Frequent oil changes with cheap oil Vs synthetic

[EazyDuz]

On the engine of my bike is stamped 3000mi. Meaning change oil every 3000 miles. Its a 2005, takes 3.8-4 litres and at the time it was made it asks for 10w40 semi synth/dino oil.

Had me wondering, I figure there are 2 ways to go about it, which is best?

1. Change every 2500-3000 with cheap Halfords/Wilkos/Asdas own brand semi synthetic oil (just making sure not to use anything known to make MC clutches slip).

2. Change every 4000-4500 or so with proper motorcycle full synthetic stuff.

I change the filter at the same time as they cost about £4 for a Hi-Flo.
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[doggone]

You wot, 3000ml

[MCN]

6000 for bikes.
I think 125s get it more frequently but sometimes that's coz they do not use a filter and just have a screen to keep big lumps oot.

I can't be arsed with the phaphery so I fill with Castrate Racing 1 (fully syn) with new BMW filters plug washer and set the service reminder to 6 months or so.
If I've not clocked 6000 miles when the computer says... the service reminder gets reset to the next 6 months.
But I change every year just coz I'm scared. 🤣
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[virus]

how about you leave the servicing to someone who can read what it says on the engine?
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Polarbear]

I chortled i did.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[ThatDippyTwat]

3000ml, or 3 litres of oil. Fucking hell.

I change my 125 much more often, even though it has a normal filter as well as a strainer, but it's frequently pinned to the stop. That has 950ml on the side of the case, butr 1L is about right as it has a slightly larger cooler than stick.

I change the Viffer at whatevery the Haynes says. That's what I use the trip meter for.

I use whatever JASO MA2 is available. Usually about £20 for 5L.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[RhynoCZ]

I always did 4000 miles or 12 months, whatever came first. Once did about 4500 miles before the oil change and the motorcycle did not explode.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[yen_powell]

I average 8,000 miles between changes. Bikes don't seem to mind.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[P.addy]

Varadero 125 got a 1500 / monthly change. GSXR has had 2 changes, 1 filter since I got it.

It is due another one next weekend.

[MCN]

The important issue about engine oil changes is whether the oil stays 'in grade'. That means the oil viscosity (pour-ability) remains unchange over the service life of the oil.
That is a function of the way the molecules stick to each other or the bonds to creat a film. The film prevents metal rubbing on metal. Poo oil can present a poor weak film then metal can rub on metal.
Heat effects this but more significantly other compounds can be detrimental to the oil viscosity.
Acids from combustion by-product and oxidation from reaction with air and heat.
Synthetic oils stay in grade far better than standard oils do.
The limiting factor then is the pollutants in the oil that can eat the engine need to be removed.
The simplest method is to remove the oil and fill with fresh oil.
Bike engines run a much higher rpm than car engines so there is more mechanical stress on the oils too.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Robby]

I'm assuming this isn't the 125, because 3L is a very large oil capacity for a 125.

Either way, people like you are why workshop manuals and service schedules exist. Get the book, do what it says. Don't try to be clever with workarounds for different kind of oil, you've already failed at being clever.

[EazyDuz]

Ya'll retarded, Im telling you it says 3000mi (miles).

3000ml is not enough for my bike. It takes (as stated in user manual and Haynes) 3.6 without a filter change or 3.8 with filter change. Thats litres. For some reason Suzuki stuck on the mileage in between changes.
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[RhynoCZ]

[Easy-X]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9DWGtXpYUc

This guy cooks oil and then freezes it and compares viscosity. Surprisingly the basic synthetic did really well.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[ThatDippyTwat]

[Ste]

[stinkwheel]

A GPZ500 motor takes 3 litres every 3k miles and a filter every 6.

I would personally preferr cheap oil changed more frequently than expensive oil changed less frequently. I did this on my old GPZ and that motor is still running in a friends survival bike 80k miles later. Cams look like new. The rest of it is pretty hanging.

My VFR750 takes 3.1 litres every 9,000 miles. I just use halfords own brand 10w-40 semi-synthetic engine oil (not the motorcycle labelled stuff).

Both bikes have this volume cast into the RHS carankcase/cover.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Evil Hans]

My Suzuki has 3300 ml stamped next to the filler.

That's millilitres, not miles.

What bike do you have?


As for the oil, I am a great believer in frequent changes with Supermarket SemiSynth.
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Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[MarJay]

Jeez, OP.... Jeez.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[MarJay]

Just want to add, why would the Japanese use miles? Even Triumph would probably stamp KM IF the service schedule for any bike was ever stamped on the cases, which it isn't.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[1198]

I change the ZZR oil and filter yearly, after about 4-5k, just after the MOT.
It gets reasonable oil, this year being fully synthetic Castrol. 75k miles on, still runs well. I could leave it longer but yearly seems fine, probably not harmed in the slightest by the fact the bike very rarely does journeys of less than 40 miles - 275 miles per trip being the norm (my commute).
I did it this morning actually!
Not sure why Kawasaki have two sump plugs and such a faffy routine to measure the level though...

Ps Haynes suggest 6k - that seems a bit far for me.

[1198]

Oh - and really?...

[MCN]

OP, post photo or GTF.

C'mon... Let's put this baby to bed.

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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[MarJay]

https://i.imgur.com/lqoUSpN.jpg
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[weasley]