drop old oil off at Canadian Tire any time you want. Personally I do so once a year.
And on topic of synthetic vs dino, even if synthetic was exactly the same as dino but only provided twice the longevity, I'd still use it. I'd prefer not to change my oil every other week lol
I don't think it's a matter of people thinking the dealer charged too much, I think it's moreso that for an oil change, which 99% of people here are capable of doing on their own, he got overcharged because had he done it himself he'd have saved on all the labour. It's like buying a hotdog from a vendor. Yes you can buy 12 hot dogs and buns for the cost of 1 from the vendor, but it's far more convenient this way. He didn't have to dispose of the old oil or get his hands dirty, plus he got to ride the bike there and back.
I think he was charged an alright price, but a tad high on the labour cost. I could see 1/2 an hour, but .75? That seems a bit high, considering they can lube the chain while the oil drains. The most amount of time lubing my chain is setting up the rear stand, and they already had the bike in the air.
I think he was charged an alright price, but a tad high on the labour cost. I could see 1/2 an hour, but .75? That seems a bit high, considering they can lube the chain while the oil drains. The most amount of time lubing my chain is setting up the rear stand, and they already had the bike in the air.
Actually, I disagree.. No one actually knows what the viscosity of Chuck Norris' blood is, as Chuck Norris hasn't shed any. When Chuck Norris shaves, Chuck Norris makes the razor bleed. Very funny post though. LOL
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