Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => The Bike - C10 => Topic started by: bbroj on October 16, 2011, 01:47:31 PM
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recommendations on oil change intervals. I know they're here, but my searches come up with about nothing. I know the book(s) suggest 6kmi. I'm there right now, and I'll be lucky to get another 1000-1500 miles for the season. Last year was good for me, and I managed about 7200 mi. So, do I shorten the interval to about 3500 mi, or change it seasonally and call it good? I'm running Valvoline dino, motorcycle specific 10w40 and change the filter with every oil change. Thanks.
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I just looked at a .pdf copy of the owner's manual, and it indicates oil changes at about 3500 mile intervals, with filter changes every other oil change. Can't say I've ever agreed with skipping the filter change. I pretty much always change my oil at about 3K intervals, not so much because the manual or the group here says so, but because the bike seems to shift so much better with fresh oil.
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:popcorn:
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I'll have to double check, I thought the owners manual said 6k. If it says 3000 or 3500, the answer is easy. I'm not trying to cut corners here on the cost of an oil change, I plan on keeping this bike. I thought I had seen where others, with high mileage bikes, were going to 7+kmi.
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I just happened to literally trip over (well, step on) the owner's manual for my 06 that I've been looking for all season. (Last maintenance entry @ 38,210 and I'm a couple hundred miles from turning 50,000 - did the maintenance, just couldn't log it)
For the 2006, the oil changes are spec'd for every 6,000 miles. Filter changes at the same time.
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I use Mobil 1 with Pure One filters ever 5000 miles. No problems for 45000 miles.
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I use Mobil 1 with Pure One filters ever 5000 miles. No problems for 45000 miles.
+1
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Kendall racing 20w-50 and Supertech filters every 5000. :deadhorse: ;D
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Put me down in the Mobil 1 every 5K list.
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Blaise_ I change the oil in my 06 between 3K and 5K . Filter too. I use 10W 40 dino oil. It has 64K and runs well, shifts well and uses no oil. Hope to see you at Nov. M&G in Newburgh.
Tom Taylor COG#7173
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Blaise_ I change the oil in my 06 between 3K and 5K . Filter too. I use 10W 40 dino oil. It has 64K and runs well, shifts well and uses no oil. Hope to see you at Nov. M&G in Newburgh.
Tom Taylor COG#7173
+1. I do exactly the same as Tom, even down to the 10-40 dino.
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I use Shell Rotella T 15W40 Dino Oil.
Change oil and filter every 3000 miles (or if not riding much") every year.
So far, 2 Connies. 160,000 total miles with no oil related problems..
Ride safe, Ted
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Thanks all. I changed my oil last night at just about 6kmi. I will probably begin next year with about a 4kmi interval, that will have me changing about mid-season and not trying to finish the season out by extending the interval. I have another few rides this season (Tom, hope to see you in Newburgh, no definate plans yet, though) and the cost of an oil change is not worth pushing it and risking wear/damage.
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I've been thinking about pushing my oil changes to every 10-12k miles in the future, given that the 5-6k Kawa interval was probably decided on when only dino oils were available back in the late 80's, early 90's.
All cars here over the pond have at least doubled their oil change intervals over the past 10 years or so, both gas and diesel engined models. IMO, the only way they've achieved this is by using better available oils, especially fully synthetic such as Mobil 1.
Then again, for the time and cost involved in terms of life time ownership of the C-10, I'll probably just change mine at the end of every season regardless of whether I've done 3k or 10k. Then there's fresh oil in the engine over the winter period of zero riding ;).
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I've been thinking about pushing my oil changes to every 10-12k miles in the future, given that the 5-6k Kawa interval was probably decided on when only dino oils were available back in the late 80's, early 90's.
All cars here over the pond have at least doubled their oil change intervals over the past 10 years or so, both gas and diesel engined models. IMO, the only way they've achieved this is by using better available oils, especially fully synthetic such as Mobil 1.
Motorcycles are somewhat harder on oil than cars are, as the oil lubricates both the engine and transmission. The shifting would probably get pretty bad if you were to stretch it out to 10k or more. I find that even with synthetic, the shifting starts to suffer long before that.
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Motorcycles are somewhat harder on oil than cars are, as the oil lubricates both the engine and transmission. The shifting would probably get pretty bad if you were to stretch it out to 10k or more. I find that even with synthetic, the shifting starts to suffer long before that.
I agree. Don't stretch it out that far...
Ride safe, Ted
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Oil and filter companies have always stood by the claim 3000 miles is the life of an oil change, due to loss of lubrication, contamination of acid and dirt, and the start of the filter by-passing oil as the filter media gets restricted with dirt. I guess it comes down to how much do you like the bike, how long you plan to keep it, and does $30-35 really seem a costly service to abuse? Claims of longer oil life from a vehicle (or cycle) manufacturer never impressed me.
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Oil and filter companies have always stood by the claim 3000 miles is the life of an oil change, due to loss of lubrication, contamination of acid and dirt, and the start of the filter by-passing oil as the filter media gets restricted with dirt. I guess it comes down to how much do you like the bike, how long you plan to keep it, and does $30-35 really seem a costly service to abuse? Claims of longer oil life from a vehicle (or cycle) manufacturer never impressed me.
Well, the oil and filter companies, and oil change places, all have a financial interest in selling oil and filters as often as possible.
My 1996 Sunfire manual stated 7500 miles between changes. I did it somewhere around those intervals - usually later as I tend to procrastinate. And the car had 247,000 miles on a 2.2L gas motor when it was totaled. (Someone blew through a stop sign in front of my wife) The car was still running strong and was getting 32+mpg at that point.
