First Oil Change

[bphat]

It is a good idea to change the filter any time you change the oil. It'll be 4 $ well spent. Plus, as the engine "breaks-in" it will likely shave small metal bits off as the metal parts bed in. The filter will catch them, So you should go with a new one.

[HBerry]

I shall put a new one in thank you!

[Maui]

Use regular oil for the first 1000 - 1500 miles. Don't go to Synthetics until after that.

I also would do a change before 500-600 miles. Trust me... I did my first at 50, and there was a TON of crap floating around. Oil was clear and golden, but a done of floating filings, etc.

[Stoneman]

I'd be very weary of changing oil too soon on a new bike. New engines are gonna produce some filings. As mentioned though, the filter is there for that. I'd be bit apprehensive about keeping things 'too' lubricated during break-in. May not give the appropriate parts the friction they need to 'seat' and 'break-in'...

It's just my opinion. But I wouldn't change erl in a brandy-new bike for at least a few hundred miles....

[Maui]

I would change the filter. First 1000 miles there is a ton of crap in the case, filings, breaking in the clutch, etc. It is short money for potential big savings in wear.

[Stoneman]

No, I wouldn't wait 1000 miles to change it either. Honestly, I do what the manual suggests which is usually around 600 miles, 1000 miles, 2500 miles (or something), including the filter. Then I take care of bizness every 2500 after that...

In today's world, the manu's wouldn't DREAM of giving you misleading information on break-ins and initial erl changes...

[Maui]

Originally posted by Stoneman
I'd be very weary of changing oil too soon on a new bike. New engines are gonna produce some filings. As mentioned though, the filter is there for that. I'd be bit apprehensive about keeping things 'too' lubricated during break-in. May not give the appropriate parts the friction they need to 'seat' and 'break-in'...

It's just my opinion. But I wouldn't change erl in a brandy-new bike for at least a few hundred miles....

Well here is where I got a lot of my information:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Now while I am not sure on all of it, I know when it comes to the oil:


Q: What's the third most common cause of engine problems ???
A: Not changing the oil soon enough after the engine is first run !!

Change Your Oil Right Away !!
The best thing you can do for your engine is to change your oil and filter after the first 20 miles. Most of the wearing in process happens immediately, creating a lot of metal in the oil. Plus, the amount of leftover machining chips and other crud left behind in the manufacturing process is simply amazing !! You want to flush that stuff out before it gets recycled and embedded in the transmission gears, and oil pump etc...



I did mine at 50 miles and it was FILTHY. There were a couple pieces that looked like tiny slices of finger nail clippings.

Whether this is right or wrong, I think it is better to have a clean lubricated engine that a ton of metal filings rubbing against pistons, case, etc and just acting like sandpaper or creating scratches.

AGAIN... NO SYNTHETIC OIL which I agree with. but regular oil that does not have friction modifiers should not be an issue. Also a clogged filter does little good, and with the amount of stuff that was floating in my oil, the filter was grimey too.

[oreo_n2]

wow, mine didn't look very bad at all when i broke in my kwak and changed it at 250 and 1000 miles.

is your bike a harley?

[Maui]

Nope, Suzuki SV1000S. It also might have been that I really was looking at the oil as well. Like I said when I was looking at it coming out, looks golden and new. When I was pouring it into the bottles for disposal, really saw the flakes and filings floating around in there and had the big ... "Ah... This is what they meant"....