A question for everybody who has a motorcycle, do you go by the manufacturers' recommendations for servicing? Particularly oil and filter changes? I know some companies recommend long oil-change intervals, with others even suggesting a new filter on every other oil change.

So is everybody following these guidelines or do you change oil more frequently, like at 4000 or 5000 kilometers intervals? Do you use the manufacturer's recommended oil and specified weights or do you splurge for the higher-end synthetic oils?

Sometimes, lazy bastards that we are, we miss an oil-change interval by a few hundred kilometer, and we might not inspect the air-filter element or check the steering-head bearings exactly when prescribed. But, I have the idea that most riders in Thailand, for the greater part, follow the owner's manual.

Quote by: Johnathan

A question for everybody who has a motorcycle, do you go by the manufacturers' recommendations for servicing? Particularly oil and filter changes? I know some companies recommend long oil-change intervals, with others even suggesting a new filter on every other oil change.

So is everybody following these guidelines or do you change oil more frequently, like at 4000 or 5000 kilometers intervals? Do you use the manufacturer's recommended oil and specified weights or do you splurge for the higher-end synthetic oils?

I never change the oil without changing the filter....it is quite pointless putting clean oil trough a dirty filter.

I use non syntheitc for the first 2 x 1000km services to help the engine bedding in process.

I now use fully synthetic oil every 1500-2000km max (I am a oil and filter service freak, many other riders would do 3000 - 5000 km)

But the oil and filter here in Thailand are so cheap why not do it.

Many new sportsbikes do beneift from this misex oil bedding in process...older bikes do not like the new fully synthetic oils, they were designed and built for the older spec oil.

But I work my little Ninja 250R for a 350km + Uban Commute each week, so I take care of her as much as I can.

But I have raised the oil spec.eg from 10W30 to 10W40 due to the Heat Temps that by bike experiences in the BKK traffic and it has helped the gearbox and hot shifting (before I change she used to find "neutral" all the time when hot...now she is perfect) I know a few other guys that have also done this (raised it one spec due to the heat)

All Bike OEM's have their Brand Oils made my a Major POL so there is no need to buy "genuine" as long as it is a reputable brand and SAE spec.

Cheers

SD

OOPPSS - make that 5000 km