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Well, the oil and filter companies, and oil change places, all have a financial interest in selling oil and filters as often as possible.
Exactly...... The Rebuild cost of the Main Engines that I'm in charge of on board ship "start" at 250,000.00 each so you can believe that we want maximum engine life. These engines hold 475 gallons of oil that cost about 12/13 dollars a gallon. How often do you think we change our oil? If we can get away with it NEVER within the life of the rebuild; and only by reported sample or catastrophic failure. How often do we change the oil filters? As per the Engine Manf recommendations of hours or pressure differential.
Another reason Oil Manf like to spec low change numbers is for reclaiming the oil; oil that has less hours on it is easier to reclaim.
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I have to disagree a bit.
Actually, the Oil Companies do not say to change the oil at 3000 miles. They are all making oil that is rated at far more than 3000. They all advertise that the oil is good for more than 3000 miles.
Yea, I agree that the oil companies like to sell the oil and get the money, but you will not see them advertising that their oil has to be changed at 3000 miles. All oil currently on the market is good for more than 3000. Many are advertised to last 5000-10,000 miles. Synthetic is advertised to last longer than that.
Filters are also advertised to last longer than 3000 miles.
In the owner manuals on most new cars, it says to change the oil at 3000 "only" in very hard use/high heat/ or dirty applications. Most recommend changes at approx 5000 miles.
I'm not sure who says you must change the oil at 3000.
Certainly the people that are selling oil changes say that.
The dealers say to change at 3000 as they are selling oil changes and responsible for the warranty.
3000 mile changes are overprotection.
What 3000 mile oil changes do is assure you that your changeing "well" before it is a problem.
But it is not absolutely necessary.
Having said all of that I admit that i change my bike oil more frequesntly than 5000 miles. I do that because I ride so seldom that time is my main reason for changing. I also feel that fresh oil helps the shifting.
I change my car oil every 5000 miles.
Ride safe, Ted
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Very good and true points Ted; I should have elaborated further as I totally agree with you here.
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This is great stuff, very informative! I agree with the statement that car makers recommend 3kmi changes in "severe" use, but looking at how they define severe, I always fall into that category. "Severe" usually means "city" driving. Lots of stop and go, or short trips. Towing also throws you into the "severe" group. If my truck wasn't going the short 14 mi each way to work, it had a 5000lb camper behind it. I changed oil and filter regularly at 3k with the recommended semi synthetic 5w20 (another whole discussion, I was blown away at how thin this stuff was, but the manufacturer and dealer stood by it, even towing. The basic explanation was tighter tollerances=thinner oil to get in the smaller gaps).
On the bike, my riding is not extreme on the sport side of things, but probably still counts as severe. Same short 14 mi trip to and from work, with regular 2 up trips and the bike fully loaded. It seems to be a false economy to try to get an entire season out of a single oil change. This year will most likely come in around 7-8k before storing the bike. I'll change between 3 and 4k and call it good. Besides, I agree with those who claim better shifting after an oil change.
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First, lemme say I'ma lazy slug. :o There - now that that's established. 8)
I ride the C-10 about 10K miles/yr, 90% of it on looong rides.
Every winter, I grab the Jack Daniels, my old pipe, zippo, and head into the garage to chainge the oil & filter, adjust the valves, and sync the carbs (and just get the hell away from SWMBO for awhile...). :chugbeer:
If I used the bike regularly for commuting - which is much harder on a machine than long distance riding - I'd do both more often. BUT - that's what I do.
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OK, I give up, what's SWMBO ?
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OK, I give up, what's SWMBO ?
She Who Must Be Obeyed ;). Generally wife, girlfriend, partner etc..
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This is great stuff, very informative! I agree with the statement that car makers recommend 3kmi changes in "severe" use, but looking at how they define severe, I always fall into that category. "Severe" usually means "city" driving.
Exactly.
If you're ever in the used motorcycle market looking to buy a bike, would you respond first to the guy recording oil changes at 3,000 miles for the life of the bike, or the guy saying 7,500 miles whether it needed it or not? Oil cools and cleans as well as lubricates. Everyone might agree after an oil change, they usually hear a quieter engine compared to before the oil change. The increase in my cost is $35 every 3 months instead of every 6 months. I don't think I'm concerned about excessive maintenance costs here, just the consequences of my rings and bearings if I'm neglecting the chore. I managed for 7 years in those quick oil change companies. I've seen tens of thousands of oil changes, not 3 or 4 a year. I have my own experience of what neglect and proper care looks like and took the time to document independent analysis of used oil in many cars, to either deny or support the oil companies statement to change it for severe duty intervals. (many oil companies do this for free so send in your oil and filter next time you exceed the interval and tell us what they said.) Cut your old oil filter open, take a look sometime. Like I said, it's your bike, not mine. Who would actually push the point on something so inexpensive a chore, to its limits?
I really don't think anyone gives a second thought about the oil companies profit when it's time to change oil. I think it's putting off maintenance out of laziness or procrastination, it's almost an American tradition. Whatever your reasons and choices, when you decide to sell it, be sure to be truthful about the maintenance when asked. It's funny how many say "Oh every 3,000 miles" when I can tell from the brown baked on dirt in the fill hole or sight glass, they're only wishing they had.
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I do mine obsessively every 3000 miles. I'll even go so far as to do it a little early than to let it go past that point. New filter with every change, new o-rings on the filter plate as needed. No point in running the risk when the whole procedure takes less than an hour to do...