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06-03-2011, 05:22pm
(This post was last modified: 06-03-2011, 05:26pm by Throwdown!.)
I used to do approximately 1000km a week commuting in all weather from snow to 40C and would change the oil once a month at about 4,000km. I used to use Shell full syn at $30 for 4 litres, then switched to Shell semi-syn for $24 because it was just as good for pottering to work at 110-120 speed limit.
THEN, it all dried up where I live and commute - everyone only stocks expensive oil now. I bought a 20 litre drum of Motul for $300 and at least have great re-usable oil dispenser I can keep filling up, but I don't need to be spending twice as much when Motul isn't twice as good.
I've been using an aluminium KP re-usable filter for 7 years now and it's easily paid for itself with no trouble. I've also used cheap oil for a period of time and just changed it evey 1500km. To me, the most important thing is frequency of oil changes and now I change it once it gets proper dirty - about 3-3,500km, just as you can't see clearly through it anymore in the sight glass.
I also fill up with 4 litres because years ago the U.S Org boys who strip engines every week thought it was a good idea to add another quart to the recommended 3.5, especially for better cold start protection - filling to 4 litres is more than an extra quart, but easier to measure as we don't do U.S quarts Down Under. I've had no problem with that practice for the last 7 years, although I haven't been doing 50,000km a year now for about the last 2-3 years.
The engine gets better after 100,000km and any trouble this bike has given me has never been with the engine...OR clutch. I changed the entire clutch last year when the bike was bunny hopping and not going away from the lights, only to find out I needed a new fuel filter and dyno, but that old clutch sitting on my shelf is probably just fine.
THEN, it all dried up where I live and commute - everyone only stocks expensive oil now. I bought a 20 litre drum of Motul for $300 and at least have great re-usable oil dispenser I can keep filling up, but I don't need to be spending twice as much when Motul isn't twice as good.
I've been using an aluminium KP re-usable filter for 7 years now and it's easily paid for itself with no trouble. I've also used cheap oil for a period of time and just changed it evey 1500km. To me, the most important thing is frequency of oil changes and now I change it once it gets proper dirty - about 3-3,500km, just as you can't see clearly through it anymore in the sight glass.
I also fill up with 4 litres because years ago the U.S Org boys who strip engines every week thought it was a good idea to add another quart to the recommended 3.5, especially for better cold start protection - filling to 4 litres is more than an extra quart, but easier to measure as we don't do U.S quarts Down Under. I've had no problem with that practice for the last 7 years, although I haven't been doing 50,000km a year now for about the last 2-3 years.
The engine gets better after 100,000km and any trouble this bike has given me has never been with the engine...OR clutch. I changed the entire clutch last year when the bike was bunny hopping and not going away from the lights, only to find out I needed a new fuel filter and dyno, but that old clutch sitting on my shelf is probably just fine.
Carpe Diem!