Oil Change Interval

Started by WetDuc, November 04, 2009, 08:22:43 AM

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WetDuc

I just hit 3450 miles and noticed a small oil leak at the oil filter.  I took it to the dealer and he said the bike is due for an oil change anyway.  I thought the oil was changed every 7500 miles?  Am I clueless?
I also noticed my oil is very dark black. 
Can you guys and gals give me some feedback about how the oil looks and how often you change it on your bikes?
2007 S2R1000, 2009 M696 & 2008 M695 (foster bikes)

Slide Panda

You'll get varied answers, but all, or most will say that they change the oil well before the suggested interval. I usually go around 2k mi...
-Throttle's on the right, so are the brakes.  Good luck.
- '00 M900S with all the farkles
- '08 KTM 690 StupidMoto
- '07 Triumph 675 Track bike.

WetDuc

Wow, that's a lot more frequent than I had expected.  Do you usually use full synthetic?
2007 S2R1000, 2009 M696 & 2008 M695 (foster bikes)

Howie

The dealer is technically wrong since he said it is due and the manual says 7500.  His advice is good, though.

WetDuc

So you would not recommend running the bike until 7500 to change the oil? 
I'm only curious because the cars/trucks I've had that take full synthetic oil can usually run about 10k miles before the oil is burned. 
Concerning my 695, with the really black color of the oil and the small leak that showed up today, I would be really apprehensive about trying to eek out another 4000 miles before changing the oil.
2007 S2R1000, 2009 M696 & 2008 M695 (foster bikes)

He Man

Quote from: iamhybris on November 04, 2009, 10:30:34 AM
So you would not recommend running the bike until 7500 to change the oil? 
I'm only curious because the cars/trucks I've had that take full synthetic oil can usually run about 10k miles before the oil is burned. 
Concerning my 695, with the really black color of the oil and the small leak that showed up today, I would be really apprehensive about trying to eek out another 4000 miles before changing the oil.



the oil is leaking out near the filter because the filter was improperly installed to begin with. nothing about the quality of the oil.

as far as the oil goes though, i run about 4,000 miles when using fully synthetic before i change it. it varies with opinion. I honestly think the biggest reason to change fully synthetic oil is cause its dirty, not because the oil is no good.

So while you can put 2,000 miles on the bike in 1 long trip, the oil probably hasnt been pushed hard enough to warrant an oil change and can last many more miles.

WetDuc

The oil leak at the filter raises questions for me about how it was installed.  It's the first filter (unless they changed it at the 600 mile service) and it was fine until today.  I cinched it up just (1/8 turn) a bit to see if that might help.
2007 S2R1000, 2009 M696 & 2008 M695 (foster bikes)

yoreese

I do 3000 miles between changes on my M750 with synthetic blend.  Mine gets black about then.
1999 M750 Dark
2002 ST4S

Slide Panda

Quote from: iamhybris on November 04, 2009, 10:30:34 AM
So you would not recommend running the bike until 7500 to change the oil? 
I'm only curious because the cars/trucks I've had that take full synthetic oil can usually run about 10k miles before the oil is burned. 

Well, bikes aren't cars. One critical difference is that you've got a wet clutch. becuase of that, worn off friction materials from the clutch's normal operation are in with the oil. Also, oil in a bike sees a lot more strain for alck of a better term. Bike engines rev higher, and operating RPMs are higher. My car cruises 80 mph at 2250 rpms... The Monster, more like 5000.  Also there's different additives blah blah blah.

-Throttle's on the right, so are the brakes.  Good luck.
- '00 M900S with all the farkles
- '08 KTM 690 StupidMoto
- '07 Triumph 675 Track bike.

WetDuc

Thanks for the info so far!  I'm glad to know my bike isn't having an oil issue based on the color of the oil.

What's normal for the cost of the oil change?  I got oil, filter and crush washers for about $70 from the dealer.  Did I get ripped off?
2007 S2R1000, 2009 M696 & 2008 M695 (foster bikes)

Slide Panda

Seems a little steep. I use the mobil 1 moto oil. I can get it from the local auto parts shop for about $9 a bottle. I need 3+ bottles for a change so $36+Tax. OEM filters are $12-15 and crush washers should be just a few cents. Now some moto oils are more costly, like $12 a bottle...
-Throttle's on the right, so are the brakes.  Good luck.
- '00 M900S with all the farkles
- '08 KTM 690 StupidMoto
- '07 Triumph 675 Track bike.

yoreese

My dealer is using the Hi Flo oil filters and they are an authorized Ducati shop!!!  They are like $5 at Cycle Gear and Motul is $8-11 per quart so you should be somewhere $35-40 for a DIY oil change.
1999 M750 Dark
2002 ST4S

WetDuc

I got Bel Ray oil, OEM filter and crush washers (I also got a $13 spray can of chain lube I forgot to mention previously) for $70.  I doubt I will be doing it the same way next time.
2007 S2R1000, 2009 M696 & 2008 M695 (foster bikes)

Fresh Pants

Quote from: yoreese on November 04, 2009, 12:36:45 PM
My dealer is using the Hi Flo oil filters and they are an authorized Ducati shop!!!  They are like $5 at Cycle Gear and Motul is $8-11 per quart so you should be somewhere $35-40 for a DIY oil change.

I believe Hi-Flo Filtro manufactures a lot of OEM oil filters, so they're a reputable (and cheaper) replacement in my book.
Bwooooooahhh
Braaaaaaaappp

WetDuc

Great advice to save some $$$ for fun mods!
2007 S2R1000, 2009 M696 & 2008 M695 (foster bikes)