Winterizing new bike with low KM - Oil change?

DaveTheCanuck

DaveTheCanuck

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I've searched around but couldn't find a definitive answer for this situation...

I just picked up my 300 ~2 weeks ago and have only managed to put 256km on the odometer so far. Given it's started snowing and it's going to be below 5C for the foreseeable future, I'll be winterizing her soon.

Since the mileage is still so low and the engine likely isn't broken in yet, is an oil change still recommended? If so, should I refill with mineral?

Thanks
 
Don't bother. Too little km on the oil to make it worth changing.

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I'd leave it -- just make sure when you wake the bike in spring to give it a good run to burn off any moisture/water in the oil. Also remember to pull the battery and put it in a trickle charger and fill the gas tank completely & add sta-bil or similar.
 
conundrum said:
I'd leave it -- just make sure when you wake the bike in spring to give it a good run to burn off any moisture/water in the oil. Also remember to pull the battery and put it in a trickle charger and fill the gas tank completely & add sta-bil or similar.
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You could heave the battery on the bike as long as you are using a nice charger like the Ctek 3300 or Optimate 3.
 
Thanks for the replies!

Let me ask the question a different way though... Is there any reason I shouldn't change the oil yet? I don't mind spending the $40 for some oil and a filter if it's better for the bike. My concern is whether changing the oil this soon would have any negative effect on the break-in process.

(p.s. I've already got a jerrycan of Shell 91, a bottle of sta-bil, some chain cleaner/lube, and a battery tender ready to go.)
 
DaveTheCanuck said:
Thanks for the replies!

Let me ask the question a different way though... Is there any reason I shouldn't change the oil yet? I don't mind spending the $40 for some oil and a filter if it's better for the bike. My concern is whether changing the oil this soon would have any negative effect on the break-in process.

(p.s. I've already got a jerrycan of Shell 91, a bottle of sta-bil, some chain cleaner/lube, and a battery tender ready to go.)
Click to expand...

Brand new bikes have a different blend of oil in them to aid with the break in. Changing it early might hurt your engine.
 
DaveTheCanuck said:
Thanks for the replies!

Let me ask the question a different way though... Is there any reason I shouldn't change the oil yet? I don't mind spending the $40 for some oil and a filter if it's better for the bike. My concern is whether changing the oil this soon would have any negative effect on the break-in process.

(p.s. I've already got a jerrycan of Shell 91, a bottle of sta-bil, some chain cleaner/lube, and a battery tender ready to go.)
Click to expand...

No negative effects. There is some wisdom in doing an early oil change, much earlier than the manufacturer recommends (probably 1000 km for the first), to clear out any manufacturing debris.
 
+1 to above ^

My friend was a mechanic for many years and he said changing oils on new bikes was the worst -> all the metal shavings that weren't properly blown out or cleaned from the factory will end up in your oil at this point.

He said changing it at just a few hundred kilometers, you could see all the metal fibers if you put the oil under a light.

Oil is the most underrated maintenance you could perform and for the cheapest too
 
I've been reading similar theories to the above. Reading some Ninja 250 forums, it seems the consensus is to perform the first oil change early with standard mineral oil.

I've been ignoring the break-in procedure anyway. Not riding it hard, but keeping this bike under 4000rpm is nearly impossible on city streets. I've just been varying the RPM range and doing a lot of engine braking instead which seems to be the recommended method.

Thanks again for the info!
 
silverbullet132 said:
Brand new bikes have a different blend of oil in them to aid with the break in. Changing it early might hurt your engine.
Click to expand...

False new bikes do not have special oil in them from new. Factory uses regular dino oil most of the time for break in. Some will use semi synthetic. Reccomended to not go to full synthetic till well after break in has been achieved.
 
If you follow the advice on this thread I would not want to buy your bike if you go to resell it. You need to get your bike through the break in. My opinion is the 1 k mark. How you break it in is subject to varying opinion. My bike has 55k on it and still going I must have done it right. You need to do a power a ride and get to the 1 k mark. Get the service done and winterize the bike. If this is not something you can do, Fiil the tank and run stabilizer for 5 minutes, change the oil, remove the spark plug and put a tablespoon of oil in the cylinder and the turn the bike over a few times. Put the spark plug back in and the ignition wire on the plug. Remove the battery from the bike and wrap in a rag. I store mine in the closet by the front door. Your owners manual should have a complete list of what you should do. Do it. As you are in the break in, I would change the oil again in the spring and continue with the break in.
 
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